MorningStar Senior Living Community Blog

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than it takes in. It can happen when we experience an excessive loss of fluids from things like sweating, vomiting and/or diarrhea; or simply not drinking enough. Dehydration can sneak up on people and is a common problem especially in the heat of summer. Older adults are even more at risk of dehydration as their thirst sensation decreases with age. This means seniors may not feel thirsty when they really need fluids. Other reasons can include underlying chronic illnesses of the heart, lung or kidneys as well as certain medications such as diuretics. Maintaining fluids in our bodies is essential to good health. Dr. Marc Taub, an emergency physician and medical director of emergency services at Memorial Care Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, states, "Water helps move nutrients and oxygen throughout our system, ensuring cells get the elements they need to function." Therefore it is important to recognize th...

Now that New Year’s has come and gone, have you slacked off on your resolution to improve your heart health? If you have, experts say today is just as good of a day to begin. To get started, an effective way to monitor your heart health goals is to keep track of your daily exercise, blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol numbers. An easy way to track your daily exercise is to wear a fitness watch. Many models give you information on everything from counting steps, your heart beat, calories you burn, and the duration and quality of your sleep. Body weight is another indicator of overall health. To get an idea of where you stand, calculate your body mass index (BMI) as it measures your overall body fat (BMI calculators are available online). If your BMI is above the normal range your risk is higher for certain conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and more. It is recommended you make an appointment with your healthcare provider to get to k...

As today’s seniors are living longer than ever, it makes sense to consider whether to age in place in their own home or take advantage of the benefits offered by senior living Hayward . While many older adults say they wish to stay at home, the reality is in some situations it may be impractical due to the burden of home maintenance, mobility issues and declining health. For more active seniors, community living offers a carefree lifestyle with predictable budgeting and built-in companionship. To make an informed decision regarding one’s choices, it is important to know the real cost of living at home, receiving in-home care or residing in a senior community. If you are currently living in your own place and think senior living communities are way more expensive, consider the following. Living in a home or apartment means a monthly mortgage or rent payment and homeowners or rental insurance. Monthly expenses include utility bills for electricity, gas, trash and water as well as phone a...

Have you been thinking it’s time for a change in your living arrangements and you would love a more manageable, relaxed lifestyle? If you have started looking into senior living options your next question may be “what is the difference between independent living and assisted living, and which one is best suited to my needs?” Independent living is ideal for healthy, active seniors who no longer wish to maintain their own home and desire a more carefree lifestyle. While each community can vary, many offer amenities such as meals, social activities, wellness programs and day trips. It is also perfect for those who love the sound of predictable budgeting, community living and built-in companionship. Care services are not provided but being a resident in an independent community may give you priority for a move into assisted living or memory care if the need should arise. Assisted living is designed for seniors who need help with everyday activities to improve their quality of life and...

While studies find feeling grateful can make us happier and less anxious; like every skill, it does take some practice. An article at CNN.com explains gratitude should not be saved for special occasions, but like love, should be practiced or expressed regularly. With a little effort, you should be able to find something to be grateful for every day. Experts share four ways to help you practice gratitude. The first is to create a gratitude album on your phone by taking a picture each day of things that bring you joy like a meaningful text, beautiful scenery, fun events on your calendar and pics of loved ones. Don’t worry about your photography skill. Now instead of scrolling through social media, use some of that time to look through your own gratitude album and appreciate the good things in your life. Another gratitude practice is to take the time to breathe. Mindful breathing techniques can help relieve tension and reduce stress, and only take a few minutes. When doing, remember to b...

There comes a time in the lives of many senior citizens when they feel a need for a more carefree, comfortable retirement without all the responsibilities that come with home ownership. If you are looking for senior living , your next question may be what community is right for me. As some of your decisions will be based on personal needs, it is important to know senior living communities offer a range of options including independent living, assisted living and memory care. Independent living is designed for active seniors who love the idea of predictable budgeting, built-in companionship and restaurant-style dining as well as wellness programs and activities. Moreover, as a resident, if your health needs change and you require daily senior care, you are already familiar with all that senior living offers. Assisted living is tailored to those seniors who wish to receive the daily senior care services they need to maintain their independence. They too flourish with vibrant programs an...

One often overlooked benefit of moving to a senior living community is the idea of built-in companionship. It solves the problem of not having to organize and travel to activities in your area. Also, inclement weather doesn’t stand in your way from getting together with friends or watching a movie, attending worship services or laughing over a game of trivia. Loneliness and feelings of isolation in the elderly are common in the US and not surprising as 27% of Americans 60 and over live by themselves. A 2023 survey from the National Poll on Healthy Aging showed one in three adults aged 50–80 (34%) felt isolated from others (29% some of the time, 5% often) in the past year. Experts say this can be problematic as research shows older adults who express loneliness have a 32% increase in the risk of stroke and a 29% increase in heart disease. Other problems include a disruption in sleep, higher blood pressure and increased stress levels. It can also be a predictor of functional decline an...

As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company , MorningStar of Hayward is committed to going the extra mile to meet the needs of our residents. Each aspect of our home is intended to allow residents to enjoy their retirement years to the fullest with an array of luxury amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities. Our gracious living extends to our dining service that offers an upscale experience inspired by the belief that dining is the centerpiece of personal wellness. It is through a proper diet of healthy choices that food becomes a healing medicine unlike any other. When it is enjoyed as a community, it helps to bond us as a family. MorningStar’s trained Executive Chef has been instructed in culinary skills and menu creation, along with the soft skills of being a servant-leader. As we recognize today’s seniors have more sophisticated culinary tastes, we balance a blend of world foods and flavors with nostalgic comfort foods. One of our special interests is a focus...