Meaningful Activities Improve Quality of Life for Seniors with Dementia

It is important for family members and caregivers to remember that while a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease may be declining cognitively, they still have some abilities. Encouraging them to stay involved in meaningful activities is a good way to give them a sense of self-worth and purpose.  In fact, a published report from the National Institute of Health states, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” It goes on to say it is important for those with dementia to stay as active and engaged as possible and that “it may even help to maintain quality of life in the more advanced stages of the disease.”  

As to what kinds of activities are the most effective, studies suggest trying to stimulate all five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell; and the creative arts are a good place to start.  Singing is not only enjoyable but several studies have shown it to be one of the last abilities many of those with Alzheimer’s lose.  People can often remember the words to a song long after many other memories are gone.  Listening to music and dancing are other activities beneficial to those with dementia.  Dancing has even been shown to help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-awareness and self-expression.  Walking and getting outside can also lift spirits, but as gait can be adversely affected by Alzheimer’s, evaluate the person’s ability to walk safely.   

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our goal is to be one of the best senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ offers, which includes compassionate care to those with memory impairment.  Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation.  Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.  

In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, and an enclosed, secure patio and courtyard.  Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home.  Please visit our website to learn more our community, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.  

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Fountain Hills provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684326

Tips to Improve Your Concentration

Especially as we grow older, many of us find our thoughts are easily distractible and our mind tends to wonder. Dr. Kirk Daffner, a neurologist and director of the Center for Brain/Mind Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains that, "Older people tend to have more difficulty filtering out stimuli that are not relevant to the task at hand." He adds mitigating factors including certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or the natural age-related shrinking of the brain can increase a lack of concentration. 

Other things interfering with our focus are depression or sleep apnea, vision or hearing loss, and certain medications like anticholinergics (used to treat incontinence, depression, or allergies). Excessive consumption of alcohol and information overload can also be a factor. 

Medical experts say mindfulness, cognitive training, and a healthy life style may help improve a person’s concentration. Mindfulness is about focusing on the here and now and practicing it may help improve your brain’s wiring. Kim Willment, a neuropsychologist with Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains the process is easy. Start by sitting still for a few minutes each day, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing as well as the sounds and sensations around you.

Cognitive training can be done with brain games but doctors say you may need to keep challenging yourself for real results. Getting enough sleep each night, doing aerobic exercises, and following a healthy diet is another important part to improving concentrations.   

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we represent the finest in senior living with a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Offering assisted living and memory care, our goal is to create a “true home” for residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Please visit our website for more information. 

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/tips-to-improve-concentration

Wondering if Mom or Dad Needs More Care?

Sometimes it is obvious an elderly parent needs more care such as having a bad fall or mismanaging medications resulting in a trip to the emergency room. Experts say even without such an overt situation, there are signs to look for suggesting a parent or another loved one may do better in an assisted living community.  

Warning signs include changes in the person’s behavior. For example, if mom has always been tidy but her home now looks neglected or smells, and dirty dishes are piled in the sink, she may not be handling things well. Other signs include a recent weight loss or gain and changes in grooming habits. Take note if she is having mobility problems or unexplained bruises or cuts, which might indicate she is falling.

Experts say consider other things too, such as social isolation and the person’s inability to get around on their own if they no longer drive.  Also, check the refrigerator for signs of spoiled food or a lack of food. 

Even a few of these things may be a sign they could benefit from the services of an assisted living community like MorningStar of Rio Rancho, a true home with an atmosphere of love, kindness and compassion. Along with a broad range of hospitality and care services, luxury amenities and wellness programs, our private suites come in a choice of floorplans including studio and one- and two-bedroom configurations.   

Care services include 24/7 Care Managers, Certified Medication Managers, Licensed Nurses, routine health monitoring, and much more.  In addition, residents enjoy delicious meals prepared largely from scratch and served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room.   If you are looking for the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM, please give us a call for more information, and be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

We Work Around-the-clock for the Benefit of Our Residents

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, our goal is to provide residents with a comfortable, inviting home where they can safely age in place. Our services, amenities and wellness programs are all geared toward accomplishing this. Residents also receive the often overlooked benefits of community living such as healthy social connections and peace of mind knowing loving support is available whenever they need it.  

All assisted living residents have an individualized care plan created to help them maintain their independence, and our 24/7 care managers make sure the plan is carried out.  MorningStar’s care managers are dedicated, hard-working individuals who provide loving care to our incredible residents and enjoy building strong relationships with them. 

Many of our daily activities are just plain fun and include movie nights, trivia and card games, art classes, exercise classes and much more. Our all-day meal service is targeted to seniors’ palates as well as their nutritional needs. We believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is the centerpiece of personal wellness that starts with proper diets and healthy choices. When enjoyed in community, it provides far more than physical nutrients but bonds us as family and friends.

We are also pleased to announce a new partnership with Genesis Rehabilitation, a leading provider of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and respiratory therapy for older adults. The alliance includes full-time, in-house Genesis therapists and expands our resident services in integrated wellness, promoting optimal independence and abundant life for seniors. 

Along with many support services, MorningStar of Happy Valley provides the physical environment to ensure older adults live as safely and as comfortably as possible. Assisted living suites are equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and each unit has an emergency call system. In addition to 61 assisted living suites, we have 27 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Visit our website for more information about trusted assisted living and memory care.

Superfoods Make Meals Healthier & Tasty

While nutritionists are quick to point out the best diet is to choose healthy options from across all food groups (paying attention to calorie limits), they say superfoods deserve special recognition. This is due to the fact they contain “some very important nutrients that can power-pack your meals and snacks, and further enhance a healthy eating pattern.” Research has shown a healthy diet can lessen our risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers; and superfoods make it that much easier to do.

Superfoods include richly colored, sweet berries high in antioxidants, which are known to help fight off diseases. Experts say frozen berries are as good for us as fresh ones and are a good alternative off-season. Several types of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids fall into the superfood category and include salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, trout and anchovies. 

Various nuts are on the list but dieticians warn they are calorically dense so don’t eat too many at one time. Almonds, pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts are all high in protein as well as monounsaturated fats found to help reduce heart disease. Olive oil is considered a heart healthy oil and is a good source of vitamin E, polyphenols, and monounsaturated fatty acids. Other superfoods are legumes, cruciferous vegetables, and yogurt. 

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we offer 61 graciously-appointed suites for assisted living with a choice of floorplans ranging from spacious studios to one- and two bedroom apartments. Our resort-style amenities include a 5-star all-day food service largely prepared from scratch, with daily and weekly specials as well as a la carte items. Nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat making it easy for residents to self-manage their diet. Menus also include super foods such as acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens.

In addition to assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley provides 27 secure suites for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website and use our Virtual Assistant to obtain more information.

Learn More About MorningStar and Our Fountain Hills, AZ Community

MorningStar of Fountain Hills is a part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company whose vision is “to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.”  This means right from the start we have made a point to staff our loving home with individuals who feel called to serve and understand that seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  

In addition, we support MorningStar’s mission of serving others here at home and throughout the world including supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and the Casa Bernabé orphanage in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.  We also support MorningStar’s partnership with “Lifewater,” a non-profit organization that focuses on delivering safe water sources to villages across the globe. 

MorningStar of Fountain Hills is also guided by our company’s founding principles that include: 

• Honoring God in our business practices and relationships 

• Valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals 

• Investing generously in our team’s ability to serve well 

Thus, our community’s first priority is to create a comfortable, compassionate home while striving to meet residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs.  Also, while our company was founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews, and understand it is our responsibility to honor spiritual preferences as part of caring for the whole person.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills has 63 stylish assisted living suites as well as 28 memory care suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  If you are looking for one of the finest senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ offers; please contact us or visit our website for more information.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Fountain Hills provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Dining at the Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar of Rio Rancho

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best senior living Rio Rancho, NM offers, which includes compassionate memory care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Starting with the actual physical design right through to our holistic, compassionate care, every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to provide the best for our most tender residents including our food service.  

Many individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have trouble using a fork and knife to eat with, which is why many memory care homes resort to serving finger foods like chicken nuggets, fish sticks, french fries and purees.  The problem with this is while the food may be easy to eat; it is not very nutritional and lacks variety.    

This is why the MorningStar communities have modified our memory care food service to one that avoids overly processed meals, and is both tasty and nutritional.  Our menus consist of foods like pastas and other edible items wrapped in puff pastry sheets, egg roll wrappers and turnovers that are easy for residents to pick up and eat.  

Our Chef also utilizes techniques such as mixing and molding soft, pureed food to resemble its pre-blended form. For example, residents might be served something that looks like blueberry French toast but is really a French toast puree that has been shaped and molded with binding agents.  Also in normal times, we routinely welcome families to come and join us for a meal, and hopefully will be able to resume this tradition soon.

We want you to know that our entire team is honored to walk alongside the memory-impaired (and their families) on this unexpected journey.  As dementia specialists, we recognize that the essence of the person still exists – our job is to find ways to connect with that essence regardless of the level of memory loss. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.   

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Senior Living is a Great Way to Combat Loneliness

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. In terms of numbers, that’s an estimated 13.8 million seniors. Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely but it often is the case. Not to mention, the pandemic certainly made matters worse as many seniors self-isolated from family and friends.   

Whatever the cause of loneliness, research shows it takes a toll on people. In fact a study from Brigham Young University reports loneliness can be as deadly as smoking or obesity. Study authors explain senior isolation “may complicate existing conditions, encourage an unhealthy lifestyle, and affect cognition.”

The American Psychiatric Association says seniors who report feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to depression and poor health habits including excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. Research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging found the “risk of Alzheimer’s nearly doubled in lonely adults, and mental decline was faster.”

Senior living communities like MorningStar of Happy Valley provide residents a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. Along with extensive care services, we offer a broad range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social connectivity. Programs range from physical exercise classes to art classes, trivia and card games, bingo, clubs and more. We tell residents if we do not offer something you wish to pursue, start a club and encourage others to join.

Assisted living residents receive a range of services such as 24/7 care managers, certified med care managers and scheduled health & wellness evaluations. A licensed nurse is onsite during week days and on-call 24/7. Furthermore MorningStar helps families arrange auxiliary care services to deal with other health concerns on an as needed basis. 

We believe every moment you are alive is an opportunity to grow, set new goals, dream new dreams, and do better. MorningStar of Happy Valley is committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives. Visit our website for more information on trusted assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR. 

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/senior-isolation-facts

Holistic Memory Care - Compassionate & Supportive

If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, MorningStar of Happy Valley is ready to help. We understand the heartbreak a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it and wish to share the burden. Our comprehensive memory care supports residents and their families with services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. MorningStar’s holistic approach is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and uses Montessori-based therapy techniques. As dementia care specialists, we feel it is our privilege – our calling – to walk alongside residents during this unexpected and challenging journey.

Once the decision is made to join our MorningStar family, we meet with the individual and their family to learn as much as we can about their background, talents and personal preferences. Aiding us in this process is a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” From there, we create a specialized, individualized care plan to calm or stimulate as needed. 

Happy Valley’s Reflections Neighborhood is designed from the ground up to ensure a safe, secure environment in which residents can explore and maintain a sense of independence. Common areas are warm and inviting and meals are thoughtfully prepared and attractively served to encourage residents’ appetites. Purposeful, meaningful activities connect with and nurture the individual, whatever the level of memory loss may be. 

With 27 memory care suites, we are equipped to comfort and care for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. For seniors requiring a little help with ADLs (activities of daily living), MorningStar of Happy Valley has 61 private suites available in a range of configurations and floorplans. Conveniently located, we are near Interstate 205, medical facilities, the shopping and entertainment destination of the Clackamas Town Center and the popular Happy Valley food-cart park. Please call or visit our website to learn more.

Why Senior Living May Be More Affordable than You Thought

After the past year, a lot of seniors are ready to make a lifestyle change. Experiencing firsthand how short life really is and realizing each day is precious, many now wish to make the most of their retirement years and live life to the fullest.

If you are a senior or the family of one who could benefit from getting help with daily personal care, you may want to consider assisted living. Today, most communities are designed to enhance a senior’s quality of life and to help maintain their independence, not take it away. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we explain it as “getting a little help from your friends.”  

A Place for Mom’s website cautions many families suffer from “stick shock” when they first see the cost of an assisted living community. However the reality is it may be less expensive or right on par with what a family is already paying for mom or dad to live in their own home. 

Studies show once you add up all of the expenses of running your own household such as property taxes, utilities, car payments, insurance, HOA dues, Internet service, cable, repairs and home maintenance, most of these expenses are included in the monthly costs for assisted living. Now consider what you pay for in-home care, meals, transportation, housekeeping, and 24/7 on-call emergency alerts. Again these costs are included in the monthly fee at MorningStar of Happy Valley.    

We cannot forget to add in the invaluable peace of mind seniors and their families have knowing help is at hand whenever they need it. As a resident of Happy Valley, entertainment is provided with wellness programs and activities and special events as well as scheduled outings and transportation services. Built-in companionship and predictable budgeting make it easy to enjoy stress-free retirement years. 

The MorningStar of Happy Valley senior living community is located in the southeastern suburb of Portland, OR. Warm and welcoming, our three-story,83,000-square-foot community offers 61 luxury, private assisted living suites and 27 secure memory care suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Visit our website for more.

Learn More About MorningStar of Fountain Hills

If you are looking for exceptional assisted living or memory care, we invite you to learn more about MorningStar of Fountain Hills.  Our leadership team always welcomes phone calls and email inquiries regarding our community.  In addition, we have a very informative website that focuses on many of the different aspects of our community as well as provides some background on our company.  

For instance, our home page offers a great description of our home, brief comments from our Management Team, a map showing our location as well as a Gallery of pictures to illustrate the detailed attention to welcoming spaces and beautiful design.  Our home page also has a button to Amenities that describes many of the community’s resort-style amenities.  Clicking on Suite Amenities highlights the comforts within our 63 private assisted living suites and 28 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment.  Our suites are available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations, and you can view specifics by clicking on the Floor Plans button.  

We also encourage you to view the virtual tour on our home page.  Here you will get a good look at some of our open common areas including dining rooms, fitness center, theater, outdoor spaces and more.  You will also get a chance to see our well-appointed suites.  In addition, we share background on some of the guiding principles of MorningStar Senior Living including our mission statement and core values consisting of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness.  

We then suggest you browse through the links at the top of the page to learn more about First Steps, Lifestyle Options, Wellness and Our Heart.  More questions are answered on our FAQ page (under First Steps) including what makes MorningStar different, understanding senior living, care services, pricing, staff training, and the move in process.  If you like what you see please contact us for pricing, availability and any other questions you may have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Would Assisted Living Improve the Quality of Life for an Elderly Loved One?

Sometimes a senior has a fall or another medical emergency that precipitates the need for a change in their living circumstances such as a move into an assisted living community.  Other times, the situation is not so clear-cut and is more a case of a senior slowly losing the ability to attend to their daily care needs.  We know it is upsetting for families to see their loved one decline, which is why experts offer advice to help determine if an assisted living setting would be an improvement in their lifestyle.  

One way to decide if assisted living is right for your parent or another loved one is to take an inventory of the things they are having trouble doing for themselves and if assistance would improve their quality of life.  For instance, are they having a hard time preparing and cooking meals or need help bathing, toileting, and dressing?  Have they stopped driving and spend a lot of time alone?  Is your normally tidy parent now letting the household tasks go and/or mail is stacking up unopened and bills not getting paid?

Other factors that indicate the need for more help includes recent falls or burns from using water that is too hot or from cooking.  Warning signs also include a history of medication mismanagement or worsening chronic health problems, which could all benefit from the care received in an assisted living community.        

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we offer 63 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood has 28 secure memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  We make it easy for your retirement years to be carefree with a full range of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities as well as a staff who feel called to serve seniors.  

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Treatment of Dementia Risk Factors Could be the Cause of Declining Cases

Researchers are studying promising news that indicates a decline in the number of new cases of dementia.  The Aug. 4, 2020, issue of Neurology published a report from the Alzheimer's Research Consortium, which looked at data from people over the age of 65 in both Europe and North America.  Their findings show the percentage of people diagnosed with dementia has dropped 13% every 10 years over the past 30 years.

This does not mean that dementia is not a widespread problem.  As life expectancy has improved along with the number of people on the planet, so has the number of adults with dementia increased.  However, what researchers are pleased to see after looking at seven different studies is that new cases are actually lower than what we had been expecting based on the rate of the increases of several decades ago.  Scientists believe that the decline may be due to “treatment for dementia risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation.”

If you are looking for care for a family member with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Fountain Hills.  Along with assisted living, we provide compassionate and loving care to those suffering from memory impairment.  Our 28 secure, memory care suites are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  

MorningStar’s unique approach to memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the individual essence of each resident, and our energy is put toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life.  Along with individualized care plans, residents receive 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and services tailored to their special needs.  Please visit our website to learn more about unsurpassed senior living in Fountain Hills, AZ.    

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please contact us for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dementia-declining-in-the-united-states

Seniors with Dementia Should be Encouraged to Stay Engaged

It is important for family members and caregivers to remember that while a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease may be declining cognitively, they still have some abilities. Encouraging them to stay involved in meaningful activities is a good way to give them a sense of self-worth and purpose.  In fact a published report from the National Institute of Health states, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” It goes on to say it is important for those with dementia to stay as active and engaged as possible and that “it may even help to maintain quality of life in the more advanced stages of the disease.”  

As to what kinds of activities are the most effective, studies suggest trying to stimulate all five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell; and the creative arts are a good place to start.  Singing is not only enjoyable but several studies have shown it to be one of the last abilities many of those with Alzheimer’s lose.  People can often remember the words to a song long after many other memories are gone.  Listening to music and dancing are other activities beneficial to those with dementia.  Dancing has even been shown to help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-awareness and self-expression.  Walking and getting outside can also lift spirits, but as gait can be adversely affected by Alzheimer’s, evaluate the person’s ability to walk safely.   

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community, our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation.  Each day is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.  

Ours is a true home distinguished by comfort, wellness and love made possible by a loving team that understands how to provide residents with a quality of life other assisted living and memory care communities simply cannot match.  Please visit our website to learn more about our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct 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 are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about unsurpassed assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley.   

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684326/#:~:text=Engaging%20older%20persons%20with%20dementia,nursing%20staff%20members%20(10)%20and

Learn More About MorningStar of Rio Rancho

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best senior living in Rio Rancho, NM; and we are committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our remarkable residents.  To accomplish this lofty goal, our approach takes into account every aspect of senior living from the design of our gorgeous community to a broad range of care services, amenities, and wellness programs.  In fact, Ken Jaeger, MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder, had specific ideas on how to foster the ultimate environment for the wellbeing of seniors and it is the guiding spirit in which our community operates on.

Add to that, our dedicated team members who are the heartbeat of our community and the kind of people who come to work each day with a smile on their face.  They understand it is a privilege to serve and many come to know and treat our residents as they do their own moms and dads.  As a true home, we consider our residents, their families and team members to be part of the MorningStar of Rio Rancho family. 

Our community offers 51 private assisted living suites and 26 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.   To ensure our suites fit the needs of all our residents, we offer an array of floor plans that include spacious studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. Each suite has ceiling lighting, high ceilings, large windows, wall-to-wall carpeting and mini blinds.  And yes, MorningStar of Rio Rancho welcomes your pet.  

Meals at MorningStar of Rio Rancho are prepared largely from scratch by our Executive Chef and made from the freshest homegrown or locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.  Recognizing that nutrient-rich foods can help stimulate the appetite as well as support brain health, MorningStar meals are prepared using ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. 

While we have had to make many changes to our community due to the coronavirus pandemic, MorningStar is carefully following suit with each state’s phasing and pacing where our communities are located. We are still accepting new residents, confident in our protective protocols.  For more information, please visit our website and contact the MorningStar of Rio Rancho team through our convenient online form.    

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.

Is It Safe for Seniors to Get their Healthcare Checkups?

As more and more people are receiving their COVID-19 vaccines, we all are optimistic about life getting back to normal sometime soon.  Nonetheless doctors want to remind seniors and anyone with chronic health problems that keeping up with medical checkups as well as some preventative screenings is critical to their continued good health.  While much of routine healthcare can be handled by telemedicine, many physicians are deciding on a patient-to-patient basis whether to see the patient in person.   

The postponement of many cancer screenings and other preventative tests over the last year for diseases, which if caught early, give patients the best chance of recovery, is a worry to the medical community.  The Epic Health Research Network notes just how big of a problem it was in a July 2020 reports that showed from March to June of last year, 63% of breast exams, 64% of colon exams, and 67% of cervical exams were not done based on the number of screenings that would normally be expected in an average year.  

Other important healthcare for adults 65 years and older is eye exams.  Ophthalmologists advise seniors to have a full examination at least every year or two to check for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions.  They also say if you notice any changes with your eyes, to call your doctor.  Additionally the American Dental Association declared in November that they "firmly believe" dental care can continue to be delivered safely.  They state there has been “no documented transmission of COVID-19 in a clinical dental setting.”  Hopefully getting vaccinated should make it safer for seniors to resume important medical care but always consult with your healthcare provider.  Doctors also warn that for now, everyone should still wear a mask.   

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley, all new residents will have priority access to the COVID vaccine.  Our luxury, three-story community offers 61 private assisted living suites and 27 secure memory care devoted to those with Alzheimer’s or dementia-related diseases.   Please visit our website for pricing, availability and for answers to your questions.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct 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 are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living in Happy Valley, OR.  

Source: 

today.com/health/should-i-go-doctor-coronavirus-covid-19-impact-routine-preventive-t180851

MorningStar's Team Feels Privileged to Serve Seniors

To provide the utmost comfort, wellness and community to residents, MorningStar not only provides resort-style amenities, life enrichment programs, and a full range of care services but also has a staff that feels it is a privilege to serve seniors.  This has helped us to distinguish ourselves from other senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ offers and to create a true home for our residents.  

MorningStar Senior Living was founded in 2003 with the intention of providing senior living defined by the human touch. As Founder/CEO Ken Jaeger explains, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  MorningStar of Fountain Hills is one of four MorningStar communities in the Greater Phoenix area, and one of more than 30 open or under construction across the country.

Each MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ employee is hired for their character and kindness and is the type of person who will routinely go the extra mile to meet our residents' expressed needs as well as unexpressed ones; and understands that senior living at its best is love in action.  From our care managers to management, concierges, food servers, nurses and others, our team makes a point to get to know our residents and love hearing their fascinating life stories.  

When a team member is hired, regardless of position, they receive training in Radiance, our service excellence initiative that is much more than a customer service program but rather an attitude of the heart.  Radiance guides the way we dispense our service - with sincerity, depth of purpose, and warmth.  

Our beautiful community offers lots of choices for assisted living suites with 80 spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (including penthouse suites).  We also provide 30 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are set in a warm, loving environment with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities.  Please visit our website to learn more about one of the finest senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ offers.

Assisted Living Offers Many Intrinsic Benefits for Seniors

One of the big problems that COVID-19 has caused for seniors is social isolation.  By trying to protect themselves against the dangers of the virus, many have stayed away from loved ones and friends, resulting in loneliness, and even in some cases, depression.  According to a recent report from the AARP Foundation and the United Health Foundation, the impact of COVID is more pronounced on older adults as more than half of those 50 years and older say they have felt socially isolated during the pandemic.  

At assisted living communities like MorningStar of Happy Valley, our remarkable residents and staff have shown great strength and resiliency in dealing with COVID over the last year.  Much of this is due to the fact that we know we are all in this together!  Through many layers of defenses and tireless efforts, we have been very fortunate in keeping COVID from our door, and like to say the only thing “positive” is our attitude.  In fact family members have written to let us know they are so grateful for the care we have provided their loved ones.  One family says that, “MorningStar has been a Godsend.  The people who work here are ‘earth angels.’  They have nothing but patience and compassion.  I didn’t think they could be so incredible 100% of the time, but that truly is the case.”    

Now our MorningStar communities have started a new campaign we call “#Back2hugs” as both our staff and residents are getting vaccinated against the coronavirus.   In addition we want new residents to know that they will have priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine.  

The MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community is proud to be a true home to residents.  With 61 private suites for assisted living, we offer spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans with some as large as 865 sq. ft.  For those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, we have 27 secure suites devoted to individualized, specialized care.  MorningStar of Happy Valley has now been open for over a year, and while it has been much different than we had expected, we feel blessed beyond words to be a Family for Life.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct 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 are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us for more information about one of the area’s best assisted living and memory care communities. 

Source: 

aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus/

Studies Show a Decline in New Dementia Cases

Researchers are studying promising news that indicates a decline in the number of new cases of dementia.  The Aug. 4, 2020, issue of Neurology published a report from the Alzheimer's Research Consortium, which looked at data from people over the age of 65 in both Europe and North America.  Their findings show the percentage of people diagnosed with dementia has dropped 13% every 10 years over the past 30 years.

This does not mean that dementia is not a widespread problem.  As life expectancy has improved along with the number of people on the planet, so has the number of adults with dementia increased.  However, what researchers are pleased to see after looking at seven different studies is that new cases are actually lower than what we had been expecting based on the rate of the increases of several decades ago.  Scientists believe that the decline may be due to “treatment for dementia risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation.”

If you are looking for care for a family member with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Rio Rancho.  Along with assisted living, we provide compassionate and loving care to those suffering from memory impairment.  Our 26 secure, memory care suites are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  

MorningStar’s unique approach to memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the individual essence of each resident, and our energy is put toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life.  Along with individualized care plans, residents receive 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and services tailored to their special needs.  Please visit our website to learn more about unsurpassed senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.    

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.   

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dementia-declining-in-the-united-states

Are You Caring for a Loved One with Dementia?

Statistics from the Alzheimer's Association indicate that one in ten people 65 years and older in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease, and as baby boomers age, the total number of cases is expected to grow.  Furthermore, the Alzheimer’s Association cites a statistic showing that more than 16 million Americans are caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.  If you are currently in that position, remember you are not alone and there are many resources designed to help.  

It is a fact that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a big job and it can take a toll on the health and wellbeing of a family caretaker, which is why it is imperative to recognize when the task becomes too difficult.  This is the time to make meaningful lifestyle changes for both you and the person with dementia, and one option is to look into a senior care community that offers specialized memory care.  

At A Place for Mom website, they discuss some of the reasons why memory care should be considered for both the safety of the person suffering with the disease as well as for the benefit of caretakers.  The habit of “wandering” is one of those circumstances and can be a frequent problem of dementia, posing a safety risk including an increase in falls and injuries. Another common trait of Alzheimer’s is a condition known as “Sundowner syndrome,” which causes a person to become agitated and to exhibit aggressive behavior later in the day that can be very disruptive.   

Also, memory care communities like the Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar of Fountain Hills are specifically designed to safely and securely care for a person with dementia unlike most private homes.   In addition, memory care offers 24/7 care providers that are available to deal with situations even in the dead of night.  Furthermore, as the disease progresses, care needs become even more demanding and can be overwhelming for a family caregiver.  Please visit our website for more information.   

MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Sources:  alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/signs-its-time-for-assisted-living