Older Adults Face Higher Dehydration Risk
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 the early signs of dehydration and to address it. The US News & World Report states these include:
Feeling thirsty.
Dry mouth.
Lightheaded.
Fatigue.
Darker-colored urine.
Odorous urine.
Mild cases of dehydration are easy to fix. Just drink a couple of glasses of water or try an electrolyte-enriched beverage like sports drinks or coconut water. If you are outside, get out of the sun and seek a cool location.
Doctors say since older adults are more at risk, they should take extra precautions to make sure they don’t get into a difficult situation, particularly those with chronic medical conditions or on multiple medications. This would include staying indoors on hot days and drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. If you feel you are drinking enough fluids but still feel thirsty or experiencing symptoms associated with dehydration, let your healthcare provider know.
MorningStar of Hayward, senior living, is designed to meet the needs of residents with a range of luxury amenities, senior care, hospitality services, wellness programs, and activities. Our well-designed suites come in a range of floor plans including studio, alcove, one-bedroom and two-bedroom. Amenities include a bistro/bar, fitness center, salon, game lounge with billiards, theatre/chapel, life enrichment area and more. If you are considering independent or assisted living in Hayward, CA, please contact us or visit our website for more information.
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 for more information about the finest independent and assisted living Hayward offers.
Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/dehydration-warning-signs
Monitoring Your Metrics for Better Health
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 know your numbers. This should include checking your blood pressure and drawing blood to find out your cholesterol numbers. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor how often you need to test your blood sugar levels.
If good heart health for you means losing some weight, one suggestion is to keep a daily food journal to stay on track of what you eat and drink. It can also help you get in the habit of drinking more water each day. Keep your journal in a place where you will remember to update it. Experts say following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a science-based way of eating that can help you reduce high blood pressure and has other heart health benefits.
MorningStar Senior Living of Hayward offers stylish suites for assisted living and senior apartments in Fremont, California with a selection of studio, alcove, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Residents enjoy a vibrant and carefree lifestyle with a full range of care and hospitality services, luxury amenities, wellness programs and activities. In addition, our distinct Reflections Neighborhood has suites devoted to the care of those living with memory impairment. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.
MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Fremont, memory care and independent living Hayward, CA offers.
Considering a Senior Living Community?
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 and internet services.
Assuming you no longer want to or can maintain the outside of your home, you will need yard care not to mention maintenance like painting or replacing a roof. Driving and maintaining a car is not cheap and in many cases is necessary if you live on your own. Other expenses might include things like an emergency call system, fitness club membership and housekeeping services, which all start adding up.
If a senior needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) and wants to obtain in-home care services, you need to factor in those costs, and they are not inexpensive. So in addition to all of the associated costs of living in and maintaining a home, you also have the high cost of in-home care.
Senior living communities may sound expensive until you factor in all the benefits you get. Many offer a choice of independent living or assisted living with spacious private apartments, onsite amenities such as fitness centers and salons, dining services, social activities and an appropriate level of care for residents. Many include scheduled transportation, organized trips to local activities and are pet friendly.
At MorningStar of Hayward, our community is designed around the various needs of older adults and provides senior-friendly activities and companionship with like-minded people of a similar age. Outside chores as well as cleaning and cooking are taken care of by us, allowing you to focus on the things you love to do most in life. Along with smartly-designed floorplans, residents enjoy inviting common areas perfect for relaxation and spending time with friends. If you are looking for assisted or independent living in Hayward, CA, MorningStar may be the place for you.
MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest assisted and independent living Hayward, CA offers. Contact us or visit our website for more information.
Which Senior Living Option Is Right for You?
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 maintain their independence. Communities will have an array of services such as housekeeping, laundry, transportation, daily meals, and 24-hour care. 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 wellness programs.
At MorningStar of Hayward, you will discover senior living at its best. Our community is designed to enhance the lives of our residents and provide a home where seniors can safely, and comfortably age in place. 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. Our stylish apartments come in a variety of floor plans, and we are pet friendly. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about outstanding independent or assisted living in Hayward, California.
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 the finest independent and assisted living Hayward, CA offers.
Find Something To Be Grateful for Every Day
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 be thankful for your breathing, which is a life-sustaining force. Combine breathing with feelings of gratitude and patience as you strive to feel relaxed and calm. The Internet offers several methods for practicing breathing techniques.
Expressing gratitude to someone each day by thanking them for their support and/or love are other ways to feel gratitude. Studies show it helps to build a better relationship between two people who routinely express or receive gratitude from their partner.
Lastly experts say end your day by feeling grateful. One practice is to think of three things you are grateful for and write them down in a notebook or piece of paper. They do not have to be big “things” but just something that makes you feel happy. When you wake in the morning, read over your three things and take a few moments to reflect on them.
At MorningStar of Hayward, our goal is to provide exceptional senior living; and we are committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of residents. To accomplish this lofty goal, our approach considers every aspect of our residents’ needs from the design of our beautiful community to a broad range of amenities, services and wellness programs. Please visit our website for more information about exceptional assisted living, memory care or senior living in Hayward, CA.
MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living, memory care and independent living Hayward, CA offers.
Are You Considering Senior Living?
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 and a supportive social community that allows them to comfortably and safely age in place.
For families with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, there is often a time when the person’s needs outpace the care family members can provide at home. If this is your family, you will want a community that offers a distinct memory care unit and a team of experienced caregivers.
At MorningStar of Hayward, we proudly offer older adults memory care, independent living, and senior living Hayward, CA seniors and their families have come to trust. To get to know us better we encourage potential residents and their families to schedule a tour to experience firsthand our ambience and friendly environment. Our website also offers a lot of information regarding MorningStar’s philosophy and mission along with answers to FAQs to help you get to know us better.
If a loved one has dementia, please go to our Lifestyle Options and see the extensive memory care services we offer including family orientation & support resources. All our Reflections Coordinators complete advanced coursework from the National Council of Certified Dementia Specialists. Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar of Hayward or to schedule a tour.
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 for more information about the finest memory care, independent living Hayward offers.
Senior Living Offers Built-in Companionship
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 and even death in adults over 60. WebMD cites studies linking people who are socially isolated to an approximately 50% higher risk of getting dementia.
As you grow older, children may have moved away or a spouse died, and you may have experienced the loss of other close relatives and friends. You may no longer work, and thus no longer enjoy companionable relationships with work colleagues. This is where senior living communities can be a big help as they not only provide maintenance-free living but the companionship and sense of well-being knowing someone is always around.
MorningStar of Hayward is a wonderful example of the vibrant lifestyle senior communities offer to residents. Our beautiful home is designed to provide the ideal living arrangement for residents with options for independent living, assisted living or memory care. Please contact us to learn more about our many senior care and hospitality services, luxury amenities, wellness programs and activities.
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 for more information about the finest independent and senior living Hayward offers.
Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-living-alone-after-60