Tips for Maintaining Mental Health in Cold Weather

The colder months can sometimes bring more than just a chill—they can affect your mood and energy, too. For residents in senior living Denver, winter is an ideal time to focus on mental health and take proactive steps to stay positive and engaged, no matter what the weather brings.

Why Winter Impacts Mental Health

Shorter days, less sunlight, and colder temperatures can lead to changes in mood and energy levels. For some, it may trigger a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which brings feelings of sadness or fatigue.

Understanding how to counteract these challenges can make winter not only bearable but enjoyable.

Simple Strategies to Support Mental Health

Let the Light In

• Why It Helps: Exposure to natural light boosts serotonin levels, improving mood and focus.

• How to Do It: Spend time near a sunny window or take short outdoor walks during daylight hours. If natural light is limited, consider using a light therapy box.

Stay Active

• Why It Helps: Exercise releases endorphins, which help combat stress and promote a sense of well-being.

• How to Do It: Opt for indoor workouts like stretching, yoga, or simple bodyweight exercises. Communities like retirement communities often offer group classes tailored for seniors.

Socialize Regularly

• Why It Helps: Staying connected reduces feelings of isolation, which can worsen during winter.

• How to Do It: Join a club, attend a group activity, or schedule regular calls with family and friends.

Nourish Your Body and Mind

• Why It Helps: A balanced diet supports brain health and energy levels.

• How to Do It: Focus on hearty, nutrient-rich foods like soups, whole grains, and colorful vegetables. Stay hydrated, even if you’re not feeling as thirsty in colder weather.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

• Why It Helps: Mindfulness and meditation reduce stress and help manage emotions.

• How to Do It: Dedicate a few minutes each day to deep breathing exercises or guided meditation apps.

Community Support for Mental Health

In senior housing Denver, residents often benefit from programs designed to lift spirits during the colder months. Seasonal events, group activities, and cozy common spaces provide opportunities to stay connected and engaged.

Creating a Cozy Winter Routine

Small changes can make a big difference in maintaining mental health:

• Light a scented candle and enjoy a good book.

• Bundle up with a warm blanket and a cup of tea while listening to music or watching a favorite movie.

• Dedicate time to hobbies like crafting, knitting, or puzzles.

While the colder months may seem challenging, they can also be an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and embrace self-care. By making small adjustments to your routine and focusing on activities that uplift you, winter can become a season of comfort and growth.

How to Make Your Retirement Savings Last Longer

Retirement can be an exciting new chapter, but making sure your savings last throughout your retirement years is crucial. With a strategic approach, you can stretch your funds while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

Assess Your Retirement Budget

Creating a detailed retirement budget is essential. Start by listing all of your necessary expenses, such as senior housing, healthcare, food, and utilities. Then, factor in discretionary spending, such as travel and hobbies. This will give you a clear picture of your financial needs and help you manage your savings wisely.

For those living in senior living Everett, it’s important to review any additional services or amenities the community offers. Understanding what is included in your monthly fees will help you avoid unexpected expenses and better allocate your savings.

Maximize Social Security Benefits

Social Security is a key income source for many retirees, and deciding when to start claiming benefits is essential. Delaying your Social Security payments, even by a few years, can increase your monthly benefits by up to 8% annually until age 70. This significantly boosts your long-term income, especially if you’re concerned about making your retirement savings last.

Diversify Your Investments

While some retirees prefer safer investments, it’s crucial to maintain a diversified portfolio to keep your savings growing. Consider a mix of low-risk bonds, dividend-paying stocks, and other investment vehicles that provide income and security. You may also want to consult a financial advisor to ensure your portfolio aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.

For residents of assisted living Arlington, consulting a financial expert can help retirees make informed decisions about their investments, ensuring a balance between growth and safety in their portfolio.

Consider Healthcare Costs

Healthcare is one of the largest expenses in retirement, and it’s crucial to plan for routine and unexpected medical costs. Ensure you clearly understand your Medicare coverage and any supplemental insurance plans you might need. A health savings account (HSA) can also help cover future medical expenses tax-free.

In assisted living Lynnwood, healthcare services are often part of the community offerings. Still, it’s important to account for out-of-pocket costs that may not be included in your monthly fees.

Be Mindful of Withdrawals

It’s tempting to dip into your retirement savings for big expenses, but withdrawing too much too soon can quickly deplete your funds. A good rule of thumb is to follow the 4% rule: only withdraw 4% of your savings in your first year of retirement, adjusting for inflation in the following years. This strategy helps ensure your savings last for decades.

Maintaining a balance between enjoying your retirement and managing your resources wisely is vital to ensuring your savings last. Proper planning and a focus on essential expenses allow you to stretch your retirement savings and live comfortably for many years.

Appropriate Summer Clothing Fabrics for Seniors

Choosing the right fabrics for summer clothing is essential for seniors to stay comfortable and cool. In assisted living Arlington selecting appropriate summer clothing can make a significant difference in comfort and health. Here are some of the best fabrics for seniors to consider during the hot summer months.

Cotton

Cotton is a popular fabric choice for summer clothing due to its breathability and softness. It allows air to circulate, helping to keep the body cool. Cotton is also highly absorbent, which means it can wick away moisture from the skin, reducing the risk of skin irritation and discomfort. In senior living Everett, cotton clothing is an excellent option for daily wear, providing comfort and ease of movement.

Linen

Linen is another excellent fabric for summer clothing. It is made from the fibers of the flax plant and is known for its lightweight and breathable properties. Linen allows air to flow freely, making it ideal for hot weather. It also has natural moisture-wicking properties, keeping the skin dry and cool. Assisted living Arlington residents can benefit from linen garments, especially for outdoor activities and social gatherings.

Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is gaining popularity due to its eco-friendly nature and excellent comfort. It is soft, breathable, and has natural moisture-wicking abilities. Bamboo fabric is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for seniors with sensitive skin. Clothing made from bamboo can help regulate body temperature, making it a great choice for seniors who want to stay cool and comfortable during summer.

Rayon

Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric made from natural fibers like wood pulp. It is lightweight, breathable, and has a silky feel, making it comfortable to wear in hot weather. Rayon drapes well and is often used in summer dresses, blouses, and skirts. Residents can enjoy the cool and stylish feel of rayon clothing during the warm summer months.

Chambray

Chambray is a lightweight fabric that resembles denim but is much softer and more breathable. It is made from cotton and is perfect for summer wear. Chambray shirts, dresses, and pants are comfortable and provide a casual yet stylish look. Seniors can benefit from chambray clothing for both indoor and outdoor activities.

Moisture-Wicking Fabrics

Modern moisture-wicking fabrics are designed to draw sweat away from the body, keeping the skin dry and cool. These fabrics are often used in activewear and can be beneficial for seniors who enjoy outdoor activities or light exercises. Residents can find moisture-wicking clothing helpful for staying comfortable during physical activities.

Choosing the right fabrics for summer clothing can significantly impact a senior’s comfort and well-being. By selecting breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking materials, seniors in assisted living Arlington can stay cool, comfortable, and stylish throughout the summer months.

Nutritional Tips to Stay Cool and Hydrated During Hot Months

Staying cool and hydrated is crucial for seniors, especially during the hot months. For those in senior living Kirkland, proper nutrition can make a significant difference in maintaining health and comfort.

Increase Water Intake

Water is essential for hydration, especially during hot weather. Seniors should aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Carrying a water bottle and taking frequent sips can help ensure adequate hydration. For seniors in senior living Kirkland, staff can assist by providing easy access to water throughout the day.

Eat Hydrating Foods

In addition to drinking water, consuming foods with high water content can help keep seniors hydrated. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, and celery are excellent choices. These hydrating foods not only provide fluids but also essential vitamins and minerals, making them perfect for seniors..

Limit Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate the body, making it harder to stay cool in hot weather. Seniors should limit their intake of these beverages and opt for water, herbal teas, or natural fruit juices instead. For those in senior living Kirkland, ensuring a variety of non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages are available can help maintain hydration.

Choose Light and Fresh Meals

Eating heavy and rich foods can make the body feel warmer and more uncomfortable during hot months. Seniors should focus on light, fresh meals that are easy to digest. Salads, cold soups, and fruit smoothies are excellent options. For residents in senior housing Kirkland, meal planning can incorporate these lighter options to help keep them cool.

Incorporate Electrolytes

Electrolytes are vital for maintaining hydration and can be lost through sweat. Seniors should include foods rich in electrolytes, such as bananas, spinach, and yogurt, in their diet. Additionally, drinking electrolyte-enhanced beverages can help replenish lost minerals. Senior living Kirkland facilities can provide these options to ensure residents stay balanced and hydrated.

Avoid Heavy and Spicy Foods

Heavy, spicy, or fried foods can increase body temperature and cause discomfort in hot weather. Seniors should avoid these foods and instead focus on meals that are refreshing and cooling. Options like cold pasta salads, grilled vegetables, and chilled fruit can provide necessary nutrients without raising body temperature. Meal plans can be adjusted to offer these cooling foods.

Monitor Salt Intake

While salt is essential for health, excessive salt can lead to dehydration. Seniors should be mindful of their salt intake, especially in hot weather, to avoid further dehydration. Eating fresh, unprocessed foods can help control salt levels. Staff can help monitor and adjust dietary plans to ensure a balanced salt intake.

Enjoy Cool Snacks

Cool snacks like frozen yogurt, popsicles, and chilled fruit can help seniors stay cool and hydrated. These snacks are not only refreshing but also provide a source of hydration. Offering these snacks regularly can help residents maintain their hydration levels and enjoy a tasty treat.

By following these nutritional tips, seniors can stay cool and hydrated during the hot months. Proper hydration and a balanced diet are key to maintaining health and well-being, particularly in warm weather.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOGA?

Yoga, which is a centuries-old meditative practice, is one of the most popular types of exercise for participants of all ages. In our busy lives that often trigger stress, yoga represents the ideal way to unwind by offering a mental retreat. At our senior living center in Everett, Washington, we make yoga one of the centerpieces of our bustling weekly activities calendar.

Hatha, which combines several styles, is considered one of the more popular styles of yoga. This style of yoga is more physical than other styles of yoga that require participants to remain still throughout an exercise routine. Hatha focuses on mastering controlled breathing while completing a series of yoga postures. Like other styles of yoga, Hatha delivers several benefits for residents at our assisted living facility in Lynnwood.

Improved Self-Image

Yoga studios usually do not include mirrors to allow participants to focus their attention inward rather than looking at physical attributes. Yoga practitioners are more aware of their bodies, but they also acquire keen insight into the meaning of previously misunderstood thoughts. The focus on self-image has helped countless yoga practitioners overcome issues such as eating disorders.

Because of its meditative exercises, yoga is considered an effective form of self-therapy.

Enhanced Fitness

Although yoga is best known for healing emotional wounds, it also has a positive impact on personal fitness. After practicing yoga for a few weeks, you should notice a gain in strength and endurance, as well as much more body flexibility. Cardiovascular benefits delivered by yoga exercises include lower blood pressure and a much more robust circulation of blood.

Studies have demonstrated that yoga also improves lipid profiles, while at the same time reducing blood sugar levels.

Better Weight Management

Because of its physical demands, yoga exercises help participants burn calories. However, the hidden weight loss benefit of yoga comes from the mental side of the exercise routine. Researchers have discovered that yoga practitioners who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes one time a week for four consecutive years gained less weight or even lost weight.

Yoga participants are more mindful eaters, meaning that they are more in tune with their bodies by knowing when they feel full.

Reduced Stress

Yoga has rightfully earned a reputation for being a healing exercise for both the mind and body. Perhaps no other type of healing has more of a positive impact than the healing that develops because of reduced stress. Mindfulness is a discipline that requires implementing relaxation techniques to achieve inner tranquility. The result of mindfulness often is a much more relaxed body, and more importantly, a much more relaxed mind.

One of the reasons a growing number of companies have added yoga to their wellness programs is to help employees reduce stress.

Discover the Healing Powers of Yoga at MorningStar at Silver Lake

MorningStar operates on the principle that investing in our residents generates long-term health benefits. One of the ways we invest in the residents of our assisted living facility near Arlington involves scheduling activities such as yoga. Moving into a senior housing center in
Everett, WA can trigger considerable stress and anxiety. You can remove stress and anxiety from your life by taking yoga classes at MorningStar at Silver Lake.

Make sure you check with your physician before starting any type of new exercise program.

WHAT IS A MEMORY CARE FACILITY?

One of the most common questions we receive during a tour of MorningStar at Silver Lake concerns memory care services. Memory care represents a type of long-term senior care focused on helping residents live with a form of progressive-degenerative dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. It requires a much higher level of life support services than the type of life support services provided for residents enrolled in an assisted living program.

At our senior living center in Everett, Washington, memory care consists of establishing a safe, highly structured living environment to help residents living with dementia reduce stress. As opposed to a more independent living arrangement, our memory care program sets routines like scheduling meal times and the completion of daily personal tasks. Staff members at our senior living facility receive intensive training that develops specialized skills to address the unique issues that arise for memory care residents.

Since residents living with dementia are more likely to wander, our senior living facility has installed doors with alarms, elevators that require a special code to operate, and enclosed outdoor spaces to prevent memory care residents from wandering off site. The implementation of a tracking bracelet program allows memory care residents to explore different areas of our facility, but the program also permits caregivers to monitor the location of each memory care resident throughout the day.

One of the most important types of memory care services offered at MorningStar at Silver Lake concerns an activities calendar that includes several events that help residents improve their cognitive skills.

What Type of Memory Care Services Should My Loved One Expect at MorningStar at Silver Lake?

A vast majority of memory care facilities provide the same types of services found in standard assisted living environments. Your senior loved one might live in a private or semi-private apartment-style suite that includes a slip-free bathroom. We provide linen, housekeeping, and personal laundry services, as well as serve three daily meals in a restaurant-style dining room. Your senior loved one also can enjoy snacks and beverages throughout each day.

An in-house designed medical alert system helps detect emergency events that require immediate medical care. Our technologically advanced security system protects memory care residents from outside threats, as well as alerts our staff of caregivers when an internal threat poses a problem. One of the most common reasons why family members choose our senior living facility for memory care services is our commitment to offer daily social and recreational activities that enhance both mental and physical health.

In addition, our industry low staff-to-resident ratio promotes the type of individual care memory care residents require to live active lifestyles.

Learn More About Our Memory Care Facility in Everett, WA

To receive the proper credentials to operate a memory care center in Washington, facilities must pass regularly administered health and safety inspections, as well as assign a senior caregiver from outside the facility to spend a certain amount of time each week onsite. Each of our caregivers earns both CPR and first aid certifications. Caregivers who oversee the dispensing of medications must be licensed medical professionals. An extensive orientation session coupled with hands-on training prepares our caregivers to help residents manage memory loss issues.

Find out more about our memory care services by scheduling a tour today of our senior living facility in Everett, Washington.

4 LIFE HACKS FOR SENIORS AT AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

When we enter our senior years, many of us start to develop the mindset of “been there, done that.” It is a mindset stating there is nothing in life that can throw us a curveball. However, one life event does not prepare us in any way to handle it with grace and courage.

We are talking about the major life transition called moving into a senior living center in Everett, Washington.

It is difficult to admit that some things for seniors are not as easy to accomplish as they once were during our youth. Changes in your health, memory, and/or mobility cry out for some type of assistance. Once you get over the hurdle of agreeing to live in an assisted living facility, what steps should you take to make the transition as smooth as possible?

The answer is to follow four life hacks for seniors at an assisted living facility.

Get a Grip

When you hear the phrase, “Get a grip,” you probably think it is about getting your act together. For seniors living in an assisted living facility, getting several grips to secure loose items such as rugs is a highly effective strategy to minimize the risk of sustaining injuries caused by a slip and fall. Grips placed around a bathtub help prevent the types of slip and fall incidents that can cause serious injuries. Grip-taping rugs prevent trip and fall incidents by securing carpeting to the floor.

Exercise Your Body and Mind

Although your exercise routine changes as you grow older, one element of exercise does not change. You should complete at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Following an exercise regimen boosts your immune system, as well as helps you maintain healthy bones and muscles. In addition, the brain benefits from exercise by enhancing memory and elevating your mood.

Decluttering is More Than Getting Rid of Things

When you hear the word declutter, you most likely think about getting rid of things to make your life easier. Although decluttering personal items such as old furniture is important for seniors who need to downsize for their new home, decluttering also should refer to removing tasks from daily to-do lists. Clutter and stress go together like chocolate and peanut butter. Decluttering your assisted living facility room is just a start. You also should declutter your schedule.

The Camera Eye

One of the most frustrating parts of growing older is that our memories begin to lose strength. Forgetting where we put our car keys and not remembering when and how much medications to take often become huge issues for older adults. What is the solution for addressing a fading memory? How about documenting everything important by using the camera feature on a cell phone? With 85 percent of adults older than 65 years old owning a Smartphone, the time has come to put the camera feature to good use.

Make a Smooth Transition to MorningStar at Silver Lake

The licensed caregivers at our senior housing center in Everett, WA make it a priority to ensure residents enjoy living at a safe facility that offers the highest quality of life. To achieve our lofty goals, we feel it is important for residents to get off on the right foot by following a few helpful life hacks. You can expect to discover a large list of special amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, as well as activities scheduled daily to keep you engaged in a vibrant lifestyle.

Make sure to ask about each of the three lifestyle options offered at MorningStar at Silver Lake during your scheduled tour.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is a statistic that should raise eyebrows: One out of every eight women living in the United States will have to deal with some form of breast cancer. Despite the publicity paid to the disease in the media, we are no closer to a cure today than we were 30 years ago. However, a campaign devoted to educating both men and women about the many perils associated with breast cancer helps the residents of our senior housing community fight back against the disease. 

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotes preventing the disease by implementing strategies such as screenings, as well as educating Americans about how to combat the symptoms of the disease. Renowned worldwide for its pink-colored ribbons, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings together national cancer advocacy groups and local organizations like mom-and-pop retail outlets.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month includes Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. The month-long event began in 1985 as a weeklong public awareness campaign organized by the American Cancer Society. Many iconic brands such as Estee Lauder have helped fund events, as well as provide logistical support for mobile breast cancer screening stations.

What Do I Need to Know About Breast Cancer?

Devoting a month to increasing awareness of breast cancer has turned into one of the most successful public education campaigns run in the United States. The month-long awareness campaign reminds us to learn more about breast cancer, as well as how to minimize the risk of contracting the disease.

Breast cancer represents the most common form of cancer that develops among American women. Black females run the highest risk of dying from the disease, mostly because around one in five black women receive a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer, which is a much higher diagnosis rate among other ethnic and racial groups. More than 80 percent of breast cancers diagnosed involve women who do not have a family history of developing the disease. Breast cancer often develops as the result of the aging process rather than living with inherited genetically produced cell mutations.

How Can I Make a Difference During Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023?

The first step toward making a difference during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 is to take preventive steps such as undergoing regularly scheduled medical screenings. A wide variety of healthcare organizations offer free breast cancer screenings to encourage both men and women to take preemptive action. You also should spend time learning more about the disease by watching podcasts and the videos uploaded online by reputable healthcare sources.

To support a breast cancer advocacy organization, consider making a donation to an organization like Breastcancer.org. Volunteering to help a breast cancer organization is another way to leave a positive impact on the breast cancer education movement. You can volunteer by running a booth at a conference and/or participating in a fundraising event.At MorningStar at Silver Lake, our senior housing community in Everett, Washington emphasizes the importance of preventive healthcare, especially when it comes to detecting the development of breast cancer. Learn more by scheduling a tour today.

4 Friend-Making Tips for Seniors in Senior Housing

It starts in elementary school when a kid shows up for the first day at a new school. It happens again somewhere down the road when you meet colleagues during the first day at a new job. Wherever it happens, the new kid on the block has to deal with many emotions, which include the emotions that trigger stress and anxiety. Making new friends as the new kid on the block is never easy, regardless of your age. When the time comes to move into a senior housing community in Everett, WA, you have to start over once again as the new kid on the block.

Making friends at an assisted living facility is just as stressful as when you tried to make friends on the first day at a new elementary school. The biggest difference is life experiences have helped you adapt better to a new environment. In addition, making friends at an assisted living facility in Everett involves many of the same strategies you used decades ago to make friends in other types of environments. 

With knowledge and experience on your side, let’s look at four friend-making tips for seniors in senior housing.

Take the Initiative

If you have heard the saying, “Take the bull by the horns,” you understand that the saying refers to taking the initiative in whatever you do. The saying has special meaning for seniors trying to make friends in a senior housing facility. You take the bull by the horns every time you stop by a common area and start a conversation with a fellow resident. Subsequent conversations should reveal information such as likes and dislikes, as well as a description of the path in life each of you has taken.

Make Friends During Meals 

The best common area to meet new friends in an assisted living community is the dining room during meals. Since the advent of human history, meals have represented the ideal time for people to mingle and get to know each other. At MorningStar at Silver Lake, our culinary staff creates and executes delicious meals that deliver several mental and physical health benefits. Because of the popularity of our culinary program, we experience a high volume of residents for each of the three daily meals served in our dining room.

Participate in Activities

Our memory care facility in Everett is known for its activities calendar, which remains full throughout the year. From movie night to yoga classes, our residents have the opportunity to stay active without ever leaving our assisted living community. With a busy activities calendar, new residents can interact with other residents in a wide variety of environments. Pick the activities that match your interests, and then making new friends should fall in place naturally.

Outings 

One of the goals of our team of caregivers at MorningStar at Silver Lake is to offer opportunities for our residents to leave the facility to enjoy life at Everett area venues and attractions. We schedule frequent group outings, which gives our residents more time to spend with friends, as well as meet new friends that would otherwise not get the chance to meet onsite. Our regularly scheduled outings include visits to Everett area restaurants, shopping malls, and cultural events. Not only can seniors meet new friends, but they also cultivate the friendships they have already established.

The Bottom Line: Be Patient

Patience is the key to making friends at an assisted living facility. Making friends takes time in any environment, but especially at a memory care facility. The MorningStar at Silver Lake  assisted living facility in Everett, WA gives residents numerous opportunities to meet other residents as the first step for developing friendships. Learn more by contacting one of our resident services representatives.

Yoga Poses Seniors Can Easily Do

As we grow older, one of the most important strategies to maintain good health is to incorporate physical activities into our daily routines. An active lifestyle not only enhances physical health, but also delivers several mental health benefits. With a consistent exercise routine, your loved one can thrive living at a senior housing facility in Everett, Washington. You can expect your loved one to feel more energetic, as well as address the typical aches and pains that develop due to aging.

Yoga represents one of the most effective and popular types of exercise for seniors. The key to getting the most out of a yoga exercise routine involves learning the yoga poses seniors can easily do.

Benefits of Yoga for Seniors

Yoga delivers several benefits that make it one of the most popular exercise routines for seniors.

The physical benefits of yoga exercises start with strengthening bones and muscles, both of which deteriorate as we age. Yoga for seniors can prevent the development of painful osteoarthritis, as well as enhance heart health. A regular yoga exercise regimen often leads to better balance and coordination, which many seniors struggle with as they grow older. Maintaining strong mobility is one of the most important factors in maintaining an independent lifestyle.

Yoga also delivers other benefits, which include reducing stress and anxiety. Moving into a senior housing facility can trigger acute stress. Lower stress improves your loved one’s heart rate and blood pressure. Because of the mental relaxation techniques implemented with yoga exercises, your loved one should experience improved sleeping patterns.

Easy Yoga Poses for Seniors

Although yoga delivers many benefits for seniors, not every yoga pose is the right one for assisted living facility residents. Three yoga poses represent the three easiest exercises for seniors. The yoga instructors at MorningStar at Silver Lake help residents optimize the benefits of the following three easy yoga poses.

Simple Reclining Twist

The simple reclining twist exercise is considered the most effective restorative yoga pose. This pose requires participants to hold postures passively to target connective bones and tissues, which allows the body to discover its natural alignment. The simple reclining twist maintains fluid joints to allow seniors to move around with greater ease. Many yoga instructors recommend the simple reclining twist pose before bedtime because it calms down an active nervous system.

Relaxation Pose

Yoga is not just a physically beneficial exercise. Several yoga techniques incorporate controlled breathing exercises to relax both the mind and body. Instructors also include breathing exercises at the end of a yoga session during “savasana,” which refers to a deep relaxation technique. During savasana, participants integrate slow breathing to meditate for several minutes. This meditative pose is especially helpful for enhancing the mental health of seniors.

Side Warrior Pose

The side warrior pose represents a yoga exercise that concentrates on strengthening the bones and muscles in the lower body such as the quadriceps and gluteus maximus. Seniors that struggle with balance particularly benefit from this yoga pose, which does not place much strain on the body. The key to completing this pose is to maintain a narrow stance and incorporate deep breathing into the exercise.

Participate in Yoga Classes at MorningStar at Silver Lake

Our assisted living facility in Everett, WA schedules yoga classes that teach poses for seniors of all types of skill sets. Learn more about the yoga program at MorningStar at Silver Lake, as well as the rest of our activities, by scheduling a tour of our senior housing facility.

Looking for Senior Housing in Everett, WA

More than 800,000 seniors in the United States live in an assisted living community. If a loved one has reached retirement age, you might one day need to find senior housing in Everett, Washington. On the other hand, if you are currently looking for senior housing in Everett, WA, you should consider several factors to make the right decision for a loved one.

Here are a few tips to help you conduct helpful research for finding the right assisted living facility in Everett.

Location, Location, Location

Location matters because you want to spend time with your senior loved one. Proximity is an important issue, as well as how easy it is to travel to and from your home to make frequent visits. Seattle area traffic can quickly turn into a congested mess, especially during the fall and winter when Pacific Ocean storms inundate the metro region with rain. If your loved one develops a healthcare issue, you want to be close by to provide immediate emotional support.

Different Types of Care

The best senior housing facilities in Everett do not offer a cookie-cutter approach to providing care. Although some residents do not require comprehensive care, they still might need some type of assistance with a few chores or for receiving certain types of medical care. MorningStar at Silver Lake offers three types of lifestyle options: independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Many of our residents start in the independent living program, with the option to receive assisted living and eventually memory care services down the road.

Activities and Amenities

Numerous studies have concluded that participating in an active lifestyle represents an effective strategy to delay or avoid the onset of memory issues. An active lifestyle also can help a senior become more independent, which means less reliance on assisted living services. At our Silver Lake senior housing facility in Everett, we offer a wide variety of amenities such as access to computers and a swimming pool to keep our residents active. MorningStar at Silver Lake also schedules numerous social and cultural events throughout every month, including trips to venues located in the greater Seattle area.

Disposition of Staff Members

Caregivers work highly stressful jobs. The toll of providing around-the-clock care can burden caregivers enough to change their attitudes toward their jobs. When you visit an assisted living facility, one of the most important items on your to-do list involves watching the caregivers interact with residents. You want a facility where caregivers display cheerful and helpful attitudes. In addition, the facility where your loved one calls a new home should have a low caregiver-to-resident ratio, which indicates the staff is under less pressure to deliver senior care services.

Safety and Security

We tend to sustain more injuries as we grow older, which means the senior housing facility in Everett where your loved one lives should implement proven safety and security strategies. Video monitoring of every square inch of a property ensures caregivers promptly detect any issues. Features such as a room alert system give you peace of mind knowing your loved one has a way to alert caregivers whenever an issue arises. The security system should not only prevent access to outside trespassers, but also keep every wing of a facility secure 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Learn more about our highly rated senior housing facility in Everett, Washington by connecting with one of our staff members.

MINIMALIST ROOM IDEAS FOR SENIORS

Getting ready for a senior loved one to make the transition from a home to an assisted living environment requires considerable planning. Perhaps the most complex step of the planning process involves moving day. What should your loved one take to the assisted living facility in Everett, Washington, and what should your loved one leave behind? The answer is to implement a strategy that leverages minimalist room ideas for seniors.
Senior housing facilitiesoffer spacious rooms for residents, but the rooms typically do not permit a loved one to bring everything he or she owns into the new home environment. This means your loved one needs to maximize the limited space provided for an assisted living room.

Let’s see how to achieve doing more with less.

Start with the Bed

The bed for your loved one moving to an assisted living facility in Everett is the largest item placed in the room. Choosing a low-platform bed might make the room look contemporary, but an elevated bed maximizes space by creating more of it to store items such as bedding and apparel. A height of around two feet should allow your loved one to touch feet to the floor while in a sitting position on the bed. Two feet also provide enough room to store items under a bed.

Multipurpose Furniture

Furniture that serves more than one purpose helps save space in an assisted living room. One of the best examples of multipurpose furniture is the ottoman, which can double as a seat and a place to store items such as linens and reading materials. An ottoman also can serve a third purpose by acting as a footstool for someone sitting on a chair or sofa. A dresser with a long and wide surface can double as a place to store clothes, as well as furniture that provides plenty of room to display artifacts.

Hang Plants

Plants deliver many benefits as part of the decor of any style of home. They enhance the decor of a room, which helps boost mood and make other items in the room more visually appealing. Although adding plants in asenior housing room in Everettis a good idea, you should hang plants instead of letting them take up valuable space on the floor and or on top of other pieces of furniture. The key is to hang plants as close as possible to windows that usher in sunlight.

Wall-Mounted Television

As we grow older, we tend to spend more time in front of a television watching our favorite shows and movies. Depending on the guidelines established by a senior housing facility in

Everett, WA, you might be able to wall-mount a television to reduce the amount of space taken up in a room. Installing a wall-mounted room not only saves space, but also allows your loved one to watch television from a larger screen. Another reason to wall-mount a television is it no longer represents a tripping hazard for your senior loved one.

A wall-mounted television saves space, improves the viewing experience, and bolsters the safety of an assisted living room.

Receive More Assisted Living Tips from MorningStar at Silver Lake MorningStar senior housing facilitieshave earned the reputation for providing compassionate care for seniors that live in independent, assisted, and memory care living environments. Schedule a tour to learn more about how to make the transition for a loved one to an assisted living facility in Everett.

LET YOUR GRANDCHILDREN VISIT THEIR GRANDPARENTS AS OFTEN AS THEY WANT TO

Helping a loved one move to an assisted living facility in Everett, Washington can exact a tremendous emotional toll on your loved one. Moving into a new living environment has the potential to trigger acute fear and anxiety. One of the most effective ways to help alleviate the stress that results from moving into a senior housing facility in Everett is to ensure you visit your loved one as often as possible.

The same principle applies to your loved one’s grandchildren. Numerous studies confirm the positive impact grandchildren have on their grandparents. Nonetheless, grandparents can be a significant source of love and fulfillment for grandchildren. Because of the many benefits grandparents deliver for their grandchildren, you should let your children visit their grandparents as often as they want.

What Are the Reasons Why Kids Benefit from Visiting Their Grandparents?

Grandparents offer a safe refuge for their grandchildren by making them feel loved and secure while visiting with them. The complete acceptance and strong emotional support provided by grandparents allow grandchildren to open up when they otherwise keep things bottled up inside.

Let’s take a look at other reasons why grandchildren benefit from visiting their grandparents.

Learn About Traditions

Grandparents represent the ideal historical resource for grandchildren to learn about traditions. From sharing how an annual family gathering got its start to describing one or more of our nation’s holiday traditions, grandchildren receive a historical education that supplements what they learn in a classroom. Learning about traditions allows grandchildren to pass on the traditions down the road to their grandchildren.

Absorb Wisdom

Aging instantly conjures up negative images such as seniors sitting still for hours on end in a chair located in a sterile assisted living facility. However, aging is the conduit to gaining insightful wisdom that grandparents impart to their grandchildren. Not every lesson learned in life comes from books and other literary resources. Street smarts, which grandparents possess a considerable amount, represent a vital teaching tool that wise grandparents share with their grandchildren.

Freedom from Most Rules

Grandchildren do not hear their grandparents say, “Don’t do that.” Since they are not responsible for disciplining their grandchildren, visiting with them gives their grandkids much more freedom to explore boundaries, as well as test their potential mentally, physically, and emotionally. As grandchildren approach adulthood, they benefit from spending more time with their grandparents to experience what it is like to live with less stringent rules. Visiting with their grandparents provides grandchildren the opportunity to experience a more independent lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

Letting your children visit their grandparents as often as they want opens up new horizons for them that they would not otherwise discover. Many grandchildren, especially younger ones, often view visiting their grandparents as an opportunity to find a safe space to play and share their feelings. The emotional juggernaut experienced by many children can be tamed by the calm and soothing presence of grandparents.

MorningStar at Silver Lake offers the ideal environment for grandchildren and their grandparents to meet. We offer several amenities that appeal to all generations, such as a swimming pool and an activities room where grandchildren and their grandparents can play the most popular board games. Schedule a tour to learn more about the amenities offered at our senior housing facility in Everett, WA.

LET YOUR GRANDCHILDREN VISIT THEIR GRANDPARENTS AS OFTEN AS THEY WANT TO

Helping a loved one move to an assisted living facility in Everett, Washington can exact a tremendous emotional toll on your loved one. Moving into a new living environment has the potential to trigger acute fear and anxiety. One of the most effective ways to help alleviate the stress that results from moving into a senior housing facility in Everett is to ensure you visit your loved one as often as possible.

The same principle applies to your loved one’s grandchildren. Numerous studies confirm the positive impact grandchildren have on their grandparents. Nonetheless, grandparents can be a significant source of love and fulfillment for grandchildren. Because of the many benefits grandparents deliver for their grandchildren, you should let your children visit their grandparents as often as they want.

What Are the Reasons Why Kids Benefit from Visiting Their Grandparents?

Grandparents offer a safe refuge for their grandchildren by making them feel loved and secure while visiting with them. The complete acceptance and strong emotional support provided by grandparents allow grandchildren to open up when they otherwise keep things bottled up inside.

Let’s take a look at other reasons why grandchildren benefit from visiting their grandparents.

Learn About Traditions

Grandparents represent the ideal historical resource for grandchildren to learn about traditions. From sharing how an annual family gathering got its start to describing one or more of our nation’s holiday traditions, grandchildren receive a historical education that supplements what they learn in a classroom. Learning about traditions allows grandchildren to pass on the traditions down the road to their grandchildren.

Absorb Wisdom

Aging instantly conjures up negative images such as seniors sitting still for hours on end in a chair located in a sterile assisted living facility. However, aging is the conduit to gaining insightful wisdom that grandparents impart to their grandchildren. Not every lesson learned in life comes from books and other literary resources. Street smarts, which grandparents possess a considerable amount, represent a vital teaching tool that wise grandparents share with their grandchildren.

Freedom from Most Rules

Grandchildren do not hear their grandparents say, “Don’t do that.” Since they are not responsible for disciplining their grandchildren, visiting with them gives their grandkids much more freedom to explore boundaries, as well as test their potential mentally, physically, and emotionally. As grandchildren approach adulthood, they benefit from spending more time with their grandparents to experience what it is like to live with less stringent rules. Visiting with their grandparents provides grandchildren the opportunity to experience a more independent lifestyle.

The Bottom Line

Letting your children visit their grandparents as often as they want opens up new horizons for them that they would not otherwise discover. Many grandchildren, especially younger ones, often view visiting their grandparents as an opportunity to find a safe space to play and share their feelings. The emotional juggernaut experienced by many children can be tamed by the calm and soothing presence of grandparents.

MorningStar at Silver Lake offers the ideal environment for grandchildren and their grandparents to meet. We offer several amenities that appeal to all generations, such as a swimming pool and an activities room where grandchildren and their grandparents can play the most popular board games. Schedule a tour to learn more about the amenities offered at our senior housing facility in Everett, WA.

Tips and Tricks When Decorating Your Senior Housing Room

Home Sweet Home.

Moving to an assisted living community can trigger a considerable amount of stress and anxiety for a senior. An unfamiliar environment coupled with meeting fellow residents disrupts a stable lifestyle. How do you help your loved one make the transition from a large house living among family members to one of the dozens of small apartments occupied by new faces?

The answer is to make the new living arrangements as much like home as possible.

Senior housing facilities in Everett, Washington typically place a few restrictions on what residents can do when it comes to decorating their rooms. Major decorative facelifts such as painting the walls and changing the carpet are out of the question. Nonetheless, you can follow a few tips and pull a few tricks when decorating your senior housing room.

Plan Ahead

When you toured an assisted living community, you spent time in one of the showcase rooms to gain insight into what your senior loved ones should expect from living in a new home. With your insight and the wishes of your senior loved one, you can develop a vision of how to set up the room with furniture and amenities. Anything that you cannot move into your senior’s new home should either go to charity or another family member

Prioritize Function Over Appearance

When you think of the word “decorative,” you think about how something appears. For your senior’s new home, you should think more about function than appearance. Although you want your senior loved one to feel at home at the assisted living facility, virtually every item moved into the new homes should serve a purpose to help your loved one live as independently as possible. One of the most important tips when decorating your senior housing room involves adding multipurpose pieces, such as a storage trunk that doubles as an end table.

Safety Matters

Decreased mobility is a common challenge for many seniors to overcome. Throw in an unfamiliar living environment and accidental falls become a major concern. To minimize the risks that cause seniors to fall, decorate with safety in mind by clearing all pathways of cords, loose rugs, and decorative items that are tripping hazards. Ensure the senior housing facility in Everett that you visit has installed grab bars in the bathroom, as well as added other safety features to reduce the risk of a fall.

Go Green

Adding plants and flowers in a room at an assisted living facility accomplishes two important goals. First, plants and flowers enhance the ambiance of a room, which should help your senior loved one maintain an uplifting mood. Several studies have demonstrated there is a direct link between living among plants and the positive impact it has on mental health. Second, adding plants and flowers allows your senior loved one to develop a green thumb. Gardening represents one of the most beneficial activities seniors participate in to keep their minds and bodies healthy.

MorningStar at Silver Lake is one of many senior housing communities in our family that operate throughout the United States. We emphasize designing rooms that make our residents feel like they are living at home. Decorative touches such as optimizing bright colors, as well as natural and artificial lighting sources, create upbeat living environments for our residents. Connect with MorningStar at Silver Lake today to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive tour of our facility.

What Can I Bake For My Grandchildren?

As a grandparent, you have discovered the wonderful feeling of getting to watch your grandchild grow up. From attending sporting events to soaking in musical recitals, the love and pride that you feel for your grandchildren is a bit different than the love and price that you feel for your kids. It is not just attending events that demonstrates the love you have for your grandchild. You have many other ways to share your love by interacting with your grandchildren. One of the most popular activities shared between grandparents and grandchildren involves spending time in the kitchen creating culinary delights.

Grandchildren love cooking with their grandparents, especially when it comes to baking the most delicious, sweet and savory recipes. At the MorningStar at Silver Lake senior housing facility in Everett, Washington, we encourage our residents to invite their grandkids over for an afternoon of baking.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

For many grandparents and grandchildren, baking chewy chocolate chip cookies represents the epitome of comfort and warmth. On a rainy day when playing outdoors is out of the question, baking several dozen chewy chocolate chip cookies and washing a few down with a glass of milk creates memories that last a lifetime.

Apple Pie

The nostalgia generated by an apple pie resting on a window sill evokes visions of Norman Rockwell’s most iconic paintings. Apple pie is the wholesome symbol of Americana, and teaching your grandchild how to create the best recipe leaves behind lasting memories. From rolling dough to slicing apples, baking an apple pie is a great bonding experience between a grandparent and grandchild.

Banana Bread

Regardless of the time of year, baking banana bread is the perfect option to teach a grandchild the basics of creating the popular sweet desert. Simply blend together mashed bananas, flour, butter, sugar, and baking soda, and let the oven do most of the work for you. The time it takes to bake sweet and savory items gives you and your grandchild more time to talk or partake in another activity, such as playing a board game.

Pizza

Not everything that goes in the oven comes out as a baked sweet treat. You have several savory baking recipes to choose from that your grandchild should enjoy both creating and then eating. One of the most popular types of baked savory treats is your grandkid’s favorite pizza. After rolling the dough and sprinkling the ingredients on top of the dough, once again the oven does most of the work. If you do not have the ingredients to roll pizza dough, you can make pizza toast for a savory baked snack.

Mac and Cheese

When you think of mac and cheese, you probably think of the gooey, cheesy goodness that comes out of a pasta pot. You can still enjoy the same gooey, cheesy goodness when you bake mac and cheese. The same gooey, cheesy goodness is under a crunchy crust that adds substance to the dish. Bread crumbs make the perfect topping for a baked order of mac and cheese.

MorningStar at Silver Lake in Everett, Washington is one of several assisted living communities in our family that passionately serves and meets the needs of seniors looking to maintain an independent lifestyle. Our comfortable rooms loaded with the latest amenities include a kitchen where grandparents and grandchildren work their baking magic. We look forward to presenting what we have to offer at our senior housing facility in Everett.

HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SENIOR’S MEDICATION

It can be a problem for anyone, but it is an especially common problem for our senior loved ones. We are talking about taking the right medications, in the correct doses, and at the right times.

Forgetting to take a certain medication, or worse, taking too much of a medication, can cause serious health consequences. At the MorningStar assisted living facility in Everett, Washington, our caregivers receive training on how to help seniors follow their prescription medication regimens. However, you can do your part to learn how to keep track of your senior’s medication.

Take Medications with Meals

​Perhaps the most effective strategy to ensure your senior loved one takes prescribed medications involves linking the taking of meds with mealtimes. Once your senior loved one gets into the routine of taking the right meds with the right meal, you might be able to approach medication monitoring with less vigilance.

Create a Schedule

The caregivers at a senior housing facility help guests stay current with their medications by following a detailed schedule. You can do the same for your senior loved one by creating a schedule that remains the same until your loved one’s physician changes the schedule. Keeping track of multiple meds can cause confusion. Posting a schedule in a common area like the kitchen can help your senior loved one remain on track.

Store Meds in an Organizer

A simple plastic box with several compartments represents an effective way to organize your senior loved one’s prescription medications. The bonus of using an organizer is you eliminate the frustration experienced by your loved one while trying to open a medication bottle. If you decide to use an organizer, make sure to label each medication compartment with the type of drug and the dose to take, as well as what day and time to take the medication.

Send Notifications

Leveraging the power of technology can help your senior loved one remain on the right schedule for taking prescription medications. You can set an alarm on a watch and/or establish a communication system on a Smartphone that automatically sends notifications when it is time to take certain drugs. Another way to notify your senior loved one is to set an alarm on a standard clock. 

Monitor Your Loved One’s Pill Inventory

Every prescription medication issued comes with a label that presents helpful information, such as how many pills are part of each bottle. Knowing how many pills are in each prescription medication bottle helps you discover when your senior loved one has missed one or more doses or has taken too many pills.

Consider Hiring a Certified Caregiver

Even the most thoroughly vetted medication monitoring systems can reveal one or more flaws. Because of the negative health consequences of missing doses and/or taking too many pills, hiring a professional caregiver offers you the peace of mind you deserve that your senior loved one is following the correct medication schedule.

At the MorningStar at Silver Lake, our professional caregivers receive training on how to keep track of our guests’ medications. Learn more about our highly-rated senior housing facility in Everett, Washington by submitting the short online form.

ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN

It might be the best example of the classic good cop, bad cop routine.

We are talking about the relationship many children have with their parents and grandparents. Although mom says no to giving her child access to the cookie jar, grandma has no problem baking two dozen cookies from scratch as a delicious snack before dinner time. When Dad lays down the law when it comes to watching television, Grandpa grants an unlimited amount of time for a grandchild or two to watch Saturday cartoons.

The classic good cop, bad cop relationship grandchildren have with their parents and grandparents has changed somewhat over the past generation. Grandparents have assumed more responsibility than ever in the raising of their kids’ offspring, which means being much more than weekend destinations for their grandchildren. Even grandparents living in assisted living facilities have assumed more of a role in raising their grandchildren.

What does all of this mean? It means grandparents living in a senior housing facility in Everett, Washington need to know about the many activities seniors can do with their grandchildren.

Play Games

No, we do not mean grabbing a video game console and saddling up to the television for hours of video arcade fun. Although there exists a well-defined generation gap when it comes to playing video games, most grandchildren remain highly receptive to playing more traditional games with their grandparents.

A card game such as Crazy Eights can melt away an entire afternoon of time to bring grandkids and their grandparents closer together.

Solving Puzzles

Children, especially younger ones, love trying to solve puzzles, whether a puzzle is the traditional 1,000-piece kind or a puzzle that involves finding the answers to crossword puzzle clues. The best puzzles to solve come with an “All Ages,” label, which means you and your grandchildren should be able to enjoy working together on solving a puzzle that presents a reasonable level of difficulty.

Movie Night

Sometimes, all a grandparent has to do is microwave a large bowl of popcorn, and then allow a movie to consume the majority of time during a visit with a grandchild at a senior housing facility in Everett, Washington. As with finding the right puzzle, the key to watching a movie with your grandchild involves finding one that is appropriate for all ages. Disney movies represent a good starting point for choosing the right movie for you and your grandchild to watch.

Create Christmas Ornaments

No other time of year elicits more of an expression of wonder than the time children spend with their grandparents between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Taking advantage of the incredible wonder displayed by grandchildren should include time spent with them creating Christmas decorations, from the ornaments hung on pine and cedar trees to the lights that adorn the front of a home. Creating Christmas ornaments with your grandchild or grandchildren represents an effective way to forge a closer bond.
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Start a Garden

The best activities for seniors with their grandchildren are teaching moments grandchildren take away for the rest of their lifetimes. One of the most relevant teaching moments concerns explaining where some of the food comes from that arrives on our dinner plates. Planting a garden teaches children that not only does our food require care to nurture and develop, but it also can help us become more self-sufficient.

As a highly-rated assisted living facility, MorningStar at Silver Lake offers the ideal environment for seniors to get closer to their grandchildren. Learn more today by submitting the short online form.

4 SPRING ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS

With spring on hold for many parts of the United States, you might not be thinking about the activities you love to do during the season of nature’s rejuvenation. However, the re-emergence of Old Man Winter is just a temporary hold on spring, which should be back in full swing shortly.

Spring represents the time of year to celebrate by getting back outdoors to participate in your favorite activities. As a senior living at our senior housing facility in Everett, Washington, what is your favorite activity related to spring?

We have compiled a list of four popular spring activities for seniors to add to your list.

Exercise

Cabin fever is just an expression, not a medical term to describe an ailment. Nonetheless, cabin fever can lead to prolonged periods of inactivity during the colder months of the year. Spring represents the time of year to go outside and exercise your inactive bones and muscles. Walking is not only a healthy activity for developing bone and muscle strength, but it also is one of the most effective exercises to strengthen your cardiovascular system.

Exercising outdoors delivers several other health benefits for seniors living in assisted living facilities, such as decreasing blood pressure, improving balance and coordination, and encouraging more robust blood circulation.

Spend Time with Nature

Getting outdoors when spring arrives is not just about the physical health benefits. Simply spending time with nature delivers several mental health benefits as well. The sight of a hawk, the scent of blooming flowers, and the touch of the warm, gentle air all contribute to making highly positive impressions on the brain.

You can spend time at your favorite spot waiting for the deer to enjoy their daily meal or visit a farmers market where nature meets commerce, as well as help build a more sustainable environment. Planting a garden or spending time at a nursery represent two more activities that are tailor-made for spring. Instead of waiting for birds to visit your assisted living facility, build a bird feeder to act like a magnet for attracting several different species.

Plan Family Picnics

One of the keys to living a vibrant lifestyle at a senior housing facility in Everett, Washington involves keeping your brain active. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is to plan family picnics. Not only do you stimulate the brain by planning family picnics, but you also get to enjoy spending time with your children and grandchildren.

You can plan one picnic at your assisted living facility and for the next picnic, plan it to take place at your favorite city park.
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Play Outdoor Sports

Spring is the time of year when tennis courts receive a thorough cleaning and swimming pools start to fill up with watersport aficionados. If you want to participate in a less strenuous type of outdoor sport, try playing a round at a local miniature golf course or reserve a time slot for playing 18 holes on a real golf course. Other outdoor sports to consider include cycling, ping pong, and even a few chess matches.

MorningStar Senior assisted living facilities encourage our guests to lead self-sufficient lifestyles, while enjoying the amenities offered by a full-service community. If you or a loved one is considering moving into a senior housing facility in Everett, Washington, connect with one of our guest services representatives to discover what MorningStar assisted living facilities have to offer.

Why Seniors Should Have Regular Checkups

Health can be considered one of the most important things to consider as you age. Aging is a process that is inevitable, and results in the breakdown of many of the body’s parts and functions. Of course, this process is slow, but there are several ways to support your health to be proactive about the most common health problems of aging. Continue reading if you are a senior in assisted living in Everett, WA to find out why you should have regular checkups!

To Be Proactive/Preventative

Taking regular trips to the doctor means that you will likely be able to catch any new health issues as they arise. It also allows you to monitor any existing health issues you may have, so that you can make sure they are not getting worse. This means that you will be able to catch little problems before they become big problems; as well as being able to prevent existing problems from sneaking up and worsening on you. By being proactive, you have much more time to consider different treatments and courses of action if something serious is found. 

To Motivate You to Be Healthier

When you visit the doctor regularly, you have the advantage of being able to track how different habits impact your health. This allows you to tweak and customize habits and treatments in ways that serve your health in the best possible ways. As you can actually see the results of healthier habits, it will motivate you to keep them going, so that you can be your healthiest self. So, if you live in senior housing in Everett, WA, make sure you are scheduling regular visits to your doctor, so you know exactly what you need to do to support your overall health. 

To Monitor Medications

Finally, regular checkups allow you to monitor your medications, their impacts on your health, and whether you should request refills. You can also closely track any possible side effects you may be experiencing by updating your doctor regularly about how you feel while taking any medications you may be on. This can show you any adjustments that may need to be made in a much quicker fashion than waiting until you have severe issues. 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior housing Everett, WA has to offer.