Why Senior Living is the Answer for Many Older Adults

More and more older adults are discovering that senior living communities are the ideal place to enjoy their retirement years whether they are a senior who requires assistance or someone who is able to live independently.  This is probably due to the fact that over the last several years, senior living communities have changed dramatically.  Today’s modern communities are tailored to meet aging adults’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs and provide a comfortable and secure lifestyle.   

Many seniors, especially those living alone, find themselves becoming more and more isolated as they have retired from careers and may even have stopped driving.  In contrast, senior living communities offer residents a friendly place to socialize and meet new friends as well as to engage in a variety of meaningful activities. Even for someone who values their privacy, senior communities offer the comfort of having other people around.  It is reassuring if you experience a fall or a medical emergency to know help is close at hand.

Also owning a home means a lot of physical upkeep such as mowing lawns, shoveling snow, and other routine chores which can be difficult for seniors.  The advantage to senior living communities is that someone else does the work while the residents have the freedom to concentrate on more fulfilling activities. 

Another common problem with seniors who live alone is that many do not eat well.  Cooking may be difficult and/or they may not be able to easily get out to grocery shop.  Again the problem of good nutrition is solved in senior living communities as they provide healthy daily meals designed around the needs of the residents. 

For older adults that have given up driving, senior living provides a safe solution.  Most provide scheduled outings to places such as shopping malls, outdoor parks, plays and other entertainment venues, museums and more. 

MorningStar of Sparks Senior Living offers residents a safe, comfortable place to age in place and to take advantage of resort-style amenities and meaningful activities.  We encourage you to schedule a tour to see for yourself why our residents are pleased to call MorningStar “home”.

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:

aplaceformom.com/blog/why-seniors-prefer-senior-living-communities/

Easy Brain Exercises for Seniors

Study after study indicates that keeping our brains active as we grow older is just as important as staying physically active.  As we age, not only do we lose muscle mass but our brain begins to shrink.  The Everyday Health Media’s website explains that, “your brain's cognitive reserve — its ability to withstand neurological damage due to aging and other factors without showing visible signs of slowing or memory loss — diminishes through the years.”   The goal of brain exercises is to help increase the brain’s cognitive reserves. 

One of Everyday Health’s simple tips for improving brain function is to test your recall.  They suggest that you make a list with several items on it such as errands to run or groceries to buy, and then memorize it.  A few hours later, try to recall as many items from the list as you can.  In addition engage in activities that require fine-motor skills such as knitting, drawing, painting, and jigsaw puzzles. 

Another activity for increasing cognitive brain function is to visualize how to spell a word and then think of other words that begin with or end with the same letters.  Also it is beneficial to undertake new activities in your daily life such as learning how to cook various types of cuisine, learning a foreign language or to play an instrument.  Seniors can also keep brains active and healthy by learning to play a new sport like golf, tennis or yoga.     

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we recognize the importance of providing an environment where our residents can engage in meaningful as well as fun and entertaining activities, including brain exercises.  Our monthly calendar is loaded with daily activities of great interest to our residents.   

   

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

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

Source:

everydayhealth.com/longevity/mental-fitness/brain-exercises-for-memory.aspx

Good Nutrition is Important for Seniors

Even for older adults, good nutrition is important for a healthy lifestyle.  A study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) states that “a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers. As you age, you might need less energy. But you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.“  

As a part of their findings, they recommend avoiding foods loaded with empty calories such as potato chips, cookies, soda and alcohol to ensure you get your proper amount of daily nutrients.  Instead they advise eating wholesome, nutrient-rich foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated or trans fats.

One of the benefits of eating well is that it may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes and bone loss as well as some types of cancer.  In fact if you already suffer from one of those diseases, maintaining a healthy diet along with staying physically active can help you to better manage them.  Additionally adopting a healthy diet can help to reduce your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol. 

Wholesome, healthy foods help keep muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong and vitamin-rich food can boost immunity and fight against illness-causing toxins.  Furthermore, a healthy diet can help you feel better as well as give you more energy.

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we wholeheartedly agree that good nutrition is important for seniors.  This is why our residents are served three daily meals that are not only very healthy but also delicious.  Each of our meals are served restaurant-style in a beautiful dining room and prepared by our European-Trained Executive Chef, Jacques Cornelis.  Please contact us to learn more about our wide range of services and programs offered by MorningStar. 

*This post is for informational purposes only.  Please consult your medical provider   regarding any health concerns or questions.*

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:nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/benefitsofeatingwell/01.html





Our Community Offers a Carefree Lifestyle





At MorningStar of Sparks, we know how to enjoy ourselves.  Each month we offer a calendar loaded with meaningful and entertaining activities geared to keep life interesting for our residents. 

For example now that the weather is improving, the first meeting of our Gardening Club for 2016 was held.  This activity offers residents the chance to get outside and help tend to our beautiful flower beds, vegetable beds, and many planters located around the community. While soaking up the sunshine, residents can take advantage of the benefits of gardening as both a stress reliever and great physical exercise.   

One recent day trip that turned out to be very popular was to the Kerak Shrine Circus.  Residents were greeted by none other than Corabelle the Clown, otherwise known as our Resident Relations Coordinator, Shelley Minedew.  A couple of our residents also got the opportunity to ride atop one of the circus elephants.

Furthermore, food and drink is always an adventure at MorningStar of Sparks.  Our residents were recently treated to a lesson in the ancient tradition of brewing Turkish coffee by our own Executive Director, Assaad Zeid.  Served in a demitasse cup, the coffee was sipped and savored along with Middle Eastern desserts.  In addition while Executive Chef, Jacques Cornelis, stays busy tempting residents with new culinary delights, he also recently hosted a sampling of South American wines from reaches as far as Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.

We encourage you browse our website to see for yourself all of the activities and amenities we offer residents.  Our community is made up of 128 suites designed for independent living and 80 for assisted living. We also have 32 secure suites in our Reflection Neighborhood devoted to the individualized, specialized care of those with memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

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 of Sparks – Better than Ever

Over the last couple of years, we have seen some exciting changes in the leadership at the MorningStar of Sparks Senior Living community.  One of the changes we made almost two years ago was to bring on board Assaad Zeid as our Executive Director.  With a background in business administration, Mr. Zeid has more than 7 years of experience as a Senior Level Executive Director in the Senior Living Industry and Hospitality.

While growing up, Zeid was very close to his grandparents and lived with them for over 13 years.  He credits his work ethic, respect and ability to survive as some of the lessons they taught him.  Living through difficult times in the Lebanon civil war, Zeid’s grandfather showed him the value of giving to those in need. Today, he recognizes that each senior brings a life story of survival and work ethic that teaches us what true character means.   

Among one of the newest members of the MorningStar of Sparks’ team is our Executive Chief.  Jacques Cornelis was born in Temse, Belgium, and first entered a professional kitchen at age 14.  After working in the finest restaurants in Antwerp, Brussels and Paris, he immigrated to the U.S. at 28 years old.  Now with 50 years of experience under his belt, Jacques is accomplished in all types of cuisines and treats our residents to a wonderful array of tasty dishes. 

These two are but just a couple of our many wonderful employees.  Please see our website or contact us to schedule a tour to understand why our residents are happy to call MorningStar of Sparks “home.”

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.





Seniors are Often Lonely

According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), “18 percent of seniors live alone, while 43 percent report feeling lonely on a regular basis.”   They also found that people 60 years or older who reported being lonely had a 45% increase in a risk of death.  Furthermore, seniors who felt isolated had almost a 60% increase in the risk of mental and physical decline than those seniors who had more social contact.  

There are many reasons that seniors attribute to their feelings of loneliness: retirement, death of a spouse and other family members, and a lack of mobility.  Another factor leading to isolation for some seniors is that more people are choosing to not have children, which reduces the number of family members with a stake in their well-being.

A 2009 report taken from data gathered by the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project found that “seniors who feel lonely and isolated are more likely to report also having poor physical and/or mental health.”  As such, loneliness is also linked to a faster cognitive decline as well as a greater risk for depression. 

Senior living communities such as MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks offer seniors not only the security and comfort to age in place but also companionship along with a wide assortment of creative, thoughtful activities.   A quick look at our monthly calendar shows a steady stream of activities such as exercise options, rosary, Catholic mass, current events, word games and puzzles, tap dancing, Trivia, Bingo, movie night and much, much more. Contact us to learn more about our beautiful home-like atmosphere and the comfort, wellness and community we offer to our residents.     

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:  aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/

agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm





Assisted Living is a Good Choice for Many Seniors

Assisted Living is a new paradigm in wellness and engagement, and is built on a European social model.  It is designed for seniors who do not require 24-hour nursing care but rather just need a little assistance with daily living.  An assisted living community provides a secure and comfortable environment that lets you or your loved one age in place.  Furthermore, it gives family members peace of mind knowing that their elderly parent or relative is receiving the care they need. 

Many communities offer a range of amenities that include private suites, libraries, theater, fitness centers as well as creative and wellness programs.  Some of the services typically provided by assisted living communities are daily meals, medication management, help with bathing and dressing and transportation.  With a home-like atmosphere, seniors have the opportunity for companionship and to develop new friendships and interests.

Assisted living can also provide a safer option for many seniors than living alone as help is much closer at hand.  According to the National Institute of Health, “More than one in three people age 65 years or older falls each year. The risk of falling -- and fall-related problems -- rises with age.”   In fact, over 1.6 million U.S. seniors go to emergency rooms for fall-related injuries every year. 

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we think seniors are a national treasure and they deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.  Along with our 80 beautiful assisted living suites, our community offers 128 well-appointed independent living suites designed for seniors without the need of any care services. In addition our Reflections Neighborhood has 32 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment.  Please give us a call so we can help you find your new home.    

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:nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/aboutfalls/01.html