How does a stunning pueblo-style senior living community offering resort-style amenities and a choice of stylish, private apartments ready for you to move into sound? How would you like to live in a home with its own Bistro Bar or Salon offering haircuts, manicures or pedicure? Our recently opened MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community is just that as it is filled with warm and welcoming common areas both inside and out. Want to sit and chat with family or friends? Relax in our living room complete with a cozy fireplace, or take advantage of the beautiful New Mexico weather in one of our courtyards or take a pleasant stroll on our campus’ designated paths. Or if you want to enjoy a little sunshine, soak up the rays in the sunroom.
To ensure we satisfy the need of the most discerning seniors, our 56 assisted living, bright suites are available in configurations that include spacious studios and one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 820 square feet). Each suite is ready to move into and just requires your furnishings and personal items (we are also pet friendly). How does a wide range of meaningful wellness programs and activities along with all of the care services you need right at hand sound? Again MorningStar of Santa Fe has that completely covered. Our enrichment programs include everything to enhance health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage connection. MorningStar’s care services are broad and include a licensed nurse both onsite and on call 24/7; 24-hour care managers; a CPR-trained staff member on every shift; medication management by certified med care managers; care planning reviews, scheduled health & wellness evaluations and more. But wait; have we mentioned our delicious, nutritional meals? MorningStar of Santa Fe is extremely proud of our daily food service, which is prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef and graciously served restaurant-style in our charming dining room. If you would love to learn more, please see our website for a link to set up a tour of our loving home! MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living 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 a true “home” for residents. Please visit our website for pricing and availability or to set up a tour of the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM.
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At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we understand seniors may feel anxious when facing a move into assisted living. Often the decision is necessitated by a sudden change in the person’s ability to continue to live safely at home. Even if the decision is of a more gradual nature, it is still a big change; but there are things family members can do to help make it a smoother transition.
One thing experts agree on is that you need to remember to include your senior loved one in on the plans. This starts with including them in the process of choosing the community - remember it will be their new home. When you forget to ask for their input, it can make them feel as if they are losing their independence. While it is time consuming to visit senior living communities, we suggest you only take your parent or loved one with you after you have narrowed the choices down to a couple. Be sure to encourage their opinion and make sure they have an opportunity to ask questions during the community’s tour. Another thing your loved one will most likely need is help with the moving process. If they are still living in the family home, they will have to do lots of downsizing, which in itself can be stressful. Trying to decide what is important to keep, what to give away to family or friends, and what to donate or sell is not easy. Keep in mind the move to their new home will be smoother if they have familiar furnishings and treasured mementos around them. Also while respecting their feelings, gently remind them their new home may be smaller and they do not want to be overwhelmed with too much “stuff.” If you are looking for the best senior living Albuquerque offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Albuquerque. Our beautiful community has 48 well-appointed assisted living suites along with 21 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Set on the popular northeast side of town, MorningStar of Albuquerque has wonderful mountain views and is conveniently located near banks, churches, medical care, shopping, and restaurants. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “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 learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque has to offer. If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you are not alone. It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and one in ten people age 65 years and older has the disease. As a way to help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear. Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through. There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated. The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing as a way to help you to move forward. They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.” You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through. One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy. They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able. Finally they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.” At MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living and memory care community, our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the care of those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. We leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to heal and comfort residents, while taking into consideration the uniqueness of each person. Our team works every day to make a difference in the lives of our special residents. MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted 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. Call to schedule a tour of our exceptional community. Source: alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz More and more research supports the importance of seniors staying physical fit as well as keeping their brains’ fit. Harvard Health Publishing reports on research with mice and humans that show “brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological ‘plasticity’ and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.”
Mentally stimulating activity such as trivia and memory games, puzzles, crosswords, board and card games can help maintain brain function. Even if you don’t have a partner to play with, many of these types of games can be found on a computer or tablet. Reading, taking courses, drawing, painting and experimenting with things that require manual dexterity are stimulating mental gymnastics. Other great brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities like playing an instrument or dancing. Board games, such as chess and checkers, require counting, strategy and decision-making. Memory games, scrabble and crosswords can help to improve recall and reduce those times when you cannot get the right word out. Another added benefit to playing games with other is companionship. Experts say physical activity is also necessary for good brain health as it increases the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain responsible for thought. It encourages the development of “new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain cells (synapses).” Another positive side effect of exercise is it also improves your heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure, improving blood sugar balance and reducing mental stress. Brain health is also improved with good nutrition. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, unsaturated oils (olive oil) and plant sources of proteins may help to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia. Looking for the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks offers? MorningStar of Sparks may be your answer. By providing a range of meaningful programs, tasty, nutritional meals, and 24/7 care, residents are able to lead a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Please see our website to learn more. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. Sources: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/12-ways-to-keep-your-brain-young mindhow.com/best-brain-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/ Every year the holidays sneak up on us and seem to get here before we know it. For many of us that means trying to think of a thoughtful gift for an elderly parent or another senior loved one.
There are a couple of reasons this task can be difficult including the fact that seniors often have most everything they need already. In addition your loved one may be living in a smaller apartment or resides in a senior living community where many of his or her day-to-day needs are met. In other words, they are not running a full household including cooking daily meals or doing a lot of in-home entertaining. Living in smaller quarters also makes gift ideas more challenging as they may not have a lot of extra room for more stuff. This is why unique gifts that are practical, personal or help to improve quality of life make great presents and the Internet has lots of ideas. A popular suggestion is memory-making presents and each year there seems to be more and more clever options to choose from. Throws and mugs with pictures of family are always welcomed as is a moving picture frame chocked full of recent photos of the grandkids (or great-grandkids). Also remember your time is one of the best gifts of all and giving an elderly parent an empty photo album, a box of family photos and a commitment that you will help them put it together is a way to make new memories and share old ones. Another good gift is a sound machine for anyone with problems sleeping, and many can be set to run for a specific time. Monthly subscriptions for baskets of particular foods they love, fancy lotions and soaps, teas or other goodies also make excellent gifts. If a loved one is hearing-impaired, a wireless headphone set that clarifies dialogue from the TV is a gift they will appreciate as well as everyone around them. For the sight-impaired, consider a lighted magnifying glass or oversized playing cards and such. Puzzles, fancy coloring books with a new set of colored pencils or markers, or brain games are also good ideas. At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we proudly offer the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM. Our beautiful assisted living and memory care community provides all of the services and amenities residents need to ensure their utmost comfort. Please visit our website for availability and pricing. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living 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 a true “home” for residents. We invite you to visit our website for more details on exceptional senior living in Santa Fe, NM. MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living and memory care community, is pleased to offer our residents a state-of-the-art way to connect with the “It’s Never 2 Late” technology that combines touchscreen computers with intuitive, picture-based software. The revolutionary engagement system contains a library of 3,000 ways to connect socially, spiritually, and intellectually and offers physical stimulation and emotional support.
The intuitive design provides numerous user-friendly components to ensure it is easy for all of our residents to comfortably use the computer program regardless of their abilities or limitations. With a simple press of a button, the user can launch hundreds of applications designed for recreation or social connections. The program simplifies email and offers webchats using Skype, an array of online newspapers and easy navigation of the web. Each user can personalize their experience on iN2L by setting up a “My Page,” in order to easily access their favorite games, email addresses, family photos, and favorite websites. A resident’s My Page can be used to foster interactions between family members and to keep up-to-date on events and goings on through Skype and email. All of the program’s activities are adapted to engage residents’ interest and unique abilities and include trivia, puzzle and brain games designed to entertain as well as to maintain brain functions. In addition it also has inspirational videos, sermons, history, quizzes and interactive virtual tours to name but a few of the many features. Health and Wellness programs offer a balance of spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and social. Also iN2L includes a fall prevention program and multiple exercise videos designed to improve strength and balance. There is even a therapy component to iN2L that can be used to enhance speech, physical and occupational therapy experiences. For our memory care residents, there is stimulating engagement content categorized to reflect different levels of cognition and to keep the person entertained and connected. MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted 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. Call to schedule a tour of our exceptional community. The website, Everyday Health Media reports that you can expect to live on average another 19.3 years if you reach the age of 65. However they explain in order to be one of those lucky enough to live to be 85 years or older, you need to carefully manage your chronic health conditions and follow good health habits.
Aging experts such as Jeanne Wei, MD, the director of the Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical School, explains, “You need to be physically active and eat a healthy diet and also make healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking and losing weight, to avoid senior health risks.” She adds that it is helpful to include a geriatrician on your health care team. Furthermore, it is never too late to begin improving your health. Whether you are suffering from diabetes, heart disease, or many other chronic health problems, doctors say you can benefit from even a moderate amount of physical activity. Engaging in physical activity helps to make your bones and muscles stronger and can lessen your risk for falls. Also if you do have a fall, your bones will be stronger and less likely to break. Additionally research shows that physical activity is as good for your brain as it is for your body, but before you embark on any new physical activity, please talk to your physician. The FamilyDoctor.org website suggests that walking may be the easiest exercise for seniors as you can start at your own pace and you do not need any special equipment. They also recommend gardening, dancing, swimming, Tai chi or yoga as good exercises for seniors. At MorningStar at Arcadia, our goal is to provide one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers, which includes making it easy for seniors to live a healthy lifestyle. Our meals are both tasty as well as healthy and we offer lots of fun physical activities to keep our residents moving. Please see our website to learn more about our exceptional community. 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 at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour of one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers. Sources: everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/ familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that “around 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.” Research also indicates that approximately one in every two women and up to one in four men age 50 years and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. These injuries often lead to serious complications, and in fact, twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year of surgery and many others require long-term care.
The Mayo Clinic reports that osteoporosis-related fractures occur most commonly in the hip, wrist or spine. They explain that our bones are made up of living tissue that is “constantly being broken down and replaced.” The disease occurs when the creation of new bone is not keeping up with the removal of old bone. As we age, bone replacement slows down and our overall bone mass is reduced faster than we can recreate it. The bones of people suffering from the disease become increasingly more brittle to the point that a mild fall may cause a broken bone. In the most severe cases of osteoporosis, a fracture can occur from even movements such as coughing or bending over. The disease affects both men and women, although women are much more likely to get it and older white and Asian women (especially those post-menopausal) are at the highest risk. There are a number of health problems, medicines, and life-style choices that can increase your chance of getting osteoporosis. These include autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis, breast and prostate cancer, endocrine/hormonal disorders including diabetes, a poor diet, and smoking among other factors. A painless test is used to measure bone density and to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones. To treat osteoporosis, patients at the highest risk are often prescribed different types of medications. For others at a lower risk, they are advised to eat a healthy diet, quit smoking and to engage in weight-bearing exercises. 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 at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted 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. Call to schedule a tour of our exceptional community. Sources: nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/ mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/home/ovc-20207808 Seniors often feel it is too late to make a difference in their health or that it may be too complicated to do so. The truth is that taking better care of your physical health can be quite simple and enjoyable and may help you feel like a new person.
Our first piece of advice is to make sure you are managing your medical conditions, diseases and ailments in the most effective manner. This includes making sure you are receiving the best medical care for your medical issues as well as learning about and practicing activities that can help you better manage your conditions. Such as did you know that certain types of exercises can reduce your blood sugar and may even eliminate the need to take insulin? Also making small changes to your diet may not only help you take off a few extra pounds but relieve pain in your back and knees. Furthermore, enough cannot be said about the benefits of regular physical activity regardless of your age or state of health. Exercises for seniors should include daily or weekly routines to improve balance, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, and muscle strengthening. However, before you integrate an exercise activity into your life, please consult with your health care provider. Another aspect of improving our physical health is to practice good nutrition. Seniors can benefit from eating well and drinking plenty of water. Changing to a healthier diet will give you more energy and help you lose weight and prevent or alleviate the severity of illnesses. Lastly experts say it is important for people of any age including seniors to get enough sleep. A good night’s sleep will help you feel more energetic during the day, and it is recommended seniors 65 years and older get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. At MorningStar of Sparks, our mission is to provide seniors the best independent and assisted living Reno–Sparks offers, which includes nutritional, tasty daily meals. We also provide our residents with peace of mind knowing that others are around in the event of an emergency. Please visit our website to see more about the resort-style amenities and services we provide to ensure the comfort and wellness of our residents. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. Over the last couple of decades, researchers have become interested in why people in certain areas across the globe have a longer lifespan. While America’s current average age expectancy is 78 years old, it is much higher in many other places in the world. Areas such as Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Icaria, Greece count many more centenarians among their population. These regions are known as “Blue Zones,” and the individuals living well into their 90s and more are typically healthy in both mind and body.
National Geographic writer, Dan Buettner, spend years studying each culture, and wrote a book about his findings called, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. In his book, he cites 9 lifestyle habits that all of the groups had in common. One of the habits he mentions is that the very elderly in these areas continue to move naturally as part of their everyday life and some still work in the fields. Conversely in our country, many people lead sedentary lifestyles and find it difficult to get enough exercise. John Day, MD, author of The Longevity Plan, suggests ways to remedy the problem. He writes, “For example you could take a vow to never use an elevator or escalator again unless the stairs are restricted. Other options include an evening walk or doing everything possible to avoid having to use a car. Even vacations can be scheduled in a way that is physically active, like a vacation centered around skiing, hiking, or cycling.” Another common trait shared by many of the elderly in the Blue Zones is that they still had a purpose in life. Many studies support that by reporting the connection between our minds, our health, and our sense of purpose is very powerful and leads to better health outcomes. Simply said you need to have a reason to get out of bed each morning. It is also recommended that we eat until we are only 80 percent full and stick to a “plant-forward diet.” Along with eating lots of vegetables and whole grains, cut back or eliminate sugar-filled or processed foods from your diet. Other suggestions for longevity include maintaining strong family ties, having a sense of community and a good social life. At MorningStar of Santa Fe, our goal is to give seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and community. By offering the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM, our residents receive nutritional, tasty meals and have access to wellness programs and activities and a wide range of care services. Please visit our website to learn more. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living 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 a true “home” for residents. Conveniently situated on the west side of town, our website has more details on the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM. Source: https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/blue-zone-power-9/ |
MorningStar
MorningStar Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite (short-term) care. Our communities have graciously-appointed assisted living suites, as well as beautiful and spacious private suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Morningstar Senior Living's award-winning architecture, together with amenities that foster a lifestyle of comfort and wellness, make our residents’ retirement years as carefree as possible. Our activities and programs are enriching, and our care services first-class, but what truly sets us apart from other senior living communities is the love beneath our roof. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in your area, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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