Age-Related Hearing Loss

The National Institute of Health reports approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Hearing loss causes someone a range of problems including difficulty understanding and following a doctor’s advice, responding to safety warnings, and hearing doorbells, phone calls, and alarms. Another all-too common problem is it can be hard to follow conversations with family and friends, and many start avoiding situations where they may be frustrated or embarrassed. 

Medical experts advise asking your primary care physician for a referral to an otolaryngologist, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They will try to determine the cause of your hearing loss and treatment options. They may refer you to an audiologist who is trained in measuring the degree of loss as well as recommend treatment, which may include fitting you for a hearing aid. There are three different types of hearing aids and it may take some trial and error to find one that works for you (most can be purchased for a trial period).  

In some cases, doctors may recommend Cochlear implants, small electronic devices surgically implanted in the inner ear that help provide a sense of sound to people who are profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing.  Other treatment options include hearing assistive devices for your phones to amplify sound; closed circuit systems for churches or theaters; and lip or speech reading classes.   

At MorningStar of Happy Valley we promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing comfort and security. Our beautiful home has 61 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of floor plans. In addition, 27 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood are devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 residents exceptional assisted living and memory care.

Learn More About MorningStar of Happy Valley

If you are looking for exceptional assisted living or memory care, MorningStar of Happy Valley may be your answer. Located southeast of Portland, OR in a residential neighborhood, we are convenient to medical facilities, shopping and other services.  Our home is distinguished by comfort, wellness and love; made possible through a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other senior living communities simply cannot match.

Founded in 2003, MorningStar Senior Living considers it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our mission: to honor God in our business practices and relationships; to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and to invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. To achieve our mission, we start by hiring individuals with big hearts and virtues such as kindness, character and compassion. Every person on our staff, regardless of position, receives training in “Radiance,” our brand standard of Service Excellence, which guides the way we deliver service – with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. While MorningStar was founded on Judeo-Christian traditions, we honor all faith systems and worldviews at our homes among our residents as well as team members. 

For assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley offers 61 stylish, private suites in a variety of configurations.  From spacious studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, our suites are meticulously designed so all you need is to bring your furnishings and personal items.  For memory care residents, our Reflections Neighborhood has 27 secure suites that are devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our holistic approach to memory care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes.  

For more information, please contact us or visit our website.  Not only is our staff happy to answer any questions but our website provides information on our community as well as our company’s history, vision, and mission.
MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the very best in assisted living and memory care.Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

Indigenous People with a Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline

A recent article published in the Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences reports on an interesting study involving the indigenous Amazon people of Bolivian knowns as the Tsimane. A total of 746 Tsimane adults, ages 40 to 94, were recruited for the study by a team of international researchers. The published results show participants experienced less brain atrophy than their American and European counterparts. In fact researchers reported a 70% slower decrease in brain volume than that found in Western populations. Accelerated brain loss volume is one of the factors known to contribute to cognitive decline and to be a sign of dementia.

The Tsimane study group was transported to Trinidad, Bolivia for CT scans in a trip that sometimes took up to two days. Their scan results were then compared to three industrialized populations in European and America. Researchers say the Tsimane typically have no access to medical care but lead a very active lifestyle and consume a diet high in fiber consisting of vegetables, fish and lean meat. 

An unexpected result was discovering the Tsimane people had high levels of inflammation, which is typically associated with brain atrophy in Westerners. The study authors suggest “Tsimane's low cardiovascular risks may outweigh their infection-driven inflammatory risk, raising new questions about the causes of dementia.” They explain inflammation in Westerns is generally associated with obesity and metabolic causes fueled by diets high in sugars and saturated fats, while the Tsimane’s inflammation is most likely a result of infectious diseases, the leading cause of death.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley is proud to offer the area the finest assisted living and memory care available. Our distinct mission statement includes honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve; and we are honored to create a true “home” for residents. Please contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living in Happy Valley and be sure to ask about our “Special Discount.”

Source: sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210526185858.htm

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.

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.

Looking for Assisted Living in Rio Rancho, NM?

Looking for the best senior housing Rio Rancho, NM offers? MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides assisted living residents a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit.   Our residential home is filled with spacious, beautifully-appointed common areas both inside and out and include courtyards featuring artwork and trellises, strolling paths, bistro, chapel/theatre, and fitness room.  Delicious meals prepared by our Executive Chef are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room.

However, our stylish design does not stop at the door of our private suites.  Each one offers a range of features including lots of lighting, high ceilings, and large windows as well a kitchenette with refrigerator. One- and two- bedroom suites have washers and dryers.   For residents’ peace of mind and safety, our suites are also equipped with an emergency call system to ensure help is there if the need arises as well as handicap-accessible bathrooms.  Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal.  

All assisted living residents are provided with 24/7 care managers who help assist them with the Activities of Daily Living (dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, transferring and more). Access to a licensed nurse is available onsite throughout the week and on-call around-the-clock.  We also offer medication management by Certified Med Care Managers.  Moreover, we want to reassure you and your family that we periodically re-evaluate care plans and make changes as needed.   

Other clinical care services provided by MorningStar include mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more.  We provide scheduled physician visits, a choice of physicians, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry services.  

At the heart of our community, and what we are most proud of, is our team of loving, responsive caregivers who feel privileged to serve.  Please visit our website for contact information.  We are happy to answer any questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living 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. 

Steps We can Take to Improve Brain Health

There are many things we can do to improve our overall health and prevent or mitigate our chances of getting certain diseases and scientists say the same is true with our brain health. Doctors report it goes beyond Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions and all of our brains “naturally age with us, leading to effects such as patchy memory and reduced brain mass.”

Over the last several decades, research has discovered a strong connection between heart health and brain health and links damage to the heart and vascular system to damage to the brain. This has led to the American Heart Association to put together a list of seven key factors to look out for when it comes to cardiovascular health. These include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, level of exercise, diet, body weight and smoking status.

Most of these factors can be addressed by changes in our habits and lifestyle and the earlier a person does it the better the outcome is as we age. Dr. Ronald M. Lazar, Ph.D., the Evelyn F. McKnight Endowed Chair for Learning and Memory in Aging and director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, explains, “Many people think of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other risk factors as affecting only heart health, yet these very same risk factors affect our brain health.” Researchers say other critical factors affecting cognitive ability over time include depression, social isolation, alcohol use, sleep disorders, insufficient education, and hearing loss.

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community, our goal is to help seniors live life to the fullest. We believe the ability to contribute and grow is ageless and we know how to provide residents with a quality of life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. From modern private suites to warm and welcoming common area including scenic outdoor courtyards, residents are sure to feel right at home. Please visit our website for contact information and directions to our community.  

Source: assistedliving.com/helping-elderly-aging-parents-adjust-senior-living-01112013/

Learn More About MorningStar of Rio Rancho

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best senior living in Rio Rancho, NM. Our Rio Rancho community has 51 bright suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 26 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.   

MorningStar Senior Living has over 30 communities currently open or under construction all across the country, including three in New Mexico.  MorningStar of Rio Rancho, with a loving care team and outstanding architecture and design, provides seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.

MorningStar began in 2003 when founder, Ken Jaeger had a dream to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He says, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  From this came our guiding principles and three mission statements our company is based on:

• Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and ethics

• Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence

• Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well — a commitment to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve residents

To eloquently illustrate our mission, all of our communities have a specially commissioned piece of art hanging in them.  The “Tree of Life embodies and celebrates our Mission and our Name.  Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar Senior Living and our beautiful community.  

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.   

Stretching Exercises for Seniors

If you are a senior who wants to start exercising again, you may not know how to begin.  For one thing, you probably realize you are not as fit as you used to be, and are not up to the same degree of physical activity that you once did.  And of course, before you begin any new form of exercise, you will need to check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough especially if you have osteoporosis, an injury, or balance issues.     

Once you get the go ahead from your healthcare provider, stretching is a good place to begin.  In fact studies show that as we grow older our flexibility decreases by up to 50 percent in some joints.  Another good thing about stretching is there are exercises that are appropriate for any level of fitness including ones that can be done sitting in a chair.  Stretching can help you maintain your flexibility and mobility as well as loosen up some of your stiffness in your back, neck and shoulder muscles.

Another plus about stretching exercises is that most of them do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere.  The Silver Sneakers website recommends that as you stretch, “to breathe deeply, and go slowly. Listen to your body, and never force a movement that causes pain.”  They remind seniors it is okay if they cannot bend very far as over time they will loosen up some.  Safety is always important and you do not want to hurt yourself.  

Some common forms of exercises especially good for seniors include chair yoga, resistance band workouts, walking and dumbbell strength training.  At the MorningStar of Happy Valley, our beautiful assisted living and memory care community offers a whole host of resort-style amenities and care services as well as wellness programs and activities daily that include exercises geared toward our residents.  Located in the southeast suburb of Portland, OR, we proudly offer our residents a true “home.”   Please see our website to learn more.

*This blog is for information purposes only. Before beginning any exercise, be sure to check with your healthcare provider*

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 and memory care in Happy Valley.  

Source: 

silversneakers.com/blog/stretching-for-seniors-7-simple-moves-for-the-not-so-flexible/

Heart Disease in Women

Doctors have known for a while now that men and women experience heart disease differently.  For one thing, before menopause, estrogen plays a role in protecting women from heart disease and thus they do not typically have a heart attack before the age of 72.  For men, the average age is 64.  The bad news is that women do catch up “making heart disease the leading cause of death for both sexes overall during non-pandemic times.”  

Another cause of concern is that while younger women (under the age of 65), have fewer heart attacks, they are much more serious than those of the men under 65.  Researchers at the Mayo Clinic went looking for answers by studying 7 million hospitalized heart attack patients. Their study, published in January’s Mayo Clinic Proceedings, showed that “women who are hospitalized with a heart attack are less likely than men to receive life-saving treatments, such as angioplasty, in which clogged arteries are opened; and mechanical circulatory support, in which devices are used to improve blood flow.

Another significant link they discovered was that while estrogen does provides some heart protection, women who suffer from moderate to severe symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances have a greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.  One reason may be that severe hot flashes “are associated with artery stiffness, inflammation and vascular problems, which are linked to heart disease.”  Lack of sleep in itself can cause problems as well as interfere with a person’s motivation to exercise.  

Brest cancer also puts women at risk for cardiac disease.  The January’s Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network reported that, “survivors were at greater risk of life-threatening blood clots called deep vein thrombosis, arrhythmia, heart failure, heart valve disease and sudden cardiac arrest compared to women who had not had cancer.”   Researchers also said while the risk is far greater in the first year after a breast cancer diagnosis; the risk remained elevated for five years. 

Researchers also found that women are three times more likely than men to suffer from hearts attacks known as myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCAs).  This in itself is a problem as the type of equipment used to test for MINOCAs is not always used on women and many times the patient is told she did not have a heart attack.  It is so common that doctors say if you experienced symptoms of a heart attack but are told you did not have one, ask if you are a candidate for advanced imaging testing.  

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 most trusted assisted living and memory care communities. 

Source:  aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/women-heart-disease.html

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Rio Rancho

If you are looking for senior living in Rio Rancho, NM, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Rio Rancho.  For seniors who wish to maintain their independence but require assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living), our 51 assisted living suites are equipped with all of the modern conveniences and safety features.  Available in a variety of well-designed floor plans, suites have wall-to-wall carpeting, high ceilings, lots of windows, ceiling lights, and mini-blinds. 

In assisted living, we offer various levels of support with the ADLs (we have 5 levels in all), and your care plan is determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director, and in agreement with you and your family. Various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, are priced a la carte.  However, regardless of your level of care, all assisted living residents have access to around-the-clock Care Managers to ensure your safety as they compassionately meet your expressed (and even unexpressed) needs.   

If you are someone who finds that preparing meals has become too difficult due to your health or just not something you enjoy any more, you will be delighted to know we offer three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef.  All of our delicious meals are served in our beautiful dining room, restaurant-style, and created largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients to tempt the most particular taste buds.  During the coronavirus outbreak, however, changes have been made in dining protocols to protect both residents and team members. We are happy to report that COVID-19 vaccinations began at MorningStar communities last month.

We believe our care to be different from that of other senior living communities because of the type of individuals who make up our team.  When we set out to hire a new staff member, we look for virtues such as character, kindness and selflessness as we believe these are more important than education or experience.  Moreover, many of our “Great Hearts” come to us for a job as they love the idea of working for a company with core values that include Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness! 

Visit our website for contact information and to learn more about MorningStar’s commitment to delivering service with sincerity, warmth and depth of purpose.    

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.   

A Gift Basket to Brighten Your Favorite Senior’s Day

If you have an elderly relative living alone or in a senior community and they are still isolating themselves from the coronavirus, you probably would love to do something to brighten their day but just not sure how.  One idea is to send them a gift basket filled with goodies to eat and drink, gifts to entertain, and items to make their lives a little easier or more pleasant.  

For your coffee drinking parent or grandparent, a bag of gourmet coffee and a nice new mug is one way to start your basket, or add a collection of teas that include decaffeinated and herbal options.  Are they a chocolate lover or prefer salty snacks?  Adjust your selection to include high-end chocolates and other delightful treats or a nice selection of crackers and cheeses.  For a book lover, add a novel you think they would enjoy or a coffee table book on famous gardens, architecture, maps, photography or wherever matches their interest.   A collection of classic movies is also something many seniors would enjoy.  

Now pack the basket with items such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, word-search books, a new coloring book and fresh colored pencils or markers.  If they have low vision, include large-print playing cards and books.  If your loved one is feeling anxious or having a hard time sleeping, give them a weighted blanket.  While they come in many sizes, it is suggested you choose one that is 10% percent of their weight.   For example, if they weigh 150lbs, buy a 15lb blanket, and if they do not have a blanket that exactly matches 10% of their weight, you can go up a couple of pounds.   

If you are looking for outstanding senior housing, Rio Rancho, NM’s MorningStar community may be the place for you.  Our beautiful community has 51 stylish assisted living suites for those who need help with the activities of daily living.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, 26 secure suites are devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please visit our website for more information.           

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer.    

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

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.

Dealing with a Parent’s Memory Problems

If your mom or dad is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time.  Medical experts recommend to do some research on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, in order to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is.  You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parent.  

Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms.  This is why you need to sit down and have a talk with you parent about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.   

Experts say when you are ready to have the “conversation,” be honest and try to keep your voice calm.  Pick a time and place where you will not be interrupted and be sure to include in your homework different care options in case they ask.  Also, be ready to talk less and listen more as they may have also been worried about some of the changes they have been experiencing.  However, keep in mind it is common for a person to be confused, in denial, and/or withdraw.  

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Happy Valley, we know something about the pain and devastation families go through with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a dedicated, compassionate team and provides a safe, loving home for seniors suffering from dementia.  If you are looking for trusted senior living in Happy Valley, OR, please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s 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. 

Source: alzheimers.net/how-to-talk-with-a-parent-about-dementia-symptoms

A Positive Outlook May Help You to Live Longer

According the World Health Organization, “ageism is most rampant in high-income countries, like the United States.  Americans, as a whole, place great value on youth, beauty, vitality and the ability to earn a large income.  Aging is, sadly, often seen as a debilitating process that robs people of these high-prized attributes.”  

However findings from a Yale School of Public Health study suggests that positive thinking and not stressing out as much about aging may help actually help keep our brains’ young.  In fact study participants who held more negative views on growing older were more likely to have changes in the brain typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Another study from the Boston University's School of Medicine that was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that men and women with the highest levels of optimism had an 11% to 15% longer life span on average than those who practiced little positive thinking. Those with the highest scores of positive thinking were found to have the best chance of living to age 85 or beyond.  The lead author, Lewina Lee, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the school, said "This was the first study to look at the impact of optimism on exceptional longevity, which is defined as living to age 85 or more."

Researchers hypothesize that individuals with a more positive way of thinking tend to not only have goals but the confidence to achieve them.  Moreover “the results held true, the study found, even when socioeconomic status, health conditions, depression, smoking, social engagement, poor diet and alcohol use were considered.”   

At the MorningStar of Rio Rancho senior living community, we approach life with a loving spirit that permeates throughout our home.  Even during a pandemic, our MorningStar family continues to relish our commitment to one another as well as enjoy the fun we have.  This year’s Oktoberfest was no exception as it included a door-to-door beer trolley, nine holes of golf, and a slice of German chocolate cake to finish the day off.  Please contact us to learn more about the most trusted senior housing Rio Rancho offers.    

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, 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 in a beautiful setting.  Visit our website for more information regarding unsurpassed senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.  

Source: 

yale.edu/2018/02/07/positive-attitudes-about-aging-reduce-risk-dementia-older-adults

cnn.com/2019/08/26/health/optimism-live-longer-wellness/index.html

Bonding Virtually for the Upcoming Holidays

While we know the holidays are fast approaching, we also understand we are in the middle of a pandemic.  This has left many of us asking how we make the holidays feel special while practicing safe social distancing with family members not part of our quarantine group.    

Currently health experts stress large family gatherings are not advisable.  This is because COVID-19 cases are often traced back to younger people spreading it to older relatives who are more at risk for serious complications.  However, despite the sadness we feel by not having our usual huge Thanksgiving gathering or Christmas parties, there are still ways we can bond with family and friends and have fun doing it.  

To successfully do a group Zoom or FaceTime call with several branches of the family, assign one person to set the call up, coordinating time, etc. with all parties.  For Thanksgiving, you could organize a call during dinner and encourage everyone to share a special family story or give a reason why they are grateful.   If you are a family of singers, organize a virtual group sing.  If your family loves to cook, prepare a virtual meal together.  

To make sure the kids feel part of the celebrations, have them dress-up or use puppets to perform the first Thanksgiving or Christmas story virtually.  This also has the advantage of keeping them busy several days before the holiday preparing.  Another idea is to watch the grandkids making holiday cookies or to send them a care package with a craft that you can make with them together.  In other words, use your imagination and remember someday soon we will again be celebrating together.  

The CDC suggests before you plan any in-person events to check with the positivity rate in your community.  In addition, remember to follow your state’s health and safety laws, rules, and regulations regarding group gatherings.  

At MorningStar of Happy Valley we offer area seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  We have 61 private assisted living suites that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Our Reflections Neighborhood provides 27 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.   Please see our website to learn more.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s 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. 

Making Family Memories More Relevant for the Younger Generation

Let’s face it; while our grandchildren may love to hear funny stories of when we were kids, most are not interested in looking at piles of pictures of people they have never met, or going through old scrapbooks or diaries of people long past.  However historians and biographers alike say we should try and keep our family’s history from getting lost as it often contains important life lesson about getting through good times as well as bad.  

As one of the researchers behind the study “The Power of Family History in Adolescent Identity and Well-Being,” Robyn Fivush, Ph.D., explains, “our families are among the most important social groups we belong to and identify with, stories about our family tell us who we are in the world, and who we should be."  One way to make our ancestors seem more relevant to our grandchildren is to point out common interests and goals they had.  

You might want to start by having old 8 mm and 16 mm movie films and videotapes of the family converted to new formats to make them easier to share.  There are many companies that will convert them well as do some editing to make them more enjoyable.  In addition take advantage of apps that allow you to organize pictures and arrange them into timelines that can be viewed over your smart device, or print a book of the most memorable photos of great-grandparents and others.  And remember even if the younger generation doesn’t seem interested in their family history today, they may change their mind as they grow older.   

As the finest senior living in Rio Rancho, MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides a safe, loving home for seniors who require a little assistance with daily living activities.  In addition to the area’s best assisted living, we also provide compassionate memory care.  Please contact us to learn more about our philosophy of care, our broad range of services, and pricing and availability.     

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, 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 in a beautiful setting.  Pease visit our website for more about the most compassionate senior housing Rio Rancho offers. 

Source:  

aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/sharing-memories-younger-generation.html

goodhousekeeping.com/life/a29610101/preserve-family-history-storytelling/

Reduce the Risk of Stroke with Lifestyle Changes

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that every 40 seconds a person has a stroke and every four minutes someone dies from one.  While that is alarming, the AHA says that almost 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.  

Did you know that one of the leading causes of strokes is high blood pressure, also called hypertension, and is the most prevalent health condition facing Americans? Statistics show one in four US adults have hypertension, and as people age, their blood pressure goes up.  Experts now believe as many as 80% of people 65 years and older have hypertension and should take steps to reduce it.  If you fall into that age group or at risk for HBP, start by regularly monitoring your blood pressure.  If high, work with your doctor to find ways to lower it including getting more exercise and eating a healthy diet.  

Another way to help prevent strokes is to quit smoking.  Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and forces the heart to work harder, which in turn, increases the likelihood of blood clots.  Also, if you are diabetic, you need to manage the disease.  The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetics are two to four times more likely to have a stroke than someone without the disease. 

Exercise is another way to lower your risk.  Doctors say 30 minutes of moderate exercise fives a week, like a brisk walk, yoga or dancing are beneficial.  Moreover, if you are overweight, try to lose weight as obesity put you at risk for any number of health issues including stroke.  And don’t forget to get your cholesterol checked.  The AHA recommends everyone 20 years of age and over should have it done at least every 5 years.   Check with your healthcare provider regarding other risks for stroke.  

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we have 61 stylish suites for assisted living and 27 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. We define health and well-being holistically, and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit, which we believe makes MorningStar a destination for successful aging.   If you are looking for one of the best senior living communities in the area, we encourage you to visit our website to learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s 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.