Downsizing Can Be the Start of a New Adventure
Instead of feeling sad about moving from a home that perhaps is too large or costly for you to care for, think about moving into a smaller apartment or condo as the start of a new adventure. However, to do it right, you should be organized. Experts suggest you only take with you the things that bring joy and find ways to get rid of the rest. If that piece of advice still finds you with way too much stuff, then take a moment to picture how you want your new life to look. Is it a sleek, minimalist décor or more like a smaller, compact version of your present home?
Some simple solutions to help you decorate your new apartment include bringing with you or buying multi-purpose furniture. This could include upholstered storage benches or cubes, nesting coffee tables, extension desks, and sized-down sofa and chairs more suited to a compact footprint. Attractive baskets and storage bins also help to make a small place feel more organized.
If you want to use some of your current furniture, measure it, and then draw up a floor plan of the new place and lay it all out to see how it will fit. In addition, since your new place is smaller, it will most likely not have as many closets as your old home so go through your clothing and only take the items you truly enjoy wearing. Give the rest to charity. Lastly, consider the amenities at your new place. For example, if they have an onsite fitness center, you probably do not need to bring along your own in-home treadmill or stationary bike.
At MorningStar of Mission Viejo, our beautiful senior living community offers 105 stylish suites for independent or assisted living that are ready to move into and just require your furnishings and personal items. Apartments come in a range of sizes and configurations to meet varying needs. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 30 suites for specialized care of those with memory impairment. Our beautiful new community is now under construction and scheduled to open next May. Contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar of Mission Viejo, the perfect community to comfortably and safely age in place.
MorningStar Senior Living’s communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Please contact us or visit our website to learn more about exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care in Mission Viejo, CA.
Options at Senior Living Communities
Often families are confused with the terms “independent living” and “assisted living” and are not sure which one is best suited for their needs. To clarify, the term independent living is used to describe senior living communities that are designed specifically for seniors who want to and are able to live without any help. Assisted living is designed for seniors who still wish to live independently with personal privacy and autonomy but require assistance in their daily lives.
Independent living is ideal for individuals 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 social activities, day trips and meals. Senior independent living communities offer residents the freedom to enjoy their retirement years without being tied down with yard work and other routine chores that need to be done when owning a home.
At assisted living communities, residents get help with daily personal care and are provided with an array of services such as housekeeping, laundry, transportation, daily meals, and 24 hour supervision. Generally a community assesses in-coming residents to determine the level of assistance needed that is agreeable to the senior and their extended family. Other amenities offered by assisted living communities may include a range of activities and special events.
Opening in May 2023, MorningStar of Mission Viejo is proud to offer 64 suites for independent living, 41 suites for assisted living and 30 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our beautiful home is designed to provide seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Along with inviting common areas both inside and out, we offer a range of amenities and wellness programs to promote a healthy and engaged lifestyle. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.
MorningStar Senior Living takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care in Mission Viejo, CA.
Some Medications May Cause Memory Problems
As we age, many seniors experience occasional “brain fog” or forgetfulness and have trouble comprehending and processing new information. Medical experts say this may be a normal part of aging but could also be from some of the medications you are taking.
Dr. Mark Albers, a neurologist at the McCance Center for Brain Health at Harvard - affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, says it is not all that uncommon for seniors to experience symptoms of brain fog when taking certain medications for the first time. He explains medications can affect memory more in aging adults as “older people tend to metabolize drugs more slowly, making them more sensitive to medications and more vulnerable to side effects.”
Other reasons medications cause more problems in seniors are they often take larger doses of a drug and more frequently as well as take several drugs to treat one health condition. Moreover, older people may have a weakened blood-brain barrier. This barrier works to block toxins and other harmful substances including drugs from entering the brain, which may account for some memory problems.
Sleep medications are one of the common medications that can be problematic. Over-the-counter sleeping aids can contain anticholinergic drugs, which are known to impair cognitive function, and some prescription sleep drugs diminish activity in parts of the brain involved in transferring short-term memories to long-term memory. Pain medications can additionally result in memory problems. The good news is once patients stop taking sleep or pain meds, modify the dose or replace the drug with a better option, many of the problems go away.
MorningStar of Mission Viejo is proud to offer adults 55+ a vibrant and carefree lifestyle to help live life to the fullest. Our new community offers a wide selection of independent and assisted living apartments in a variety of floorplans. Residents enjoy multiple dining venues, fitness center, art studio, salon and outdoor areas along with wellness programs and activities which promote a healthy and engaged lifestyle. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has suites devoted to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us or visit the Information Center (adjacent to our site at 28570 Marguerite Pkwy). We are scheduled to open to residents in May 2023.
MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care in Mission Viejo, CA.
Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/stuck-in-a-brain-fog-look-in-your-medicine-cabinet
MorningStar’s New Senior Living in Mission Viejo
MorningStar Senior Living is proud to announce a new senior community situated in a vibrant neighborhood in Mission Viejo, CA. Located on Marguerite Parkway we are close to The Shops at Mission Viejo and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo. For recreation, the Mission Viejo Country Club, Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club and Niguel Botanical Preserve are nearby, and beautiful Laguna beach is only 11 miles away.
MorningStar Senior Living of Mission Viejo is a 155,000+ square-foot community designed from the ground up to promote residents’ independence with a range of hospitality services and luxury amenities. Our 3-story building will offer a range of living options with 64 independent living suites and 41 assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans. Each is equipped with a kitchenette, emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. Residents will enjoy weekly housekeeping and laundry and linen services.
MorningStar’s luxury amenities will include a swimming pool, full salon, game room, art studio, fitness center, sky terraces and more. A five-star, all-day dining service is available in multiple venues, including a private dining room. To enhance wellbeing, MorningStar of Mission Viejo will offer a complement of wellness programs and activities designed to engage residents physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Independent living is ideal for active seniors who no longer wish to maintain their own home and desire a more carefree lifestyle. 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 our independent community will give you priority for a move into assisted living or memory care, if the need should arise.
As an assisted living resident, you will get the help you need for the ADLs (activities of daily living) with 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, medication management and other services intended to improve quality of life. MorningStar’s comprehensive care starts with residents having an individualized plan created to address their specialized needs. It is frequently reviewed and updated as required.
In addition, for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss, our Reflections Neighborhood provides the safety, security, people and programs to help preserve our most tender residents’ dignity and self-worth. Residents’ independence is encouraged through clear wayfinding and safe, inviting common areas.
We expect to open to residents in May 2023 and invite you to reserve your select suite. Also please ask us about our Founders Club Specials.
MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care in Mission Viejo, CA.