Older Adults Are at Greater Risk for Serious Eye Diseases

Just as the rest of our body ages, so do our eyes. Older adults often complain of dry, teary or tired eyes and may have problems driving at night, experience flashes and floaters or need glasses to read. As we grow older, we are also at a higher risk for serious eye diseases that can impact our vision. 

One of the most serious eye diseases is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The American Macular Degeneration Foundation reports AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among people aged 60 and older, affecting nearly 20 million Americans. The risk of developing AMD increases with age and if you are 75 or older, your risk is 1 in 3.  Age-related macular degeneration causes the macula, a part of the back of the eye near the retina, to deteriorate. Experts say while it doesn’t impact peripheral vision, macular degeneration can affect how well a person sees what’s right in front of them.

You are at a higher risk of getting AMD if a relative has had it or you are Caucasian, and females are more susceptible to AMD than males. Lifestyle choices also increase your risk for AMD including smoking along with elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Sun exposure is another risk factor and doctors recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Maintaining a healthy diet by eating foods high in antioxidants like lutein found in green, leafy vegetables such as spinach are beneficial for our eye health.

Symptoms of AMD include visual distortions and can make straight lines appear bent, reduce central vision in one or both eyes, increase blurriness of printed words, and the need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work. The first signs of AMD are typically discovered by an eye doctor during an annual dilated eye exam. 

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our beautiful senior community is designed to meet every need. Residents enjoy luxury amenities, care and hospitality services, and a range of wellness programs and activities. Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other assisted living in Colorado Springs and why MorningStar is a great place to call home.

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 assisted living Colorado Springs offers.

Would Mom or Dad Benefit From Assisted Living?

If a parent or other loved one is starting to slow down and would welcome assistance with personal daily care or has mobility issues requiring major renovations to their existing home, it may be time to think about assisted living. While there may be several communities to choose from, it is useful to have some insight into your parents’ needs when evaluating senior living communities. 

A Place for Mom, an Internet referral service, explains a good place to start is to “compare factors like staff friendliness, amenities, and overall culture.” If you plan to do a virtual tour or onsite visit, come prepared with a list of questions regarding costs, care plans, amenities, programming, and general lifestyle and culture. 

During your visit, observe residents. Do they seem engaged, happy? Are they encouraged to participate in activities and events? Ask to see the community’s calendar of activities. If mom or dad loves to garden, does the community have resident garden beds and a gardening club? If mom or dad is no longer driving, does the community offer scheduled transportation to doctor visits and other appointments? Do they do outside trips to area shopping and local parks?  

Remember your loved one’s suite is where they will sleep but the community is where they will live.  Are the common rooms inviting? How about the outdoor areas? Is there a nice courtyard or terrace where they can sit and relax on a nice day? If mom or dad enjoys a glass of wine before dinner, is it available? Other things to ask about include the meal service, the community’s ability to meet both present and future care needs and how emergencies are handled. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is a senior community designed from the ground up to meet the needs of residents with a range of luxury amenities, senior care, hospitality services, wellness programs, and activities. Our beautiful community offers assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. For trusted memory care or assisted living Colorado Springs seniors can count on, 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 to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers.