The Correlation between Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease

According to the Medical News Today website, studies find hearing loss may contribute to social isolation, lower quality of life, disability, depression, and dementia. This can be especially problematic for people aged 80 years and older, who tend to have more advanced hearing losses. 

In 2015, researchers reported on a 25-year study, which focused on a link between hearing loss and dementia. At the start of the study, the 3,670 participants were 65 years or older and followed for over 25 years. Using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to measure cognitive decline, researchers say there appeared to be a correlation between self-reported hearing loss and cognitive decline. However, participants who used hearing aids did not show a significant cognitive decline, suggesting the use of hearing aids may offer a protective effect.

Experts say hearing loss may adversely impact a person’s ability to socialize as they miss out on vital verbal and emotional information that may directly impair brain structure and function. Or it could be that the person uses more energy to make sense of what they hear; and reduces the energy they have left for memory, language processing and attention.

It is recommended at age 60, all adults get a baseline hearing test and be rechecked every couple of years, regardless of whether they experience symptoms. John Hopkins Medicine reports one in 3 adults over age 65 has hearing loss, but due to a gradual change in their hearing, they may not be aware of it.  

Symptoms of age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, include the speech of others sounding muffled or slurred; high-pitched sounds, such as "s" or "th" being hard to distinguish; and having difficulty understanding conversation, especially if there is background noise. The person may notice men’s voices are easier to hear than women’s, because it is lower-pitched. 

MorningStar at West Valley is San Jose’s newest memory care facility designed to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. New residents receive personalized service plans to address special needs and provide a gentle flow of purposeful activities. We are open to residents this winter and can help you reserve a select suite for your loved one. Also ask about our Founders Club Specials.

Source: hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/presbycusis

Tips for Safely taking Prescription Drugs

Every year seniors are hospitalized due to prescribed medications. Statistics show drug-related problems are common in older adults and include drug ineffectiveness, adverse drug effects, over-dosage, under-dosage, inappropriate treatment, inadequate monitoring, nonadherence, and drug interactions. It is important to remember even though medication is prescribed by your healthcare provider, problems can occur.  

Experts say you must follow directions and take medications as prescribed including on time, in the right dosage, with or without food, and never grinding it into a powder (unless directed by the doctor). They recommend carrying an updated list of all medications and sharing it with your doctors. Additionally, be aware of common interactions between prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications and alcoholic drinks. 

Before your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask them why you are taking it, for how long and what are the potential side effects. It is important to know what to look for and to discuss the benefits versus any negative or dangerous consequences. You will want to know things like will a drug make you drowsy so you know not to drive under its influence.  

Another thing to safeguard your health is to review your medications with your doctor on a regular basis asking questions such as: do you still need to take it, is the dosage correct, and is there a non-drug alternative? Despite your faith in your medical team, it is not a bad idea to check your medications against the American Geriatric Society’s “2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults.” The online site lists medications that may be inappropriate or dangerous for seniors.   

MorningStar at Observatory Park assisted living and memory care community enables residents to live life as independently as possible. We offer 60 assisted living suites from studio to one- and two-bedroom floorplans and 23 suites for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in our distinct Reflections Neighborhood. If the MorningStar name sounds familiar, we have over 40 retirement communities around the Western US including several in and around Denver. To reserve your select suite today, visit our website for contact information and to ask about our Move-in Specials. We open to residents in the last quarter of 2022.

Source: 

healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-ten-medications-older-adults-should-avoid-or-use-caution

Why We Need Potassium

While many of us know bananas contain potassium, we may not know much more about it or why we need it. Potassium is “a soft, silvery-white mineral found naturally in the earth, and it's critically important to the function of certain processes in the human body.” It also functions as an electrolyte, and is critical to the conduction of electrical signals throughout the body.  

Along with chloride and salt, potassium is an essential, integral part of every cell, making cell growth and nerve signaling possible. It helps generate muscle contractions; regulate the heartbeat; build proteins from amino acids and metabolize carbohydrates for energy. 

Given the importance of potassium, luckily it is water soluble, easily absorbed and found in many foods. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements says adults aged 19 and older should consume 4,700 milligrams of potassium daily. For context, a medium-sized banana contains about 400 mgs of potassium. A whole avocado contains 975 mg and a large white potato has 1,500 mg.  Some other foods containing potassium are leafy greens, peas, pumpkins, oranges, grapefruits, kiwis and melons. Seafood, meats, dairy, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and nuts are other healthy choices.   

Not getting enough potassium can cause a condition known as hypokalemia. Common symptoms include muscle weakness, twitching or cramping (especially at night), or an abnormal or irregular heart rate. Too much potassium can cause hyperkalemia, resulting in weakness and fatigue; numbness and tingling in the limbs and extremities, nausea and chest pain. Potassium-sparing blood pressure medications can elevate your risk of hyperkalemia.

If a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, please take a look at West San Jose’s newest memory care facility, MorningStar Memory Care at West Valley. Visit our website to learn more about our community, and to contact our team with questions. We are scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2022 and can help you reserve a select suite for your loved one that needs alzheimers care. Also ask about our “Founders Club Specials.”

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/a-potassium-primer

Build Your Immune System with a Healthy Lifestyle

Growing older can open the door to chronic diseases, impaired mobility and other distressing health concerns. While there are many challenges we encounter on our path to old age, medical experts say there are some things we can do to improve and protect our overall well being. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, explains, “It’s important to recognize the things that are most supportive of a good immune system are a healthy lifestyle.”

This starts with the basics like making sure we get enough sleep each night, following a healthy diet, and staying physically active. Other things we can do to improve the immune system is to support our gut microbiome by eating plant-based foods and whole grains to naturally get probiotics. The best sources of probiotics are from fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi.

Experts say drinking responsibly is okay but evidence of excessive alcohol in both human and animal research indicates “overconsumption of alcohol decreases immune reactivity, reducing the body’s ability to fight infection.” The 2015-20 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends women consume no more than one drink a day and men no more than two.  

Additional ways to protect and strengthen our immune system is to keep up-to-date with vaccines as well as follow the medical community’s recommended exercise guidelines. Quit smoking, get seven to eight hours of sleep a night and try to reduce stress are other ways we can strengthen our immune response. So is eating foods high in antioxidants such as artichokes, beans, blackberries, strawberries, dark chocolate, red cabbage and spinach.

For exceptional independent or assisted living, Everett area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Silver Lake, a true home offering a lifestyle of security, comfort, and community. Our many services include beautifully prepared, nutritional meals and a variety of wellness programs and activities. For more information, please visit our website. 

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest independent and assisted living Everett, WA offers.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/slideshows/ways-to-boost-your-immune-system?slide=11 

Start Improving Your Health Today

It is never too late to improve our health and making changes in our behaviors and attitudes can mean living a happier, longer life. Doctors say getting your weight under control, quitting smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables, and exercising can all significantly improve your health and longevity at any age. 

Remember taking care of our health also includes our brains. Experts used to believe the brain could not make new neuron connections as we aged but research now shows the “brain remains nimble and capable of physical change and growth throughout life.” In fact, studies find people, who step out of their comfort zone and try new hobbies and interests, can improve their cognitive health. 

Another misconception is thinking it is too late to start exercising or to lose weight. A meta-analysis of 39 studies on aging and resistance-type exercises such as lifting weights or using exercise bands, found it is possible to build muscle mass no matter what age. In the studies,  “1,300 adults over the age of 50 who did some form of this kind of training, muscle mass increased by an average of nearly 2.5 pounds in just five months.”

Being positive is a trait that helps people deal more effectively with stress and worry and is linked to longevity. Researchers also find it is better for us to be in charge of our own medical care. One way to do this is to stay up-to-date on medical research and advice regarding care options as well as asking pertinent questions of our healthcare providers. Other things we can do to protect our health is to get appropriate screenings and tests, use our time productively and stay socially engaged. 

MorningStar at Silver Lake is a 55+ community that offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and as much or as little social engagement as you want. Our range of onsite amenities, hospitality and care services, wellness programs and activities are designed for stress-free retirement years. Please visit our website to learn more about the finest senior housing Everett, WA offers.  

MorningStar Senior Living’s independent and assisted living communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. If you are looking for the finest senior housing Everett, WA has to offer, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Silver Lake. 

Source: verywellhealth.com/boost-longevity-in-your-60s-2223714