Falls Do Not Have to Be an Inevitable Result of Aging

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) states that, “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.”  They report one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each year and account for more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency rooms annually, and result in over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.  

However, they say falls do not have to be an inevitable result of aging.  Rather with some practical lifestyle adjustments as well as public campaigns on how to reduce the problem from the NCOA and other organizations, the number of yearly falls can be reduced.  The NCOA’s evidence-based Falls Free® National Action Plan was updated in 2015, and includes “goals, strategies and action steps to increase physical mobility, reduce the impact of medications as a falls risk factor, and improve home and environmental safety.”

The National Institute on Aging explains some of the steps seniors can take to help protect themselves from a fall.  The first thing is to stay physically active.  Weight-bearing exercises such as walking or climbing stairs improves muscle strength and keeps joints, tendons, and ligaments more flexible.  Another fall-prevention tip is to have your eyes and hearing tested.  If you need glasses, wear them, and if you have a hearing aid, wear it.   

In addition, ask your healthcare provider if your medications have side effects that can make you dizzy or sleepy.   It is also important to get enough sleep and to limit the amount of alcohol you drink as even a small amount can affect your balance.   

Stand up slowly, and have your blood pressure checked if you feel dizzy.  If you feel wobbly when walking, use an assistive device such as a cane or walker.  A physical or occupational therapist can help you choose the right device and teach you how to safely use it.

During wet or icy conditions, use extra caution when walking, and always wear non-skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes.  Lace-up shoes give you the ability to adjust the amount of support you need, but do not buy shoes with soles that are too thin or too thick.  Around the house, wear shoes or slippers with non-slip bottoms.  

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our goal is to be one of the area’s best senior living communities, and the safety and comfort of our residents is our highest priority. Please visit our website for more information, availability and pricing.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Fountain Hills, “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 contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

Sources: ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/

nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures

When a Loved One is Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is devastating news for all.  Family members may quickly start experiencing feelings of grief as they recognize their life is about to be changed by the disease and are uneasy about what the future will hold.  Most are left with questions about what to expect next.  

As Alzheimer’s begins to take away the person we know and love, the Alzheimer’s Association explains that, “you'll mourn him or her and may experience the different phases of grieving: denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance.”  They remind us that feelings of grief do not come in a specific order but rather we go in and out of the various stages.

Feelings of denial include unrealistically hoping the person is not ill or expecting them to get better.  Others try to convince themselves their loved one has not changed or try to normalize and make excuses for their behaviors.  Anger may include being frustrated with the person or feeling abandoned.  You may also experience feelings of resentment with the demands of caregiving and/or resent others who are not helping with care.   

Guilt includes having unrealistic thoughts about what you should have done or feeling guilty if you do not visit every day.  A spouse that is well and still able to enjoy life may feel guilty that their husband or wife is no longer able to do so. Others may have negative feelings such as wishing the person would die or go away.  

The Alzheimer’s Association says you need to face both your positive as well as negative feelings.  They also say to be prepared to go through feelings of loss more than once as the disease progresses.  Remember your grief is a part of your journey, and if you need help, talk with someone about your feelings.  

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, our mission is to provide the best senior housing Rio Rancho NM has to offer, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Our memory care residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and spend each day in an atmosphere that celebrates and elevates their lives. Please visit our website for information on pricing and availability or to set up a tour.  

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, 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 within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the best senior housing Rio Rancho NM offers.

Dementia Care Offering Wellness Programs and Meaningful Activities

MorningStar at Englefield Green provides individualized memory care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  Our holistic care is designed to affirm the dignity and value of the person within a supportive, loving atmosphere. 

MorningStar’s philosophy and approach to dementia care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” Under a Lavender Sky, our ambition is to thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore. To aid us in this quest, our Life Enrichment team provides a whole host of wellness programs and activities that help to connect with and nurture the essence of the person regardless of the level of memory loss. 

Our monthly calendar includes a variety of exercise classes appropriate for our residents’ level of fitness.  The classes start with Sunday Strong, to Monday Movements, Tuesday Workout, Wednesday Workout, Aerobic Thursday, Friday Fitness, and Saturday Strong.  Residents are encouraged to participate in whatever capacity they are most comfortable with. 

Additionally, Englefield Green residents enjoy a range of activities and games that not only use cognitive skills but are fun for staff and residents alike.  Examples include Brain Games, Craft Corner, Bingo, Trivia Time, Baking Buddies and much more.  Furthermore, each month we have special events and programs such as the sounds of Cowboy Andres, Dan Costello on guitar, and an Apple Pie Social while enjoying Rachel play the harp.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, please visit our website to learn more about our specialized memory care and to set up a tour.   From the moment you walk through the door, you will see why our community is a true home.     

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Englefield Green, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other assisted living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best dementia care in Boise.

Seniors and Bruising

Is frequent bruising indicative of a bigger problem?  Most likely not says the Mayo Clinic because as we age people bruise more easily.  The reason for this is older skin is thinner and has lost some of its fatty layers that used to work as a cushion to protect blood vessels from injury.  Also women are more prone to bruising than men.

The medical term for a bruise is contusion, and is typically caused when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface are ruptured by an impact from an injury or a blow to the area.  This causes blood to start leaking out of the vessels and create the visible black-and-blue mark (ecchymosis) of a bruise. As the body reabsorbs the blood, the bruise begins to heal.  

The Mayo Clinic says that certain medications can cause bruising such as aspirin and anticoagulants such as Coumadin® that thin the blood and reduces its ability to clot.  This means that “bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out and cause a bruise.” Dietary supplements like fish oil and ginkgo have a blood thinning effect that can also increase the risk for bruising.

However bruising can sometimes be a sign of serious medical conditions such as low levels or abnormally functioning platelets.  They can also indicate problems with the proteins that help to clot blood. The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting your doctor if large bruises appear on your body, if they are painful, or you start bruising after beginning a new medication. Additionally check with your doctor if a bruise increases in size and becomes swollen and hard as it may be a hematoma, a localized collection of blood which becomes clotted or partially clotted.

To prevent bruising, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family medicine practitioner, suggests removing furniture and other obstacles to create a clear path throughout the home to avoid bumps and falls.  If you or your loved one is unsteady on their feet, install handrails when possible and consider using a walker or cane.    

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand one of the finest senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ has to offer.

Normal Aging or Alzheimer’s Disease?

As we age, many of us experience occasional memory loss. While it may be worrisome, most likely it is just a normal part of growing older. In the case of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, a common indicator of the disease is memory loss that happens so often it disrupts daily life. The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and recommends if you or a loved one has any of them, to see your health care provider. 

The first sign that you or a loved one’s memory loss may be a sign of a bigger problem is constantly forgetting new information. Memory loss may include: needing to have the same information repeated over and over; forgetting important dates and events; and relying more and more on family members or memory aids to handle things. 

Another way memory loss can adversely affect a person’s life is when it becomes difficult to problem solve. He or she may find it hard to do things they have done well in the past such as keeping track of monthly bills or following a recipe. Some individuals with Alzheimer’s have problems losing their way when traveling familiar routes or keeping track of the month or season of the year. Also, a person may start putting things away in odd places and not remember where they put them. We encourage you to read the Alzheimer’s Association’s full list of common signs of Alzheimer’s. 

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we compassionately provide care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our beautiful community offers 28 secure memory care suites in our Reflections Neighborhood designed to care for those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website to learn more. 

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, and strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a tour to learn more about our holistic approach to memory care.

Sources: alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Regular Eye Exams are Important as You Age

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that early signs of disease or changes in vision can start years before they become a real problem. This is why they recommend “adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease should receive a baseline comprehensive eye evaluation at age 40.” 

They also advise that individuals without any risk factors should have an eye exam by an ophthalmologist every 2 to 4 years. People age 55 to 64 without risk factors should be examined by an ophthalmologist every 1 to 3 years. Seniors 65 years and older without risk factors should be examined by an ophthalmologist every 1 to 2 years as the incidence of unrecognized ocular disease increases with age.

Getting regular eye exams and being aware of any changes to your vision is important as many age-related eye problems do not show early symptoms. Furthermore, common health problems including diabetes and hypertension can cause eye-related issues as well as some medications. 

A thorough eye exam will check your visual acuity and peripheral vision, coordination of eye muscles and the pupils’ response to light and color testing. The ophthalmologist also examines the interior and back of the eye along with the inside and outside of the eyelid. In addition, eye fluid pressure is measured with a tonometer, which blows a puff of air onto the eye. The test is used to check for glaucoma and other diseases. 

You will additionally be monitored for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease. This test uses special instruments to examine the back of your eye to detect and monitor conditions affecting the macula. 

Since many eye conditions do not develop symptoms until they are quite advanced, it is important to follow the eye exam recommendations. Also, the risk of glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration increases as we get older. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we represent 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 strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please schedule a tour of our community to see the finest senior assisted living Fountain Hills, AZ has to offer. 

Source: aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101