Cataracts –Symptoms and Treatments

As we age, it is more important than ever to get regular eye exams.  The American Optometric Association recommends that every person over the age of 60 have an annual eye examination.  They also advise that if you notice any changes in your vision, see an eye doctor immediately. 

Cataracts are a common eye problem in older adults and develop as the tissue in the eye’s lens breaks down and clumps together causing cloudy or opaque areas.  Aging or an eye injury can cause cataracts as well as other conditions such as diabetes and the long-term use of steroid medications.

The size and location of the cataract determines how much it interferes with your vision.  If the cataract is only affecting a small part of the eye, you may not even know you have one.  Noticeable symptoms occur as the cataract grows and starts clouding more of the lens and distorting the way light passes through the lens.The Mayo Clinic says that cataract symptoms include:

• Clouded, blurred or dim vision
• Increasing difficulty with vision at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
• Seeing "halos" around lights
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in a single eye

Once a person cannot clear their vision with prescription glasses and the cataract is interfering with normal daily activities including driving at night and reading, surgery is the only effect treatment.  The procedure involves removing the damaged lens and replacing it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, which becomes a permanent part of the eye.

The surgery is done on an outpatient basis and the person experiences a few days of discomfort.  The complete healing process takes about eight weeks.  If a patient needs surgery on both eyes, the second one is done once the first eye has healed.  

This post is for informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns

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.

Sources:

aoa.org/patients-and-public/good-vision-throughout-life/adult-vision-19-to-40-years-of-age/adult-vision-over-60-years-of-age?sso=y 

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/dxc-20215129

Something for Everyone

At MorningStar of Sparks, we know our residents bring a wide range of backgrounds and diverse interests and hobbies to our community. This is why we offer lots of great activities that are designed to enrich the lives of our residents and allow them to enjoy each day to the fullest. 

As we know it is beneficial for older adults to keep as physically fit as possible, our community has a fitness center as well as a monthly calendar filled with a variety of physical activities.  We start many mornings with swimming and our other offerings vary from Chair Yoga, Sit & Be Fit, Chair Volleyball or other types of exercises.    

For our music lovers, we have many musical programs, musical movie showings, and also bring in outside groups that put on musical performances for the enjoyment of the whole community.  If you enjoy playing games, we have you covered.  Each month residents have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities including Bridge, Cribbage, Blackjack, Bunco and more.  In addition our monthly calendar is filled with a variety of craft activities.  In fact if we do not offer something you are interested in, we can probably help to get it organized. 

MorningStar of Sparks also offers residents a wide variety of scheduled transportation and special outings in the area. Recently a group of residents got out of the Nevada heat with a trip to beautiful Donner Lake.  We enjoyed a fried chicken picnic on the beautiful shore and then made a stop at the Emigrant Trail Museum.  

Please contact us today to schedule a tour to discover for yourself all that we offer. 

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.

Safety Tips for Seniors Taking Medications

Often seniors take multiple medications daily that in some cases have been prescribed by a couple of different doctors for different conditions.  In addition they may also be taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.  All of this can lead to problems with drug interactions and side effects that range from mild to severe including death. 

In a recent report by the US News & World Report, it cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest each year there are four visits to the ER per 1,000 adults attributed to adverse drug effects.  First published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statistics find that almost 60 percent of Americans take at “least one prescription drug, and nearly 20 percent are taking more than five prescriptions medicines.”  The study also looked at OTC medications and warns that there is a huge potential for “side effects, drug-drug interactions and negative outcomes.”  It also states that for the elderly, the possibility of dangerous drug interactions is even greater. 

One of the most important things that a patient or family member can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to communicate with all of your health care providers about the prescription and OTC medications that you take.   It is a good idea, especially if you take more than one medications, to write down the names of the drugs and the amount you take each day and carry it in your wallet.  You can also take a picture of the list of medications with your cell phone so you always have it handy.  Another tip is to fill your prescriptions at the same drug store and to build a relationship with the pharmacist as he or she can help to spot potential problems involving drug interactions.    

Annually review the need for each medication with your health care provider and discuss how long you will need to take the drug.  Lastly be sure to check each new prescription container for accuracy as pharmacies sometimes do make mistakes. 

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:health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-01-13/the-dangers-of-medication-mix-ups-at-home

Entertaining, Engaging Activities All through the Year

The MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks community is specifically designed for seniors and offers independent living, assisted living and memory care.  We provide a “true home” for our residents and strive to create a family-like atmosphere that is supportive and loving.  In addition to our wide range of wellness programs, activities and outings, we host special celebrations and events throughout the year.  

Looking at our community home web page, you will see an assortment of pictures from some of our special events at MorningStar of Sparks.  These activities range from an Vintage Car Show to an It’s Easy Being Green St. Patrick’s Day party that included a Pot o’ Gold Scavenger Hunt with coins hidden throughout MorningStar of Sparks as well as green Chardonnay and live music.  

Even a heat wave can be the catalyst for a lot of fun.  When over 12 billion gallons of snow melt flowed into Lake Tahoe during a recent heat wave, MorningStar of Sparks residents were found happily dining at Sunnyside Resort on a private deck with an unparalleled view of the submerged beach! 

Our community also participates in important causes such as the Optimism Walk to support the American Parkinson Disease.   And recently MorningStar of Sparks and the Sierra Veterans’ Research and Education Foundation teamed up for a day at the Aces Ballpark. All of our residents received a free Aces hat and a portion of the ticket proceeds went toward Parkinson’s disease research. 

MorningStar of Sparks has a total of 128 independent living and 80 assisted living suites as well as 32 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.  Please visit our website to learn more and be sure to set up a tour to experience firsthand the loving atmosphere here at MorningStar of Sparks. 

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 Greater Reno area.

Private Suites Designed for Your Comfort at MorningStar

At MorningStar of Sparks, we are committed to providing residents with a “true home” and offer 128 stylish, private independent living suites.  Additionally we have 80 assisted living suites for those needing some help with daily tasksand 32 secure suites devoted to individualized care for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases.  Our graciously-appointed Sparks, NV community is located just east of Reno in the neighborhood of Wingfield Springs, and convenient to hospitals, banks, shopping malls, restaurants and grocery stores. 

One look at our website and you will see that MorningStar of Sparks is indeed a beautiful, special place.  Right from the beginning, we worked to ensure our community would be a comfortable place for our residents to enjoy carefree retirement years and have designed our entire community from the ground up to cater to those needs. 

Our suites offer high ceilings, wall-to-wall carpeting, lighting and mini blinds. Each suite is also equipped with an emergency call system, private heating and air conditioning, and basic cable TV and utilities.  We offer residents weekly housekeeping and laundry service as well as spot cleaning and daily trash removal.  To help residents feel right at home, we are pet friendly, and all you need to do is to bring your furnishings and personal items. 

We encourage you to take a look at our various floor plans as they were designed for the utmost comfort.  Starting with a large two-bedroom, two bath configuration to our one bedroom, one bath, we are certain you will feel right at home, however, please set up a tour to see for yourself why we are so proud of our gorgeous 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 the Greater Reno area.