Cataracts are Very Common in Seniors

Cataracts are cloudy areas that form in the lens, which is normally transparent, and are the main cause of vision loss in people over 40 years of age. It is estimated more than 40 percent of Americans aged 75 years or older have some degree of lens clouding; and over half of people 80 or older have their vision significantly impaired by cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Surgery is generally recommended once vision is impaired to a degree that people have trouble reading, driving and recognizing faces. Today the surgery is a quick, safe procedure, replacing the cloudy lens with a clear plastic one. 

Doctors say there are things people can do to reduce their risk of developing cataracts with quitting smoking at the top of that list. Medical News Today reports on studies linking a 3-fold increase of smoking to cataracts as well as raising the risk of a number of other eye conditions. A healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good quality fats (avocados, olive oil, and omega oils) and lean animal-sourced or plant-sourced proteins additionally reduces the risk of cataracts. 

Maintaining a healthy weight is important as obesity increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is a risk factor for cataracts. Other ways to reduce your risk include wearing UV blocking sunglasses when in the sunlight and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night. The risk for cataracts also increases with age, family history, and a history of eye inflammation or injury. 

If you are not ready for surgery yet, doctors say stronger glasses and brighter lights may help. Keep up with regular eye exams and renew your eyeglass prescription as needed. Wear sunglasses in the sun and avoid night driving. As your cataracts continue to develop and eyesight worsen, at some point you will most likely need surgery.  

If you are looking at senior living communities in Centennial, CO, MorningStar at Jordan may be your answer. We offer stylish assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans along with secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.  We make it easy for your retirement years to be carefree with a full range of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities as well as a staff who feel called to serve seniors. Please see our website for more information. 

MorningStar at Jordan’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Stay in Touch with Your Grandchildren

Even without a worldwide pandemic going on around us, many of us live a distance away from our grandkids and we may only get the chance to see them once or twice a year.  While long-distance relationships can be tough and make it hard to feel connected, you do not have to resign your to being left out of your grandkids’ lives just because of proximity.  

There are several good ideas to help you stay connected even when you are not there in person such as FaceTime or Skype video calls. For little ones who can get restless pretty quickly, be ready to read a picture book, sing songs or tell silly stories.  Along with calls for birthdays and holidays, be sure to do it often enough so you keep up with their quickly changing developmental milestones.  If they are older, play games together, discuss a shared hobby, exchange jokes and riddles, ask questions, and then really listen.  

Another way to stay connected is to start a family Facebook page.  This is an easy, inexpensive way for any family member to post current pictures and to share day-to-day news as well as significant events.  It also lets other members add comments.  Also, do not forget about snail mail.  Kids love receiving mail and answering you back is a good way to get them to practice the art of letter writing.  

For grandkids who live close by and were used to seeing you several times a week, they may be wondering when they will see you again in person now that you are social distancing.  Experts suggest you talk honestly to your grandchildren about the separation and keep reminding them it is only temporary.   Tell them you have not forgotten them and that you will keep calling and they can keep calling you.  

At MorningStar of Boulder, we have 48 stylish suites for assisted living and 46 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments.  We are proud to offer our residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community through a wide range of care services, amenities and enrichment programs.  If you are looking for one of the best retirement communities Boulder has to offer, we encourage you to visit our website to learn why our residents are proud to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar of Boulder proudly provides the very best in senior living 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement communities Boulder CO offers.

Join a Team of Compassionate, Hardworking Housekeepers

The MorningStar Senior Living Company’s goal is to provide residents with exceptional comprehensive services and amenities.  To accomplish this, we are building a team of service professionals that feel privileged to service and understand the magnitude of their contributions as they work to improve the lives of seniors.

Each of our positions is essential to the smooth operation of our homes from our Executive Directors, coordinators, and care managers to our dedicated hardworking housekeepers, cooks, and food servers.  For example our housekeeping staff performs day-to-day housekeeping functions in residents’ suites and common areas, and take pride in maintaining a spotless home.  While cleaning residents’ personal apartments, you will have an opportunity to listen to them as they share a lifetime of stories.  You will also have the satisfaction of knowing you are appreciated as residents will be quick to tell you.

MorningStar is intentional and articulate about the type of culture we are building, and it includes providing an atmosphere in which our team can thrive both personally and professionally.  Currently we have positions available at MorningStar of Arvada; MorningStar at Jordan; MorningStar of Littleton; MorningStar at RidgeGate; MorningStar of Wheat Ridge; and Parker Senior Living by MorningStar communities.

Along with full and part-time housekeeping jobs in our Denver homes, we also seek care managers (full & part-time), medication care managers/QMAPs, dining room servers, cooks, a Wellness Nurse, and more.  As we provide care 24/7, openings include weekend, evening and night-time shifts.

Please visit our website to learn more about our assisted living jobs as well as our beautiful communities, or give us a call.  MorningStar is an equal opportunity employer and is proud of our diverse workforce.  Join a team that feels like family as we work together to provide our remarkable seniors with the lifestyle they deserve!

At MorningStar Senior Living, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  We are committed to a foundation built upon honoring God and valuing all seniors, and are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve seniors.  For a rewarding career, visit MorningStar’s Career page for information on assisted living jobs in Denver, CO.

Improve Your Health Regardless of Your Age

It is more important than ever to take care of your health as Americans are living longer and we all want to ensure a healthier old age.  However even if you are already a senior, health care professionals say it is never too late to start improving your health.

Sian Robinson, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Southampton, recently authored a study on senior nutrition and states that, “Improving the quality of your diet can have a beneficial effect on health, whatever your age.”  One recommendation is to eat more foods containing fiber.  Doctors report the addition of more fiber can positively impact your overall health by helping:  your colon work better and avoid constipation; reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer; and lower your blood cholesterol level.

Another change that can improve your overall health as well as help to make you feel better and increase your level of energy is to add physical activity to your daily life.  This also can strengthen your bones and muscles, which in turn can help to prevent falls.  If you do fall, stronger bones are less likely to break.  Physical active has additionally been found to help your brain as studies show people who exercise regularly make better decisions.

It is also beneficial for seniors to keep their minds active. Like our muscles, our brains need to be exercised regularly to improve memory loss and cognitive skills.  Activities such as targeted brain exercises and playing word and trivia games can help.  Other habits that can enhance your health include not smoking, having regular checkups and learning how to prevent falls.

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we provide seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Along with beautiful private suites, we also offer residents resort-style amenities and services as well as a range of activities, wellness programs and nutritional, tasty meals.  Visit our website to learn more.

Our post is for information purposes and we advise you to consult your health care provider with any medical problems or questions. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in the Reno/Sparks area. 

Source:familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html

MorningStar’s “Wellness Program” for Life Enrichment

MorningStar of Sparks offers loads of amenities and services for our residents including our signature Wellness Program.  Committed to the idea that there is always a reason to start the day confident in the promise it holds, our program strives to engage the mind, body and spirit.   We recognize it is important for seniors to continue learning and contributing.

MorningStar’s Wellness Program is designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage connection through a range of physical, intellectual, spiritual and social activities.  Each day our Life Enrichment team will present creative ways to help residents keep active and productive for man’s good and God’s glory.

By offering such a wide span of activities and programs, we are certain our residents will find something that peaks their interest.  For example, our April monthly calendar lists the following activities offered on one day: Painting Group; Mike Thomas Lecture; Sit and Be Fit; Bananagrams; Bridge; Ice Cream Sundae Bar; Activity Meeting; Team Trivia; dinner at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Quarter Poker.  Also, if we do not already offer it, we encourage our talented residents to form and lead special interest clubs and activities.

We also offer special activities that may include trips to local cultural events, historic museums and scenic drives.  Our monthly calendar of activities is updated and posted on our home page so future residents and their families can get an idea of what goes on at MorningStar of Sparks.  You can also check our “Life Around our House” and “Upcoming Events” to see recent happenings and events at our community.  Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in the Reno/Sparks area.

 

It is Important that Older Adults Stay Hydrated!

Now that we are approaching the summer months and outside temperatures will begin to rise, it is important for seniors to stay hydrated.  Dehydration can cause serious problems, and since older adults can become dehydrated even when it is not hot outside, they need to remember to make a conscious effort to increase their fluid intake.

There are several reasons why the elderly are more at risk for dehydration including the fact that the body’s mechanisms meant to protect us from dehydration do not work as well as we age.  This means older adults often experience diminished thirst sensations that may lead to reduced fluid consumption or suffer from conditions such as incontinence that can increase water loss.  Certain medications commonly prescribed to seniors to treat high blood pressure or heart failure can also cause dehydration.  Other things that can lead to dehydration include memory problems that result in someone forgetting to drink or mobility problems that make it hard for a person to get something to drink.

Experts suggest that one way to help prevent dehydration is to set up a schedule to drink  something several times a day and that it is better to offer fluids more frequently than expecting a senior to drink a large amount at one time.  The general recommendation is for older adults to consume at least 57.5 fluid ounces or 7.1 cups during a 24 hour period.  Just keep in mind that alcohol can be dehydrating and have a definite diuretic effect on people.

At MorningStar of Sparks, our community is designed to see to the needs of our residents.   Included in the many services and amenities we provide, our residents are served daily nutritional meals restaurant-style in our attractive dining room.  We feel that food (and drink) is one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed in community.  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.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Source:

betterhealthwhileaging.net/qa-how-to-prevent-diagnose-treat-dehydration-aging-adults/

Answers to FAQs on Our Website

If you are in the beginning stages of looking for senior living in and around Sparks and the Reno area, we recommend taking a look at MorningStar of Sparks.  Our community has 128 bright suites for independent living, another 80 for assisted living, and 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

One good way to get to know our community is through our website where you will find lots of information regarding our amenities and services as well as information and floor plans of our suites.  Furthermore the MorningStar Senior Living Company, which encompasses over 25 communities and 3,000 units under operation or development, has lots of information about how our communities are run and what they offer.

One of the areas you will find especially informative is the “FAQ” section.  Here we go through a whole list of questions we have been asked in the past and provide families with answers.  Topics include why we are different, what we offer, and just what is an assisted living community.  We also provide help in determining if your loved one needs assisted living along with suggestions on how to begin the conversation on why it may be the time to start thinking about making a change in their living situation.

The FAQ page is also an easy way to see if you or your loved one meets our age requirement (for an IL, AL, or MC suite, you must be at least 62 years of age).  It also provides answers to questions regarding Companion Living, couples living together, respite stays, pets, and much more.  Additionally while we provide answers as to how our fees are structured and how we determine the care you or your family member will receive in assisted living, we are more than happy to answers all and any questions personally.  Once you have looked over our website, we invite you to set up a tour of MorningStar of Sparks to see for yourself our beautiful, loving community.

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.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Before You Move into Senior Living, Here’s Some Help with Downsizing

Once you decide to move into a senior living community like MorningStar of Sparks, you may be faced with downsizing decades’ worth of personal items and a houseful of furnishings.  It is no wonder it feels like an overwhelming task.

Organizing experts have several tips to help you get started such as beginning with an inventory of your possessions.  After that, create a list of the things you do not want to part with and another list of items you would like to give away to family and friends.

Now measure the size of your new suite and create a floor plan that gives you a realistic idea of how your furnishings will fit in your new place.  If the unit is a studio or a smaller, one bedroom, you do not want to be so crowded you cannot safely move around.  It may even turn out that you need to buy some things like a smaller couch or coffee table.

Your next step should be to evaluate the things you want to keep to determine if you will have the room.  The process will require some give and take but keep in mind you do not want to bring a lot of useless clutter to your new home. Also remember at communities such as MorningStar of Sparks, we do the cooking and serve the food restaurant-style.

Any possessions that are left can be sold, donated or recycled and some charities will even come and pick up pieces of furniture and items you do not want.  When you get into your new suite, use bins and shelving to help organize everything so you can easily get to it.

Please visit MorningStar of Sparks to learn more about our beautiful community.  There you will find an online form to set up a tour or to inquiry about pricing and availability.

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.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Older Adults are Discovering the Advantages of Senior Living

Today’s senior living communities are designed to offer older adults carefree retirement years, and many seniors report they prefer community-style living to living alone.  This is probably due to the fact that senior living communities, which are rather a new concept, are tailored to meet aging adults’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs.

If an older adult is still a homeowner, a senior living community provides the opportunity to say goodbye to never-ending yard work, home maintenance and housekeeping chores.  After all who wants to spend their precious retirement years mowing the lawn or shoveling snow when you can use the time for more fulfilling activities?

Another benefit senior living offers is it helps to eliminate the loneliness or isolation many seniors experience after they retire.  At MorningStar of Sparks we offer all kind of entertaining and meaningful activities that provide seniors a way to stay engaged and continue to grow.  Socializing at Sparks is as easy as going down to breakfast in the dining room or participating in a morning Sit & Be Fit exercise class.  Even if you are the type of person who values privacy, senior living offers the reassurance of having people around when you need them.

Predictable budgeting is yet one more benefit of senior living as most of your living expenses will be included in your monthly fee.  At MorningStar of Sparks that includes basic cable TV and utilities, three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef, fitness room, onsite theatre, spot cleaning and trash removal, and more.

Furthermore if you start out in one of our 128 bright suites for independent living, and down the road, require help with daily personal care or memory care, you get priority placement and will not pay an internal transfer fee.  We consider this just one of the many advantages to living in a community with more than one neighborhood under our roof.

MorningStar of Sparks is a safe, comfortable community with resort-style amenities, meaningful activities and a staff who is honored to serve seniors.  Please visit our website to set up a tour or to contact us regarding availability and pricing.

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.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

MorningStar Senior Living’s Website Has Resources for Families

While MorningStar of Sparks’ first priority is to our residents, we also recognize that helping our families accept the transition to senior living is important.  This is why we have a website filled with useful information and resources regarding all aspects of our community.

We encourage everyone to read the history of MorningStar and about our Founder/CEO, Ken Jaeger’s mission to start a senior housing company defined by the human touch.  He explains that he “wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  Guided by our Radiance program, you will also learn how we deliver service – with warmth, sincerity and depth.

Furthermore, we understand that senior living decisions are often precipitated by major changes, which is why we provide a guide that details various retirement options.  One recommendation we offer is to clearly identify what you are trying to solve, and to think about not just next year, but rather the next 5 to 10 years.  We encourage you to read our points to consider for help in determining if senior living is the best solution for you, your parent or spouse.  In addition you will find some of the troubling signs that could signal the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, however please keep in mind that only a neurologist can make a diagnosis.

Once you have reached the decision to move to a senior living community, we advise you to set up a tour.  We recommend not trying to do more than two tours a day as you will get a lot of information to take in and process.  Please contact MorningStar of Sparks if we can be of any help or if you have questions or would like to set up a tour of our wonderful community.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Reno, NV.