Whether it is chronic or happens every once in a while, most of us have had a restless night and woke up feeling tired. For some it is hard to fall asleep, while for others, it is difficult to stay asleep for the whole night. Sleep experts offer several tips for a restful night’s sleep and a more productive, positive day.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) explain sleep is as important to a healthy lifestyle as good nutrition and regular exercise. To become a better sleeper, it helps to know something about the different components of sleep. The current thinking for a normal night’s sleep is between seven to nine hours a night, or during a 24-hour period. They say to determine your optimal sleep amount, experiment for a few weeks by going to bed each night when you get tired and waking naturally in the morning. Another thing is to deal with health issues, which may interfere with your sleep, like restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, insomnia or other sleep disorders. The Mayo Clinic says it helps to go to bed at the same time each night and to wake up at the same time. On weekends try not to change your schedule by more than an hour. They also caution to not eat too heavy of a meal too close to bedtime and avoid nicotine, caffeine and other stimulates several hours before bedtime. The same goes for alcohol as it can make you fall asleep easily but causes you to awake in the middle of the night. Get plenty of exercise during the day but avoid doing it right before bed. Another tip is to create a calming atmosphere in the bedroom; and remember our smart devices emit glowing blue lights that experts say can disturb our circadian rhythm. MorningStar of Albuquerque is an assisted living and memory care community designed to provide seniors a comfortable home to safely age in place. We offer a range of hospitality and care services, luxury amenities, wellness programs and activities, along with a sense of security knowing someone is always around if needed. Care services include 24-hour care managers, access to licensed nurses, medication management and much more. Visit our website for more information about the finest senior living Albuquerque offers. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Albuquerque, NM offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Albuquerque provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: healthline.com/health-news/six-tips-for-better-sleep-053114#Three-Components-of-Healthy-Sleep
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Along with assisted living, MorningStar at Arcadia provides 30 secure suites devoted to the care of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to encourage residents’ independence as much as possible, while providing individualized care that stimulates or calms as the situation requires.
At MorningStar our approach to memory care is designed around our comprehensive program we call “Lavender Sky.” Our philosophy encourages us to walk alongside a resident as we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the world of dementia. With insight and intentionality, we enter into our memory-impaired residents’ “purple world” to cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. We also educate the families of those afflicted with dementia on how to follow our lead and enter too. Another important aspect of our unique methodology is to accept the diagnosis of dementia and embrace the fact (we know it is difficult) that this is the path we must take together. By embracing a deep understanding of the disease, it allows us to embrace the necessary changes in our own communication style as well as physically embrace residents with the power of touch. And most importantly we embrace hope. Finally, Lavender Sky explores a boundless variety of resourceful and individualized solutions for we recognize that what works today may not work tomorrow. When memory care residents come to MorningStar at Arcadia, we explore the person’s life including their background, interests and preferences to create a specialized care plan. We also explore ways to engage and involve their family members. As you can see, memory care at our senior living community springs from a deep understanding of the disease and is offered with the utmost love and compassion. Please visit our website to learn more about exceptional memory care in Phoenix. MorningStar at Arcadia proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “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. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix offers. Are you worried about your elderly parents getting the care they need at home? Assisted living communities are one way to make sure they get the care they need, while giving family members the peace of mind they need.
To help ensure the community you choose is a good, all-around fit, experts say the trick is to find one based on your parents’ needs, their lifestyle and budget, and the location. A Place for Mom, one of the largest senior living referral websites, says the key to a successful move for mom or dad is to have a frank and open conversation with the family to make sure everyone is on the same page. Be sure your parents have the chance to give their opinion. When you begin the actual search, remember assisted living is not a nursing home or memory care. To determine the best community for them, start by addressing their ADLs’ (activities of daily living) needs. Keep in mind the amount of help they need right now and how much help they will most likely need in the future. After all, you do not want to go through the process of moving them into a community only to have to move them again in a few years if their needs cannot be met. Determine your parents’ budget, and if you need help in that area, seek advice from an elder care financial service or attorney. At MorningStar Senior Living, we have partnered with Elderlife Financial Services to present different financial resources commonly used to pay for senior living. Another important step is to visit the place (or do a virtual tour) and to get to know the staff. You want the community to have a caring and warm staff and residents that are friendly. If your parents are not very mobile, you can do the tours and narrow down the selections so they only tour the top choices. If you are looking in the Santa Fe area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Santa Fe. In addition to assisted living and memory care, we offer respite care and short-term stays (from one week up to a full month) that are ideal to try out for size. Please contact us for more information about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers, 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 senior living, Santa Fe, NM’s MorningStar community may be your answer. If you are a senior who is having difficulty turning your neck to look behind you when driving, having problems getting up from a low chair or difficulty picking something up from the floor, you may find adding stretches to your routine can really improve these types of motions. Stretching exercises also help seniors improve flexibility and balance, both of which lower a person’s risk for falls and injuries. Experts explain stretching gives seniors a better range of movement in their joints, helps improve posture, increases circulation and releases muscle tension and soreness.
The Journal of Gerontology recently reported on the results of a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults. It found “participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also experienced a decrease in pain.” Along with the favorable benefits stretching provides, it can be done anywhere and does not require any special equipment. However, before beginning any new exercise routine, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider regarding your fitness level and the type of stretches most appropriate for you. Another thing to remember is it is important to warm up before stretching. Experts say it can be doing something as simple as a walk around the block. Additionally, they warn not to stretch to the point of pain, only to the point of tension. A stretch can typically be held for 30 seconds, but do not bounce when you stretch. MorningStar of Santa Fe is a senior living community providing 56 private assisted living suites and another 29 secure suites devoted to specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our goal is to enhance quality of life for our residents and we do this through a full range of care and hospitality services, amenities, and a component of wellness programs and activities. If you are looking for the finest senior housing Santa Fe, NM has to offer, we encourage you to contact us for more information. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior housing Santa Fe, NM offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Santa Fe provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. Each year millions of elderly seniors fall prey to ruthless schemes that rob them of their money and identity. The sad part it is often a result of a senior’s trusting nature or feelings of isolation and loneliness; or in some cases, a senior may have cognitive issues that impair their judgement and decision-making skills. Experts also say seniors are from a generation that was raised to be polite and agreeable to others, which in turn can make them more susceptible to fraud.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) updates the public to current scams targeting seniors so if you have a parent or other elderly loved ones who may be at risk, take a look at the info and discuss the various schemes used with them. One scam frequently used this year is a phone call, email or in-person approach to collect money for disaster relief. Thieves also scam those who have been the victim of a disaster by trying to collect personal information under the guise of providing some sort of financial relief. The NCOA says there are ways to avoid getting scammed such as never giving out your personal information to anyone but a trusted family member, friend or your professional financial advisor. In addition never make big financial decisions without consulting with one of those trusted people. Also do not give out personal PIN #s, or Medicare and other financial info over the phone unless you initiated the call or know the person. Other commonsense advice includes being wary of high-pressure sales persons, never signing a contract until you understand it entirely, and to be suspicious of unexpected announcements of winning money, trips, or other prizes. Experts say it is most likely a hoax. Always take your time when making financial decisions and do not give blanket approval to a vendor for medical equipment and other purchases. Please visit MorningStar of Sparks to learn more about vibrant senior living in Reno. Our community has 128 bright suites for independent living and another 80 for assisted living. Within our memory care wing, we provide 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us for more info regarding one of the finest Reno assisted living & independent living communities. Source: ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/protection-from-scams/ The National Council on Aging (NCOA) cautions that elderly adults with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease among others, are more at risk for poor nutrition. Bad eating habits, loss of appetite, lack of access to healthy foods due to an inability to get out and shop, or a shortage of money, only add to the problem.
The NCOA also wants seniors to know that poor nutrition not only makes it harder to manage chronic diseases but may actually make you more vulnerable to coming down with them. Another problem is it can weaken your immune system leaving you susceptible to the flu, colds and other viruses. Moreover, poor nutrition can hamper one’s ability to recover from surgical procedures, heal wounds, and increases the risk for infection or falls. Also, as many elderly people have a decrease in appetite and consume much smaller portions each day, the food they do eat needs to be nutrient-dense. This is one reason experts recommend the elderly avoid foods high in sugar, salt and trans fats as well as processed foods, which often are short on nutrients and much needed vitamins and minerals. At MorningStar at Arcadia, we know that good nutrition is important to the health of seniors. This is why we offer our residents not only delicious daily meals but ones that are largely prepared from scratch and include the freshest ingredients. Our range of nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat so residents can self-manage their diet. Our Executive Chef even incorporates “super foods” such as acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate, and leafy, dark greens to enhance our food service. For more information on the finest memory care and assisted living Phoenix offers, please contact us or visit our website. MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. If you are looking for exceptional memory care or assisted living, Phoenix’s MorningStar at Arcadia may be your answer. Source: ncoa.org/healthy-aging/chronic-disease/nutrition-chronic-conditions/ The Alzheimer’s Association is partnering with the Wake Forest School of Medicine in a new, first-of-its-kind intervention trial called the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER). The two-year clinical trial wants to learn if lifestyle interventions that simultaneously target multiple risk factors can protect cognitive function in older adults between the ages of 60-79 who are at increased risk for cognitive decline.
The national study hopes to “create a new and healthier ‘normal’ through lifestyle changes.” While research have already shown that a healthier lifestyle protects our bodies’ overall health, scientists now want to know if it can also protect the health of the brain from future memory problems such as Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. The U.S. Pointer study is currently being conducted at the University of California - Davis, Rush University Medical Center, and Wake Forest School of Medicine, and is the first study of its kind to be done on such a large group of participants from across the United States. Additionally it is part of a worldwide consortium of other similar research including the 2014 Finland study of healthy older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The “FINGER Study” (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) reports that “a two-year combination therapy simultaneously targeting physical exercise, a healthy diet, cognitive stimulation, and self-monitoring of heart health risk factors had a protective effect on cognitive function.” At MorningStar of Sparks, we have a reputation for the finest senior living Reno offers. Our community has 128 bright suites for independent living and another 80 for assisted living. In addition we have 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Currently we are safely accepting new residence and invite you to visit our website for further information regarding our gorgeous home as well as our COVID-19 protocols. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us if you live in or around Reno for assisted living or independent living you can count on. Source: alz.org/us-pointer/overview.asp While many of us are saddened at the time spent apart from beloved family members and friends due to COVID, we need to remember that it is just a matter of time before we will get back to our normal lives. That being said it is especially difficult to not spend time with our grandkids, but tech experts offer some tips to help make the Christmas season a little easier with video chats that are more engaging and meaningful.
To start with, experts say it is time to improve your tech skills and get more familiar with using Zoom, FaceTime and/or Skype including keeping the camera on you. Once you get the hang of it, you will find it is actually pretty simple. Perhaps more challenging is how to keep the attention of a young child or even a teenager so everyone gets something out of the call. If you are a family who loves board games, how about trying to play a virtual game like chess for older grandkids or simple games like Candyland or Uno for the younger ones. The child can set up the game board, most kids love to be in control, and if you like, you can have your own dice to roll. If it has been a while since the kids were at your place, give them a tour and show them anything that is new or different. Also be sure to include the family pets in the call. An article on the AARP website suggests you take the time beforehand to think about specific questions to ask the kids rather than just asking how they are. If they play sports, ask about last week’s game, or what they thought about a particular TV show they watch or a book they are reading. Other activities for younger kids could include reading a book to them, or baking a batch of cookies together virtually (you will probably need mom or dad’s help when it comes to the baking part). Also keep in mind that while updating your video chat skills may feel confusing at first, connecting with your loved ones makes it all worthwhile. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. We invite you to visit our website for contact information and to inquire about availability and pricing regarding the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers. If you are looking for assisted living, Albuquerque NM’s MorningStar community is one of the best places to start. Offering 48 private suites for assisted living with a choice of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, we also offer all of the amenities and services to ensure your every comfort. You may recognize the MorningStar name. In addition to a number of senior housing communities throughout the Western U.S., we have two other homes in the New Mexico, MorningStar of Rio Rancho and MorningStar of Santa Fe.
We encourage you to visit our website as we have lots of information available along with many photos that capture the full beauty and inviting warmth of our community. Starting on our home page and continuing with our extensive Gallery pictures, you will see our beautiful suites and inviting common areas that create a true “home” for our residents. The private suites have been designed with all of the conveniences and safety precautions needed to ensure both your comfort and safety. Each bathroom is handicapped accessible and all apartments have an emergency call system. Throughout our large common areas, we offer amenities such as a bistro, chapel/theater, spa bath, massage room, salon, fitness room and more. To enjoy the outdoors, we offer a fireside patio and porches. As a resident in assisted living, your care plan will be based on a thorough assessment of your medical history and personal preferences, and routinely evaluated to ensure it is relevant to your care needs. Range of services include assisting residents with the activities of daily living (ADLs) as well as life enrichment and hospitality services, which we consider to be important to one’s overall health. Also families get peace of mind knowing trained care managers are there to help navigate any changes in the health and wellbeing of their loved one. Please visit our website for contact info and give us a call to inquire about availability and pricing or connect with us online. We look forward to meeting you and your family. MorningStar of Albuquerque’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer. Every fall, many of us treat ourselves to a variety of pumpkin dishes from spicy lattes to breads and pies. However, this time of year many of our seasonal foods are not only tasty but healthy. The cranberry is one of these foods, which has medical experts giving it at a “super food” status. The Medical News Today website explains that cranberries are high in nutrients as well as antioxidants.
In fact, “research has linked the nutrients in cranberries to a lower risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), the prevention of certain types of cancer, improved immune function, and decreased blood pressure.” Other studies have found cranberry supplements to be beneficial in reducing a person’s body mass index (BMI) as well as improve HDL (high density lipoprotein) levels (good cholesterol). There are also tasty substitutes to help flavor food rather than using salt or sugar. Fresh garlic is one of these. The National Cancer Institute lists garlic “as food that may help fight stomach and colon cancers in some folks.” Other studies have found it may have a small effect on lowering the body’s blood cholesterol. Cinnamon is another seasoning that adds lots of favor to fall dishes. Beyond its good taste, several recent studies show it may help to lower blood glucose levels for people with Type 2 diabetes, which would be great news for the almost 85 million prediabetics in the country. Adding cinnamon to our diet is as easy as putting a dash in a cup of coffee, tea or cider or sprinkling it on apple slices. Ginger is another food easy to incorporate into many different dishes and medical experts say it is good for the digestive system and helps lessen nausea and motion sickness. Ginger tastes great in Asian dishes and can be added to salad dressings or used in a sauce over grilled fish. Also, if you haven’t yet discovered the benefits of turmeric, now would be a good time to do so. Containing curcumin, it has been shown to offer “potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties in animal and laboratory studies.” At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we pride ourselves on providing residents with a lifestyle of comfort and wellness including our 5-star food service. Meals are prepared largely from scratch and contain fresh foods and seasonings, some of which are locally sourced. Visit our website to learn what sets our community apart from other assisted living Albuquerque offers and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.” MorningStar of Albuquerque’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer. |
MorningStar
MorningStar Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite (short-term) care. Our communities have graciously-appointed assisted living suites, as well as beautiful and spacious private suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Morningstar Senior Living's award-winning architecture, together with amenities that foster a lifestyle of comfort and wellness, make our residents’ retirement years as carefree as possible. Our activities and programs are enriching, and our care services first-class, but what truly sets us apart from other senior living communities is the love beneath our roof. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in your area, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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