Why Advance Care Directives are Important to You & Your Loved Ones

An advanced directive is a legal document giving you a voice involving medical decisions in the event you are incapacitated. Many people shy away from creating such documents as they fail to realize how important they are, and mistakenly worry they are signing away their lives, and/or don’t like thinking about being so ill they are unable to make decisions.    

Advance care planning documents may include a living will, power of attorney and health care proxy. By planning ahead, they guide decisions made on your behalf if you are unable, and suffer from an incurable, irreversible illness, condition or disease determined to be terminal. Living wills specify the kind of medical treatment desired and many simply express the desire to not be given life-sustaining measures that only serve to prolong a person’s death. Specific details may regard care including the use of pain medications, antibiotics, hydration, feeding and the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or ventilators. 

A health care proxy is someone designated to express your wishes for medical care and has the same rights you would in requesting or refusing treatment. A durable power of attorney document names a person to act on your behalf if you are incapacitated and gives them the power to make financial decisions. 

The Harvard Medical School reports on some of the myths people have regarding advance care directives. They say you need to realize more care is not always better but can prolong the dying process without respect for quality of life or comfort. Refusing life support does not mean you are committing suicide but rather allowing your medical problem to be the cause of your death. Moreover refusing life-extending treatment does not mean you are refusing comfort measures for pain management and symptoms. Talk to your family and doctor about your medical preferences, and be sure each has a copy of your advance directive documents.

The newest senior housing in Kirkland, WA is the MorningStar of Kirkland independent living community scheduled to open in the latter part of 2021. Residents will enjoy luxury amenities, hospitality services and beautiful apartments as well as onsite strolling paths and nearby nature trails and parks. Please visit our website to learn about our special deal: reserve your apartment and save up to $5,000.

Our Medical Condition May Dictate a Better Time to Exercise

The New York Times published a recent study, which adds to the growing evidence that the time of day we exercise may affect how we benefit from the exercise. The study involved a group of men who were at high risk for Type 2 diabetes; and suggests at least for some, there is a more effective time to exercise each day. For this particular group, researchers say it was more beneficial to exercise in the afternoon rather than mornings. They found afternoon exercise increased the men’s metabolic health and resulted in an improvement in controlling blood sugar and losing belly fat. 

Research has shown in both animals and people that quality of health is influenced by the chronology of our day. The reason is the body’s tissue “contains a kind of molecular clock that chimes, in part, in response to biological messages related to our daily exposure to light, food and sleep.” Our “cellular clocks” calibrate as to when we do normal biological jobs such as divide cells and refuel, and responsible for the dips and crest we go through each day involving our temperature, hormone levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc. 

For other individuals, earlier research suggests exercising in the morning may be more conducive to weight loss and burning body fat. Patrick Schrauwen, a professor of nutrition and movement sciences at Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, says the most effective exercise regimen for each of us will align “with our daily routines” and exercise inclinations. He adds, “I believe doing exercise is better than not doing exercise, irrespective of timing, because exercise is good for us at any time of day — but only if we opt to keep doing it.”

If you are looking for senior housing, Kirkland’s newest 55+ community is worth taking a look at. MorningStar of Kirkland is located in the highly desirable Totem Lake area, which is surrounded by beautiful parks and green space, high-end shopping and dining. As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, our community is guided by a culture rooted in a mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team. Please visit our website for contact information, and to reserve your apartment and save up to $5000.

Contemporary Senior Housing in Kirkland

Excitement is building as we get closer and closer to the opening of the new MorningStar of Kirkland 55+ community. Located in family-friendly Totem Lake area, our 151 fashionable independent living apartments are available in a range of floorplans and configurations. Each has a full kitchen with premium cabinets and countertops and an in-suite washer/dryer. Units offer private heating & air conditioning, storage space, 24-hour emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. Our weekly housekeeping and linen and laundry service ensures you have plenty of time to pursue your interests and hobbies.

The vibrant community of Kirkland, WA is a great place for retirees. Activities and events include outdoor concerts, a popular wine festival, art galleries, whale-watching tours, and a number of superb cafes and restaurants along the beautiful waterfront with views of the Seattle skyline across the Pudget Sound. In addition to the fantastic dining, spend a day visiting local wineries or specialty shops. 

For hikers and leisure walkers, Kirkland several large parks offer tranquil trails. One example is Juanita Bay Park, a beautiful 110-acre nature preserve in the middle of Kirkland’s urban area, and ideal for peaceful walks or jogs along the park’s 3,000 feet of trails and boardwalks. Another place that draws both locals and visitors alike is Marina Park. On 3.5 acres, it offers 700 feet of Lake Washington’s shoreline in the middle of downtown, and is a great spot to spend the afternoon fishing, biking or taking a stroll to browse the sculptures and interpretive markers along the path. 

Along with a choice of independent living apartments; MorningStar of Kirkland residents will enjoy a range of hospitality services and luxury amenities including dining service, pool, spa, fitness center, and more.Since 2003 the MorningStar Senior Living Company has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our mission: to honor God, to value all seniors, and to invest generously in our team. Please visit our website for MorningStar of Kirkland’s contact information and to learn more about the newest senior living Kirkland, WA offers.

Protect Yourself Against Shingles

Currently Shingrix is the only vaccine approved for adults 50 years and older to protect against shingles. This vaccine is important as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly one in three people in the U.S. develop shingles at some point, and every year an estimated 1 million people are diagnosed with the disease.  

Symptoms of shingles include pain, rash, itching, and at first fluid-filled, then eventually crusting blisters. People can additionally suffer from a hypersensitivity to touch or light as well as headaches and fevers. The disease can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and pain is generally most intense in the first few weeks. Some individuals may require pain medication to sleep or get comfort.   

Medical professionals say now is the time to get a Shingrix vaccine. When it first came on the market in 2017 so many people wanted it there weren’t enough dosages to meet demand. Now manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline reports there is plenty of supply available for anyone who wishes to get the shot. 

The vaccine requires two doses given any time between two to six months; and studies show it to be highly effective against the shingles in both older healthy adults and frailer ones. “In a large multicenter study of approximately 27,000 people vaccinated with Shingrix or a placebo, effectiveness ranged from about 90% in frail participants to nearly 96% in non-frail participants.” 

If you are looking for the finest senior housing Kirkland offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar. MorningStar of Kirkland is a new 55+ community scheduled to open in late 2021. Residents will enjoy carefree retirement years as we handle the maintenance and provide onsite luxury amenities, hospitality services and a community of friends.  Please visit our website for contact info, list of amenities, floorplans, photos, and map as well as information about MorningStar Senior Living.  

We proudly provide the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Kirkland, WA’s Morningstar community may be your answer.

Source:health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/shingrix-shingles-vaccine

Research Shows Many Seniors are Living Productive Lives in Their Eighties

Many people believe growing older is awful and that everyone in their eighties is sickly and depressed. However, in 86-year-old psychologist Katharine Esty’s fourth book called, EightySomethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness, she strongly dispels this notion. In fact, her research found elderly adults are happier and hold a more positive outlook than most of us thought. Esty explains, “The stereotypes that people have in their minds about old age are just completely wrong.” She adds, the type of activities people in their eighties are doing is stunning and many are pain-free, living full productive lives.

It turns out a lot of octogenarians are still working full- or part-time jobs, or finding fulfillment in doing some sort of volunteer work through their communities or church. Esty says having a purpose in life, regardless of age, gives a person’s life meaning. In addition, most 80-year-olds have already experienced loss and hardships in their life and have developed coping mechanisms to better deal with difficulties. The majority of octogenarians also reported feeling less anger, worry and stress than they did when they were younger; and while they may have some regrets, most had come to terms with their decisions. Lastly, the contentment 80-year-olds express about their lives is they recognize time is short and should not be wasted.   

MorningStar of Kirkland’s goal is to provide the best senior housing Kirkland offers, with a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and security. Our new community will open later this year and offer enrichment programs to stay active and engaged in life physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. Residents will enjoy resort-style amenities and beautiful common areas including an art studio, bistro bar, outdoor dining, swimming pool, sport courts, and gardens.  We encourage you to visit our website for contact information, virtual tour, list of amenities, various services and floorplans.  

MorningStar of Kirkland offers the very best in independent 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 an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please call for more information about the finest senior housing Kirkland, WA has to offer.

Source: cnbc.com/2020/10/03/why-people-are-happier-in-their-80s-86-year-old-psychologist.html

MorningStar’s Kirkland Community is Opening Later This Year

Since our company was founded in 2003, we have believed it is a privilege to “cast a new light” on senior living guided by the following precepts: to honor God in our business practices and relationships; value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. In addition, we firmly believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. 

If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Kirkland’s MorningStar community may be the place for you. Opening later this year, the new MorningStar of Kirkland is designed to provide active seniors with a carefree lifestyle, as we handle the maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping. This leaves you free to pursue your interests, explore new hobbies, travel and meet new friends. As our contemporary-styled building is both a gracious home and high-end resort, we offer a range of amenities, concierge services and wellness programs to promote a healthy and engaged lifestyle. 

MorningStar of Kirkland is located in the beautiful Totem Lake area with the beaches and parks of Juanita Bay close by and access to both private and public walking trails. We are less than a mile from the highly ranked Evergreen Health Medical Center and The Village at Totem Lake, a 400,000 square foot mixed-use development with a village feel for shopping, restaurants and entertainment.  With easy access to I-405, Seattle is just 20 minutes to the southwest.

With 151 stylish apartments and inviting common areas both inside and out, we offer all the comforts of home. Each apartment has a full kitchen with premium cabinets and countertops, private heating & air conditioning, storage space and more. For peace of mind, all apartments have handicap-accessible bathrooms and 24-hour emergency call systems; and we offer secure, underground parking. Since we are pet friendly, you will not need to leave behind your beloved furry friend.  Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar of Kirkland offers the very best in independent 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. Please call for more information about the finest senior housing Kirkland, WA has to offer.

Seniors Enjoy Benefits from Gardening

A garden full of beautiful flowers and/or home-grown vegetables is a gratifying pastime for many seniors. Not only does it offer beauty and wholesome, nutritional food for you and those you share your bounty with, but a healthier lifestyle. 

Experts say getting outside to work in the garden is a wonderful way to get exercise and enjoy nature as well as to get a dose of vitamin D. They warn to protect your exposed skin with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, wear light, loose clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and avoid working outside during the heat of the day. Gardening is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and to forget about your problems, at least for a while. Overall, even a few hours a week doing something as enjoyable as gardening can strengthen muscles, improve mobility and increase flexibility.

  Growing tomatoes and lettuce or starting an herb garden is a great place for beginners to start and are appropriate plants for container gardening. For flowers, stick to those that thrive in your particular region. Planning your garden and learning how to maintain it is a big part of the fun.   Studies show along with the physical aspect of gardening the critical thinking skills used to plan and maintain the garden may lower your risk for Alzheimer's disease. 

Another often overlooked benefit of gardening is the social aspect. While working in your garden may be a solitary activity, gardeners enjoy getting together in the forms of clubs, visiting their local farmers market, nursery trips, or joining a community garden project.  

MorningStar of Kirkland offers adults 55+ a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and security. Our new community will open in late 2021 with a variety of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans for independent living.  Residents will enjoy resort-style amenities and beautiful common areas including an art studio, bistro bar, outdoor dining, swimming pool, sport courts, a Zen Garden and resident garden beds. If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Kirkland’s new MorningStar community may be for you.  

MorningStar of Kirkland offers the very best in independent 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 an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please call for more information about the finest senior housing Kirkland, WA has to offer.