Did You Have Breakfast this Morning?

Growing up most of our mothers told us it wasn’t healthy to skip breakfast. While we listened, many of us still went off to school without eating anything. Based on current research, it turns out our mother’s advice was right again, and eating breakfast is good for us for several reasons. 

Registered Dietician Erin Palinski-Wade explains when we eat a healthy breakfast upon rising in the morning; it helps regulate our appetite for the rest of the day. If we break our nightly fast with a good meal, we are less likely to indulge in sugary or fat-laden food later on in the morning. A healthy breakfast also helps to prevent blood sugar highs and lows and Palinski-Wade says this is important for diabetics as well as the rest of us. 

While many breakfast foods such as cereal, baked goods, and granola bars are high in sugar and refined grains, experts say we should refuel our body each morning with protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Protein makes us feel fuller and keeps us from snacking later on unhealthy foods. Eggs, yogurt, sausage, and peanut butter spread on whole wheat toast are good sources of protein. Fiber helps our digestive system work well and is found in oatmeal and whole grain cereals. Many meals can be partly prepared the night before to make your morning routine easier.   

At MorningStar of Beaverton, a senior living community west of Portland, we provide a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. Assisted living residents receive a whole range of services and amenities including beautifully prepared, nutritious meals served restaurant-style in our attractive dining room. Other services include 24/7 care managers, certified medication care managers, scheduled health & wellness evaluations, CPR-trained team members on every shift, access to a licensed nurse and more. We also provide memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more.  

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/does-eating-breakfast-help-you-lose-weight

Healthy Gift Ideas for Now and Later

We all want our loved ones to lead long,healthy lives so why not include some healthy gift ideas on your holiday list. If you have already bought something, fitness experts and nutritionists say to keep it in mind for future birthdays and other gift-giving opportunities. 

One suggestion is to buy a loved one a fitness watch. The marketplace has a wide assortment of watches as well as sensor devices to measure your daily footsteps and help keep you moving. Moreover they come in many price points and offer a variety of features. 

Research shows measuring your daily activity improves your fitness level as one 2009 study published in the BMC Public Health journal reports. For participants given pedometers, their daily step count increased by 36 percent over 12 weeks. Experts say it was enough to significantly lower their blood pressure. For the other study participants not using a pedometer, their activity level didn’t change. Ted Vickey, an American Council on Exercise board member and former executive director of the White House Athletic Center under the Clinton and Bush administrations says these devices have been a game changer in the fight against obesity. 

Another healthy gift idea is a massage gun. Known as a self-myofascial release tool or SMR, they help overworked muscles recover and heal. Foam rollers additionally provide much of the same benefit at a much lower price point. However experts caution before treating an injury or other medical problems including bone fractures, blood clotting issues, sensory deficits or wounds need to consult with their physician or a licensed physical therapist. 

Other healthy gift ideas include an electric kettle with a selection of antioxidants teas. As we know sleep is important to our overall well being, how about a sound machine to help your loved one get a more restful night’s sleep? Nutritionists tout an air fryer is a good gift as it can cook almost anything quicker and easier and uses a lot less fat. 

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community has a reputation for excellence–and for authenticity–in why we serve and how we serve. Our team knows that the highest expression of living is when we are fully engaged in sharing with others our gifts and talents, time and energy. Visit our website to learn more about the area’s finest independent living, assisted living, and memory care. 

Source: /health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/05/08/making-the-most-of-your-fitbit

health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/10-healthy-holiday-gift-ideas?src=usn_nl_yourhealth&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Your%20Health-Sun%20Dec%2005%2007:49:18%20EST%202021&utm_term=Your%20Health

Just How Affordable is Senior Living?

Are you a 55+ senior who looks forward to your golden years, and love the idea of relinquishing the daily chores required with maintaining a home? Communities like MorningStar at Golden Ridge are designed to give you just such a lifestyle. Not only do you have peace of mind knowing you don’t need to worry about lawn upkeep and frustrating home repairs but just sit back and enjoy a beautiful well-maintained home and a broader community of friends.  

Every aspect of the Golden Ridge community is tailored to the needs of seniors including our location in Peoria (near the Cardinal’s stadium), which offers easy access to shopping, restaurants, major medical facilities and metropolitan recreation. Our 8.8 acre campus includes a main building for assisted living and memory care residents. To accommodate the most discerning seniors, our 65 assisted living suites offer a choice of floor plans including studios, and one-bedroom, one-bath; two-bedroom, one-bath, and two-bedroom, 1 ½ bath. 

If you are an active senior ready for your next adventure, we suggest you ask about our 38 independent living “Casitas” (quadruplexes with attached garages) tucked into their own private neighborhood. Casitas are leased month-to-month and offer an incomparable value with predictable monthly budgeting as your expenses including homeowner’s insurance and property taxes are controlled through our bundled Monthly Rental Fee. 

All assisted living and independent living residents can take part in community programs and activities, join us for sponsored outings, and have access to the many amenities within our main building. These include all-day, restaurant-style dining; a saline swimming pool with hot tub; salon offering hairstyling, manicures and pedicures; bistro/bar; fitness centers; chapel/theater and more. Beautiful outdoor dining patios, courtyards and reserved underground parking provide relaxation, comfort and convenience. 

We look forward to hearing from you and would love to tell you about our Move-in Specials. Please visit MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s website for more.  

Bruising in the Elderly

As we age, many seniors discover new bruises on their body but have no memory of how they got there. The Medical News Today (MNT) explains this may be the result of the skin thinning and blood vessels weakening and/or that some people are just more prone to bruising. It can also run in families. Being a frequent, extreme bruiser includes having many bruises without remembering their cause; regularly developing bruises that take many weeks to heal and bleeding for longer than 10 minutes following an injury.

Excessive bruising and bleeding can be from medications, many of which seniors routinely take. These include drugs like warfarin, heparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban and aspirin. Doctors say even certain herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, feverfew, large quantities of garlic, ginger, and willow bark can increase the risk of bleeding or cause a change to blood vessels. The same is true for drugs like corticosteroids and glucocorticoids of which one example is prednisone.  

MNT reports liver disease is also associated with excessive bruising. “As the disease progresses, the liver may stop producing the proteins that help the blood clot. As a result, a person may experience excessive bleeding and easy bruising.” Other blood disorders and diseases such as hemophilia, senile purpura, or even vitamin deficiencies can include bruising as a symptom. Experts say consult your healthcare provider if you suddenly begin bruising more easily, have symptoms such as yellow skin, fever and low energy, taking medication and begin bruising, or getting painful bruises that are slow to heal. 

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community offers 65 private suites for assisted living, and another 38 Casitas for independent living tucked into their own private neighborhood within our beautiful 8.8 acre campus. Our Reflections wing provides 35 secure suites devoted entirely to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We are pet friendly and invite you to visit our website to learn more about the finest independent living & assisted living in the Peoria area. Also be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials. 

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325525#causes

Exercise to Lower Your Risk of Falls and Injuries

If you are a senior who is having difficulty turning your neck to look behind you when driving, having problems getting up from a low chair or difficulty picking something up from the floor, you may find adding stretches to your routine can really improve these types of motions. Stretching exercises also help seniors improve flexibility and balance, both of which lower a person’s risk of falls and injuries. Experts explain stretching gives seniors a better range of movement in their joints, helps improve posture, increases circulation and releases muscle tension and soreness. 

The Journal of Gerontology reported on the results of a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults. It found “participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also experienced a decrease in pain.” Along with the favorable benefits stretching provides, it can be done anywhere and does not require any special equipment. However, before beginning any new exercise routine, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider regarding your fitness level and the type of stretches most appropriate for you. 

Another thing to remember is it is important to warm up before stretching. Experts say it can be doing something as simple as a walk around the block. Additionally, they warn not to stretch to the point of pain, only to the point of tension. A stretch can typically be held for 30 seconds, but do not bounce when you stretch. 

MorningStar of Beaverton is a senior living community providing 66 private assisted living suites and another 38 secure suites devoted to specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our goal is to enhance quality of life for our residents and we do this through a full range of care and hospitality services, amenities, and a component of wellness programs and activities. Please contact us or visit our website to learn more.

We proudly provide the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, MorningStar of Beaverton may be your answer.

Depression and Seniors

Feeling blue every once in a while is normal but when those kinds of feelings last for weeks or months, it is a more serious problem. Depression can sap the joy from life and cause a sense of hopelessness, sadness, and lack of motivation and energy.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) explains risk factors for depression include medical conditions like stroke or cancer; genetics (people with a family history are at higher risk), stress, sleep problems and addiction or alcoholism. Also at risk are individuals with functional disabilities that limit their activities as well as people who don’t get enough exercise. 

Studies have linked depression to social isolation and loneliness, which is in itself a problem for many older adults. While COVID-19 has focused more attention to the issue, the NIA says many elderly adults suffered from loneliness before the pandemic.  

If you are wondering if a loved one is depressed, experts say depression can look different in the elderly. For example, sadness is not the main symptom. It may be more of a feeling of numbness along with a lack of interest in activities they used to take joy in. Moreover the NIA cautions that many seniors are not willing to talk about their feelings.  

If you see worrying signs, encourage the person to visit their healthcare provider. If they need the support, go with them to their doctor visits and support groups. Also help them stick to their treatment plan and reach out for further help if needed. The NIA warns if left untreated, serious depression may lead to death by suicide.

The MorningStar of Arvada community provides senior living that starts with a unique mission of honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Our residents enjoy a wide range of amenities, care services and wellness programs and activities that allow them to participate as much as they desire. Visit our website to learn more about the area’s most trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO.  

Source: nia.nih.gov/health/depression-and-older-adults

Memory Care at MorningStar of Beaverton

MorningStar of Beaverton offers 66 private assisted living suites along with 38 secure memory care suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our care services are extensive and we provide a wide range of amenities, wellness programs and activities. 

MorningStar’s compassionate memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We start with a physical space designed to enhance residents’ quality of life and features safe, inviting common areas encouraging independence. Residents stay active with a gentle flow of meaningful activities including arts and crafts, listening or dancing to music, physical exercise, special celebrations and other events. 

Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we sit down 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. 

As dementia care specialists, our approach and philosophy to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.”  Our program provides us with an insightful and intentional way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  All team members, regardless of their position, receive Lavender Sky training, which includes a deeper understanding of the disease and communication techniques to use with memory-impaired residents.  It also includes training in environmental safety and security as well as holistic solutions to challenging behaviors.  Additionally, our devoted team feels privileged to serve, and understands every person deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

MorningStar Senior Living has communities throughout the Western U.S. including MorningStar of Happy Valley and MorningStar of Hillsboro, which is scheduled to open in early 2022. Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

Expert Weigh-in on How to Tell the Difference between the Flu or a Cold

Now that we are fully in flu season, you may find yourself wondering if you have a common cold or the flu. Experts say there are some clues to help ensure you get the right treatment. 

While certain symptoms overlap, there are some differences. In both cases you may experience a cough, sore throat and a stuffy, running nose. However if you have a fever, chills, and body and muscle aches, it is probably the flu. Bad headaches and fatigue are another indication you most likely have more than the common cold. Children with the flu may also suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.  

As the flu can have more serious consequences, another way to determine if it is the flu or a cold is how the illness starts. The flu hits a person hard and fast, while a cold starts out much slower. For example, a person may start out a day feeling just fine but from the time they leave work to when they get home, they may become feverish with muscle aches throughout their body.  

Doctors stress the importance of getting an annual flu shot as every year adults and children are hospitalized with the flu. Complications include pneumonia and bacterial infections, with some of the worst cases leading to death. Both the flu and colds are spread through droplets spraying into the air when someone coughs, and can spread from contaminated surfaces that come into contact with the droplets. Most flu vaccines are free or low cost with insurance; however, if you are uninsured or underinsured there are options available.

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with an array of amenities and services. Our senior living options include assisted living and independent living along with memory care. We are dedicated to creating a true home for carefree retirement years. Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more about our home, our services and our company, and ask about our Move-in Specials.

A Senior Community with a Passion for Serving Seniors

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community’s mission is to provide all the services needed to support and enhance residents’ physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing. As one of the top assisted living communities in the Phoenix area, residents are provided with 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, medication managers, care plan reviews, scheduled health and wellness evaluations. Services also include scheduled physician visits, pharmacy services, transportation to doctor appointments and more. Wellness programs and activities are designed to keep residents as busy as they like.  

It isn’t just our belief that these kinds of services, amenities and programs provide a higher quality of life for many older adults, but in fact, a number of studies have shown this to be true. Research finds “seniors in retirement communities may be living longer and stronger, meaning they become frail less quickly than those who remain in their own home. Residents of independent retirement communities enjoy better health and could potentially live longer because of it.” Moreover, several studies report that because of the support services, older adults with multiple chronic health problems in senior living communities are less likely to require high levels of hospitalization as compared to their peers who live alone.  

Experts believe the enhanced health of those living in retirement communities may also have something to do with the stress-free lifestyle that includes no longer needing to maintain a home. Meals are another part of MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s luxury amenities, so residents just relax and enjoy being served restaurant-style in our community dining room. To help you stay in your best shape, we provide exercise classes, a saline swimming pool with hot tub, and fitness center.

Please visit the MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s website to learn more about our “passion to serve seniors.” When you are there, use our convenient online links to inquire about availability and pricing or set up a tour. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s trusted senior living options include independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Peoria. Please ask about our Move-in Specials. 

Source: 

bethesdahealth.org/blog/2020/10/08/seniors-live-longer-happier-retirement-communities/

Have a Big Heart? How About a Caregiver Job?

After the last year and a half, many people are rethinking their lives and making plans for the future that include going in a different direction career-wise. If you are one of those people and feel you could make the world a better place by helping others, how about a job serving seniors? MorningStar Senior Living has four communities in the Phoenix area looking for people just like you to fill a variety of roles including housekeepers, dining servers, caregivers and more.  

If you are new to senior living and are worried about your qualifications, please know our team selection starts with heart. In other words, we first look for individuals with character, kindness and selflessness, as when it comes to serving others, these virtues are as important as education and experience in building a distinguished team. From there, we invest in each employee to ensure their success with meaningful training and coaching as well as generous compensation and benefits.

For those wondering if the time is right, listen to the inspiring words of MorningStar’s Founder/CEO, Ken Jaeger urging others to live a life of selflessness. He says, “Don’t wait to serve. Serve now. Today. Get involved somewhere, anywhere. It will make you a better person (and if you work for MorningStar, it will make you a better team member).” He wants us to know when we give now and give generously, watch what happens in our lives “for you cannot out-give God.”  

Our Phoenix locations include MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and MorningStar at Golden Ridge. Our beautiful communities have a unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest” that set us apart from other senior living communities. Please visit our Career page for links to rewarding caregiver jobs in Phoenix and to take a look at our full package of comprehensive benefits including competitive wages and flexible schedules.

Independent Living has Never Looked Better

Now may be a great time to seriously think about a move into independent living. Winter is coming to Colorado and who wants to worry about raking leaves, snow removal and whether the roof will need replacement next year. Senior living communities like MorningStar of Arvada take care of all of the outside and inside maintenance, freeing you up to do the things you love. Even traveling is easier as you no longer have to worry about what is going on back home.  

Each of our private bright suites, we have 112 in all, are smartly designed to maximize space and come with wall-to-wall carpet, full kitchens, sleek fixtures, high ceilings, large windows, mini blinds and other modern amenities. For peace of mind, they are equipped with fully handicap-accessible bathrooms, emergency call systems, dedicated heating and air conditioning systems, and basic Cable TV, Internet and other utilities. Weekly housekeeping and laundry services are another means to a carefree retirement. 

With a focus on community and wellness, residents enjoy 5-star meals prepared under the direction of our Executive chef and served restaurant-style in our charming dining room or in good weather enjoy your meal on our dining deck. Our cozy fireside living room hosts a Happy Hour each day, or catch a movie in our theatre complete with popcorn. If you need a sweet treat, visit our ice cream parlor, or in need of pampering, book an appointment at our full service salon. Other attractions to keep you at “home” include our club rooms, sports bar, art studio and more. For a workout, head to the pool or our fitness center. 

Our assisted living residents receive the daily care they need to help them stay independent and include 24-hour caregivers, access to a licensed nurse and medication management among other services. Scheduled transportation is provided to doctors’ appointments, local malls and other places of interest. 

Along with MorningStar of Arvada’s 112 independent and assisted living suites, we have 29 secure memory care suites in our Reflections’ wing devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Meticulously designed to address the needs of our most tender residents, we use Montessori-based therapies to engage residents and find ways to celebrate life regardless of the extent of memory loss. Please visit our website for more information on independent living, assisted living and the most trusted memory care Arvada CO offers.   

Looking for the Area’s Best Memory Care?

If mom or dad, or another loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, you want the finest care for them. MorningStar of Arvada is just such a place. As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, founded in 2003, we are committed to using best-practices including Montessori-based therapy techniques to provide comprehensive, compassionate care for our most tender residents.

We understand the challenges a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s presents for the whole family and believe it to be an honor and a calling to help. Our holistic approach to care begins with a physical environment designed to calm and soothe, with safe, inviting common areas throughout that encourage independence. To help keep residents engaged, we provide a gentle flow of concurrent activities and meaningful wellness programs. 

Moving a parent into memory care comes with lots of deliberation but once a family chooses MorningStar of Arvada, we are there every step of the way to walk your loved one through the transition. Our first step is to get to know all we can about the individual such as their background, talents and personal preferences by using a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” From there, we create a specialized, individualized service plan in accordance with the family. 

MorningStar of Arvada is committed to offering 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. Our community also offers assisted living and independent living as well as short-term stays (30 days or less) for those times when a senior’s regular caregiver needs a vacation or when recovering from surgery or an illness. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted senior living options including memory care in Arvada, CO; and ask about our all-inclusive rent & care memory care studios for $6000/MO. 

Top Senior Living Communities Seek Compassionate Caregivers

The Phoenix area senior living communities of MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead and MorningStar at Golden Ridge are offering rewarding positions for full and part-time caregivers. To fill our openings, we are looking for individuals with big hearts who understand it is a privilege to serve.  

In fact MorningStar caregivers are a special bred. Our team knows the highest expression of living is when we are fully engaged in sharing our gifts and talents as well as time and energy with others. In this type of investment alone, we find deep and lasting satisfaction, and want to help others discover this same kind of fulfillment. 

Our senior living homes offer Phoenix area seniors independent living, assisted living and memory care. While each is beautifully designed, we are most proud of the atmosphere in our homes – one that resounds with laughter and love. Under our roofs, team members treat resident as they would their own moms and dads or grandparents; and believe as we do that seniors are heroes who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. 

As we consider our dedicated caregivers to be invaluable to our success, we encourage each one to build relationships with our residents and their families as well as with fellow team members. If you take one of our caregiver jobs, your duties will include helping residents with their personal daily care activities and overseeing their physical comfort, safety and mental wellbeing.  

Compensation includes competitive wages and full benefits as well as meaningful training and mentoring to ensure your success. Furthermore you will have opportunities for professional growth as we promote from within whenever possible and be encouraged to share creative solutions to improve residents’ lives and the running of our homes.

At MorningStar we are intentional about populating our speech with these key motivators: to love from a deep place, to serve rather than be served, and to focus on that which matters most: relationships. If you would love to be part of something special, we invite you to join our MorningStar family. Pease visit our Career page for links to the most rewarding caregiver jobs Phoenix offers.

Best Hobbies & Activities for Seniors

If you are retired, you probably have more time on your hands so why not try something new or something you have always wanted to do. This should include adding a physical activity to your daily routine as studies find many adults 65 years and older spend up to 10 hours a day sitting or lying down. Some of the best exercises for seniors are Nordic walking, swimming, golf, tai chi, and yoga. Experts say focus on improving your strength, balance and flexibility and check with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise routine.  

In addition you may want to include activities or hobbies that bring you into social contact with others. This can be done by taking a class online or in person. Suggestions include joining a book club, learning to play an instrument or taking an art or photography class. 

Retirement means more time to learn how to cook or to be more adventurous in the types of food you prepare. It can be lots of fun and help you eat healthier and save money. Take the challenge by learning to cook foods from around the world, and then share the fruits of your labor by inviting family or friends over.  

Birdwatching is a hobby that ties in several objectives. You get out into nature, which has been shown to lower anxiety; learn something new, and get physically active. Moreover if you join a birdwatching club, you get to meet people who enjoy the same things you do. For anyone wanting to improve their photography skills, shooting pictures of birds is a good way to do it; and the hobby offers a great activity to do while traveling.  

Other enjoyable hobbies, which can help seniors cognitively, include putting together challenging traditional jigsaw puzzles or 3-D ones. Crossword and Sudoku puzzles, trivia games, chess and other brain games are also mentally challenging. Another hobby becoming more popular with seniors is online gaming that can improve memory and enhance cognitive skills. 

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community is situated on 8.8 acres and offers seniors a welcoming, comfortable home for carefree retirement years. In addition to independent living and assisted living, we also provide compassionate memory care for our most tender residents. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s most trusted community.     

Discover the Benefits of a Full & Active Lifestyle

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community offers residents a full and vibrant lifestyle. Our team and residents alike are always ready to celebrate and honor one another, our greater community and the world. We do this through daily activities and wellness programs and an array of special events, celebrations and our volunteer efforts.

Recently we came together to celebrate Assisted Living Week. Founded in 1995 by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), it is intended to put the spotlight on assisted living communities and the people who reside, work and volunteer in them. Each year since, AL communities across the U.S. have participated. The theme for 2021 is ‘Compassion, Community, Caring,’ and recognizes the hard work and dedication of essential caregivers in our communities over the past year and a half.   

This year, Morning at Golden Ridge’s celebration included the story of Phoenix’s cutest ice cream bus, and helped represent the vision, compassion and caring we all share for our community. Amanda and the Old School Ice Cream Bus (OSICB) brought smiles and memories to residents, their families and team members alike and gave us a unique opportunity to celebrate one another!

We also are known to celebrate many of our events (as well as daily meals) with delicious foods prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef Tim Casey. For over 25 years, Tim has been a chef and continues to take great pride in his efforts to present our lucky residents with fresh and delicious meals. In addition he understands the vital role high-quality, local, and fresh ingredients play in helping the body more quickly recover.  

Please visit our website to learn more about the goings on at MorningStar at Golden Ridge as well as our living options, amenities and care and hospitality services. Our community has 38 Casitas for independent living, and our neighboring building offers 65 suites for assisted living, including two-bedroom, one-bath floor plans. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we have 35 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports beside skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Their educational efforts include letting people know mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.

Statistics estimate approximately 281,550 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2021 and 44,000 women and men will die from the disease this year alone in the U.S. While the majority of breast cancer cases are in women 50 years of age or older, younger women also get the disease. While not very common, around 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. is found in a man.

Every October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is recognized and celebrated around the world. While remembering and honoring those who have died from the disease as well as the survivors; the Breast Cancer Research Foundation says its purpose is to promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of research, early detection and prevention. It is a call to action to fund more research to save lives and improve outcomes. 

People have held events and fundraised for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month since its inception in October 1985. What started as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries is today a worldwide event. Furthermore as a breast cancer survivor, former first lady Betty Ford helped raise awareness of the disease. The symbol of the pink ribbon was first introduced in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder who launched The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign (formerly The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign). 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge is one of the area’s top senior living communities. We offer independent living with 38 Casitas (quadraplexes with attached garages) and 65 suites for assisted living in our main building. For those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we have 35 secure suites for memory care. Please visit our website for contact information and to inquire about pricing and availability.

Waking Up One Hour Earlier May Stave Off Depression

Depression is a wide-spread problem and John Hopkins Medicine reports 9.5% of American adults ages 18 and over will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year. They say women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression as men but both sexes are equally at risk for bipolar depression. 

Sleep problems are closely linked to depression as people with insomnia may have a tenfold higher risk of developing depression than people who get a good night's sleep. Additionally 75 percent of people with depression report trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. 

An interesting study published by JAMA Psychiatry in the May 26, 2021 online version, reports if people wake up an hour earlier than their usual waking hour (without sleeping less) can reduce their risk for major depression. The study consisted of researchers studying data from nearly 840,000 people of European ancestry. They looked for “common variants that influence a person’s chronotype, or sleeping time preference.”

Next they identified participates who suffered from major depression. Their findings suggest individuals who were genetically predisposed to getting up one hour earlier in the morning as compared to later risers had a 23% lower risk of depression. Another smaller study found a lower risk of depression in people who shifted their sleep patterns to going to bed an hour earlier each day and rising an hour earlier in the morning.  

At the MorningStar of Arvada senior living community, we offer seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and security. Our 112 contemporary independent living and assisted living suites are available in a range of floorplans (some as large as 1374 square feet) and designed with sleek fixtures, high ceilings, large windows, mini blinds, wall-to-wall carpeting and other modern amenities. 

If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, we have 29 secure memory care suites providing holistic, all-inclusive care. Please visit our website for availability of assisted living and independent living as well as the most experienced, loving memory care Arvada CO offers. Be sure to ask about our Memory Care Studios - $6000/MO All Inclusive Rent & Care.

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/waking-up-one-hour-earlier-than-usual-may-reduce-depression-risk

Did You Know Social Connections Can Improve Your Brain Health?

There have been many studies done on the link between healthy aging and diet, exercise and a good night’s sleep, but researchers say not as much attention has been paid to the role socialization has on healthy aging. Recent studies have now found that strong social ties are just as critical to our brain health. 

While most of us enjoy a night out with friends talking and laughing, scientists say the time we spend socializing also helps stimulate our attention and memory as well as strengthen our neural networks. In fact they say cognitive decline is more likely to occur in people who spend most of their time alone. One such study with more than 12,000 participants, “suggests that when people are lonely, their risk of dementia rises by as much as 40%.”

However researchers say it is important to remember not all relationships are equal and stressful, toxic relationships can actually be harmful to our health according to a 2021 Journal of the American Heart Association study. To widen your range of social connections, experts say you may have to be creative. If you can’t get out, explore online connections including hooking up with family and friends on facebook as well as joining online groups such as book clubs, choral groups or others. 

At MorningStar of Arvada, our senior living community flourishes on connections, and residents enjoy socializing as much or as little as they like. Our range of activities, special events and wellness programs along with restaurant-style dining makes it easy to find new friends and acquaintances. 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 suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, our Reflections Neighborhood provides 29 secure suites devoted entirely to individualized, specialized care. Visit our website to learn more about all-inclusive independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO.

Are You or a Loved One Feeling Lonely? Community Living May Be the Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 33% of women and 20% of men 65 years and older lived by themselves in 2020. Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely but it often is the case. Not to mention, the pandemic certainly made matters worse with many seniors self-isolating from family and friends.   

Whatever the cause of loneliness, research shows it takes a toll on people. In fact, a study from Brigham Young University reports loneliness can be as deadly as smoking or obesity. Study authors explain senior isolation “may complicate existing conditions, encourage an unhealthy lifestyle, and affect cognition.”

The American Psychiatric Association says seniors who report feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to depression and poor health habits including excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. Research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging found the “risk of Alzheimer’s nearly doubled in lonely adults, and mental decline was faster.”

Senior living communities like MorningStar of Beaverton provide residents a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. Along with extensive care services, we offer a broad range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social connectivity. Programs range from physical exercise classes to art classes, trivia and card games, bingo, clubs and more. We tell residents if we do not offer something you wish to pursue, start a club and encourage others to join.

Assisted living residents receive a range of services such as 24/7 care managers, certified med care managers and scheduled health & wellness evaluations. A licensed nurse is onsite during week days and on-call 24/7. Furthermore, MorningStar helps families arrange auxiliary care services to deal with other health concerns on an as needed basis. 

We believe every moment you are alive is an opportunity to grow, set new goals, dream new dreams, and do better. MorningStar is committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives. Visit our website for more information on trusted senior living in Beaverton, OR.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

Sources: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/senior-isolation-facts

acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america/data-and-research/profile-older-americans

Age can Diminish Hand-Eye Coordination

We use hand-eye coordination constantly for all kinds of everyday activities that rely on dexterity and reaction time such as driving, cooking or maintaining our safety by grabbing a handrail. Coordination between what our eyes take in and the signal the brain sends to our arms and hands declines with age. Experts say hand-eye coordiantion is an important skill, and one we need to help maintain our independence but like other cognitive skills, it can be trained and improved.

Dr. Andrew Budson, a neurologist and chief of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at VA Boston Healthcare System, explains hand-eye coordination involves our reflexes, speed and accuracy, which diminishes due to vision loss, poor health or changes in brain wiring. Other reasons for the loss include ministrokes in the brain that disrupt connections in important brain coordination centers as well as age-related loss of dopamine, which helps regulate movement and coordination.  

Researchers reported on a relationship between advanced age and a decline in fine motor skills in a 2014 study. It found “age-related changes in the structure, function, and biochemistry of the brain affect motor skills; which can account for the decline in hand-eye coordination seen in people as they age.” Additionally neuromuscular communication and changes in visual perception are not as strong as when we are young and may also affect hand-eye coordination.  

Exercises to improve hand-eye reflexes include swimming and tai chi along with activities such as playing catch and juggling. Experts recommend discussing the problem with your physician as they can refer you to a physical therapist who will suggest a range of activities designed to improve hand-eye coordination. 

 The MorningStar of Arvada senior living community offers carefree retirement years with 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites in various configurations including spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans. For unsurpassed memory care, Arvada provides 29 secure memory care suites staffed by a team of dementia care specialists who truly understand the disease. Please visit our website for more information and ask about our: Memory Care Studios - $6000/MO All Inclusive Rent & Care.  

Source: healthline.com/health/hand-eye-coordination#causes