How to Address 4 Common Fears Aging Parents Have About Senior Housing

You love your parents, so it’s hard to see them worried, upset, or fearful. Unfortunately, this is the reality many adult children and caregivers face when they consider moving their parents to senior housing. 
Luckily, there are steps you can take to prepare your loved ones to move into assisted living facilities. Here are four common worries about senior housing and how you can gently address them: 

1. “My Family Will Forget About Me”

Many aging adults worry that moving into assisted living or other senior housing will cut them off from their loved ones. 
The best way to address this fear is with honesty and compassion. 
Acknowledge your parents’ fears with validating statements. You can say things like, “I understand your worries. I promise we will visit as often as possible.” 

Of course, it’s important to follow through on these promises. Your parents need to know that you are not abandoning them but giving them the best possible care. 

2. “I’ll Get Bored and Lonely”

Many elderly people struggle to keep up with friends and hobbies. Your parents might worry that moving into senior housing will seal the deal: They’ll be unoccupied for the rest of their days. 

However, assisted living facilities offer residents many activities, hobbies, and gatherings. There are plenty of opportunities for socializing and exploring their interests. 

You can ease your parents’ fears by taking them on a tour of the senior housing you are considering. Allow the residential staff to show them the wide array of activities and social opportunities they will have. 

3. “I Won’t Have Control Over My Life Anymore”

Sadly, many aging parents feel that moving into senior housing will remove their autonomy. 

Assisted living facilities are designed to give aging adults as many choices as possible. The goal is to assist seniors with daily tasks, not to control them. 

Your parents may benefit from looking at assisted living brochures and websites. Explain how they will be cared for each day while emphasizing the autonomy they get to keep. The staff will be there to help your parents, not limit them. 

4. “I’m Not Important Anymore; My Kids Are Getting Rid of Me”

A common worry among aging adults is that their lives have lost meaning, so their children are shipping them off to get away from them. 

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Reassure your parents that their lives are important to you, and they will receive much better care in senior housing. You aren’t abandoning them; you’re supporting them, just as they have supported you throughout your life. 

Ease Your Parents’ Fears for a Smooth Transition

 If you take the time to address your parents’ fears now, they will have an easier transition into senior housing. These fears are understandable, but they are not true. You will love your parents just as much in senior housing as you do now.

Take Precautions to Prevent Falls but it’s Important to Keep Exercising

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, one out of every five Americans aged 65 years and older has a fall that results in an injury such as broken bones or a head injury.  However, medical professionals say while it is important for seniors to take precautions to prevent falls as injuries can be serious, they also remind us that regardless of how old we are, it is beneficial for our overall health to keep moving.  Experts explain that failing to engage in “mild exercise on a regular basis results in reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination, and reduced flexibility.”

They go on to say that despite commonly held beliefs, falls are not a normal part of aging and there are things you can do to help keep you on your feet and mitigate the risk of a fall.  Their first advice is to talk to your doctor about your risk and prevention.  Tell them if you have fallen and discuss your medications to see if side effects include dizziness or sleepiness that could contribute to falls.  

While falls are common in seniors 65 years of age and older, individuals with dementia are at an even greater risk.  Researchers say there are several reasons for this including gait and balance issues as well as problems concentrating and with staying focused on the task at hand.  Other issues that may increase the risk of falls include poor eyesight and chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, and arthritis or numbness in the feet.  If you often feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing or suddenly sitting up, ask your doctor if you might have postural hypotension, and find out how you can alleviate the symptoms.    

Further tips to reduce your risk include having your eyes checked annually and updating your glasses when needed.  In addition, talk to your doctor about the best footwear for inside the house as well as outside.  Check your home for trip hazards (the CDC has a list of tips) and install grab bars in the bathroom.  Finally, ask your doctor about exercises to strengthen your leg muscles as well as balance-training exercises to improve balance.   

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, our community was built to accommodate our residents’ every need and to see to their comfort as well as their safety.  Contact us or visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other seniors living in Rio Rancho, NM.

MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides the very best in assisted living and memory Care with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.

Sources:  cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/

agingcare.com/articles/falls-in-elderly-people-133953.htm

alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/alzheimers-disease-increases-the-risk-of-falls/

Learn More About Shingles

We have all heard about shingles but many of us are confused as to whether it is contagious and what are the chances we will get it. Experts explain shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Moreover, if you had chickenpox as a child, you are at risk for getting shingles sometime in your life. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports one in three people develop shingles during their lifetime. While this means many will never get shingles, some people get it more than once and others can develop flare-ups periodically throughout their lives. Dr. Michael Urban, a senior lecturer and director of the doctorate of occupational therapy program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, explains flair-ups can be a full range of symptoms or barely noticeable. 

Statistics show in recent years younger people are getting shingles but typically the disease occurs in those over 50 years of age and the risk increases the older we get or with various health conditions. People undergoing cancer treatment as well as being ill or under a lot of stress are all at a higher risk for shingles. 

Symptoms vary and include feeling like you may have the flu, and/or a red, itchy, painful rash or fluid-filled blisters. Before the rash appears, you may feel an uncomfortable sensation, numbness or tingling, and may be the only symptoms you ever experience. Experts say shingles are not contagious but you can give someone the chickenpox if they have never had it; but only if they come in direct contact with the fluid in the blisters such as through a wash cloth or bed sheet. To ensure your safety, talk to your doctor about getting a shingles vaccine if you are over the age of 50 or suffer from chronic diseases like renal failure, COPD and diabetes among others.

MorningStar of Happy Valley is a true home where residents can comfortably and safely age in place. We have 61 suites for assisted living and 27 secure suites devoted to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Please visit our website to learn more about our broad range of amenities, wellness programs, and care services.     

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.

Are You at Increased Risk of Heart Disease?

The CDC says February is American Heart Month, making it the time to focus on cardiovascular disease. Focusing on heart disease is important as it is the leading cause of death in the US for both men and women; and the awareness campaign helps people to realize it is largely preventable. Experts stress that every adult should be aware of their risk and know the healthy choices to make to reduce their chance of heart disease including coronary heart disease, which is the primary cause of heart attacks. 

The NIH explains your risk of heart disease is higher if you:

• Have high blood pressure

• Have high blood cholesterol

• Are overweight or obese

• Have prediabetes or diabetes

• Smoke

• Do not get regular physical activity

• Have a family history of early heart disease (your father or brother was diagnosed before age 55, or your mother or sister was diagnosed before age 65)

• Have a history of preeclampsia (a sudden rise in blood pressure and too much protein in the urine during pregnancy)

• Have unhealthy eating behaviors

• Are older (age 55 or older for women or age 45 or older for men)

Experts say for each risk you have, the higher your overall risk is for heart disease. While some risks cannot be helped such as your gender, age and family history, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk. Also the NIH says it can be helpful to join #OurHearts in Action, a group designed to encourage and motivate heart-healthy behaviors together.

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley senior living community, we offer 61 private assisted living suites and another 27 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of those with memory impairment. Our mission is to enhance quality of life for residents and we do this through a full component of wellness programs and activities, hospitality and care services, and luxury amenities. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar provides the very best assisted living in Happy valley, Oregon with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

A Community where Dining is the Centerpiece of Wellness

As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, MorningStar of Happy Valley is designed to meet the needs of our residents with compassion and professionalism. Each aspect of our home is intended to allow residents to comfortably and safely age in place with an array of luxury amenities, care services and wellness programs and activities. 

Our gracious living extends to our dining service that offers an upscale experience characterized by diverse dishes showcasing creativity and personal tastes, and inspired by the belief that dining is the centerpiece of personal wellness. It is through a proper diet of healthy choices that food becomes a healing medicine unlike any other. When it is enjoyed as a community, it helps to bond us as a family. MorningStar of Happy Valley’s trained Executive Chef has been instructed in culinary skills and menu creation, along with the soft skills of being a servant-leader. As we recognize today’s seniors have more sophisticated culinary tastes, we balance a blend of world foods and flavors with nostalgic comfort foods. 

One of our special interests is a focus on developing delicious meals around foods known to support brain health. Containing a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, they include “Super Foods” like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate, and dark greens. So our meals not only delight the eye and palate, but contain the ingredients to help recharge our bodies. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley provides many support services and the physical environment to enable seniors to live as comfortably and as safely as possible. All assisted living suites are equipped with full handicap-accessible bathrooms and have emergency call systems. Along with our delicious daily meals tailored to the changing health needs of older adults, we offer 24/7 Care Managers, licensed nurses, scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations and Care Plan reviews, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. For contact information and to learn more, please see our website and be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials.

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.

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.

Need a “Little Help” to Maintain Your Independence?

Too often seniors mistakenly believe that moving into assisted living means an end to their independence and their life as they knew it.  We want to reassure you that at today’s assisted living communities like MorningStar of Happy Valley; nothing could be further from the truth.  

Aging.com explains that while changes in a person’s ability to care for themselves can be caused by underlying medical conditions, studies show the importance of seniors receiving the assistance they need with the ADLs (activities of daily living). “Functional status and the ability to care for oneself have a significant impact on a senior's quality of life.  Unmet needs for help with activities of daily living can lead to malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, isolation, illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and falls.”  

Another benefit of getting the help you need when you need it, is it actually gives the person a renewed sense of independence and lets them feel like they are once again in control of their life.  Independence promotes a sense of achievement as well as a sense of self-worth and purpose.  It encourages achievement, and reminds seniors that they still have a lot to contribute to their families, their communities and the world as a whole.  

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community, one important part of our mission statement includes “valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence.”  Thus our entire community is focused on physical, intellectual, spiritual and social activities that present creative ways for our residents to stay active and productive each day.  Residents are also encouraged to tap into their own unique talents and experiences by leading special interest clubs. 

Our beautiful home has 61 private assisted living suites in a variety of configurations to meet a variety of needs from spacious studios to one- and two-bedroom floorplans as large as 928 sq. ft.  In addition residents have peace of mind knowing that help is readily available when they need it. We also have 27 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please see our website to learn more.  

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.   

Source: 

agingcare.com/articles/activities-of-daily-living-why-this-measure-matters-186853.htm#:~:text=are%20still%20met.-,Why%20Are%20ADLs%20Important%3F,a%20senior's%20quality%20of%20life.&text=Unmet%20needs%20for%20help%20with,(UTIs)%2C%20and%20falls.

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/

Senior Living Offers Many Benefits to the Health & Wellbeing of Residents

Many of us have seen the articles regarding COVID-19 and the curtailing of all or some of nursing homes and senior living communities’ outside visitations depending on the area’s coronavirus activity.  Presently MorningStar Senior Living communities are adhering to the guidance of the State in which they are located in.  Thereby, the amount of freedom under our various roofs is dictated by its location and testing status.  In addition we are proud of our team’s diligent, flexible and creative efforts to continue to enrich the lives of our residents. 

We are pleased to say most of our communities including MorningStar of Rio Rancho have been able to reintroduce a more normal way of life.  In addition there was never a moment when we stopped being grateful for one another and to bond as a family; and most importantly we never stopped having fun!  Just take a look at MorningStar of Rio Rancho’s Facebook page or the bottom of our community’s home page.  

Last month we celebrated National Assisted Living Week (Sept 13-19) with a unique theme of “Through the Looking Glass - An Adventure in Wonderland!”  The week’s fun-filled activities included: White Rabbit Scavenger Hunt, Mad Hatter Bingo, Wonderland Croquet, Queens Delicious Rose Cupcakes, Cheshire Trivia, Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Queen’s Card Toss and more!  As Grandparent’s Day coincided at the start of the week, we had a “Welcome to Wonderland Photo Op,” in tribute to our many grandparents.    

Another activity we hosted was a door-to-door traveling carnival for National Senior Citizen’s Day that included games such as ring toss; spin it to win it; bean bag toss; and a fish bowl game.  The traveling concession booth offered residents cotton candy, popcorn, mini corndogs, and a signature cherry limeade drink.  Moreover we could not let National Kiss and Make Up Day (Aug 25) pass by without a celebration.  This was a reminder to all of us to put an end to quarrels, arguments, and fights and come to an agreement.   All activities were done with smiles and laughter, safely behind a face mask!  

To learn more about the most loving, luxurious senior housing Rio Rancho offers, visit our website for contact information.  We look forward to hearing from you.  

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.  Please visit our website to learn more about exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.  

Growing Older has its Benefits

Instead of thinking that growing older is an endless array of ailments and aches and pain, you may want to rethink your attitude toward it.  Research has found that people who have a more positive attitude toward aging appear to do better.  Remember there are many things that older adults are good at including what is known as crystalized intelligence, which is gained through a lifetime of learning and experience.

Research also shows that unlike many common myths about older people being grumpy that most are happier and more relaxed than when they were younger.  Scientists are uncertain why this is but hypothesize that it could be due to the fact that “older people might control their emotions better, and focus more on how to make the most of life.”  

In addition, while many seniors report waking up during the night and may go to sleep earlier and wake earlier, the majority say they get a restful night’s sleep.  Another benefit to old age is that for people who have suffered most of their lives with migraines, once you are in your 70s, a majority of them report no longer having them.  If you are part of the 10 percent of women or 5 percent of men still having migraines, you may not experience pain but rather visual or sensory disturbances. 

Another plus to growing older is that many people report feeling more confident.  The American Psychological Association’s annual “Stress in America” report found baby boomers and older adults report less stress than their younger counterparts.  And when they do experience stress, many older adults say they manage it better.  

Finally, researchers have found that Americans 60 years of age and older are the fastest growing block of voters and a whole lot more likely to vote.  This is typically good news for seniors as older voters tend to vote on issues concerning them such as Social Security, Medicare and healthcare.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in assisted living and memory care 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 our exceptional senior living community.

Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-aging-surprises 

Live a Better Life by Being Positive

According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking may provide several benefits including a longer life span.   They base this on lots of studies done regarding the effects of positive thinking and optimism as related to our health.  While researchers are not sure why individuals who routinely take the glass half full approach to life experience measurable benefits, some think it could be that positive thinking helps us better handle stressful situations and we know that stress can have harmful effects on our bodies.   

In fact, the Mayo Clinic reports positive thinkers may not only increase their life span but lower their risk for depression and level of distress, and even have a greater resistance to the common cold.  Positive thinkers also typically enjoy better psychological and physical well-being as well as better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease.  Maintaining a positive attitude during times of stress and hardships helps us to weather the storm easier.  

Experts recommend analyzing your behavior to determine if you are routinely a positive or negative thinker.  Common habits of negative thinkers include: personalizing everything that happens as if it is because of something you did wrong; catastrophizing is another common trait of negativity in which you automatically think the worst; and polarizing, which is where you only see things as either good or bad.   

If you recognize yourself as a negative thinker and would like to turn your life around and live more on the sunny side, start by identifying things about yourself you would like to change.  Think about positive ways to turn around negative thoughts, and make time to see the humor in everyday happenings.  Finally adopt a healthy lifestyle and surround yourself with positive people.  

For the area’s finest senior housing, Rio Rancho seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Rio Rancho.  Our community was designed from the ground up to be a true home for our residents and offers all of the amenities and services needed for their comfort and wellbeing. Please contact us for more information. 

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer.     

Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

Looking for Assisted Living in the Fountain Hills AZ Area?

If you are looking for exceptional assisted living, MorningStar of Fountain Hills may be the place for you.  For seniors who wish to maintain their independence but require assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living), our 63 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.   

Why we believe our assisted living to be different from that of other communities is by 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! 

Currently we are safely accepting new residents, and are confident in our protocols and procedures in fighting the coronavirus. We are closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Senior Housing Association and Federal government.  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 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. 

Learn More About MorningStar of Fountain Hills

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our whole team is committed to being one of the finest senior living communities in the area and to live up to our unique mission statements as follows:

• 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     

MorningStar Senior Living’s founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, began the company out of his desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch.  He said his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  Seventeen years later, MorningStar has continued to grow and prosper with over 30 communities in 10 states open or under construction.

Our team is made up of a group of individuals who do the right thing even when no one is watching and feel privileged to serve seniors.  Our compassionate community is filled with love and laughter as we aspire to and nurture our core value of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness.  These are the ways by which we want to offer care and build Family for Life. 

While we have had to make many changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, as the nation slowly reopens, MorningStar is carefully following suit with each state’s phasing and pacing where our communities are located. We continue to stay abreast of developments and evaluate best practices and innovations in our services to seniors.  Please visit our website for a virtual tour of our beautiful community and use our email link to inquire about availability and pricing.

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. 

Seek Medical Advice if You Are Having Memory Problems

Experts say it is important to seek the advice of your doctor if memory problems are seriously affecting your life.  To determine if you or a loved one has Alzheimer's disease, the Mayo Clinic explains, “doctors conduct tests to assess memory impairment and other thinking skills, judge functional abilities, and identify behavior changes. They also perform a series of tests to rule out other possible causes of impairment.”  

During your appointment, the Mayo Clinic says expect to be evaluated on:

• Whether you have impaired memory or thinking (cognitive) skills

• Whether you exhibit changes in personality or behaviors

• The degree of your memory or thinking impairment or changes

• How your thinking problems affect your ability to function in daily life

• The cause of your symptoms

Tests include neuropsychological tests that are used to access your abstract thinking, problem-solving skills, memory, language usage and other related skills.  Your doctor may also schedule braining-imaging tests.  While these brain scans are not used to diagnose Alzheimer’s, they can detect other conditions such as hemorrhages, brain tumors or damage from a past stroke.  They are also used to establish a baseline in terms of the amount of degeneration seen on the scans.  

Your doctor may also talk with your family to learn more about the types of changes they have noticed and how they have affected who you are now.  All of the information is then used to rule out other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, strokes, or depression that may be causing your symptoms.

It is understandable that people are often afraid to go to a doctor once they suspect Alzheimer’s.  Furthermore, many feel that since there is no cure, what is the point?  However, doctors stress once you are diagnosed with the disease, you can start getting the proper treatment as well as consider your care options and plans for the future.

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 

MorningStar of 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. 

Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048075

MorningStar of Fountain Hills Offers a Holistic Approach to Wellness

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our mission is to provide seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  To ensure residents the finest assisted living and memory care, we define health and well-being holistically and back it up with an array of services and programming that support the whole person in mind, body and spirit. 

Wellness is enhanced through our Life Enrichment wellness programs and activities as well as through our Wellness Care Team.  At MorningStar, we have the expertise and authority to provide the level of resident care that can extend the stay of residents in spite of changing health conditions.  To this end, we pride ourselves on working hard to create solutions for residents and their families that result in higher quality of care at lower costs.  

Assisted living residents are thoroughly evaluated by our Wellness Director when they join our community in order to create a care plan that is appropriate to their needs.  In addition, we do routine Care Planning Reviews and scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations to make sure residents continue to get the right amount of assistance as they need it.

Our care services include 24-hour Care Managers and a CPR trained staff member on every shift, Licensed Nurses on call 24/7, medication management by Certified Med Care Managers, and palliative/hospice care.  We also offer oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care, diabetic management and more. Our residents are provided transportation to medical appointments, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry services.  Please visit our website to read the full list of all of our services, and if you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to give us a call.  

Located in the beautiful Valley of the Sun, MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 63 private suites for assisted living in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations.  Also, our Reflections Neighborhood has 28 secure suites devoted to the specialized care for those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the very best in senior living with a mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is one built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting team members with a felt calling to serve.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care community in the area.

Keeping Your Mind Sharp

As we age, engaging in memory exercises is just important as physically excising our bodies. The Alzheimer’s Association offers recommendations on some easy ways to daily exercise our brain with activities that include reading, writing and doing crossword or other puzzles, playing games and attending events such as lectures or plays.  

They state that there are four areas we can work on to help reduce our risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement.  In fact, research has found that simply by keeping our brains active, we can actually increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells.   

An article on the “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” from the Harvard Health Publication outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.  The article stresses the importance of continuing to learn as challenging our brains with mental exercises is “believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.”

MorningStar of Fountain Hills could not agree more.  Our assisted living community is loaded with activities that are not only fun but also help to stimulate our brains.  Just a quick look at our monthly calendar shows an abundance of activities such as word, board, and trivia games that help to challenge our brains.  Residents at MorningStar enjoy games such as Rummikub, Bingo, Blackjack, and Yahtzee.    

Regardless of personal interest, our seniors find plenty to do to keep them interested in life.   With a range of activities such as poetry readings, writing club, arts and crafts, and fun-filled card games, residents stay social and keep their brains active.  

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the very best in senior living with a mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is one built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting team members with a felt calling to serve.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care community in the area.

Compassionate Memory Care at MorningStar of Fountain Hills

While there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other dementia-related diseases, it is important to provide the person with the proper level of care.  At MorningStar of Fountain Hills our goal is to be one of the best senior living communities in the area, and we have the amenities and services to ensure the comfort, safety and wellbeing of our memory care residents.  

Our Reflections Neighborhood has 28 suites that are completely devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  We are proud of our staff that is trained in progressive therapeutic approaches to palliate symptoms for our special residents.  

The creative side of our care begins with learning about each resident.  We interview the family to get a thorough understanding of a person’s history, and use that knowledge to aid in their care and to develop a trust between the resident and our care team. As a way to calm and awaken memories as well as support and encourage residents’ capabilities, our professional methods include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy.

Another important aspect of our program is to provide plenty of recreational and purposeful activities such as music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise.  To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure patio and courtyard reserved just for memory care residents.  

Also bear in mind that we accept residents in the earliest stage of the disease right through to those in more advanced phases that require the highest level of care.  Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual. In fact, one of our mission statements is to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals, and from this precept, comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences of each resident.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Fountain Hills, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to schedule a visit to our exceptional community.

Cost of Assisted Living Compared to In-Home Care

As seniors get to the point in their lives where they need daily help in order to live comfortably and safely, many families worry that assisted living will cost more than they can afford.  The reality according to aPlaceforMom is that assisted living may actually be less expensive than the cost of cobbling together everything you need to support your parent.  They state that after “dealing with the initial sticker shock and touring a community most families change their minds and realize assisted living is a great value.”

You may be asking yourself how this can be true.  To start with, if your parent is living alone in the family home, they have on-going expenses such as mortgage payments or yearly taxes and insurance as well as routine maintenance and repair costs.  If your parent is renting, costs continue to rise each year with increases in rent and utility bills.

In addition, many elderly adults no longer feel comfortable driving and are not getting out like they used to, which can lead to feelings of isolation.  Studies show seniors who live alone often “experience social isolation and poor nutrition which contributes to cognitive decline, health problems, depression and a lower quality of life.”  Furthermore, if they are unable to drive, they will require assistance with getting to and from doctor appointments, running errands and buying groceries.  

Another expense you may encounter when your parent is living in their own house is the modification that may be required to allow them to move safely about the home.  These types of changes can be expensive, and when it comes time to sell, may impact the worth of the home. The bottom line is that after you add up all of the services and amenities included in the cost of assisted living, aPlaceforMom concludes it may actually be less than half the cost of getting care for your elderly parent at home.  

If you are looking for the best senior housing Rio Rancho has to offer, we encourage you to consider MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Rio Rancho.  See our website to check on pricing and availability as well as to set up a tour.   

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation 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 to learn more about the finest senior housing Rio Rancho offers.