Lifestyle Changes can Help Control Blood Pressure

The Mayo Clinic has several tips to help people with high blood pressure (HBP) bring their numbers down. They say making simply lifestyle changes could help you avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication. 

The first thing they recommend is maintaining a healthy weight. If you are overweight, check with your healthcare provider regarding diet suggestions. Experts explain being overweight can raise your blood pressure as well as interfere with your breathing during the night (sleep apnea). Just having too much weight around your waistline can also increase your blood pressure. While measurements vary among body types and ethnicities, the Mayo Clinic says, “Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters). Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimeters).”  Check with your doctor regarding what would be best for you. 

Exercise is another way to help reduce your blood pressure numbers. Experts say 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes daily can help bring your numbers done by about 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure. Best exercises include walking, jogging, dancing, cycling or swimming. 

Diet is also important and the Mayo Clinic says the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is a good one for HBP. Other suggestions include reducing your daily sodium intake as well as alcohol consumption, cut back on caffeine and reduce stress.   

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley senior living community, we provide all the comforts of home including home-cooked meals that are both delicious and healthy. Our nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat for residents to self-manage. Ingredients include using super foods such as acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens. Our community offers 61 graciously appointed suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 865 square feet). For those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we have 27 secure suites providing individualized, specialized care. Please call or visit our website to learn more.  

This blog is for informational purposes only, please consult your healthcare provider with any medical questions or problems.

Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20046974

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s Reflections Neighborhood

When MorningStar of Happy Valley opens in late 2019, we will provide 27 secure suites devoted to the care of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, in addition to our 61 private assisted living suites.  Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to encourage and support residents’ independence as much as possible, while providing individualized memory 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 reimagined 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 Alzheimer’s disease 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 of Happy Valley, 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 in Happy Valley’s newest senior living community springs from a deep understanding of the disease and is offered with the utmost love and compassion.   Please visit our website or contact us for more information. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct 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 are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living in the Happy Valley – Clackamas area.   

Ways to Improve Your Cognitive Aging

Researchers says that even if we are not developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, as we grow older, our memory, decision-making, and ability to learn simply begin to wear down.   This process is referred to as “cognitive aging” and doctors now say there are evidence-based steps we can take to improve our cognitive functioning.  

The recently published study from the Institute of Medicine titled “Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action,” detailed three ways we protect and bolster our aging brain.  The study’s authors are Dr. Dan Blazer, chair of the report and professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, and Dr. Valentin Fuster, director of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief at the Mount Sinai Hospital.  The report is intended to provide relevant information to both physicians and patients. 

According to the study, the first thing we can do to help keep our brain healthy (and other parts of our body) is to engage in light exercise every day.  Activities such as walking, gardening, swimming or biking help increase the blood flow to the brain, which helps to maintain and improve its functioning.  

The Cognitive Aging report also found that in order to reduce our risk for or to better manage cardiovascular disease, we need to eliminate unhealthy habits such as smoking and maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.  It recommends that if you do have high cholesterol, you follow your doctor’s instructions and continue to have the necessary blood tests done.  

The third key to improving and maintaining good cognitive functioning is to consult with your doctor to review the list of medications you are currently taking.  Dr. Blazer explains that, “Older adults are sometimes on more medications than they need to be on." He adds, “Many, if not all of them, can potentially affect your cognitive functioning.” 

At the MorningStar of Fountain Hills assisted living and memory care community, our 24/7 care services include medication care managers/QMAPs, who administer and document regularly prescribed medications per the Medication Administration Record and physician orders.  All of our care services, wellness programs and amenities are designed to support the whole person: body, mind and spirit and make MorningStar the perfect place for successful aging.   

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 the finest assisted living and memory care in the area.

Senior Living May Offer a Healthier Lifestyle

Did you know that studies show many older adults prefer the carefree life offered by senior living?  The idea of no longer having all of the responsibilities that come along with owning a home including the repairs and upkeep is very appealing to many seniors.  Furthermore, for seniors who still think moving into an assisted living community is a place people go to die, most likely have not visited one of today’s vibrant communities.  

There are even studies that suggest moving into senior living may be a healthier option for some than living alone.  This can especially be true for seniors after the death of a spouse as many begin to feel isolated and lonely.  Not to mention the burden of keeping up with household chores such as cleaning, cooking, laundry or needing to move up and down stairs.  

Senior living communities offer an individual the opportunity to easily make new friends as well as gives them the time to pursue special interests or to explore new hobbies.  Also communities typically provide amenities such as onsite fitness centers in addition to offering a range of exercise classes geared toward the fitness level of older adults.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley is a new assisted living and memory care community that is set to open by the end of the year.  We understand that for some the “MorningStar” name may be new to Happy Valley, but we want to reassure you that MorningStar Senior Living is anything but new.  Our senior living communities are scattered throughout the Western U.S. including MorningStar of Beaverton, which opened west of Portland last fall.  

In addition, we want you know that our community will be staffed by a compassionate, professional team of individuals who are experienced in all facets of senior living and committed to providing our residents a true “home.”  Visit our website for contact information and to find out more about our gorgeous new community. You are also welcome to stop by our Onsite Information Center which is open seven days a week.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Happy Valley, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

Does Mom or Dad Need More Help?

If your elderly parent lives alone, you may have wondered if they have an adequate support system to ensure their safety and comfort.  We encourage you to read some advice from the experts to determine if your parent needs more help to not just survive but to thrive!

Some of the things to find out are if they have had any recent falls or driving mishaps.  Do you have any reason to suspect they may be endangering their safety by forgetting to turn off the stove or other appliances?  Do you see signs that they are having difficulty bathing and attending to personal daily care activities? Does their house look unusually unkempt with dirty dishes lying around and mail stacking up?  Are there signs of spoiled food or an empty refrigerator?   

Also consider if your parent has health conditions that are making it more difficult for them to care for themselves.  Poor balance and failing eyesight can increase the likelihood of a fall and not having help close at hand can be dangerous.  In addition, if your parent no longer drives, they may be having a hard time getting out to the grocery store or to doctor appointments as well as becoming too socially isolated.   

Assisted living may offer the best option if your parent or spouse needs more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) in the home or in an independent living community, but does not require 24-hour medical care and supervision.  Our MorningStar of Happy Valley community, scheduled to open by the end of 2019, will offer the area both assisted living and memory care.  We now have an Onsite Information Center open seven days a week and invite you to stop by or call us for more information. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct 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 are honored to create a true “home” for residents. Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living in the Happy Valley – Clackamas area.