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 of 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 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 Fort Collins is a senior community with a range of onsite amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities designed to promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us for more information and to set up a tour. Not only is our staff happy to answer any questions but our website provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other assisted living communities. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about one of the finest assisted living communities in Fort Collins, CO. MorningStar of Fort Collins’ goal is to be one of the finest assisted living communities in the area. We attribute our success to God’s grace and to staying true to our mission of servant-leadership. To help us accomplish these lofty goals, we are blessed to have a team of individuals with big hearts and a true love for seniors.
Our founding principles are based on “casting a new light” on senior living and treating each resident with the utmost respect and dignity. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and contribute is ageless; and we act upon this truth daily as we care for, inspire and love the residents under our roof. At MorningStar we want seniors to recognize they are never too old to set a goal or to dream a new dream. We take great pride in a reputation for excellence and authenticity in both how we serve and why we serve throughout our MorningStar communities in eleven states. Specializing in compassionate care delivered by our distinguished team and guided by our proprietary program “Radiance,” we know the highest expression of living is when we are fully engaged in sharing with others our talents, time and energy. As people are living longer than any other time in history, senior living is quickly becoming a popular option for older adults. Residents appreciate predictable budgeting, luxury amenities and services, companionship and a carefree lifestyle. Seniors’ wellbeing, comfort and safety are something MorningStar of Fort Collins takes very seriously. Our beautiful community has 55 assisted living suites as well as 24 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us today to see how we can help support you or a loved one. MorningStar of Fort Collins’ mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other assisted 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 exceptional assisted living and memory care. At MorningStar Senior Living of Billings, we offer residents a warm and welcoming home to safely age in place with the added benefit of several neighborhoods under one roof. This includes 32 cottages and 72 suites for independent living along with 70 stylish suites for assisted living in a variety of floorplans and configurations. Fully equipped, all you need to bring are your furnishings and personal treasures; and yes, we are pet friendly.
For seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, we provide suites and can lovingly care for individuals from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. While a secure area, our Reflections Neighborhood encourages independence with clear wayfinding and inviting common areas including a secure courtyard. For residents’ safety, suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. Other amenities include housekeeping and laundry services as well as scheduled transportation for doctor’s appointments and special outings. Memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood begins with a high staff to resident ratio. All team members are trained in our “Lavender Sky” program that encompasses our philosophy and approach. This training gives employees a better understanding of the disease and more tools for effective, compassionate treatments. In addition, residents receive daily health monitoring with access to licensed nurses and other third-party service providers. Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort whatever the extent of memory loss. Once a family decides MorningStar is a good fit, we start the process to learn as much as we can about your loved one’s background, talents and personal preferences using a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” This allows us to create a specialized, individualized service plan that calms or stimulates as each unique situation suggests. Contact us for more information about compassionate and loving memory care in Billings, MT. MorningStar of Billings’ foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care. Please contact us or visit our website for more information. After making the move into assisted living, many residents are surprised at how full their lives become. And despite their fears about losing their independence by moving into a senior community, most are pleased to discover that by getting the assistance they need, they are more ready than ever to lead productive lives.
At MorningStar of Billings, our assisted living offers five levels of care. Your level of care will be determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with you and your extended family. For your safety, each assisted living suite is equipped with a handicapped-accessible bathroom and emergency call system and is smartly designed to accommodate the various needs of our residents. Assisted living also includes housekeeping and laundry services, trash removal and full access to all onsite amenities. Our holistic approach to senior living creates an atmosphere filled with love, care and compassion. We also recognize that it is important for our residents to continue learning and contributing, which is why we offer such a wide range of meaningful wellness programs and activities that engage the mind, body, and spirit. In addition, many elderly adults who live alone find meal prep to be difficult and often resort to frozen meals or fast food. When living in our beautiful community, you can sit back and enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors while you are served beautifully prepared meals restaurant-style. Moreover, if you are a senior who no longer drives, we take care of that with scheduled transportation. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Billings offers independent living, memory care, respite stays and trial stays to see if we are a good fit. Please contact us for more information. Not only is our team happy to answer any questions but our website provides information on our community as well as our company’s history, vision, and mission. 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 homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT. A UCSF Division of Geriatrics study found 43 percent of seniors report regularly experiencing loneliness. Mayo clinic psychologist, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., explains why this can be a problem. He says as “social animals by nature; we tend to function better when we’re in a community setting and being around others.”
Several studies report a link between social isolation and an increased risk of disease, including one from the Academy of Science, which found loneliness can lead to higher rates of poor physical and mental health. Health concerns for isolated adults include hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac failure, depression, anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease. It becomes harder for seniors who live alone to socialize as they get into their upper 70s or 80s as many stop driving and/or suffer from chronic health problems affecting their mobility. Other contributing issues to loneliness in the elderly may include the death of a spouse or close family members and friends. To emphasize how important socialization is for older adults, the American Public Health Association explains the most effective way for seniors to improve their health is to increase socialization. They report “socialization improves mood, cognition, memory recall, and is associated with healthy behaviors, including exercise.” At MorningStar of Fort Collins, our goal is to promote physical, intellectual, spiritual and social wellbeing. We provide everything seniors need for quality of life and to age in place safely and comfortably. Along with luxury amenities, and care and hospitality services; our signature wellness programs and activities are designed to engage and encourage residents to live fully productive lives. In addition to memory care and assisted living in Fort Collins, our beautiful community offers respite care (short recuperative stays) or trial stays (up to a full month) so you can see if we are a good fit. Please contact us today for more information about outstanding senior living at MorningStar. MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Fort Collins has to offer. Source:seniorlifestyle.com/resources/blog/the-mental-health-benefits-of-socializing-for-seniors/ It may feel like technology is rapidly increasing daily. For seniors, utilizing new technology is often difficult and frustrating. It may feel hard to stay in contact with your family when you feel like it’s impossible to understand all the gadgets they use. Once you get a hang of a few apps and services, technology will keep you socially active and connected to your friends and family.
How Technology Helps Seniors Technology connects seniors in retirement homes who are living far from relatives and loved ones. You can find the most modern retirement homes Glendale has to offer seniors. These retirement communities encourage a healthy relationship with technology to keep seniors connected with the people most important to them. Technology helps seniors by lowering feelings of social isolation, providing news updates, and even helping to keep seniors safe. Providing Safety to Seniors Learning how to utilize phone and computer apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and other forms of social media will keep you connected to the people you may not get to see so regularly. These apps are relatively easy to understand. Helpful caregivers at MorningStar Senior Living Glendale are sure to provide support in setting up these forms of technology so that you can remain up to date with your family and friends outside of your retirement home. Not only will you stay connected, but you can also easily contact your family or community caregivers if you feel unsafe or in need of help. Staying Up to Date While watching TV is a popular way for seniors to receive their news updates, social media can also play a vital role. Social media allows seniors to interact with other ideas and perspectives surrounding media, politics, and news updates. While it is great to have access to these outlets, be mindful of what information may be misleading or biased. Find All-Inclusive Senior Living at MorningStar Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you. Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona. If you have started the search for assisted living in Fort Collins, you will want to include MorningStar of Fort Collins. Our all-inclusive community offers an array of luxury amenities, while at the same time, all of the warmth and welcoming comforts of home. Every private suite is smartly designed to maximize space and include floor plans in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. All have wall-to-wall carpeting, large windows, lighting, and safety features such as full, handicap-accessible bathroom and emergency call system. Residents also enjoy our weekly housekeeping service.
We provide residents the care to help them maintain their independence, and the amenities and wellness programs to keep them engaged and looking forward to each new day. MorningStar’s all-day dining service means you can eat when you are hungry and not according to a rigid schedule. A full salon makes it easy to get a new hairstyle or treat yourself to a manicure. Our fitness room along with specialized exercise classes will help you stay in shape; and our monthly calendar is loaded with fun, entertaining activities. Moreover, residents have the opportunity to participate in scheduled outings and special events. MorningStar of Fort Collins’ goal is to be a true home distinguished by comfort, wellness and love; made possible through a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. As dementia care specialists, our community also provides secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We encourage you to contact us with any questions regarding availability, choice of suites, pricing, care services and more. In addition, we have a very informative website that focuses on many of the different aspects of our community as well as provides some background on our company. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about one of the finest assisted living communities in Fort Collins. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), every year more than one in four people aged 65 or older suffer from a fall, and many of those accidents require a trip to the emergency department. In addition to serious injuries, some falls even result in death. To help mitigate the risk, experts recommend that along with safety modifications to the home that elderly adults also do balance exercises.
Balance exercises are relatively easy-to-do and can improve both your balance as well as increase lower body strength. Ask your doctor for some suggestions or take a look at the Internet. Most do not require special equipment other than someone to assist you if needed. The exercises can be done throughout the day and each one only takes a few minutes to do. One example of a balance exercise is called Tightrope Walk. This easy exercise improves balance, posture, and core strength. Start in a standing position and lift your arms extending them out to your sides. Now walk in a straight line keeping your gaze focused on a fixed point in the distance. Each time you raise your foot, pause with it in the raised position for 2 to 3 seconds. Alternating your feet, continue for 20 to 30 steps. Another exercise is Rock the Boat, which starts by standing with your feet hip-distance apart and extending your arms out to your sides. Lift your left foot off the floor and bend your knee to bring your heel toward your bottom holding it there for up to 30 seconds. Now do the same with the other side. Do each side 3 times. At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we offer 48 suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases. Every aspect of our beautiful community is designed to meet the needs of our special residents, including the ability to explore their expansive surroundings freely and safely. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, exercise classes and the use of therapy animals. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about compassionate, loving assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Before beginning any exercises, please consult with your health care provider. MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs. Source:healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/balance-exercises-for-seniors#exercises-to-try Many times people put off creating a living will, also known as a health care power of attorney, because they don’t understand how important it is to have one; or they fear they are giving up too much control over their life. The medical community explains the reason you need one is to ensure you get the type of care you want when you can no longer speak for yourself.
The Harvard Medical School says before you create a living will there are a few things to consider including separating fact from fiction. To start with, think about what quality of life means to you. Sometimes having extraordinary measures taken to save your life doesn’t factor in where such treatments will leave you. Having a living will can help guide your medical team on just such decisions. Some people worry if they choose to refuse certain life-sustaining medical treatments to prolong life even when death is inevitable that it will invalidate their life insurance policy. Medical professionals explain there is no reason to worry as the recorded cause of death will be from the person’s underlying medication condition. Another common concern is if medical treatment is started, it can’t be stopped. This too is not true as treatment plans can always be updated and revised to address current circumstances. Medical professionals want patients to know treatment can be started or stopped. Even if you refuse certain life sustaining treatments, it does not mean you won’t get other types of treatment such as intensive comfort care to help manage pain and symptoms. Seniors especially should be aware a recent new directive has pretty much replaced a DNR (do not resuscitate), which only gives EMS permission to not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A POLST (physician orders for life-sustaining treatment) can include a DNR as well as provide more instruction regarding medical interventions such as intubation, antibiotic use and feeding tubes. Talk to your medical provider to learn more. At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we offer residents carefree retirement years with a range of hospitality and care services, luxury amenities and a complement of wellness programs and activities. In addition, our all-day dining service includes healthy, delicious meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef. Located on the southeast side of the city and convenient to medical facilities and other services, MorningStar of Fort Collins offers 55 suites for assisted living in a variety of floor plans. Additionally, the Reflections Neighborhood has 24 suites devoted to specialized dementia care for residents with memory impairment. 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 homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Fort Collins offers. Harvard Health restates a classic text that says tai chi will help you become “Strong as an oak, flexible as a willow, and [mentally] clear as still water.” The ancient Chinese tradition is based in the martial arts; and is a popular low-impact exercise involving slow movements and breath. Experts say tai chi is suitable for people of all ages including seniors and offers numerous benefits.
Tai chi’s mind-body exercises consist of slow, flowing, and choreographed movements that provide many people a sense of calm, which is why it is often referred to as mediation in motion, or medication in motion. Its movements focus on control as well as slowing down and relaxing muscles to allow the body to move more freely. Harvard Health says for those in their 60s, 70, 80s and beyond, “tai chi’s restorative powers can help you age more gracefully and function at a higher level than those who don't practice.” Other known benefits include offering relief from common ailments such back, neck and arthritis pain, and fibromyalgia as well as reducing the risk of heart disease. One study reports older adults who practiced tai chi one to three times a week had better balance and were 43% less likely to fall, and cut their risk of injury in half. In addition, research suggests tai chi improves mood and is an effective treatment for depression. It may also help reduce age-related cognitive decline and slow dementia. For outstanding independent or assisted living, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Billings, a true destination for successful aging. Our beautiful community is all-inclusive, boasting a dining service under the direction of our Executive Chef, wellness programs and activities, luxury amenities and care services. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides individualized memory care to residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us for information on our community as well as pricing and availability. MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT. Please contact us or visit our website for more information. |
AuthorMorningStar Senior Living’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Archives
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