MorningStar Senior Living: October 2023

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Creating a Relaxing and Comfortable Home in Senior Living Communities

You may be feeling anxious to leave your familiar lifestyle and home for a retirement community. Think of this as an exciting new adventure. At MorningStar Senior Living Glendale, you get to bring your furniture, decor, and even pets with you to your new apartment. Moving to an independent senior living community in Glendale Az offers seniors independence, empathetic care and support, nutritious meals, and luxurious living arrangements.

Make your senior living arrangement feel like home at MorningStar Retirement Community Glendale. Through thoughtful packing, downsizing, and arrangement, your new home is sure to feel comfortable and relaxing. Be patient in adjusting to your new environment, but know that it will feel like home in no time.

Every aspect of MorningStar at Arrowhead is designed for your comfort and starts with 60 private smartly-designed assisted living suites on two levels in a variety of configurations and floor plans from 328 to 643 sq ft. Graciously appointed common areas include a living room, fireside patio and porches, all-day, restaurant-style dining, and more. Signature wellness programs such as WayFinders, activities, special events, and outings keep residents engaged and productive.

If two seniors are ready to transition to assisted living together, MorningStar at Arrowhead offers seniors living in Glendale with cohabitation. Couples can live together in their own suites, surrounded by their own treasured possessions. Alternatively, suites can be shared by friends who simply enjoy one another’s company and want to enjoy retirement together.

Find All-Inclusive Senior Living at MorningStar

Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona.

Loneliness Can Lead to Poor Physical and Mental Health

A UCSF Division of Geriatrics study found 43 percent of seniors report regularly experiencing loneliness. Mayo clinic psychologist, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., explains why this can be a problem. He says as “social animals by nature; we tend to function better when we’re in a community setting and being around others.”

Several studies report a link between social isolation and an increased risk of disease, including one from the Academy of Science, which found loneliness can lead to higher rates of poor physical and mental health. Health concerns for isolated adults include hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac failure, depression, anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease.

It becomes harder for seniors who live alone to socialize as they get into their upper 70s or 80s as many stop driving and/or suffer from chronic health problems affecting their mobility. Other contributing issues to loneliness in the elderly may include the death of a spouse or close family members and friends.

To emphasize how important socialization is for older adults, the American Public Health Association explains the most effective way for seniors to improve their health is to increase socialization. They report “socialization improves mood, cognition, memory recall, and is associated with healthy behaviors, including exercise.”

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, our goal is to promote physical, intellectual, spiritual and social wellbeing. We provide everything seniors need for quality of life and to age in place safely and comfortably. Along with luxury amenities, and care and hospitality services; our signature wellness programs and activities are designed to engage and encourage residents to live fully productive lives.

In addition to memory care and assisted living in Fort Collins, our beautiful community offers respite care (short recuperative stays) or trial stays (up to a full month) so you can see if we are a good fit. Please contact us today for more information about outstanding senior living at MorningStar.

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Fort Collins has to offer.

Source: seniorlifestyle.com/resources/blog/the-mental-health-benefits-of-socializing-for-seniors/

Monday, October 16, 2023

How Technology Keeps Seniors Connected in Senior Living

It may feel like technology is rapidly increasing daily. For seniors, utilizing new technology is often difficult and frustrating. It may feel hard to stay in contact with your family when you feel like it’s impossible to understand all the gadgets they use. Once you get a hang of a few apps and services, technology will keep you socially active and connected to your friends and family.

How Technology Helps Seniors

Technology connects seniors in retirement homes who are living far from relatives and loved ones. You can find the most modern retirement homes Glendale has to offer seniors. These retirement communities encourage a healthy relationship with technology to keep seniors connected with the people most important to them. Technology helps seniors by lowering feelings of social isolation, providing news updates, and even helping to keep seniors safe.

Providing Safety to Seniors

Learning how to utilize phone and computer apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and other forms of social media will keep you connected to the people you may not get to see so regularly. These apps are relatively easy to understand. Helpful caregivers at MorningStar Senior Living Glendale are sure to provide support in setting up these forms of technology so that you can remain up to date with your family and friends outside of your retirement home.

Not only will you stay connected, but you can also easily contact your family or community caregivers if you feel unsafe or in need of help.

Staying Up to Date

While watching TV is a popular way for seniors to receive their news updates, social media can also play a vital role. Social media allows seniors to interact with other ideas and perspectives surrounding media, politics, and news updates. While it is great to have access to these outlets, be mindful of what information may be misleading or biased.

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Looking for Assisted Living in Fort Collins?

If you have started the search for assisted living in Fort Collins, you will want to include MorningStar of Fort Collins. Our all-inclusive community offers an array of luxury amenities, while at the same time, all of the warmth and welcoming comforts of home. Every private suite is smartly designed to maximize space and include floor plans in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. All have wall-to-wall carpeting, large windows, lighting, and safety features such as full, handicap-accessible bathroom and emergency call system. Residents also enjoy our weekly housekeeping service.

We provide residents the care to help them maintain their independence, and the amenities and wellness programs to keep them engaged and looking forward to each new day. MorningStar’s all-day dining service means you can eat when you are hungry and not according to a rigid schedule. A full salon makes it easy to get a new hairstyle or treat yourself to a manicure. Our fitness room along with specialized exercise classes will help you stay in shape; and our monthly calendar is loaded with fun, entertaining activities. Moreover, residents have the opportunity to participate in scheduled outings and special events.

MorningStar of Fort Collins’ goal is to be a true home distinguished by comfort, wellness and love; made possible through a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. As dementia care specialists, our community also provides secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions regarding availability, choice of suites, pricing, care services and more. In addition, we have a very informative website that focuses on many of the different aspects of our community as well as provides some background on our company.

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 one of the finest assisted living communities in Fort Collins.

Friday, October 13, 2023

Reducing the Risk of Falls

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), every year more than one in four people aged 65 or older suffer from a fall, and many of those accidents require a trip to the emergency department. In addition to serious injuries, some falls even result in death. To help mitigate the risk, experts recommend that along with safety modifications to the home that elderly adults also do balance exercises.

Balance exercises are relatively easy-to-do and can improve both your balance as well as increase lower body strength. Ask your doctor for some suggestions or take a look at the Internet. Most do not require special equipment other than someone to assist you if needed. The exercises can be done throughout the day and each one only takes a few minutes to do.

One example of a balance exercise is called Tightrope Walk. This easy exercise improves balance, posture, and core strength. Start in a standing position and lift your arms extending them out to your sides. Now walk in a straight line keeping your gaze focused on a fixed point in the distance. Each time you raise your foot, pause with it in the raised position for 2 to 3 seconds. Alternating your feet, continue for 20 to 30 steps.

Another exercise is Rock the Boat, which starts by standing with your feet hip-distance apart and extending your arms out to your sides. Lift your left foot off the floor and bend your knee to bring your heel toward your bottom holding it there for up to 30 seconds. Now do the same with the other side. Do each side 3 times.

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we offer 48 suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases. Every aspect of our beautiful community is designed to meet the needs of our special residents, including the ability to explore their expansive surroundings freely and safely. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, exercise classes and the use of therapy animals. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about compassionate, loving assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.

This post is intended for informational purposes only. Before beginning any exercises, please consult with your health care provider.

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.

Source: healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/balance-exercises-for-seniors#exercises-to-try

Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors in Senior Living

Volunteer opportunities for seniors are a great way for those in retirement to fill their days and give back to the community. Many senior living communities encourage seniors to volunteer inside their retirement homes and outside their neighborhoods. With reliable transportation offered by retirement communities, volunteering is easy and worry-free for seniors looking for volunteer opportunities in senior living Glendale Az.

Where to Volunteer

It's a good idea for seniors to dedicate their time to something they’re passionate about. Maybe there are certain activities they can’t participate in anymore but still want to support. For retired teachers, volunteering as a classroom aid or storyteller is a great way to venture out of your retirement home for a little bit every week. There are surely volunteer opportunities for every senior. In this blog, you can explore past passions that can make your retirement even more fulfilling while enjoying the comfort and independence of retirement communities in Glendale.

Public Library Volunteers

If you’re a bit of a bookworm or a writing enthusiast, volunteering at your local public library is a great way to stay social, active, and engaged in your community outside of your retirement home. Depending on the library, there can be a diverse set of jobs for seniors to explore. If you find yourself enjoying the onsite library at MorningStar Senior Living Glendale, it might be worth exploring a local library, as well!

Religious Volunteering

Many seniors in independent living at MorningStar Glendale are still part of their church. This is a great way to stay involved in your community. Many churches encourage their members to mix their faith and passion. Volunteering through your church to pray with patients in hospitals and provide companionship is a popular way for seniors to honor their faith and make a difference in their community.

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Facts About Living Wills

Many times people put off creating a living will, also known as a health care power of attorney, because they don’t understand how important it is to have one; or they fear they are giving up too much control over their life. The medical community explains the reason you need one is to ensure you get the type of care you want when you can no longer speak for yourself.

The Harvard Medical School says before you create a living will there are a few things to consider including separating fact from fiction. To start with, think about what quality of life means to you. Sometimes having extraordinary measures taken to save your life doesn’t factor in where such treatments will leave you. Having a living will can help guide your medical team on just such decisions.

Some people worry if they choose to refuse certain life-sustaining medical treatments to prolong life even when death is inevitable that it will invalidate their life insurance policy. Medical professionals explain there is no reason to worry as the recorded cause of death will be from the person’s underlying medication condition. Another common concern is if medical treatment is started, it can’t be stopped. This too is not true as treatment plans can always be updated and revised to address current circumstances.

Medical professionals want patients to know treatment can be started or stopped. Even if you refuse certain life sustaining treatments, it does not mean you won’t get other types of treatment such as intensive comfort care to help manage pain and symptoms.

Seniors especially should be aware a recent new directive has pretty much replaced a DNR (do not resuscitate), which only gives EMS permission to not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A POLST (physician orders for life-sustaining treatment) can include a DNR as well as provide more instruction regarding medical interventions such as intubation, antibiotic use and feeding tubes. Talk to your medical provider to learn more.

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we offer residents carefree retirement years with a range of hospitality and care services, luxury amenities and a complement of wellness programs and activities. In addition, our all-day dining service includes healthy, delicious meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef.

Located on the southeast side of the city and convenient to medical facilities and other services, MorningStar of Fort Collins offers 55 suites for assisted living in a variety of floor plans. Additionally, the Reflections Neighborhood has 24 suites devoted to specialized dementia care for residents with memory impairment.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Fort Collins offers.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Tai Chi is a Popular Low-Impact Exercise

Harvard Health restates a classic text that says tai chi will help you become “Strong as an oak, flexible as a willow, and [mentally] clear as still water.” The ancient Chinese tradition is based in the martial arts; and is a popular low-impact exercise involving slow movements and breath. Experts say tai chi is suitable for people of all ages including seniors and offers numerous benefits.

Tai chi’s mind-body exercises consist of slow, flowing, and choreographed movements that provide many people a sense of calm, which is why it is often referred to as mediation in motion, or medication in motion. Its movements focus on control as well as slowing down and relaxing muscles to allow the body to move more freely. Harvard Health says for those in their 60s, 70, 80s and beyond, “tai chi’s restorative powers can help you age more gracefully and function at a higher level than those who don't practice.”

Other known benefits include offering relief from common ailments such back, neck and arthritis pain, and fibromyalgia as well as reducing the risk of heart disease. One study reports older adults who practiced tai chi one to three times a week had better balance and were 43% less likely to fall, and cut their risk of injury in half. In addition, research suggests tai chi improves mood and is an effective treatment for depression. It may also help reduce age-related cognitive decline and slow dementia.

For outstanding independent or assisted living, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Billings, a true destination for successful aging. Our beautiful community is all-inclusive, boasting a dining service under the direction of our Executive Chef, wellness programs and activities, luxury amenities and care services. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides individualized memory care to residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us for information on our community as well as pricing and availability.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar at Bear Creek Offers Experienced Memory Care

MorningStar at Bear Creek is proud to offer experienced memory care in Colorado Springs. Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates senior living communities in eleven states. This means MorningStar at Bear Creek benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained in their 20 years of operation regarding all facets of senior living, including a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

MorningStar has earned a reputation as trusted dementia care specialists, and we feel it is our calling to provide care to our special residents. By devoting our entire community to memory care, residents have the independence to safely move about their expansive surroundings. To ensure our residents’ safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure courtyard and strolling paths to allow them to enjoy being outdoors.

Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we meet with them and their family to get to know as much as we can about them including their history, vocation, talents, and preferences. From there we create a daily routine designed to stimulate or calm as a situation requires. Residents are also treated to tempting meals consisting of finger foods and family-style dining for a stress-free, companionable dining experience.

Our holistic approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of dementia. Providing loving support for our residents, we enter with insight and intentionality as we step into their “purple world” and cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. We also feel it is our job to help support our residents’ families. Along with education, we show them how to follow our lead and enter into the world of their loved ones.

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. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs offers.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Lifestyle Options at MorningStar Senior Living of Billings

Many seniors and their families are confused as to what exactly assisted living offers and how it differs from independent living. At MorningStar’s community in Billings, we explain our senior living supports residents as they age with freedom and choices, resort-style amenities and best-in-class dining and hospitality. Spacious cottages and suites come in a variety of well-designed floor plans and configurations that are sure to meet your needs. Wellness programs and activities help keep residents socially engaged and offer opportunities for personal growth.

MorningStar of Billings offers beautiful common areas both inside and out. Amenities include all-day dining, fitness room, salon, library, theater, bistro, and billiards and game room. For your safety, our entire community is designed to facilitate safe mobility with wide doorways and halls as well as apartments equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and 24/7 emergency call systems.

Independent living is designed specifically for seniors who want to and can live without any assistance. Residents enjoy predictable budgeting, hospitality services and a community of friends. Our independent living includes two-bedroom free-standing cottages with fireplaces and attached garages. In addition, we offer suites in a range of floor plans with high-end finishes and private patio or balcony. All that’s missing are your personal furnishings and treasures—even the furry kind (yes, we’re pet friendly).

For our assisted living residents, we work hard to ensure you get the personalized services needed to help maintain your independence. After the decision to move to Morningstar, assisted living residents meet with our Wellness Director to assess their current health, review medical history and learn about their preferences. From there we create a Personalized Service Plan based on five levels of care. Various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, are priced a la carte.

Our trusted independent living and assisted living provides seniors a refreshing, maintenance-free lifestyle. Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar of Billings, and give us a call to set up a tour or inquire about availability. Don’t forget to ask about our current Move-in Special.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT.

Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Most of us are familiar with the forgetfulness and confusion Alzheimer’s disease causes. Especially in the early stages, family and friends start noticing the person is constantly repeating themselves and/or forgetting where they put things. However, experts say there are other commonly occurring signs of a serious problem.

One of those early warning signs can be having trouble navigating and even getting lost in familiar places. A decline in spatial awareness as well as vision problems can cause a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s to become confused in new places and have trouble identifying objects and people.

Spatial and visual issues may include looking at an object and not seeing it clearly for what it is. Examples could be a person sees a blue floor as water or a dark spot in a rug as a hole in the floor. They may be unable to tell if their house is to the left of them or to judge distances accurately. Some people may mistake their child for their spouse or another relative.

These misconceptions and misidentifications are caused by damage to the neurons, which are “cells in your brain that communicate with each other and with the rest of your body. Alzheimer’s causes damage to neurons.” Researchers say they are not sure if the problems are due to impairment to the spatial reasoning part of the brain or damage to the temporal and parietal lobes.

There are things caregivers can do to help a person navigate their surroundings more easily such as removing clutter from the person’s living space and labeling items. Keeping things in the same place is another helpful tip as habit is a strong instinct. IF you are out with the person and they look confused or frightened, stop what you are doing, and calmly explain where you are as well as listen to their perspective of what they are feeling.

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we specialize in providing individualized memory care assisted living for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our community is equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Every aspect of our community caters to those with memory impairment with purposeful activities, trained caregivers, easy-to-eat meals, security and more. Visit our website for more information about our loving home and our company’s approach to care.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. Please visit our website for more information about exceptional memory care assisted living in Colorado Springs.

Source: alzheimersdisease.net/symptoms/visual-spatial-problems