As we age, many seniors experience occasional “brain fog” or forgetfulness and have trouble comprehending and processing new information. Medical experts say this may be a normal part of aging but could also be from some of the medications you are taking.
Dr. Mark Albers, a neurologist at the McCance Center for Brain Health at Harvard - affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, says it is not all that uncommon for seniors to experience symptoms of brain fog when taking certain medications for the first time. He explains medications can affect memory more in aging adults as “older people tend to metabolize drugs more slowly, making them more sensitive to medications and more vulnerable to side effects.” Other reasons medications cause more problems in seniors are they often take larger doses of a drug and more frequently as well as take several drugs to treat one health condition. Moreover older people may have a weakened blood-brain barrier. This barrier works to block toxins and other harmful substances including drugs from entering the brain, which may account for some memory problems. Sleep medications are one of the common medications that can be problematic. Over-the-counter sleeping aids can contain anticholinergic drugs, which are known to impair cognitive function, and some prescription sleep drugs diminish activity in parts of the brain involved in transferring short-term memories to long-term memory. Pain medications can additionally result in memory problems. The good news is once patients stop taking sleep or pain meds, modify the dose or replace the drug with a better option, many of the problems go away. Opening soon, MorningStar of Hillsboro is honored to offer adults 55+ a vibrant and carefree lifestyle to help live life to the fullest. Our community offers a wide selection of independent living apartments, concierge services and wellness programs to promote a healthy and engaged lifestyle. Amenities include a fitness center, relaxing patios, club lounges, and a heated indoor pool. Contact us to learn more about one of the best retirement communities Hillsboro, OR offers. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Hillsboro, OR has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, inviting atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Hillsboro provides outstanding independent living. Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/stuck-in-a-brain-fog-look-in-your-medicine-cabinet
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Let’s be honest, many of us rely on the Internet for medical advice. While it can supply good answers, doctors also caution you have to be careful what sites you trust. There are many websites providing good medical information but there are also sites with misleading or even dangerous advice.
Dr. Michael Langan, an internal medicine physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, cautions anyone with a blog can dispense information and advice; and a good way to avoid misinformation is to ask your doctor to recommend the sites they trust. Additionally, the National Institute on Aging recommends using health websites sponsored by Federal Government agencies. They say a good place for reliable, up-to-date information is the National Institutes of Health, but at the same time, remind everyone that the Internet is no substitute for seeing your doctor or other health professional who can give you advice that caters to your specific situation. Other things to look for include name recognition such as the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic. Moreover, remember sites that end in .gov, identity U.S. government agencies; .edu, educational institutions; and .org, usually designates nonprofit organizations (such as professional groups; scientific, medical, or research societies; advocacy groups). A .com is a commercial site. The NIH says to look for the date of the information (often can be found at the bottom of the page) and see if the authors and contributors are identified. If the author is listed, what is his/her background and what is their goal in writing the article or the intent of the organization it is written for. Is there any financial motive for the information? Check out the About Us or Contact Us pages as they provide background information about the organization. Looking for the best senior living Hillsboro, OR offers? Meet MorningStar of Hillsboro, a new 55+ senior living community scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2022 and designed for carefree retirement years. As a resident, you will no longer worry about home maintenance as we handle it all both inside and out as well as an array of onsite luxury amenities, hospitality services and a community of friends. Please visit our website for more information including contact information, selection of floor plans and a list of amenities. MorningStar of Hillsboro provides the very best in independent living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Hillsboro, OR has to offer. Source: nia.nih.gov/health/online-health-information-it-reliable#where Statistics show approximately one million Americans reside in some type of senior living community, and by 2030, the number is expected to double. At the same time, the number of seniors 85 and older is projected to triple from 5.7 million in 2011 to 14.1 million in 2040. Within the category of senior living, there are several options available for older adults including independent living (also known as retirement communities), which is specifically designed for adults 55+.
The reason so many seniors are turning to independent living is they love the many advantages it offers. Residents get peace of mind with predictable budgeting and not having to worry about unexpected repairs or costs associated with home maintenance. Another important perk of independent living communities is built-in companionship, and in many cases, activities and programming, and tasty meals they no longer have to cook. Senior living communities like MorningStar of Hillsboro allow seniors to enjoy stress-free retirement years, extend their independence and continue the adventure. Opening in the first quarter of 2022, MorningStar of Hillsboro will offer 141 stylish apartments in a variety of floorplans. Our luxury amenities include chef-inspired meals, an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, social clubs and other indoor and outdoor venues. In addition, We will offer a broad range of wellness programs and activities designed for residents’ physical, mental, social and spiritual connection. And in case you were wondering, we are pet friendly. MorningStar of Hillsboro is ideally located as the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center is close by as are the shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues of Tanasbourne Town Center. Portland is 25 minutes to the east, and the Washington County Museum, Tualatin Hills Nature Park and Tualatin Hills Nature Center are nearby. For exceptional senior living, Hillsboro, OR seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar, a true destination for successful aging. MorningStar of Hillsboro provides the very best in independent living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Hillsboro, OR has to offer. Experts say while you pride yourself on keeping a clean kitchen, you may still have some appliances or tools that are a hidden risk to your family’s health. Along with throwing away dirty sponges, which are a source of germs, viruses and bacteria; other kitchen tools are not meant to last forever. To keep your family healthy, they may need to be replaced.
One of those items many kitchens have is a blender that is often used to make healthy smoothies, drinks and soups. Alyssa Resnick, a registered dietitian based in Hoboken, New Jersey warns that due to the construction of a blender, old food content and mold can build up in the base and leach out into the contents of the blender. She suggests every time it is used to completely disassemble each part of the blender and thoroughly clean it. Cutting boards are another common source of germs, viruses and bacteria and should be replaced every so often. Experts say if a wooden board is cracked it should be thrown away. To keep them in good shape, avoid putting them in the dishwasher but rather scrub them with a brush in a hot detergent solution. Once dry, apply a food grade sealer. Plastic cutting boards should also be routinely checked for signs of wear and discarded when they have deep grooves and scratches. Dieticians warn that damp dish towels are another breeding ground for bacteria and are used to dry surfaces, dishes and hands. To stay safe, launder your towels often and keep paper towels on hand for messy and dirty cleanups. Other dangers in the kitchen include non-stick pans that are scratched or damaged. Maggie Michalczyk, a registered dietitian based in Chicago explains that many pans are coated with a chemical known as perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. According to the American Cancer Society, "PFOA has the potential to be a health concern because it can stay in the environment and in the human body for long periods of time." If you started the search for a 55+ community, we would like to introduce you to the newest senior living in Kirkland, WA. MorningStar of Kirkland offers carefree retirement years with luxury amenities, hospitality services and beautiful apartments. Please visit our website to learn more about the best senior housing in Kirkland. Source:health.usnews.com/wellness/slideshows/kitchen-items-you-need-to-replace?slide=7&src=usn_nl_yourhealth&utm_campaign=Your%20Health-Thu%20Dec%2016%2006%3A29%3A40%20EST%202021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_term=Your%20Health Seniors are not only living longer but are more engaged and active than their parents and grandparents’ generations were during their later years. Now when someone retires, they see it as a time to pursue new interests and hobbies or improve their golf or tennis game. It is a great time to travel, find meaning in life through volunteerism or spend quality time with the grandkids. It is not the time to worry about endless home repairs and maintenance.
Independent living communities like MorningStar of Kirkland offer residents predictable budgeting, maintenance-free living, an array of luxury amenities, and a broad community of friends. An all-day dining service relieves you of meal prep and clean-up duties, giving you the time to enjoy the pool or take a peaceful stroll through our Zen gardens. Our onsite bistro/bar is ideal for meeting up with friends before dinner for a cocktail or glass of wine. If you have always wanted to delve into the arts, take advantage of our well-stocked Art Studio; get into shape with our fitness center, or participate in one of our wellness programs or activities. If gardening is your passion, help keep the residents’ raised beds looking their best, or take in a movie at our own theater/chapel. MorningStar of Kirkland additionally offers full salon services and more. You will love the peace of mind knowing someone is always around with our 24/7 concierge services. In addition your apartment will have handicap-accessible bathrooms and a 24-hour emergency call service. For your convenience and safety, we offer secure underground parking; and in case you wondered, we are pet friendly. MorningStar of Kirkland’s 151 apartments are true homes and include studios; and one-bedroom, one bath; and two-bedroom configurations; all come with full kitchen, washers/dryers and patio or balconies. Please visit MorningStar of Kirkland’s website for pricing and availability. While you are there, inquire about our generous Founders Club Rewards for Early Depositors. We look forward to hearing from you. We all know it is important to exercise to stay healthy; but what do you do when an older person you love is a confirmed couch potato and doesn’t want to change. While they are not alone, surveys show only 39% of people over 65 meet the recommended amount of activity each week; it is better to be one of those who do. Add to that, the older people get, the number decreases even more.
The U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services' Health.gov site defines an inactive lifestyle as spending less than 20 minutes each day engaged in moderate intensity exercise. Examples of moderate intensity activities include a brisk walk, dancing, aerobics, and bike riding. The CDC’s guidelines for adults over the age of 65 is to do 2 ½ to five hours a week of moderate-intensity activity or 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. If someone is physically unable to meet these guidelines, they suggest doing some type of regular physical activity in accordance with their abilities. One way to get an older parent or other loved one to start moving is to get them to take a walk with you. If you live in an area with inclement weather, do it at your local mall. If they love flowers or would enjoy growing vegetables, help them start a garden and volunteer to work with them a couple of times a week. Another way to encourage activity is to help them find an exercise buddy. Other ideas include setting up YouTube exercise videos designed for their ability level such as chair yoga and stretching exercises, tai chi or beginner aerobics classes. A fitness watch is a good motivator as it lets them see their daily progress. Experts say avoid being too preachy but let them know they will actually have more energy the more they move. They explain the bottom line is for the person to find something they enjoy doing but to remember you can’t change their mind. Before beginning any new exercise, they need to consult with their healthcare provider. Please visit the MorningStar of Kirkland’s website to learn about our new independent living community. To ensure carefree retirement years, we offer 151 maintenance-free apartments as well as a variety of amenities and hospitality services. Please ask about our Founders Club Benefits valued at $5000. The Harvard Medical School journal says it is not surprising mind-body exercises like tai chi and yoga have become more popular over the last few decades as not only do people feel good doing them but more studies are showing the benefits of these exercises. Research suggests practicing tai chi can lead to a longer, more vital life, and is linked to lowering blood pressure, managing depression, building strength and improving balance.
The Harvard Medical School’s managing editor of introduction to tai chi, Peter Wayne, observed “tai chi was more like a multidrug combination that uses different components to produce a variety of effects.” His interest in the practice led him to develop the “eight active ingredients” of tai chi in order to evaluate the clinical benefits, the mechanisms used to produce these effects, and to shape the way it is taught to participants in clinical trials. Wayne says awareness is the most important component when doing tai chi as paying attention to your breathing and sensations in your body helps you become more focused. Another ingredient of the practice is intention. By concentrating your mind through “visualization, imagery, and other cognitive tools used in tai chi,” you can begin to realign your intentions, beliefs, and expectations. One example was research involving stroke victims that found visualizing movements in a paralyzed arm helped some people eventually recover motor function. “Studies show that older adults who do hour-long tai chi sessions one to three times a week are 43% less likely to fall, and they cut their risk of injury in half!” Other studies report benefits such as pain relief, less stress, elevated mood, increased confidence and a healthier heart. While considered safe for any age, please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise. The MorningStar of Pasadena senior living community is part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, which has earned a reputation for “casting a new light” on senior living. Our goal is to provide the services, amenities and wellness programs to meet our residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living and assisted living in Pasadena, CA. Source: taichifoundation.org/blog-posts/eight-active-ingredients-tai-chi-excerpted-article-peter-m-wayne-feb-2019 health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/an-introduction-to-tai-chi?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HB20211211-TaiChi&utm Families often wonder how assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Pasadena determine the level of care for its residents. We want to reassure you there is no need to worry mom or dad’s needs will not be addressed as our job includes creating and routinely re-evaluating residents’ individualized care plan designed for their wellbeing and safety.
Once you and your family decide MorningStar of Pasadena is the best fit, we invite you to sit down with our Wellness Director (a Licensed Nurse) to come up with a specialized care plan based on five levels of care – basic through level 4. Additionally monthly fees are determined by the square footage and location of your suite within the building and the view. We offer:
We believe wellness of mind, body and spirit is a joint effort between our remarkable residents and team members. Between clinical services and our life enrichment programs and activities, we work hard to be a breath of fresh air; and look for creative solutions that offer a higher quality of care at a lower cost to families. Working within the scope of our licensing with the Department of Health, we try to find creative solutions to extend the stay of our residents even as health conditions change. Along with assisted living, we offer independent living with a choice of 149 bright suites designed to provide carefree retirement years. For your ultimate comfort, we offer an array of luxury amenities, concierge services and a complement of wellness programs and activities. Visit our website for more on the finest independent living & assisted living Pasadena, CA offers. If you noticed a change in mom or dad or another loved one over the holidays, you are not alone. Experts say since the holidays are when families spend quality time together; it is also the time many adult children realize their parents are not doing as well as they thought they were living on their own.
Some of the most obvious signs a parent is having problems caring for him or herself is an unintended loss of weight, change in grooming habits or signs of a fall. The ADLs or Activities of Daily Living are used by experts to evaluate the needs of a person and include personal care such as bathing, dressing and toileting as well as transferring (ability to get in and out of bed, continence and eating. Other important signs a person is no longer doing well on their own and could benefit from some sort of assistance are based on what experts call the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These include things like paying bills, taking care of their home, preparing and cooking meals, being able to get out of the home, and socializing. At senior living communities like MorningStar of Pasadena, we offer both independent living and assisted living. Our assisted living is designed to provide the services residents need to maintain their independence with 24/7 care managers, medication management, access to licensed nurses and more. Moreover all residents are treated to a delicious, healthy restaurant-style dining service, wellness program and activities, and sponsored community outings and events. If you are looking for respite care, (short recuperative stays) or would like to sample community living with a trial stay from one week up to a full month, please contact us for availability. We invite you to visit our website for contact info, a full list of amenities, floorplans, photos, map and more on senior living Pasadena, CA families can trust. We look forward to welcoming you to our MorningStar family. While we always hear about omega-3 fatty acids and how they are good for us, just what are they? The experts explain omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fat also called “healthy fats.” Research suggests they play a role in protecting us from heart disease and dementia. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) omega-3s are “the primary polyunsaturated fats in brain cell membranes and have been popularized and successfully marketed as dietary supplements.”
DHA, EPA and DPA omega-3 fatty acids are synthesized by marine organisms such as algae and phytoplankton. They are then consumed by fish, aquatic mammals and crustaceans where the acids are stored in body fat, liver and blubber. When we consume foods from the sea such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, liver of lean white fish and fish oils, we get the benefits of the omega-3s stored in their bodies. Another type of omega-3 is ALA derived from plant sources and is the most readily used by the body to create all other types of omega-3 fatty acids. ALAs are found in nuts and seeds like flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts as well as oils like canola and soybean. Experts say although ALA can create all forms of omega-3 fatty acids, “the conversion of ALA to DHA and EPA is poor, so they recommend a dietary intake of a combination of foods rich in ALA, EPA, and DHA. Along with reducing the risk for heart disease, The Medical News Today (MNT) reports other evidence-based benefits of omega-3s include exerting anti-inflammatory effects throughout the human body, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improving tolerance to cancer treatments. A study also showed fish oil supplementations protected against major depressive disorders in person between the ages of 15 to 25. The MorningStar of Pasadena senior living community offers residents comfort, security, built-in companionship, and predictable budgeting. Our beautiful home has 149 apartments for independent living and assisted living in a selection of floor plans along with a broad range of amenities and services to meet seniors’ needs including a healthy, delicious dining service. Each smartly-designed apartment is equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Visit our website for more information on trusted independent living and assisted living in Pasadena, CA Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/omega-3-what-it-can-and-cant-do-for-health#Omega-3-fats:-What-they-can-do-for-health |
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