Begin a Fulfilling Career Serving Others

At the Phoenix MorningStar Senior Living communities we take a unique approach to serving seniors. We start with our mission statement: to honor God, to value seniors and to invest in our team. We then strive to adhere to our core values of love, kindness, honesty, goodness, fairness and respect to guide the way we treat our residents, their families, fellow team members and the community at large. Together this has enabled us to create a workplace that supports and inspires team members to thrive personally and professionally, and where they understand it is a privilege to serve.      

As our mission statement includes investing in our employees, we not only provide great jobs for them but ones filled with opportunity for growth. Each employee, regardless of position, is treated as an integral part of our success by helping us create true homes filled with love and laughter. To ensure their personal success, we offer meaningful training in Radiance, which is more than a Customer Service program, but rather a powerful way to build trust through a Culture of consistency, authenticity and genuine concern for the needs of others.

Our Phoenix area communities include MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and MorningStar of Fountain Hills that all offer assisted living and memory care. MorningStar at Golden Ridge additionally offers 38 Casitas for independent living (quadraplexes with attached garages) along with assisted living and memory care. All of our communities are seeking individuals who love the idea of serving seniors as well as working for a company promoting such values. Roles are varied, and open positions include caregivers as well as cooks, maintenance assistants, food servers and housekeeping job in Phoenix’s beautiful MorningStar homes. 

We know our employees are the heart of our communities and understand the importance of building a team of service professionals who feel called, connected and empowered. If you feel called to serve, please visit our website and take a look at our “Career” page. There we go through our comprehensive benefit package and a little something about our hiring process along with current openings. We are intentional and articulate about the kind of culture we wish to build, and would love to welcome you to our MorningStar family.

The Importance of Keeping Blood Sugar Levels Low

An alarming new report from the Centers of Disease and Prevention (CDC) finds 34.2 million people in the U.S. (10.5% of the country’s population) are diabetic. Within that group, “7.3 million, or 21.4%, have not yet received a diagnosis. The CDC also estimates that 34.5% of people over 18 years old, or 88 million, have prediabetes.” 

Adding to the problem, researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD found over the last decade fewer people are controlling their blood sugar at healthy levels. They also report the management of cholesterol is down, which is especially troubling as diabetics are at a higher risk of developing heart disease as well as developing kidney disease and nerve, eye and organ problems.

Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, of the Bloomberg School’s Department of Epidemiology and senior author of the study, said: “These are concerning findings. There has been a real decline in glycemic control from a decade ago, and overall, only a small proportion of people with diabetes are simultaneously meeting the key goals of glycemic control, blood pressure control, and control of high cholesterol.” 

Experts say some of the problem may stem from the fact that doctors think it is too difficult to help patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels but with some of the newer medications now available this is no longer true. Dr. Selvin explains new drugs carry less risk of hypoglycemia, and the process of managing blood sugar levels “may not be as complicated and daunting as physicians and patients might have come to expect.”  

It is important to get regular checkups, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise (both cardio and strength training). You also need to follow your doctor’s or dietician’s advice regarding diet. Diabetics need to eat at the same time each day and to watch portion size. 

The beautiful MorningStar of Arvada senior living community believes serving seniors is our calling. We are committed to creating a community catering to the needs of residents and promoting independence through a healthy, engaged lifestyle. MorningStar has 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites and another 29 secure memory care suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website for availability of assisted living and independent living as well as to learn more about compassionate memory care in Arvada, CO.  

Source: 

google.com/search?q=diabetes+and+heart+disease&oq=diabetes+and+hear&aqs=chrome.0.0l3j69i57j0l4j46j0.5742j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Thinking About Moving to a Retirement Community?

Unlike years ago when elderly people wanted to live in their own homes for as long as possible, many of today’s seniors see a real advantage to senior housing and love the idea of a more active community life. In fact studies indicate retirement communities provide a higher quality of life for many seniors and may contribute to a longer life and better physical and emotional health than those who remain in their own homes. 

Experts say this may be due to the fact senior living offers a less stressful, carefree environment in which seniors no longer have the responsibilities and unexpected expenses of home repairs and maintenance. Furthermore a retirement community is built around the needs of its residents as it is designed to be safely navigable for older folks as well as offers the benefit of others being around in case the need arises such as in the event of a fall. 

Another reason a senior living community such as MorningStar of Arvada enhances quality of life for its residents is we offer a five-star dinner experience for better nutritional health. Additionally wellness programs, social activities and special events mean there is something to look forward to each day. Whether taking in a yoga class, playing a challenging game of trivia, relaxing with friends on the patio or sharing a drink during Happy Hour, you will be engaged, stimulated and have a sense of purpose.    

At MorningStar of Arvada, our all-inclusive community offers independent living and assisted living with all of the amenities, services and enrichment programs to give you the best retirement years. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, we have 29 secure suites devoted entirely to highly individualized, specialized care. Starting with a scenic location on 1.5 acres encircled by historic Golden and the nearby Arvada Reservoir, our home-like environment allows seniors to thrive. Visit our website for more information on the area’s most trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO.

Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

Experts say perhaps as many as 40 percent of adults over the age of 65 suffer from some level of memory loss, but are quick to add, it does not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. They explain there are some noticeable characteristics separating normal memory loss from dementia.  

For instances, many older adults occasionally forget how to operate a piece of machinery or how to program a remote control if they have not done it in a while; but doctors say this is common and most-likely not a cause for concern. However it is more concerning when a person forgets how to get to home or how to perform routine tasks. 

It is normal to have to pause and think how to communicate a thought or idea but it is not normal to forget what you just said and continuously repeat yourself, or to not be able to finish a thought. Another sign the problem is more serious than normal forgetfulness is using the wrong word to describe something or forgetting the name altogether; as is forgetting names of family and friends. 

Other example of more than normal age-related forgetfulness is forgetting what an object is or what it is for. With normal memory loss, you may forget where you put your glasses; someone with Alzheimer’s may find their glasses and not recognize them as their own or forget they wear glasses. Experts caution even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, people can have balance problems, and as the disease progresses, balance typically get worse. A 2009 study found people with dementia were “8-times more likely to fall than older people who have not been diagnosed with a form of dementia.”   

At MorningStar of Arvada, our senior living community has 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites in various configurations including spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia-related diseases, we have 29 secure memory care suites staffed by a team of dementia care specialists who truly understand the disease. Please visit our website to learn more about unsurpassed independent living, assisted living and compassionate memory care in Arvada, CO.  

Source: 

activebeat.com/your-health/normal-aging-vs-alzheimers-6-key-differences

Looking for a Way to Feel “Useful and Make a Difference?”

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous American essayist, lecturer, and philosopher is quoted as saying, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”  We could not agree more. At the Phoenix area senior living communities of MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we know what an honor it is to serve seniors.   

At our loving homes, we consider seniors to be heroes – people who have given of themselves by raising their families and in many cases bravely serving our country. Now our job is to serve them by building a team of service professionals who feel called, connected and empowered, a team who understands the importance of investing in each other and our resident-families. MorningStar’s hiring process includes seeking people who exude Character and Kindness and Selflessness, as we know these attributes contribute as much as Education and Experience. From there, we invest generously in the training, coaching, compensation and benefits for each team member.

Openings require various skill sets and range from positions such as cooks, to food servers, maintenance staff and housekeeping jobs as well as caregivers who work directly with residents. Our wages are very competitive and benefits are outstanding including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, supplemental disability and illness insurance and more.  

We recognize MorningStar’s unique brand of being “radically relational” is advanced only when team members adopt our core values of love, respect, honesty, goodness, kindness and fairness, and choose to embody our culture of “Radiance.” We are an equal opportunity employer, and while founded on Judeo-Christian traditions; we welcome team members and residents of all faiths and worldviews. If you have the heart of a caregiver, please visit MorningStar’s Career page for more information regarding our extensive benefits and compensation package along with detailed descriptions of each job. When you are ready, go ahead and fill out our online application. We look forward to hearing from you.

Music is a Soothing Balm to Many Alzheimer’s Patients

There are lots of stories of regarding people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who may not remember the name of a close relative but can sing a song or whistle a tune they knew before the disease robbed them of their other memories. Experts say this is true even in the very late stages of the disease and is why many long-term care homes offer music to help promote wellness and enhance memory for those with dementia.

Listening to music is a meaningful activity for many with Alzheimer’s and can aid in soothing and calming as well as lifting spirits. It can create a connection for a person who no longer has the ability to speak, and caregivers has seen residents give impromptu hugs and kisses or engage in gentle, rhythmic movements such as rocking in a chair or patting their leg to the beat.

Jörn-Henrik Jacobsen, a scientist at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, and the University of Amsterdam, published a study in the journal Brain that compared the brain scans of 32 young and healthy men and women with those of 20 people with Alzheimer’s disease. Jacobsen found musical memory may be spared – unlike other parts of the brain – throughout Alzheimer’s disease progression. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America explains, this is because “following the rhythm or beat to music by whistling or singing comes from a part of the brain that doesn’t require cognitive functioning.

At the MorningStar of Arvada senior living community we offer 112 bright independent and assisted living suites as well as provide 29 secure memory care suites in our Reflections’ wing devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Every aspect of our memory care addresses the needs of our most tender residents from the physical design of our community right through to our food service. Please visit our website for availability; your loved one deserves the finest memory care Arvada CO offers.   

Source: 

health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/how-music-helps-people-with-alzheimers-disease?slide=5

Luxury Amenities Designed for Carefree Retirement

MorningStar of Arvada is a senior living community in the heart of scenic Arvada and surrounded by historic Golden and the nearby Arvada reservoir. Our home offers 112 bright independent and assisted living suites in spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 1374 square feet). For those affected with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, our Reflections Neighborhood provides 29 secure suites devoted entirely to individualized, specialized care. 

MorningStar’s wide range of resort-style amenities give residents a wonderful opportunity to really start enjoying carefree retirement years right within our community. For example enjoy a relaxing “movie night” at our onsite theatre including movie-style popcorn. How about a drink during Happy Hour in our Fireside living room? For our sports fans, catch the game while sharing a drink in our Sports Bar. 

Like the sound of never having to drive to the gym again by having an onsite fitness center? If you swim, you will love our pool, or using the hot tub to soak out the aches and pains of the day. If you felt isolated during the pandemic, isn’t it time to join a community designed for residents to dine in the company of friends in an attractive, restaurant-style dining room, bistro or outside dining deck? Feel like an after-dinner sweet? Take a walk down to our own ice cream parlor. 

Need some pampering? Schedule an appointment in our full-service salon or a massage in our massage room. Other amenities include a chapel, art studio, and patios. As your health and wellbeing is a priority, we make it easy to meet with your doctor in our onsite Health Center, take a spa bath or visit the therapy room. Our assisted living residents additionally have 24/7 caregivers, access to a licensed nurse, medication management and more. Visit our website to learn more about MorningStar of Arvada’s all-inclusive independent living, assisted living and memory care where residents lead a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security.    

Parkinson’s Disease - Separating Fact from Fiction

We often come to think something is true if we hear it stated as if it is a fact. Doctors say this happens in medicine more frequently than we realize. One such disease with lots of misinformation surrounding it is Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder affecting predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms develop slowly over years and may include tremors (mainly at rest); bradykinesia (slowness of movement); limb rigidity; and gait and balance problems. 

One common misconception regard PD is it only affects a person’s movement. Doctors explain this is untrue as symptoms can also include: cognitive impairment or dementia, depression and anxiety, sleep dysfunction, pain, apathy, sexual dysfunction, and bowel incontinence. Another thing many people believe is levodopa, one of the most effective treatments for PD, is only effective for a certain amount of time. However experts say it is not the drug that becomes less potent but the fact that the “key enzyme that converts levodopa to dopamine (aromatic acid decarboxylase or AADC) is predominantly found in the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra, which are lost during progression of the disease.” 

People should know tremors are not always a symptom of PD, and that some people with PD never get them. In terms of the trajectory of the disease, it varies with individuals. Also research suggests staying physically active can slow progression and reduce symptoms. 

Although the cause of the disease is not known or is there a cure for it, there are treatments used to improve symptoms and allow people to have a good quality of life. While current therapies don’t slow or stop PD, researchers are working to identify biomarkers to enable earlier detection and hope to find better treatments. 

At the MorningStar of Arvada senior living community, we offer the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO.  
Source:medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-parkinsons-disease

Would You Love a Job that Makes You Feel Proud?

At MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and the MorningStar at Golden Ridge communities, we are guided by a culture we call Radiance and seek those who share our commitment to service. Currently we are recruiting staff for food servers, cooks, concierges and housekeeping jobs in Phoenix as well as caregivers, medication care managers and more.  

While our jobs require diverse skill sets, they all need individuals with big hearts who love the idea of helping to improve a senior’s quality of life. As a housekeeper in one of our beautiful homes (check out our website to see pictures), you will take pride in keeping it spotless for our remarkable residents and delight in hearing their life stories. Moreover you will appreciate working with a distinguished team committed to serving our resident-families, fellow team members and a wider community here at home and across the globe.    

The job also offers the perk of having residents tell the housekeepers how much they appreciate their hard work. As an employee of a MorningStar community, you will receive competitive wages, meaningful training and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, telehealth coverage and life insurance. In addition to vacation, sick and holiday pay, we offer flexible schedules to help employees meet the needs of their own families. 

At Phoenix’s MorningStar senior living communities, our difference begins with a vision that states: in pursuit of excellence, MorningStar resolves to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world. If you are searching for a job you can feel proud of and wish to thrive professionally and personally, please visit MorningStar’s Career page for a link to rewarding housekeeping jobs in Phoenix.