Anger can be a Part of the Grieving Process

The loss of a loved one or the diagnosis of a deadly disease is devastating and hard to process. Turning inward and drawing on our spiritual strength as well as seeking comfort from our family and friends is important in the healing process. However, if you feel you need professional help to deal with the loss or to face end-of-life decisions, grief counselors and other mental health providers may be able to help you better shoulder the burden and ease the pain. 

In many cases, people can be surprised to find they are angry but experts explain it is one of the five stages in the grieving process that includes: denial and seclusion, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Anger may be triggered by feelings of abandonment or fear when a beloved spouse, child, or parent passes away. Social Worker Kriss Kevorkian, Ph.D., explains “When anger is involved, it’s important to look at it and find out if you’re angry about the situation, the person who died, or perhaps even God.” She says discussing your feelings with a grief counselor can help you find ways to cope with the loss and start to process it. 

When a loved one has a terminal illness, talking to a grief counselor can help you start the difficult conversation regarding your feelings and even help you to make the most of the time you have left with them. Afterward, professionals can help you find ways to honor the memory of your loved one as well as you process your grief. 

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge Senior Living community, we offer 55+ adults a true home.  Along with 65 suites for assisted living, we have 38 Casitas for independent living and 35 suites devoted to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our selection of floor plans, our wide range of amenities, our care services and to ask about availability and pricing.   

Are You at Risk for Shingles?

We have all heard about shingles but many of us are confused as to whether it is contagious and what are the chances we will get it. Experts explain shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Moreover if you had chickenpox as a child, you are at risk for getting shingles sometime in your life. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports one in three people develop shingles during their lifetime. While this means many will never get shingles, some people get it more than once and others can develop flare-ups periodically throughout their lives. Dr. Michael Urban, a senior lecturer and director of the doctorate of occupational therapy program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, explains flair-ups can be a full range of symptoms or barely noticeable. 

Statistics show in recent years younger people are getting shingles but typically the disease occurs in those over 50 years of age and the risk increases the older we get or with various health conditions. People undergoing cancer treatment as well as being ill or under a lot of stress are all at a higher risk for shingles. 

Symptoms vary and include feeling like you may have the flu, and/or a red, itchy, painful rash or fluid-filled blisters. Before the rash appears, you may feel an uncomfortable sensation, numbness or tingling, and may be the only symptoms you ever experience. Experts say shingles are not contagious but you can give someone the chickenpox if they have never had it; but only if they come in direct contact with the fluid in the blisters such as through a wash cloth or bed sheet. To ensure your safety, talk to your doctor about getting a shingles vaccine if you are over the age of 50 or suffer from chronic diseases like renal failure, COPD and diabetes among others.

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community is a true home where residents can comfortably age in place. We have 65 suites for assisted living and 35 secure suites devoted to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. For active seniors looking for a carefree lifestyle, we offer 38 Casitas tucked into their own private neighborhood. Please contact us to learn more about our concierge services as well as availability and pricing. Be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials.

Expert Weigh-in on How to Tell the Difference between the Flu or a Cold

Now that we are fully in flu season, you may find yourself wondering if you have a common cold or the flu. Experts say there are some clues to help ensure you get the right treatment. 

While certain symptoms overlap, there are some differences. In both cases you may experience a cough, sore throat and a stuffy, running nose. However if you have a fever, chills, and body and muscle aches, it is probably the flu. Bad headaches and fatigue are another indication you most likely have more than the common cold. Children with the flu may also suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.  

As the flu can have more serious consequences, another way to determine if it is the flu or a cold is how the illness starts. The flu hits a person hard and fast, while a cold starts out much slower. For example, a person may start out a day feeling just fine but from the time they leave work to when they get home, they may become feverish with muscle aches throughout their body.  

Doctors stress the importance of getting an annual flu shot as every year adults and children are hospitalized with the flu. Complications include pneumonia and bacterial infections, with some of the worst cases leading to death. Both the flu and colds are spread through droplets spraying into the air when someone coughs, and can spread from contaminated surfaces that come into contact with the droplets. Most flu vaccines are free or low cost with insurance; however, if you are uninsured or underinsured there are options available.

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with an array of amenities and services. Our senior living options include assisted living and independent living along with memory care. We are dedicated to creating a true home for carefree retirement years. Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more about our home, our services and our company, and ask about our Move-in Specials.

How MCI is Diagnosed

Studies report approximately 12-18% of people aged 60 or older have some level of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). So how do you know if you are one of them? The first step to diagnosing MCI typically comes after a person starts to complain of forgetfulness or cognitive problems, or initiated at the urging of family members. Doctors explain it is usually more serious if it comes at the request of those closest to the person because as a person develops more of the signs of Alzheimer’s they often are not aware of their memory loss. 

Your doctor will begin with a thorough evaluation to try and determine if the problem is MCI, Alzheimer’s or normal age-related memory loss, or caused by another factor. It is important to note not all cases of MCI develop into dementia and an evaluation could identify medications as the problem. A Harvard Medical School article states, “Establishing the cause and scope of the impairment is helpful in setting a baseline for future evaluations to determine if the condition is progressing to dementia.” 

Some of the preliminary tests include a complete blood workup to rule out anemia, infection, kidney and liver disorders, or diabetes. Other tests may check for thyroid abnormalities, elevated blood calcium and vitamin B12 deficiencies. 

Cognitive tests begin with an in-depth medical history as well as questions regarding the person’s memory lapses and other thinking problems. Your physician will probably request a family member be there to reaffirm and document the changes. Experts say quickly progressing memory problems are most likely another issue as true dementia progresses pretty slowly. 

Your physician may refer you to a neuropsychologist for more tests including paper and pen and computer tests to assess memory, language and other cognitive skills including motor and visual function. If deemed necessary, they may do structural and functional brain scans or an amyloid PET scan, which detects in a living brain signs of amyloid plaques, the hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.  

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we offer 38 Casitas (quadruplexes with attached garages) for independent living and another 65 suites for assisted living. Our Reflections’ wing provides 35 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted seniors living in Peoria, AZ. 

The Importance of Keeping Blood Sugar Levels Low

An alarming new report from the Centers of Disease and Prevention (CDC) finds 34.2 million people in the U.S. (10.5% of the country’s population) are diabetic. Within that group, “7.3 million, or 21.4%, have not yet received a diagnosis. The CDC also estimates that 34.5% of people over 18 years old, or 88 million, have prediabetes.” 

Adding to the problem, researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD found over the last decade fewer people are controlling their blood sugar at healthy levels. They also report the management of cholesterol is down, which is especially troubling as diabetics are at a higher risk of developing heart disease as well as developing kidney disease and nerve, eye and organ problems.

Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, of the Bloomberg School’s Department of Epidemiology and senior author of the study, said: “These are concerning findings. There has been a real decline in glycemic control from a decade ago, and overall, only a small proportion of people with diabetes are simultaneously meeting the key goals of glycemic control, blood pressure control, and control of high cholesterol.” 

Experts say some of the problem may stem from the fact that doctors think it is too difficult to help patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels but with some of the newer medications now available this is no longer true. Dr. Selvin explains new drugs carry less risk of hypoglycemia, and the process of managing blood sugar levels “may not be as complicated and daunting as physicians and patients might have come to expect.”  

It is important to get regular checkups, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise (both cardio and strength training). You also need to follow your doctor’s or dietician’s advice regarding diet. Diabetics need to eat at the same time each day and to watch portion size. 

The beautiful MorningStar of Arvada senior living community believes serving seniors is our calling. We are committed to creating a community catering to the needs of residents and promoting independence through a healthy, engaged lifestyle. MorningStar has 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites and another 29 secure memory care suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website for availability of assisted living and independent living as well as to learn more about compassionate memory care in Arvada, CO.  

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Thinking About Moving to a Retirement Community?

Unlike years ago when elderly people wanted to live in their own homes for as long as possible, many of today’s seniors see a real advantage to senior housing and love the idea of a more active community life. In fact studies indicate retirement communities provide a higher quality of life for many seniors and may contribute to a longer life and better physical and emotional health than those who remain in their own homes. 

Experts say this may be due to the fact senior living offers a less stressful, carefree environment in which seniors no longer have the responsibilities and unexpected expenses of home repairs and maintenance. Furthermore a retirement community is built around the needs of its residents as it is designed to be safely navigable for older folks as well as offers the benefit of others being around in case the need arises such as in the event of a fall. 

Another reason a senior living community such as MorningStar of Arvada enhances quality of life for its residents is we offer a five-star dinner experience for better nutritional health. Additionally wellness programs, social activities and special events mean there is something to look forward to each day. Whether taking in a yoga class, playing a challenging game of trivia, relaxing with friends on the patio or sharing a drink during Happy Hour, you will be engaged, stimulated and have a sense of purpose.    

At MorningStar of Arvada, our all-inclusive community offers independent living and assisted living with all of the amenities, services and enrichment programs to give you the best retirement years. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, we have 29 secure suites devoted entirely to highly individualized, specialized care. Starting with a scenic location on 1.5 acres encircled by historic Golden and the nearby Arvada Reservoir, our home-like environment allows seniors to thrive. Visit our website for more information on the area’s most trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO.