MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s Unique Approach to Memory Care

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we not only provide independent and assisted living to Peoria area seniors but also experienced memory care.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 35 secure memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   MorningStar’s compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.   

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call “Lavender Sky.”  By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families.   

All of our employees, regardless of their position, will receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training include the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.   

Through Lavender Sky, our caregivers thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the “purple world” of dementia as they crossover the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. By exploring each of our residents’ life stories including their history and preferences, we create an individualized care plan. We also involve and engage family members in how to follow our lead. 

Please visit our website for more information regarding experienced, compassionate memory care.  While many senior living communities may offer memory care, we consider it our calling to care for our very special residents.  At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we do not consider serving our memory care residents to be depressing but rather offer hope to families as we strive to find ways to elevate and celebrate each resident’s life.  Our beautiful, loving community is now open!   

MorningStar at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Health Benefits for Seniors Who Limit TV Time

For years research has suggested children should have limits placed upon their daily screen time, and now a large study suggests the same may be true for older adults.   A published report from the University College London in the United Kingdom indicates that older adults who spent at least 3.5 hours a day watching television experienced a greater decline in verbal memory.  The study’s data was taken from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), which included 3,662 participants age 50 years and older.   

Participants answered researchers’ questions in 2008-2009 and then again in 2014-2015 regarding the time they spent watching TV.  Afterward they were given a series of tests that measured verbal memory and fluency.  Results showed adults who watch 3.5 or more hours of TV daily had an “average decline of 8–10 percent in word- and language-related memory over the 6 years the study covered. This is compared with a lower 4–5 percent average decline in those who watched fewer hours of TV per day over the same period.”   For the verbal memory tests, participants were asked to memorize and then recall lists of words within a given time.  The verbal fluency tests required them to list as many examples, such as animals, they could in a given amount of time.  The semantic fluency of the study’s participants did not seem to be affected.   

It was noted that most of the studies involving the effects of TV watching have been done on children and little to no studies on older adults.  One of the study’s co-authors, Dr. Daisy Fancourt, who works in the Department of Behavioral Science and Health says, "Much less attention has been paid to the effects of television viewing at the other end of the lifespan, despite it being hypothesized for over 25 years that watching excessive television could contribute to the development of dementia." 

As one of the newest senior living communities in the Peoria, AZ area, MorningStar at Golden Ridge residents have a whole lot more to do than just watching TV.  Our senior living community provides a range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate the brain and encourage connection.  Please call or visit our website to learn more.   

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “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 see for yourself the area’s finest senior living community. 

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324598.php

The Flu Season is Here

Now that the 2019-20 flu season has begun, everyone needs to follow good health habits to lessen the spread of the disease.  It is especially important to be careful around the elderly, as the disease can have deadly consequences for them.  If you have not already done so, it is now time to get a flu shot, and if you have the flu or flu like symptoms, please do not visit an elderly parent or loved one until you are symptom free for 72 hours.   

The Oregon Health Authority has some tips to help decrease your chances of getting the flu or infecting someone else with the virus starting by staying home from work or school if you are sick.  When you cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and then throw it away when you are done.  Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and use an alcohol-base hand sanitizer when water and soap are unavailable.  They also suggest you avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as well as clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may have flu germs on them.   

The flu causes mild to severe respiratory illnesses that can result in hospitalization.  Each year the virus kills thousands of people and those at higher risk include adults 65 years and older, children, and pregnant women.  Also anyone with a chronic medical condition or weak immune system is at higher risk for complications. 

MorningStar of Beaverton senior living community offers 66 assisted living suites and 38 secure suites for memory care.  Residents have 24/7 care and a wide assortment of resort-style amenities to ensure their comfort and wellbeing.  Please visit our website for details. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon. 

Source: oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/FluSeasonHasBegunGoodTimeGetVaccinated.aspx

Tips to Help Your Parent Downsize for a Move into Assisted Living

Along with the emotional transition to assisted living, your loved one may require help downsizing their belongings especially if they are still living in their own home.  While many assisted living suites such as MorningStar’s are quite roomy, obviously they are not as big as a whole house.  Nor will your parent need the same amount of housewares and equipment in their new suite as they will no longer be preparing meals or cleaning and maintaining a home.  

The Family Caregiver Alliance has some tips as well as a check sheet for families to help make the process go more smoothly and ultimately save time and energy.   They suggest strategies to use if you have the time (such as it is not an emergency to move now) and plan the steps you will take as far out as six months to a year.  In fact, decluttering should be done on a fairly regular basis including updating paperwork and shredding old documents.  Also periodically get rid of unused or worn out clothing, furniture and extraneous household items.   

One of the first steps they recommend is to write lists and add to them whenever you think of something new.  Lists should include things your parent wants to take with them to their new home, and a timeline of when things need to be done by.  Get a floorplan of the suite as it will make it easier to realistically plan what to take, to sell, donate or to give away.  The Family Caregiver Alliance also reminds families to go slow with the sorting process and try not to overwhelm their parent by doing too much each day.    

Recently opened, MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge has 38 Casitas with attached garages for independent living. In a neighboring building are 65 suites for assisted living, including studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood offers memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Please see our website to learn more about our beautiful community. 

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care. 

Source: caregiver.org/downsizing-home-checklist-caregivers

Prevent Falls by Improving Your Balance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest statistics show that one in four Americans aged 65 years and older falls each year.  The result is that “each year 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries; and over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.” 

While these are worrisome facts, experts say there are some simple exercises seniors can do to help prevent falls and maintain their independence. Remember a common injury caused by an elderly person falling is a hip fracture that can seriously impact their life.   

Most balance exercises are easy to learn and do, do not require special equipment or a trip to the gym, and can be done anywhere.  The Mayo Clinic explains that while many exercises including walking can help maintain good balance, there are specific exercises targeted at improving a senior’s balance and stability.  They do caution however that if you have severe balance problems or an orthopedic condition, to get your doctor's okay before starting balance exercises. 

Examples of balance exercises include: standing on one foot, walking heel to toe, back leg raises, and side leg raises.  To do the standing on one foot exercise, stand behind a sturdy chair; gripping for balance, lift one foot off the floor.  Hold for 10 seconds and then repeat with the opposite legs.  Repeat the exercise several times and increase the repetition as your strength increases.    

Walking heel to toe is done by positioning the heel of one foot in front of the toes of the other foot.  Your heel and toes should be touching.  Now select a spot ahead of you and focus on it to help keep you steady as you walk.  Try to step forward for as many as 20 steps.  Be sure to ask your healthcare provider for other balance exercises. 

As one of the area’s top senior living communities, MorningStar of Beaverton offers exercise classes to improve balance, strengthen muscles, and increase joint flexibility.  Our various enrichment activities and wellness programs are designed to enhance and support our residents’ physical, mental, spiritual and social connections.  Please visit our website to learn more about loving, luxurious senior living in Beaverton, Oregon.  

This post is for informational purposes only.  Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any exercises.   

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon. 

Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/balance-exercises/sls-20076853



Assisted Living May be a Healthier, Safer Option

Since most assisted living communities offer access to 24-hour personal care, along with nutrition and wellness services targeted specifically for the needs of older adults, they may present healthier, safer options for some seniors so says A Place for Mom.  Residents are able to enjoy healthy social connections as well as peace of mind knowing the support they need to help maintain their independence is available 24/7.   

In fact, research suggests that the support services and programs provided by assisted living communities help seniors to avoid many of the mishaps and problems that are commonplace in the elderly.  One such problem way too common in seniors is failing to take medication as prescribed.  Skipped doses or too much medication can result in deadly consequences.  The Department of Health and Human Services reports that up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” with their prescription drugs orders, and many are hospitalized each year due to adverse reactions.   

Dehydration is another commonplace problem experienced by the elderly.  As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, which means older adults need to remember to drink even when they are not thirsty. Also some medications may be diuretic, while others cause a person to sweat more, which can result in dehydration.   

In addition, poor nutrition is one more problem many seniors face.  Some research even suggests loneliness is a significant predictor of malnutrition in the elderly.  It can be difficult for older adults who live alone to prepare good, nutritional meals or for their loved ones to supervise daily eating habits.     

At senior living communities such as MorningStar at Golden Ridge, our assisted living provides the support services and physical environment to help older adults live as comfortably and as safely as possible.  All of our assisted living suites are equipped with full handicap-accessible bathrooms.  Furthermore, residents are served three, delicious meals a day tailored to the changing health needs of older adults.   Also, we provide 24/7 Care Managers, licensed nurses, scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations and Care Plan reviews, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Please see our website for more information. 

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care. 

Source:  aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/

Trusted Memory Care at MorningStar of Arvada

When a parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, there are many challenges a family goes through.  It is traumatizing get a diagnosis of the disease both for the individual as well as for the entire family.  As you come to terms with the devastating news, you are likely left with lots of questions including what will happen in the future and who will be there to provide the type of care your loved one will need. 

At MorningStar of Arvada, we want you to know we are here to help.  Our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community is situated on 1.5 acres, encircled by historic Golden, Colorado.  As dementia care experts, we provide specialized, individualized care to each resident and are equipped to care for those from the onset of the disease all the way through to the most advanced stages.  

Our holistic approach to memory care focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss, and our team of compassionate caregivers feels privileged to serve seniors.  All of our 29 memory care suites are in a separate area we call Reflections Neighborhood. This spacious neighborhood is specifically designed to allow residents the independence to safely explore their surroundings.  

Every aspect of our dementia care addresses the unique needs of our residents starting with the very design of our community to a wide range of wellness programs and activities and healthy, delicious meals.  We encourage you to visit our website for contact information or to set up a tour of our exceptional community.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “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 independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada CO has to offer.

Have Questions About MorningStar of Beaverton?

If you are searching for assisted living for yourself or a parent, you probably have some questions regarding what type of care is offered.  At MorningStar of Beaverton, we understand the concerns families have and provide answers to FAQs on our website as a good way to get you started.  For example, one question we get asked often is our age requirement and the answer is you must be at least 62 years old.  We also get asked if couples can live together.  Of course!  Couples can live together in their own suite, surrounded by their own treasured possessions, or suites can be shared by friends of the same sex who simply enjoy one another’s company. 

Another question we are frequently asked is, “do we offer short-term stays.”  Yes, it is based on availability and we do ask that you commit to at least a week’s stay or a full month.  This gives you the chance to sample a life free from cooking and household chores, and to participate in a bustling calendar of activities and enjoy the instant companionship.    

If you are concerned that your parent may not get the care they need, there is no reason to worry.  Before your parent joins our community, our Wellness Director will sit down with your family to discuss your parent’s medical history and personal preferences.  From here, we create an individualized care plan that meets everyone’s approval.  This plan will be routinely evaluated and updated as the need arises.   

You will also find our pet policy on our FAQs page.  We are a pet friendly community and recognize the tremendous benefits animals offer to all of us.  We do assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis, and we have some restrictions on breeds.   There is also a one-time, nonrefundable pet fee. 

We encourage you to visit our website to read the answers to other questions you may have regarding our assisted living.  However if you do not see the information you need, please give us a call as we are ready to help.   We look forward to meeting you and your family.  

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 community.

MorningStar of Beaverton’s Unique Approach to Memory Care

Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating for the person and their family.  All of one’s carefully laid plans are cast aside as their future takes a much different path.     

MorningStar of Beaverton is an assisted living and memory care community in a western suburb of Portland.  While the MorningStar name is fairly new to the Portland area, MorningStar Senior Living was founded in 2003 and has communities throughout the Western U.S, where we have worked hard to become dementia care specialists.   

Unlike other memory care communities, MorningStar’s extensive experience has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the disease, and we consider it our privilege to serve those with memory loss.  We recognize that the person’s essence remains and are committed to finding ways to connect with and nurture that essence.    

We also consider residents’ family members to be part of our MorningStar family as we walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey.  Our unique approach to memory care is called Lavender Sky, which is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of memory loss.  Additionally, as we believe that many of the adverse behaviors associated with dementia are often side effects of antipsychotic drugs, our goal is to have less than 10% of our residents on any of these types of drugs. 

Every aspect of our memory care is designed to address the needs of our residents including 24/7 compassionate Care Mangers, wellness programs and activities that will stimulate and calm as needed.  Even our meals are designed with our most tender residents’ need in mind and are as good to look at as they are to eat.      

Our beautiful community offers 66 assisted living suites and 38 secure suites for memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood. Please contact us for more information and to schedule a tour.  We look forward to meeting future residents and their families.   

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 community.

Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly

If a young woman experiences burning and irritation when urinating, she visits her doctor and is most likely diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI).  However it can be a different story for elderly adults as they rarely have any of the common symptoms or discomforts associated with UTIs and may be unaware they have an infection.  Anna Treinkman, a nurse practitioner at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago and president of the National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners, explains that as we age, our immune response changes and no longer functions at optimal levels.     

UTIs are the body’s second most common infection and are generally easy to treat.  However in the elderly, an undetected UTI can mimic other, much more serious conditions including dementia.  “UTIs, for instance, are a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.” 

UTI symptoms in the elderly can also manifest in a range of behaviors such as disorientation, agitation, confusion, dizziness and poor motor skills.  These in turn can increase the risk for falls and even result in depression or sudden urinary incontinence.  Another reason the UTI may go untreated is that the symptoms are attributed to more serious illnesses or simply to old age. 

If you suspect a UTI, a simple urinalysis can be performed to confirm the infection and get treatment started.  Most cases are cured by antibiotics within a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the infection and other health problems affecting the person. 

Along with medication, your doctor will recommend drinking four to six 8-ounce glasses of water a day, and may ask that you add cranberry juice or cranberry tablets to your diet.  This will help flush the infection from the system. 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge provides the Peoria area with exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.  We encourage you to visit our website to set up a tour of our beautiful senior living 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.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “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 in Peoria, AZ. 

Sources: aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/elderly-urinary-tract-infections

seniorliving.org/healthcare/uti/

Planning for the Future for Someone with Dementia

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you and your family will need to take steps to plan for your/their future.  Experts advise families that along with discussing dementia care options, they financially and legally plan for the future.   

The National Institute on Aging advises the person to examine and update their financial and healthcare arrangements as soon as possible. By having legal and financial documents in place, such as a will, a living trust, and advance directives, it ensures the person’s late-stage or end-of-life healthcare and financial decisions are carried out.       

The NIA suggests having a lawyer draw up and maintain the documents as they understand State law and can help update changes to a person’s circumstances such as divorce or a death in the family, and other applicable changes.  These documents should include Advance Directives for Health Care:   

A living will expresses the person’s wishes in regard to medical treatment near the end of life when they can no longer make known their decisions regarding healthcare.  In addition, some people have a Do Not Resuscitate Order signed by a doctor, placed in their medical file that instructs healthcare professionals to not perform CPR in the event they stop breathing or their heart stops.    

A durable power of attorney for health care is a document that specifically designates a person (sometimes known as an agent or proxy) to make healthcare decisions for the individual when they no longer have the capacity to do so.  This document applies to all healthcare decisions and for all types of medical conditions.   

Advance Directives for Financial and Estate Management must be done while a person still has the legal capacity to make decisions and includes a durable power of attorney for finances.  This designates a person of your choosing to manage and make financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated.   

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Beaverton provides loving, compassionate dementia care to those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  Please visit our website for pricing and availability.   

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 community. 

Source: nia.nih.gov/health/legal-and-financial-planning-people-alzheimers

Prepare for Your Next Healthcare Visit

We have all had the experience of visiting our doctor’s and afterward thinking of questions we wished we had thought to ask.  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Dept. of Human Health & Services, says asking questions and providing information to your healthcare providers, actually helps to improve your care.  Also, when you actively participate in your care, it helps build trust between you and your doctor and leads to better results.  

The AHRQ has put together a series of questionnaires to facilitate better communication between you and your doctor.  They explain that once you get in the habit of preparing questions beforehand, you can more efficiently use your time with the doctor (doctors spend between 13 to 24 minutes with each patient).    

Questions will change depending on the reason for your visit such as discussing a medical procedure (remember you are your own best advocate).  AHRQ recommends asking:  why do I need this procedure; how many times have you performed it; and when will I get the results?  It is also advisable to ask if there are alternative treatments that are just as effective; possible complications; and what hospital is best for this type of procedure?   

If you are being prescribed a new medication, AHRQ says to ask how the new drug will interact with other prescription drugs you are taking as well as with over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins you use.  Also ask how long you will be taking the drug and any common side effects.   

Another good take-away from the article is it reminds patients that doctors and nurses welcome questions as they let them know you understand their instructions and are an active partner in your care.  If you feel overwhelmed by lots of new information, consider bringing a family member or trusted friend along with you to the appointment.   

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “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 in Peoria, AZ.

Source: ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/ask-your-doctor/index.htm

Join Our Distinguished Team as a MorningStar Housekeeper!

Live in or around the Phoenix area?  If so we have great job opportunities for individuals with big hearts who wish to help make a difference in the life of a senior.  At MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and the new MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living communities, we invite you to join a compassionate team of service professionals.  Whether you are one of our food servers, cooks, caregivers or part of our essential housekeeping team, you will have the chance to grow professionally as well as personally.    

 As one of our hardworking housekeepers, you will help to maintain our beautiful homes for the enjoyment of our cherished residents and their families.  Moreover while you attend to your duties, you will also be encouraged to get to know our residents and to listen to the many memories and photos they share from lives well lived. You will also be pleased to know you have done something to improve their quality of life as they most likely will tell you themselves.   

While there may be a lot of housekeeping jobs in the Phoenix area, few offer the benefits as our MorningStar communities do.  Along with competitive wages, we provide each employee with a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan and more.  We also offer team members vacation, sick time and holiday pay.    

For a job that will have you coming to work each day with a smile on your face, please apply to one of our various positions including housekeeping jobs in Phoenix, Glendale, Fountain Hills or our newest home in Peoria.  We invite you to visit our website to see the complete list of openings, job descriptions and to use our convenient online application. 

At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Fountain Hills & Golden Ridge communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God and valuing all seniors, and we are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve. If you love the idea of working with seniors, visit MorningStar’s Career page for details on our various roles including housekeeping jobs in Phoenix.

Helping Your Parents Organize Their Paperwork

If your parents are elderly and in poor health, they may need some help organizing and updating their paperwork.  The National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggests that lending your parents a hand with this task may be one way you can help even if you live out-of-state and not able to assist in their day-to-day care.  Updated paperwork is also helpful to you and other caregivers in the case of a medical crisis or if you are asked to weigh-in on financial, legal or other medical decisions.   

The experts offer several tips on what you need to gather and should include your parents’ medical records and a current list of medications and dosages.  Also, you want any record of their sources of income and assets such as bank accounts, pensions, life insurances, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other investments.  You additionally will need a list of their liabilities including if they own a home, find out what their monthly/annual obligations are including mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance.

This is a good time to find out if they have a will or to discuss with them any plans they may have already made or need to make regarding advance directives including a durable power of attorney.  Planning for future health care decisions is important as it ensures a person gets the medical care they want if they are unable to speak for themselves.   

You will probably need to plan on spending some time with your parents in order to get everything organized but it will be worth it in the long run.  The NIA cautions that older people can be protective of their personal and financial information so be respectful. Try to get them to understand that you are not being nosy but rather want to be prepared in the event of an emergency.    

If your parent needs more care than they can get at home, we encourage you to consider Portland area MorningStar of Beaverton.  Our luxury senior living community is designed to meet the needs of seniors with unparalleled assisted living and memory care. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon.

Helping Your Loved One Transition to Assisted Living

We know people react differently to the many challenges we face in our lifetime, so it is no surprise that some individuals have a more difficult time adapting to assisted living. Experts surmise that one of the reasons may be is that some seniors end up feeling that the decision was thrust on them, and a decline in their health left them with few choices.   

It is important for families to keep in mind that the first few months will probably be the most difficult adjustment period for their loved one.  In fact, once the initial transition is over, studies show that many older adults actually prefer the lifestyle community living offers.   

To assist your loved one with the transition, experts recommend a few things family member can do to help the process along.  They explain that it is especially important during the first few weeks to visit frequently, but also caution against being too protective.  Spending too much time with your loved one during their adjustment period can be counterproductive and may prevent them from adapting on their own.   

Another thing that will help is to encourage your parent to participate in the community’s activities.  The more involved they get in the community, the more likely they are to make new friends and start to feel at home.    

Also take the time to help them personalize their suite by adding treasured mementos and framed family photos as well as wall art they loved from their last home.  Add in furnishings like a comfy chair and a cozy throw in a color they love.  Furthermore, if space is at a premium, consider mounting the TV on a wall.  When helping to decorate, do not forget safety.  Make sure cords are safely tucked away and not in endanger of becoming trip hazards and that pathways are uncluttered and free of objects that could cause a fall.   

Visit MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s website to learn more about one of the area’s finest senior living communities.  Our beautiful Peoria, AZ community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care.    

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community.     

Source:  assistedliving.com/helping-elderly-aging-parents-adjust-senior-living-01112013/

A Career that Will Let You Reach Your Personal Best!

If you have always wanted to work at a place filled with love and laughter and where lives are cherished and celebrated, you have found it!  MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar at Arrowhead, MorningStar of Fountain Hills and MorningStar at Golden Ridge are offering a variety of career opportunities that allow you to make a difference in another person’s life, and perhaps your own.   Our open assisted living jobs range from full and part-time Arizona certified caregivers, dining room servers, cooks and more. As our homes operate 24/7, our positions include weekends and evening shifts.  

When you join our team of dedicated caregivers, you will find yourself working alongside individuals who share our values and ethics, and support our unique mission of honoring God and valuing all seniors.  Moreover as we recognize that senior living at its best is love in action, we are committed to investing generously in our team’s ability to serve and to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve our residents. 

Along with philosophers and great-thinkers throughout the ages, today’s evidence-based studies agree that serving others is a path to a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life.  At MorningStar, we could not agree more and one of our directors succinctly explains, “Our lives are better by listening to the advice and stories of seniors. They have a wealth of experiences, amazing stories and lessons that apply to all generations.”  We know seniors teach us to appreciate each new day as they help us to better understand the aging process.  

If you want to be part of something extraordinary, please consider joining our MorningStar family.  Visit our website for a full listing of assisted living jobs in Phoenix and detailed job descriptions.   We also provide an online application for your convenience.  

At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Fountain Hills & Golden Ridge communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built on honoring God and valuing all seniors, we are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve. Would you like to make a difference in a senior’s life? If so visit MorningStar’s Career page for a link to fulfilling assisted living jobs in Phoenix.

Enjoy Your Senior Years with Resort-style Amenities

MorningStar at Golden Ridge provides seniors with a lifestyle of wellness, comfort and community.  By offering the finest independent and assisted living in the area, it allows our residents to enjoy carefree retirement years and gives them the time to pursue interests both new and old.   

Our first-class amenities start with delicious daily meals largely prepared from scratch and served in the clubhouse (independent living breakfast) or restaurant style in our charming dining room.  We also have our own bistro, fitness centers, life enrichment rooms, and an in-house salon that offers hairstyling, manicures and pedicures.  In addition, we have a theater/chapel, library and a private dining room that if available for intimate dinners.   

Each day, we offer a whole host of wellness programs and activities that are designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage connections.  Amidst our beautiful grounds, we have an outdoor dining patio, and our memory care residents have a secure courtyard where they too can safely enjoy the outdoors.  Along with scheduled transportation, we routinely take road trips to a variety of cultural destinations, shopping, restaurants, parks and more.    

To ensure your utmost comfort and wellbeing, MorningStar at Golden Ridge has a compassionate 24-hour care staff and a full-time licensed nurse on call 24/7.  If there is something you need, our team is right there ready to help.   

We encourage you to visit our website for more details about our remarkable senior living community.  Our building has 65 assisted living suites, in a choice of spacious studio or one and two-bedroom floor plans.  The Reflections Neighborhood has an additional 35 secure suites devoted to providing care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Adjacent to the main building are 38 Casitas with clubhouse and pool for active, independent seniors.  If this all sounds good, please schedule a tour! 

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community.    

Are You Ready to Serve?

If you live in or around the greater Phoenix area, you will be interested to know that several of our MorningStar communities, including MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and MorningStar at Golden Ridge are seeking individuals with a felt calling to serve.  As MorningStar’s Founder/CEO Ken Jaegers explains as he inspires our own team members or any other audience he speaks to by saying, “Don’t wait to serve. Serve now. Today. Get involved somewhere. It will make you a better person (and if you work for MorningStar, a better team member). Don’t wait until your children are grown. Don’t wait until you retire. Give now, give generously. And just see what happens. For you cannot out-give God.”   

Back in 2003 when Ken founded MorningStar Senior Living, he built it on the profound truth of honoring God in all aspects of our business practices and relationships, and to create a superior quality of life for MorningStar’s residents.  In addition our mission includes valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals and investing generously in our team’s ability to serve well.  

You will also find that once you become part of our MorningStar team, whether as a caregiver, housekeeper, food server or a director, you will be welcomed into a family of dedicated service professionals united by a goal of providing the best quality of care for our residents.  To ensure you have the chance to live up to your potential and grow into your position, we provide a range of purposeful training, mentoring, and support.   

Moreover while each of our Phoenix area communities is beautiful designed, decorated and offers a wide range of resort-style amenities, we recognize that the heartbeat of our homes is our loving, compassionate team.  Without their commitment to service, we would not have family members glowingly write about the care their loved ones receive under our roofs as one husband recently did. He explains, “I’m very grateful for the loving and attentive kindness of all of the MorningStar caregivers. It takes a load off my mind to know that my wife is in such good hands.”   Please visit our website to learn more about how you too can make a difference by serving in one of our assisted living jobs in Phoenix.  

At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Fountain Hills & Golden Ridge communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God and valuing all seniors, and we are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve. If you wish to thrive professionally and personally, please visit MorningStar’s Career page for a link to rewarding assisted living jobs in Phoenix.

Senior Living Communities Offer Many Benefits

Several studies have shown that the majority of seniors who move into senior living communities say they prefer it to living alone.  A Place for Mom reports that “while many seniors want to age at home as long as they can, research shows that senior living communities may be the healthier option; especially after a spouse passes away.”  Also seniors are often unaware of the wide range of services and amenities available at an independent or assisted living community.   

When a senior lives alone, they can become pretty isolated especially if they have stopped driving.  In addition trying to maintain a house can be difficult for aging adults.  Housekeeping chores, preparing meals, and going up and down stairs can be challenging for the elderly.  Another problem faced by seniors who live alone is a fear of falling.  Having no one around to help in the case of an emergency can be scary as well as life-threatening.  

Senior living communities such as MorningStar of Beaverton provide creative programs and activities that encourage and enhance health and wellness, socialization, and mental stimulation.  At MorningStar we also provide scheduled transportation as well as arrange special outings to local destinations such as museums, parks, plays, shopping malls and scenic drives.  Residents at our assisted living and memory care community will no longer have to worry about fixing meals as we provide three daily meals that are both healthy and delicious.  

MorningStar of Beaverton, newly opened late last year, offers 66 private assisted living suites with the choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In our memory care neighborhood, we have 38 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please contact us to learn about the many benefits we offer to those in need of assisted living or memory care.      

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon.

 Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/senior-living-comforts-safety/

What to Look for When Touring a Senior Living Community

If you are starting to search for senior living, it is recommended that you take a tour of the community.  While all the beautiful pictures online or in a brochure can make a community look great, firsthand impressions go a long way toward getting a real feel of the place. 

Before your visit, make sure the senior living communities you are interested in offer the options you want – independent living and/or assisted living.  If a family member needs memory care, is there a separate wing devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases? 

If you are looking for assisted living, please keep in mind it is important that you get it right the first time as it is hard on your loved one to get settled somewhere and then decide it is not a good fit.  During your tour, A Place for Mom, the largest assisted living referral service, recommends that you start evaluating the place from the moment you walk through the door.  Ask yourself, does it look clean and orderly as well as smell fresh?  Inquire about housekeeping services and how often private suites are cleaned, the costs involved, general maintenance of the community, and security.      

If you can, come during an activity so you can join in the fun.  This will give you a good idea of the staff’s friendliness around the residents.  Also arrange to eat lunch at the place as it will not only provide you with a firsthand taste of the food but allow you to leisurely enjoy time with other residents.   

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, the wellbeing and comfort of our residents is our highest priority. We offer independent living in 38 two-bedroom, two bath Casitas with attached garages. In a nearby building are 65 suites for assisted living, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Within our Reflections Neighborhood, we devote 35 secure suites to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Visit our website to conveniently schedule a tour or give us a call.  We look forward to meeting you and your family.   

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “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 in Peoria, AZ. 

Source: aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/tips-for-touring-assisted-living