Seniors and Arm Strength

We know balance exercises protect older adults’ safety and stability by preventing falls as well as helping maintain independence. The Harvard Medical School explains keeping arm strength should also be a goal for seniors.

The fact is as early as our mid-thirties, arm strength and overall muscles start to decline and continue to do so around one percent each year thereafter. Once we reach our sixties, experts say arm strength is declining by as much as 3 percent each year, and not only reduces our range of motion but increases our risk for injuries.

Functional strength improves quality of life, and having a strong upper body is important. Maintaining and/or building up arm strength benefits our bones and balance as well as prevents falls. Experts point to two important muscles that control our arm movements: biceps, the muscles located on the upper arm; and triceps, the muscles at the back of the upper arm. Both sets of muscles help us lift, carry and push.

Improving arm strength is easy to do at home and doesn’t require fancy gym equipment. Check with the Harvard Medical School or other sources on the Internet to find examples of exercises targeted toward seniors. To get started, all you need are a pair of two or five pound weights depending on your size and/or condition. As you gain strength, you can move up to heavier weights. However, before beginning any new exercise, please check with your healthcare provider.

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, retirement communities we believe in providing seniors an all-encompassing environment for residents’ well-being and safely to comfortably age in place. Our community offers a fitness center and a range of fun programming to maintain physical abilities.  

In addition, we provide senior care and hospitality services along with luxury amenities and a choice of well-designed floor plans. Located in suburban Denver, our beautiful community is convenient for medical facilities, shopping, and other services.  For more information on exceptional assisted living in Wheat Ridge, CO, please call us or visit our website.

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 senior apartments in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Cognitive Aging

It is no secret that aging brings with it changes many of us experience including not being as sharp as we were when younger. Many seniors say they find it more difficult to multitask, have trouble recalling names and finding the right word. Some complain about a decline in their ability to concentrate, absorb, process, and remember new information.

On the positive side, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) says studies have found various strengths of seniors such as having a wider vocabulary and a greater depth of understanding of the meaning of words than younger adults. Moreover, most are capable of learning new skills (it may take longer), and forming new memories. Another advantage older adults have over their younger counterparts is a wealth of life experience and accumulated knowledge.

However, researchers are trying to figure out why some seniors stay cognitively healthy longer than others, and if our lifestyle habits protect our brains as we age. For now evidence shows certain parts of our brains do shrink as we age, especially those areas associated with learning; and parts of our brain may not communicate with one another as well as when we were younger. In addition, blood flow may decrease, while inflammation increases, and causes problems.

We do know some people live well into their 80s, 90s and beyond with sharp cognitive skills, and defy the widely held view of seniors’ declining abilities. NIA-supported researchers call these lucky few “super agers,” and define them as “people age 80 years and older who have performance on memory tests comparable to people two to three decades younger.” While we are not sure why super agers retain such strong cognitive skills, scientists say it could be they started out with a larger, more robust brain.

If you are looking for senior living communities in Colorado Springs, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows may be your answer. We offer residents a place to socialize and make new friends as well as a full calendar of activities and wellness programs. MorningStar’s assisted living allows older adults to comfortably age in a beautiful and vibrant environment. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood offers holistic care to those with memory impairment. To experience MorningStar retirement communities up close, contact us to schedule a visit

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 senior apartments in Colorado Springs.

When is Forgetfulness a Sign of a Bigger Problem?

Experts report “at least half of those over age 65 say they are more forgetful than they were when they were younger, experiencing ‘senior moments’ of things like where they put things or recalling somebody’s name.” While several studies show as many as 40 percent of seniors suffer from some level of memory loss, this doesn’t necessarily mean Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. 

Doctors say we need to remember Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, and there are some characteristics which separate age-related memory loss from dementia. One example is forgetting how to program your remote control or operate a piece of machinery after not doing it for a while. They stress this is common and typically not a cause for concern but forgetting how to get home or perform routine tasks may be a sign of a bigger problem. 

Another symptom of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases is forgetting what an object is used for or what it is. Someone with Alzheimer’s can forget they wear glasses or not recognize the glasses as their own. The same goes for forgetting names. A common problem is to forget a person’s name but a more serious problem is to forget easy words or replace them with something strange, making the person difficult to understand.

However, feeling you are forgetful may be cause for concern according to Dr. Barry Reisberg, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Resources Program at New York University Langone Medical Center. In a study in which Dr. Reisberg was involved, the findings showed “seniors with subjective memory complaints are, over many years, 4.5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those who do not have such memory complaints.” Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any worries you may have.

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provides specialized care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Every aspect of our care addresses the needs of our residents starting with the very design of our Reflections Neighborhood to a wide range of wellness programs, activities and healthy, delicious meals.  Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s all-inclusive, compassionate senior apartments.  

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 retirement communities in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/just-forgetful-or-is-it-dementia/

Visiting Your Healthcare Provider for Memory Problems

If you or a loved one is experiencing troubling memory problems, it is important to see your healthcare provider. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, there are steps you can take to mitigate or delay the onset of the disease. 

The Alzheimer’s Association explains, “Physicians and other medical professionals are a central part of the care team of a person living with dementia. Along with other members — which may include family, friends or others — they work to provide support throughout the course of the disease.” Therefore, one of the best ways to ensure optimal care is to honestly communicate with your physician.  

To establish a good relationship with the doctor, a person or family member should take some time to prepare for the visit. Helpful tips from the Alzheimer’s Association include:

  • Document any changes in your health, including your mood, memory and behaviors.

  • Make a note of any changes you’ve noticed since your last appointment.

  • Create a list of current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

  • Write down any vitamins or supplements you’ve added to your medication regimen.

  • Make a list of questions you want to ask.

Writing down questions you have beforehand makes sure you don’t forget them, and don’t be reluctant to ask questions if you don’t understand something. The Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, made up of men and women in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, put together a list of questions to help others make the most of a doctor’s visit. Questions range from asking about the type of tests used to make a diagnosis, what to expect from the disease, and what type of treatments may be used. When seeing a specialist, ask how familiar they are with caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. 

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we offer senior living communities along with 19 suites for those with memory loss diseases. We provide support to our residents and their families with the kind of services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. Our approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call Lavender Sky and uses Montessori-based therapy techniques. Contact us or visit our website for more information on retirement communities.

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 senior apartments in Colorado Springs.

Source: alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-communicating-doctor-health-care-pro-ts.pdf