Take Extra Precautions over the Holidays with Elderly Loved Ones

Healthcare experts stress the importance of taking precautions over the holidays when spending time with older adults with underlying health conditions including family members with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. If you plan to have them attend family celebrations, it is recommended you limit guests to those who are vaccinated or ask unvaccinated family members to be isolated 14 days before they join the group and to get a COVID test. If that is not possible, then use social media to connect with one another. Also doctors say along with COVID-19 vaccines, the flu shot is an important step to protecting vulnerable family members. 

If you do gather with people outside your immediate family, suggestions include taking the festivities outside if practical and adjust expectations in terms of crowd size. If the person with Alzheimer’s suffers from sundowning (experiencing more confusion in the evening), move the celebration to earlier in the day and shorten the event or the time the person will be there. Have hand sanitizer available and ask people to avoid hugs, handshakes, and close contact. Wear masks when not eating or drinking. 

Other ways to celebrate the holidays with someone with Alzheimer’s is to take a walk outside to look at holiday lights or get out the glue stick and create homemade decorations. Most of all listen to the clues the person is giving out, and if they need some quiet time, make sure they get it. 

MorningStar of North Ridge is a memory care community dedicated to providing seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related diseases compassionate care from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We are proud to be part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, which was started in 2003 on the philosophy to create senior housing that felt like a true home. Please visit our website to take a look at our gallery of photos, floor plans and amenities. Our team is ready to answer any questions and can help set up a tour to see firsthand the most trusted Alzheimer’s care in Albuquerque. 

Combat Loneliness and Isolation with Community Living

The U.S. Census Bureau reports almost 13.8 million seniors live alone. We know various causes including chronic and worsening health conditions, hearing loss, no longer driving, mobility issues, loss of a spouse or other loved ones can result in loneliness and isolation for older adults on their own. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States, and puts them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions.” They cite statistics showing social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death, and rivals those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Moreover, studies find social isolation is associated with approximately a 50% increased risk of dementia, a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. The CDC also warns loneliness is linked to higher risk of depression, suicide and anxiety. 

Independent living communities offer older adults a built-in community of people at a similar stage of life as well as a variety of social activities that appeal to many tastes and preferences. The range of amenities and activities make it easy for residents to interact with others and to forge new friendships. Another advantage to 55+ independent living communities is the entire place is designed to accommodate the needs of seniors. This includes apartments with wheelchair accessible doorways, low thresholds, well-lit spaces, handrails, walk-in showers and tubs in bathrooms, and emergency call systems.  

At MorningStar at Silver Lake, we provide all the comforts of home with stylish apartments and graciously-appointed common areas both inside and out. Our broad range of services and amenities include all-day restaurant-style dining, bistro, outdoor patio garden, fitness center, wellness programs and activities to promote a healthy lifestyle for senior residents. Please visit our website to learn more about the finest senior housing Everett, WA has to offer.  

We proudly provide the very best in independent and assisted living with our unique 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. If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Everett, WA’s MorningStar at Silver Lake may be your answer.

Source: cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html

Therapy Dolls for Alzheimer’s Patients

Along with many non-drug interventions such as art, music, animals and gardening, doll therapy is another way to soothe and calm people who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss. While some people find it controversial and believe giving toys to adults is demeaning, Dr. Gary Mitchell, PhD, a lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland and the author of the 2016 book Doll Therapy in Dementia Care: Evidence and Practice, respectively disagrees. 

He explains living with Alzheimer’s is like being lost in a sea of confusion and uncertainty. “You don’t really know people anymore. You don’t really know the days of the week; but when you have that doll with you, over a period of time it can almost be your anchor. That’s the thing you’re responsible for, the thing you remember. And it brings a sense of comfort and attachment.”

Additionally a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests doll therapy significantly reduced the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia as well as caregiver distress. Experts offer a few tips for families or caregivers who are considering getting a therapy doll. They say to casually introduce the doll and to let the person decide if they like it. If they appear disinterested, don’t force the issue but rather try again in a few weeks. While you will want to buy a life-like doll, don’t get one that cries.  

At MorningStar of North Ridge, we specialize in providing individualized memory care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases. Our community has 38 suites with studio and one-bedroom floor plans and is equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. As Alzheimer’s care specialists, we consider it our calling to walk alongside your family on this challenging path. Please visit our website to learn more about our compassionate home, our company’s philosophy and our dedicated team. Also be sure to ask us about our Move-in Specials. 

Source: everydayhealth.com/alzheimers-disease/complete-guide-to-doll-therapy-for-people-living-with-alzheimers/

The Benefits Exercise Offers to Cognitive Health

We know exercise contributes to a person’s overall health and results in stronger muscles, a healthier heart and even a better night’s sleep. Now a neuroscientist is speaking up about the benefits exercise offers to our cognitive health. Wendy Suzuki, PhD, a neuroscientist and professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University, explains, “I’ve found that exercising is one of the most transformative things you can do to improve cognitive abilities, such as learning, thinking, memory, focus and reasoning — all of which can help you become smarter and live longer.”

Suzuki says each time we move our bodies’ beneficial neurotransmitters are released into the brain including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and acetylcholine, which transmits signals from nerve cells to target cells. These target cells may be in muscles, glands, or other nerves and can affect our sleep cycles, moods and concentration including a decrease in feelings of depression and anxiety. Research has shown it only takes as little as 10 to 30 minutes of exercise per day to elevate mood. 

Another important study shows how exercise promotes neurogenesis (the birth of new brain cells) and improves the brain’s function. The longitudinal study out of Sweden spans 44-years, and reports “women who scored high on a fitness test in midlife were nearly 90 percent less likely than their moderately fit or unfit peers to develop dementia decades later.” Moreover, researchers say the fittest women held dementia at bay at least 10 years longer than their peers. So the next question is how much exercise do we need to get results? Suzuki says to try for 90 to 120 minutes a week. This can be broken down in daily increments or three to four sessions a week.     

For independent and assisted living Everett seniors can count on, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Silver Lake, the perfect home to comfortably and safely age in place.  We offer a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, including a fitness center and exercise classes to keep you moving.  Please contact us for pricing and availability and be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials.

We proudly provide the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  If you are looking for exceptional independent or assisted living, Everett, WA’s MorningStar at Silver Lake may be your answer.

Sources:  cnbc.com/2021/10/22/neuroscientist-shares-the-brain-health-benefits-of-exercise-and-how-much-she-does-a-week.html 

alzforum.org/news/research-news/44-year-study-ties-midlife-fitness-lower-dementia-risk

Researchers Study the Link between Diet & Dementia

The Medical News Today says dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. The debilitating disease has no cure; and available treatments only alleviate symptoms without slowing the progression of the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia affects more than 55 million people globally, and 10 million people receive a diagnosis each year. Of that number it is estimated 60 – 70 percent have Alzheimer’s, and 6 million of them are Americans. Unfortunately those numbers are expected to rise to 139 million people across the globe by 2050.

Other rising numbers are in cases of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, which are all believed to increase a person’s risk for dementia. This is why researchers are not only trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other dementias but ways to reduce people’s risk for the disease. 

Dr. Christopher Weber, director of global science initiatives at the Alzheimer’s Association, noted that: “Research looking at the relationship between diet and cognition is well-established. There is strong evidence to suggest that what is good for the heart is good for the head, and we know a healthy diet is good for the heart.”  

Researchers say one diet that appears to suggest better cognitive health is the MIND diet, (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay). It is similar to the Mediterranean diet with a heavy focus on green, leafy vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, seafood, poultry and wine. 

On the other hand, foods high in refined carbohydrates may cause an increase in the risk for Alzheimer’s. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports on a study linking processed meat products, like sausages, salami, and bacon with a relative increased risk of all dementias by 44% and Alzheimer’s disease by 52%. 

MorningStar of North Ridge is a community devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, founded on the principle “to honor, to serve, to invest,” we have created a true home for residents. Please visit our website for contact information, pricing and availability and ask us about our Move-in Specials.

Source: 

medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dementia-and-diet-is-there-a-link?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=MNT%20Daily%20News&utm_content=2021-11-22&apid=32549197&rvid=e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855#Processed-food-may-increase-risk

The Advantageous of Independent Living Communities

Did you know more and more older adults are making the choice to move into senior living communities?  Seniors are embracing the idea of giving up home maintenance and spending more time doing what they love best, including being able to travel without worrying about snow piling up or the lawn needing to be mowed. Independent living communities offer private apartments designed to meet residents’ needs along with common areas ideal for sitting and relaxing with friends and dining rooms offering delicious restaurant-style meals. 

Another reason many seniors are choosing independent living communities is the appeal of living among like-minded people of the same age. Socializing is important to our wellbeing and isolation can lead to depression or worsen health problems. For seniors who no longer work and/or have stopped or limited their driving, it can get more and more difficult to maintain normal social interactions. Senior living communities offer easy opportunities for residents to meet new friends or engage in social activities and special events.  

At senior living communities such as MorningStar at Silver Lake, we offer transportation services and also take to the road every so often for trips to local parks, shopping malls, museums and other spots of interest. We also bring in live entertainment and host special events throughout the year. Wellness activities include exercise classes, life enrichment classes and more. We also know security is important to peace of mind, and community living gives that to seniors and their families. 

In addition, if you are someone who requires a little help with their daily personal care, MorningStar offers assisted living delivered by 24/7 care managers, licensed nurses and medication managers.  MorningStar at Silver Lake is a vibrant 55+ community with luxury amenities and concierge services for a relaxing, stress-free retirement. Please visit our website for more information on the finest senior housing Everett, WA offers. 

We proudly provide the very best in independent and assisted living with our unique 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. If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Everett, WA’s MorningStar at Silver Lake may be your answer.

Source: aging.com/independent-living-is-the-top-choice-for-seniors-today/   

Research Shows Stereotypes About Old Age are Wrong

Many people believe growing older is awful and that everyone in their eighties is sickly and depressed. However, in 86-year-old psychologist Katharine Esty’s fourth book called, EightySomethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness, she strongly dispels this notion. In fact, her research found elderly adults are happier and hold a more positive outlook than most of us thought. Esty explains, “The stereotypes that people have in their minds about old age are just completely wrong.” She adds, the type of activities people in their eighties are doing is stunning and many are pain-free, living full productive lives.

It turns out a lot of octogenarians are still working full- or part-time jobs, or finding fulfillment in doing some sort of volunteer work through their communities or church. Esty says having a purpose in life, regardless of age, gives a person’s life meaning. In addition, most 80-year-olds have already experienced loss and hardships in their life and have developed coping mechanisms to better deal with difficulties. 

The majority of octogenarians also reported feeling less anger, worry and stress than they did when they were younger; and while they may have some regrets, most had come to terms with their decisions. Lastly, the contentment 80-year-olds express about their lives is they recognize time is short and should not be wasted.   

MorningStar at Silver Lake’s goal is to provide the best independent and assisted living Everett offers, with a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and security. Our community has enrichment programs to stay active and involved in life physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. Residents will enjoy amenities and beautiful common areas including a billiards & game room, bistro, theatre, libraries, and spacious patio garden.  Please visit our website for contact information, virtual tour, list of amenities, various services and floorplans.  

MorningStar Senior Living’s 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 independent living or assisted living Everett, WA has to offer, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Silver Lake.

Source: cnbc.com/2020/10/03/why-people-are-happier-in-their-80s-86-year-old-psychologist.html

MorningStar at Silver Lake Provides Assisted Living

Some people think a move to an assisted living community signals an end to their independence but nothing could be further from the truth. At MorningStar at Silver Lake we respect the fact that seniors have spent a lifetime living independently, raising families, working jobs, and making their own decisions, and consider it our job to continue to help them lead full, purposeful lives. 

We know many of the challenges that come all too often with aging. Worsening medical conditions, failing eyesight, hearing impairments and mobility problems as well as the death of a spouse or friends can make it tough for seniors to live on their own. Isolation and loneliness can bring on feelings of hopelessness and depression; have a negative impact on mental health, and even affect quality of life.

As one of MorningStar’s assisted living residents, you will receive the personal daily care you need to help maintain your independence. Our services include help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, eating and more. Our trained care managers are there to help navigate any changes in your health and ensure you get the proper level of care you need. 

MorningStar’s scheduled transportation services, medication management, and pharmacy services make it easy to safely get to important doctor visits, and keep prescriptions filled and dispensed as needed. Residents also enjoy the built-in companionship and numerous perks of community living, including all day dining with healthy and delicious meals served restaurant style.  Just some of the amenities include a fitness center, bistro, theater/chapel, and salon. 

Located near medical facilities and other services as well as picturesque Silver Lake, we provide trusted senior living with predictable budgeting, freedom from endless home maintenance and opportunities for new friendships. Please contact us to learn more about availability and pricing for the finest assisted living Everett, WA offers.

We proudly provide the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  If you are looking for exceptional independent or assisted living, Everett, WA’s MorningStar at Silver Lake may be your answer.