A cataract is the clouding of the lens inside the eye causing blurred or tinted vision, seeing double, impaired night vision, and extra sensitivity to light. The vision loss from cataracts happens slowly over time and cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses or with corneal refractive surgery such as Lasik. Cataracts are typically an age-related disease, and according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older. By age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts.”
The surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, and while cataract surgery may sound scary, most people get excellent results. During surgery, the affected lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure has been improved over the last several years by the use of a high-frequency ultrasound device, which has resulted in faster healing times and less complications. Before you have the surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform tests on your eye to determine if you have any risk factors as well as what size and type of IOL will give you the best outcome. You will also have input into the type of IOL you want to get that will depend on your needs and personal preferences. One type of lens is an advanced presbyopia-correcting IOL that improves your reading vision without interfering with your distance vision. The actual procedure typically takes about 15 minutes but you will be there for a couple of hours to get prepped and a small recovery period afterward. Your doctor may have you wear an eye patch for a short time, and you should expect your vision to be distorted for at least a few days. Other common issues include feeling as if your eye is dry and itchy but you will be advised to not scratch or rub it. Doctors also recommend if you choose to wear glasses after surgery, you pick lenses with anti-reflective coating or photochromic lenses. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in the Reno, NV area. Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/what-to-expect-from-cataract-surgery/
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With an interior design by the award-winning firm of Thoma-Holec in Phoenix, MorningStar at Arcadia has common areas and spacious suites that provide seniors with a lifestyle that is second to none. Our community offers the highest quality assisted living and respite care as well as compassionate memory care within a warm and loving environment.
When you visit our website, we encourage you to take a look at our beautiful photo gallery that shows off our spectacular outdoor areas and views along with our beautiful interior spaces. Throughout our community, you will find inviting areas to sit and have a chat with friends or family or the perfect spot to find some solitude and just enjoy the day. As you can see from the picture, our spacious courtyard was designed to sit and enjoy the cozy fireplace as well as the serenity of the fountain. Also looking at the stunning pictures, can you imagine yourself sitting in our attractive dining room eating meals served restaurant-style and expertly prepared by a professional chef or spending a morning getting pampered in our onsite salon? MorningStar at Arcadia has created the perfect physical setting as well as put together a team of devoted caregivers that feel honored to serve to provide our residents with a “true home.” Our assisted living gives residents the freedom to enjoy their retirement years as we see to it that all of their needs are met. For families who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory loss, MorningStar’s specialized care offers you peace of mind knowing your loved one is getting the best available care. We invite you to set up a tour as nothing beats seeing our home in person. MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community. 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 a little 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 communities offer residents the freedom to enjoy their retirement years without being tied down with mowing lawns, shoveling snow 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 wellness programs. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Albuquerque offers 48 well-appointed assisted living suites with the choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Set on the popular northeast side of town, MorningStar of Albuquerque has wonderful mountain views and is conveniently located near banks, churches, medical care, shopping, and restaurants. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to schedule a tour and see for yourself the finest assisted living in Albuquerque. It is especially important for older adults to make sure their paperwork is up-to-date and organized. This is necessary for not only your own wellbeing but so a family member (be sure to let them know where it is) can access the required documents in the event of an emergency. Your organization should include all financial and medical records as well as legal documents.
To help you get started, several websites offer downloadable forms including personal medical history forms. Update this form as needed to reflect changes in your or your loved one’s health and medications and include a family health history. Your paperwork should also include information regarding your Social Security benefits and Medicare. Financial documents should include information on stocks, bonds, and mutual fund investments. You will also want to list all bank accounts and safety deposit boxes as well as credit card accounts. Include in your financial records any mortgage obligations and other liabilities and debts along with the deeds and titles to property you own. Don’t forget to add property tax information and your most recent tax return. In addition record the location of all of your valuables. Your legal documents should include your Will, a Power of Attorney and an Advance Medical Directive. These documents cannot be signed by someone who is incapacitated so it is important to do it before the need arises. An Advance Medical Directive can include a Living Will that allows you to state the type of treatment you may or may not wish to receive if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. You may want to include a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care that allows you to designate a person to make decisions for you in the event you are unable. At MorningStar of Sparks, we offer 128 stylish and spacious suites for independent living and 80 for assisted living in a wide variety of well-designed floor plans. Additionally, our Reflections Neighborhood offers 32 secure suites devoted to the individualized care for those with memory impairment. Please visit our website to learn more about our community and use our online form to setup a tour. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in the Reno, NV area. Sources: stretcher.com/stories/15/15nov23e.cfm sageminder.com/Caregiving/CaregivingBasics/OrganizedCaregiver.aspx A recent study from the University of Chicago Medical Center reports that 40% of heat-related fatalities in the U.S. were in people over age 65. The Mayo Clinic explains that there are several reasons why older adults are more susceptible to dehydration including “their ability to conserve water is reduced, thirst sensation is less acute, and seniors do not respond to fluctuations in temperature as well as when they were younger.”
The National Institute on Aging also cites other factors why the elderly do not fare well in extreme heat conditions such as heart and blood vessels problems and less effective sweat glands. In addition heart, lung, or kidney disease can weaken individuals and often cause fevers. Medications such as sedatives, tranquilizers and other heart and blood pressure medicines can inhibit the body’s ability to cool by sweating or act as a diuretic. At around the age of 50, our body’s kidneys do not conserve fluid as well as they once did, and by age 70, the problem generally worsens. Also many seniors experience a decrease in appetite and can forgot to drink and eat for long periods of time. Chronic conditions including dementia and diabetes can also interfere with getting enough fluids as well as being overweight or underweight. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is more important for seniors to be aware of overheating and to stay hydrated. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include: paleness, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, headache, and rapid, shallow breathing. If you suspect heat exhaustion, call 911 immediately and move the person to a cool place. While you wait for medical assistance, have them lie down, remove any heavy or tight-fitting clothing and apply cold water or compresses directly to the skin. Offer water or juice if they are able to drink. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to drop in to our Information Center or give us a call to learn more about the finest assisted living in Santa Fe. Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/basics/risk-factors/con-20030056 aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/elderly-heat-stroke nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hyperthermia According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Commucation Disorders (NIDCD) about one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those 75 and older have difficultly hearing. This can make it hard for seniors to “understand and follow a doctor's advice, to respond to warnings, and to hear doorbells and alarms.” Difficultly hearing also makes it hard for many elderly people to follow and engage in conversation with their family and friends.
Known as presbycusis, hearing loss in seniors generally occurs gradually and initially affects the ability to hear higher pitched sounds. The person may notices that while the speech is loud enough, it sounds as if the talker is mumbling. The condition is commonly caused by the loss of nerve hair cells in the Cochlea or the deterioration of other parts of the inner ear or auditory nerves. Age-related hearing loss typically affect both ears equally. In some cases, health conditions more common among the elderly such as high blood pressure and diabetes can additionally affect hearing. Furthermore certain medications including some types of chemotherapy drugs can cause hearing loss. The NIDCD has a checklist to help seniors determine if they are experiencing hearing problems. Questions include: Do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them?; Do you have difficulty hearing when someone speaks in a whisper?; and Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem? Another cause of hearing loss can be the result of long-term exposure to loud noise and is one of the most common occupational hazards. The exposure damages the sensory hair cells in the ears, which do not grow back. It is estimated that 10 million Americans have irreversible hearing loss due to long-term exposure to noise. Seniors should discuss any hearing problems with their health care provider who will refer them to an otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. The otolarynogogist will test your hearing, and if a problem is found, will refer you on to an audiologist who will determine the type and degree of hearing loss. Either they or a hearing aid specialist will fit you for a hearing aid. This blog is for informational purposes only. For any health issues and concerns, please consult your health care provider. MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community. Source: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss |
MorningStar
MorningStar Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite (short-term) care. Our communities have graciously-appointed assisted living suites, as well as beautiful and spacious private suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Morningstar Senior Living's award-winning architecture, together with amenities that foster a lifestyle of comfort and wellness, make our residents’ retirement years as carefree as possible. Our activities and programs are enriching, and our care services first-class, but what truly sets us apart from other senior living communities is the love beneath our roof. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in your area, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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