Want to Lose Some Weight? Substituting Healthier Options make it Simple

Experts say it isn’t just our imagination that losing weight gets harder the older we become, but is most likely due to having less muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat. To help, they offer easy tips on how to painlessly replace calorie-laden foods with healthier, lower-calorie substitutes. In addition to the fact that nutrient-rich foods appear to help individuals be successful in their quest to lose weight, meals do not necessarily have to be smaller than your average intake.

Dietitians suggest an easy food swap is to drink water flavored with lemon slices or sparkling water rather than sugary sodas. One study found by replacing refined grains with whole grains it “improved blood cholesterol levels and decreased percent of body fat in postmenopausal women.” Replacing sugary granola with heart-healthy oatmeal can also help control your weight. Not only is oatmeal a good source of soluble fiber known to reduce cholesterol but it contains magnesium and potassium known to promote healthy blood pressure. Also dietitians suggest trying sprouted grain breads, which many find tastier and healthier than even whole-grain breads.

Other ways to get healthier and lose weight is to include more plant-based foods into your diet. Make a pledge to have a couple of meatless dinners each week such and get your protein from bean burgers, lentils, and quinoa instead of hamburgers and steaks. To get more veggies into your diet, top your bean burger with spinach or lettuce, tomato slices and mushrooms rather than cheese. Rather than pasta, use squash or zucchini noodles.

At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, we offer a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and security in the form of independent living, assisted living and memory care. We offer amenities such as dining rooms with restaurant-style service including an outdoor dining patio, veranda, bistro bar, life enrichment room, salon, scheduled transportation, parking and more. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living & assisted living in Peoria, AZ.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/slideshows/11-healthy-food-swaps-to-lose-weight?slide=2

Shingrix is Another Vaccine Important to Seniors’ Health

Currently Shingrix is the only vaccine approved for adults 50 years and older to protect against shingles. This is important as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly one in three people in the U.S. develop shingles at some point, and every year an estimated 1 million people are diagnosed with the disease.

Symptoms of shingles include pain, rash, itching, and at first fluid-filled, then eventually crusting blisters. People can additionally suffer from a hypersensitivity to touch or light as well as headaches and fevers. The disease can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and pain is generally most intense in the first few weeks. Some individuals may require pain medication to sleep or get comfort.

Medical professionals say now is the time to get a Shingrix vaccine as when it first came on the market in 2017 so many people wanted it; there weren’t enough dosages to meet demand. Now manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline reports there is plenty of supply available for anyone who wishes to get the shot.

The vaccine requires two doses given any time between two to six months; and studies show it to be highly effective against the shingles in both older healthy adults and frailer ones. “In a large multicenter study of approximately 27,000 people vaccinated with Shingrix or a placebo, effectiveness ranged from about 90% in frail participants to nearly 96% in non-frail participants.”

If you are looking for the area’s finest 55+ community, take a look at MorningStar at Golden Ridge. We offer 38 Casitas for independent living, 65 suites for assisted living, and 35 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Offering all of the amenities, wellness programs, and hospitality and care services, we feel privileged to provide residents with carefree retirement years. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted assisted living and independent living in Peoria, AZ.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/shingrix-shingles-vaccine?src=usn_nl_yourhealth&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Your%20Health-Sun%20May%2030%2007:49:00%20EDT%202021&utm_term=Your%20Health

We Invite You to Join Our MorningStar Family

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we are experts in providing seniors with first-class independent living, assisted living and memory care. In fact every aspect of our community is designed to offer a relaxing lifestyle enabling you to fully enjoy your retirement years. This includes providing support to residents and their families starting with the all-important decision process and carries through to the move-in and transition period.

A great way to start is to take a look at our Senior Life guide (call us for a free copy). Along with our knowledgeable team, it is a great resource in aiding families who are deciding if the time is right for assisted living or memory care.

When it comes to the move-in process, our team helps in whatever way we can (see our detailed description of what is involved in our FAQs). We recognize moving into a retirement community is a major lifestyle transition for a senior and approach the moment with the utmost sensitivity. Our MorningStar team nurtures a relationship from the beginning and strives to open the resident to the many possibilities and adventures community life offers.

You are considered part of the MorningStar family once a deposit secures your chosen suite and you take possession within a 10-day period. At this point, our “House to Home” process begins in earnest with securing the vital information, agreements and permissions inherent to the move including a medical assessment and physician’s plan of care for both assisted living and memory care residents. Practical help includes recommending reputable moving companies familiar with community living; and listening and communicating with our new resident to facilitate a smooth transition.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. While we are known for our exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we brag the most about our compassionate team who understands it is a privilege to serve. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted assisted living and independent living in Peoria, AZ.

Music is a Soothing Balm to Many Alzheimer’s Patients

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

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

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

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

Source: 

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

Luxury Amenities Designed for Carefree Retirement

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

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

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

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

Parkinson’s Disease - Separating Fact from Fiction

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

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

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

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

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

Would You Love a Job that Makes You Feel Proud?

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

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

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

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

Several Studies Link Diet to the Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Several studies are showing links to our dietary habits and our risk for Alzheimer’s. The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.

Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar. Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.”

One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads. The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily. MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berries at least twice a week. Red meat is reduced to less than four times a week, cheese to less than one serving per week, while poultry and fish consumed twice or once a week respectively. Other recommended proteins include nuts and beans.

Oil should be mainly from olive oil and butter or margarine reduced to less than a tablespoon a day; and fried or fast food eaten less than once a week. MIND includes a glass of wine a day but limits pastries and sweets to less than five times a week. The Mayo Clinic says study results also found you do not have to strictly follow the diet to gain benefits. For example, “adults in the study who followed the diet most closely (an average score of 9.6 points out of 15) saw the biggest drop in their Alzheimer's risk, the ones who scored in the middle (7.5 points) still cut their risk by over a third.”

At MorningStar of Beaverton senior living community, our many services and amenities include 5-Star dining. Our delicious meals are prepared largely from scratch and include the freshest, healthiest ingredients. In addition, our nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat for residents to self-manage. Our beautiful home offers suites for assisted living in spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Additionally, the Reflections Neighborhood has secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. Please contact us 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.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please visit our website to discover why MorningStar is a step above an ordinary assisted living facility.

Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/15-simple-diet-tweaks-cut-alzheimers-risk/art-20342112

Our Home’s Management Team Sets the Bar for Excellence

We have all had experience with businesses and organizations not running well due to a lack of good management. While employees are an important element of great service, management sets the standard for the direction of the organization. At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, we are lucky to have a team that strives for excellence.

Starting at the top with our Executive Director, Kerri Felix has a strong record of providing the best possible experience to residents and our community as a whole. She has served MorningStar for over two years bringing her work ethic, performance and love for seniors to our home. She says the first senior she loved was Raymond Clarke, known to her as Grampy. The funny thing was she never considered him to be old but just her favorite guy with white hair. Kerri explains seniors teach us to be humble, and to be respectful of time, a precious commodity not to be wasted. She finds it is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to serve them every day.

Our Director of Community Relations, Jennifer Ellsworth, says she walked alongside her father through his journey with dementia. Now she loves helping other families navigate these waters and to lighten the burden they feel by imparting the knowledge she has learned along the way. Jennifer explains, “With sincere enthusiasm, I am proud to offer that counsel here at MorningStar, a company known for its integrity.”

MorningStar at Golden Ridge would not be the same without the loving services of our Wellness Director, Nicole Baker. As a Licensed Nurse, she fondly remembers Joyce, who was one of the first residents she had the privilege to be part of her care. Nicole says “Grandma Joyce” loved to sing and dance and taught her to be happy no matter what happens for life is a gift, and so are the people in our lives.

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we have a unique mission statement to honor God, to value our seniors, and to hire staff with a felt calling to serve. Our community exudes a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture, resort-style amenities and services, and a complement of wellness programs. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living & assisted living in Peoria, AZ.

Questions Regarding Our Senior Living Community

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we approach senior living from all angles to provide residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community. For active seniors looking for carefree retirement, predictable budgeting and resort-style amenities, we have 38 Casitas (quadraplexes with attached garages). In our main building, we have 65 private suites for assisted living and another 35 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We proudly offer older adults 55+ a relaxing environment where they can make new friends, learn new things or just have fun with our wide variety of meaningful programs and activities.

As an independent living resident, you will enjoy carefree living in one of our Casitas tucked into its own private neighborhood with a clubhouse and pool. You will additionally have peace of mind knowing there is more than one neighborhood within our community in the event your needs change as we give residents priority to transfer without charge to assisted living or memory care. If your choice of suite is not immediately available, you are welcome to bring in a home care agency in the interim.

You will find our assisted living is ideal for those who wish to keep their independence but require a little daily help to do so. Of course couples are welcome to share an assisted living suite or one can be shared by friends who simply enjoy one another’s company. Whether you make the move to assisted living or independent living, our fashionable private suites and Casitas are designed with high ceilings, large windows, carpeting, and mini blinds. Moreover beautifully appointed common areas throughout, ensure residents feel right at home. In case you wondered, we are pet friendly.

Please visit our website for more information about the area’s best independent living & assisted living. To contact us, use our Virtual Assistant chat service to: Get Pricing; Request a Tour; Ask a Question; View Photos & Videos; and Talk to Live Chat. We look forward to hearing from you.

Tips to Building Healthier Life Habits

If the pandemic caused you to gain a couple of pounds or waylaid your efforts to get to the gym or take a walk, now is the time to resume your resolve to be a better you. “Research shows that the start of any new phase — be it the resumption of post-pandemic life, turning a year older or the invigorating days of spring — can serve as powerful psychological motivation to kick-start new habits. It’s called the fresh-start effect.”

In fact according to behavioral experts, anytime we have a change in our lives such as the stage we are now going into is a good time to think about habits we want to change. However they advise many of our actions are habitual and many of us may need more than motivation to create new habits.

One tip to healthier habits is to gradually lay the foundation for a new habit by setting realistic and specific goals. For example if a goal is to begin walking, start by putting on your walking shoes every day at a time anchored to something you already do such as right after dinner. From there evolve your habit into actually walking.

Professionals say it is easier to adopt a new habit into your routine if it is something you enjoy. Adding a social component like walking or taking an exercise class with a friend can make exercise more pleasurable. Studies find people who team up with an “exercise buddy” have more success, and researchers say it is a probably the combination of enjoyment and accountability.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge in Peoria, AZ is a beautiful senior living community offering older adults a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. We have 38 Casitas for independent living (quadraplexes with attached garages) and 65 private assisted living suites in a range of floorplans as well as compassionate memory care. Remarkable for our exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we are most proud of our dedicated team who understands it is a privilege to serve seniors.

Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/creating-healthy-habits.html

Hear Loss is One of the Most Common Conditions Affecting Seniors

The National Institute of Health reports approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Hearing loss causes someone a range of problems including difficulty understanding and following a doctor’s advice, responding to safety warnings, and hearing doorbells, phone calls, and alarms. Another all-too common problem is it can be hard to follow conversations with family and friends, and many start avoiding situations where they may be frustrated or embarrassed. 

Medical experts advise asking your primary care physician for a referral to an otolaryngologist, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They will try to determine the cause of your hearing loss and treatment options. They may refer you to an audiologist who is trained in measuring the degree of loss as well as recommend treatment, which may include fitting you for a hearing aid. There are three different types of hearing aids and it may take some trial and error to find one that works for you (most can be purchased for a trial period).  

In some cases, doctors may recommend Cochlear implants, “small electronic devices surgically implanted in the inner ear that help provide a sense of sound to people who are profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing.”  Other treatment options include hearing assistive devices for your phones to amplify sound; closed circuit systems for churches or theaters; and lip or speech reading classes.   

Our beautiful MorningStar of Arvada senior living community has an excellent reputation in the greater Denver area. With a mission to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; we promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence. We have 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites, with another 29 secure memory care suites in our Reflections’ wing devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Visit our website to learn more about various living options including compassionate memory care in Arvada, CO.

Our Team Members are Special Individuals

One of the frequent questions we are asked when a family is considering MorningStar of Arvada for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, is how much training does our staff have. The answer is quite a lot. In addition to vetting the person before they are hired, each employee, regardless of their position, completes three foundational one-day training sessions. 

These include our O2 (onboarding and orientation), which is a general introduction to the various aspects of our operations and culture. Radiance, which is our culture and customer service initiative, is another essential training for new hires and is reiterated and strengthened every day in our daily Huddle. An introduction to Lavender Sky, our dementia care philosophy and approach to programming, gives our team members the tools to understand the disease and helps them to care for our most tender residents.

New hires in direct contact with residents have a three-day shadowing period, and then are continued to be coached by a senior team member. Many employees are certified in CPR and First Aid; and we conduct continuing education classes through in-services and online video training. Our Med Techs (QMAPs) receive additional training in medication administration.

As the worst of the COVID pandemic is behind us, MorningStar of Arvada has loosened up many of our more strict rules in adherence to CDC guidelines. Residents are back to enjoying many of the amenities they love as we reintroduce communal dining, activities, outings, salon and therapy services, and other healthy markers of normalcy.    

MorningStar of Arvada offers 112 bright independent and assisted living suites in a choice of configurations including spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 1374 square feet). Our memory care provides 29 secure suites devoted entirely to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our resort-style amenities and Life Enrichment programs give residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO.

More than a Job - Career Opportunities in Work that Matters

Our Phoenix area MorningStar senior living communities include MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar at Arrowhead, MorningStar of Fountain Hills and MorningStar at Golden Ridge. Currently all have job openings for individuals who love the idea of doing work they can feel proud of as well as provide opportunities for career advancement. One of our openings is full- and part-time housekeeping jobs. 

Qualifications start by selecting big-hearted individuals who embrace virtues such as kindness, character and selflessness for we know these are essential ingredients in building a team who serves with distinction. We ask for 2+ years of similar or relatable experience in house-keeping or cleaning and a passion for interacting with our residents.  

Knowing the contribution our team makes to the residents’ quality of life, we are generous in wages and benefits including bonus or incentive opportunities and paid holiday, vacation and sick time. Insurance is another important benefit to team members and their family and we offer health insurance (deductible options, below average premiums), dental insurance, vision insurance, telehealth coverage (at no cost) and various policies for life and disability insurance. 

Another bonus of working in one of our housekeeping jobs in Phoenix’s senior living communities is the meaningful training provided to team members. We start with O2 (Orientation & Onboarding), which introduces you to our company, our mission and our values. As we want all employees to better understand Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we provide training in a proprietary program known as Lavender Sky. To understand our culture and how we deliver service, you will additionally receive training in Radiance.  

We think you will be surprised by what you can learn by hanging around with seniors and how much fun it can be. Our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities and makes us a great place to work at.Please visit the MorningStar Senior Living “Career” page for current openings and an online employment application as well as information regarding our comprehensive benefits, training and more.

Looking for Exceptional Senior Living in Beaverton, OR?

If you are looking for an exceptional senior living, we encourage you to learn more about MorningStar of Beaverton. Our leadership team always welcomes phone calls and email inquiries regarding our community. In addition, we have a very informative website that focuses on many of the different aspects of our communityas well as provides some background on our company.

For instance, our home page offers a great description of our home, brief comments from our Management Team, a map showing our location as well as a Gallery of pictures to illustrate the detailed attention to welcoming spaces and beautiful design. Our home page also has a button to Amenities that describes many of the community’s resort-style amenities. Clicking on Suite Amenities highlights the comforts within our 66 private assisted living suites and 38 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment. Our suites are available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations, and you can view specifics by clicking on the Floor Plans button.

We also encourage you to view the virtual tour on our home page. Here you will get a good look at some of our beautiful common areas including the dining room, theater, fitness room, bistro, life enrichment room, and more. In addition, we share background on some of the guiding principles of MorningStar Senior Living including our mission statement and core values consisting of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness.

We then suggest you browse through the links at the top of the page to learn more about First Steps, Lifestyle Options, Wellness and Our Heart. More questions are answered on our FAQ page (under First Steps) including what makes MorningStar different, understanding senior living, care services, pricing, staff training, and the move in process. If you like what you see please contact us for pricing, availability and any other questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please visit our website to discover why MorningStar is a step above an ordinary assisted living facility.

Are Memory Problems Worrying You?

Do you feel as if memory problems are interfering with your life or have family members started to notice? Medical experts say there may be a distinction between a person noticing the memory loss and others becoming aware of it as this could signal a bigger problem and be an early sign of dementia.  

The Harvard Medical School explains the best place to start understanding the problem is to talk to your doctor. While they may not have the proper training to do extensive screening for MCI (mild cognitive impairment), they can rule out other things causing your memory loss such as medications you take or a recent head injury. Steps you can take on your own to improve cognitive function include getting enough sleep each night; eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and reducing stress.

After your own physician has completed an examination, and nothing appears to account for your memory loss, it is time to see a specialist. They, or your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter or hospital should be able to recommend a behavioral neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist. He or she will probably start with a series of written, on the computer, or oral tests to “assess memory, reasoning, attention, language, visual functions, motor functions, and social functions (such as empathy and knowing how to behave appropriately in social situations).”

They will check for “abnormalities in muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, senses, eye movement, and the pupils' reaction to light, which can signal abnormalities in specific areas of the brain.” In addition the doctor will check for Parkinson’s, a stroke or tumors, and will probably schedule a hearing and vision test. If indicated, you may have advanced testing such as PET scans or your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers checked for signs of Alzheimer’s. 

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 staffed by a team of dementia care specialists who truly understand the disease. Visit our website for more.  

Source:health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/mild-cognitive-impairment?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HB20210415-MCI&utm_id=2882670&dlv-emuid=33b2f11b-97ca-447f-ab66-cfb4e7a55fa7&dlv-mlid=2882670

Eye Exercises Can Help Strengthen Aging Eyes & Reduce Irritation

It is important to not only exercise our bodies and our mind for optimal health, but our eyes as well. Experts say daily eye exercises can help to maintain and sharpen our ability to focus, reduce eye strain and irritation, and slow down deterioration that occurs as we age.

Along with eye exercises, it is important for seniors to get regular eye exams to check for changes in vision including glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A nutritional diet is another part of promoting good eye health as is exercise. Moving your body keeps the blood flowing to every part of the body.

Eye exercises are simple to do and can be done in a few minutes. One of the easiest is to blink. Blinking helps lubricate and strengthen the eyes. Start by relaxing the eye and then blinking lightly and rapidly 15 times. If you experience eye strain from too much computer time, squeeze your eyes gently shut, open, and relax. Do ten times in a row. Next, try flexing the eyes by looking up without moving your head, then look down. Now look to the left and then the right also keeping the head still. Repeat 10 times.

Palming is a yoga technique used to relieve eye strain. Sit in a relaxed position with eyes closed; place the palms of your hands over your eyes, the base of your palms on your cheeks, and fingers on your forehead. Be sure not to use too much pressure, you should be able be blink your eyes. Hold in this position for two minutes.

Another exercise involves refocusing on object both near and far. Start by focusing on an object near at hand. Once you have completely focused, look at something 30 feet away and focus on that object. Next you can try the same thing with something far in the distance.

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 or contact us to learn more.

The Benefits of Gardening for Older Adults

A garden full of beautiful flowers and/or home-grown vegetables is a gratifying pastime for many seniors. Not only does it offer beauty and wholesome, nutritional food for you and those you share your bounty with, but a healthier lifestyle.

Experts say getting outside to work in the garden is a wonderful way to get exercise and enjoy nature as well as to get a dose of vitamin D. They warn to protect your exposed skin with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, wear light, loose clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and don’t overdo it, and avoid working outside during the heat of the day. Gardening is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and to forget about your problems, at least for a while. Overall even a few hours a week doing something as enjoyable as garden can strengthen muscles, improve mobility and increase flexibility.

Growing tomatoes and lettuce or starting a herb garden is a great place for beginners to start and are appropriate plants for container gardening. For flowers, stick to ones appropriate for your particular region. Planning your garden is a big part of the fun and studies show along with the physical aspect of gardening and the critical thinking skills regarding what to plant and how to take care of it may actually lessen your chance of getting Alzheimer's.

Another often overlooked benefit of gardening is the social aspect. While working in your garden may be a solitary activity, gardeners enjoy getting together in the forms of clubs, visiting their local farmers market, nursery trips, or joining a community garden project.

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community offers stylish independent living and assisted living as well as compassionate, professional memory care. To ensure the comfort and wellbeing of residents, we offer resort-style amenities and services with beautiful common areas inside and out including two-story great rooms, bistro bar, and restaurant-style dining indoors and on our dining patio. Independent living residents enjoy our community amenities as well as a clubhouse located within their neighborhood.

Have Trouble Sleeping?

If you have trouble getting to sleep at night or staying asleep, you are not alone. Millions of people report having insomnia at some point in their life, and while it may not seem significant, lack of sleep can negatively affect every aspect of our lives.

Harvard Health Publishing explains sleep cycles change as we age, and for many, it may mean an interrupted night’s sleep. Most common in older men, medical experts say just because we are not getting a full night’s sleep, doesn’t mean we don’t need it. Dr. Lawrence Epstein, associate physician with the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital says, “"Research has shown that your sleep needs stay constant throughout adulthood." He adds, poor sleep has more to do with changing habits, not need.

He cautions against routinely using over-the-counter sleep aids as they can quickly lose their effectiveness and do nothing to address the underlying problem. Sleep apnea; restless leg syndrome (RLS) and the need to use the bathroom at night may all be interfering with your sleep. Other culprits include depression, lack of exercise and pain.

The doctor offers some tips to improve quality of sleep starting with a bedtime ritual an hour or so before a scheduled bedtime. He recommends relaxing with a warm bath and perhaps reading a book or another quiet pastime other than watching TV. Make sure the room is dark, and run a sound machine if helpful. Don’t get into the habit of napping too long during the day, no more than 20 to 30 minutes, and avoid caffeine and alcohol at least two hours before bedtime, or earlier if it is a problem.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge is one of the area’s top senior living communities and has 38 Casitas, quadraplexes with attached garages, for independent living, 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. We invite you to visit our website for pricing and availability.

Learn More About MorningStar Senior Living of Arvada

At MorningStar Senior Living of Arvada, we proudly offer seniors a range of options including independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term stays and respite care.  

Senior living is a perfect solution for older adults who live alone and are feeling lonely.  Their world may have gotten smaller as they retired from careers or suffered the loss of a spouse or close friends.  Some seniors no longer feel comfortable driving, which can lead to more isolation.  Senior living offers you privacy but now you have the comfort of knowing that people are around when you need them.  Also, you will have the chance to socialize and meet new friends.  

Our comfortable independent living features private suites and spacious common areas including a pool.  All of our independent living residents are welcomed to join in with our various community activities and wellness programs, and enjoy our many amenities such as a fitness room, art studio, theatre, chapel, full-service salon, and more. We handle all the maintenance (no more worries about cutting grass or shoveling show), and offer housekeeping, laundry and other services.  Meals are prepared by our Executive Chef and served in our lovely restaurant-style dining room, bistro or outdoor dining deck.  In other words, residents have the freedom to focus on more fulfilling activities like relaxing and enjoying themselves.

MorningStar’s assisted living is designed for those who want to maintain their independence but require some help with their day-to-day personal care activities.  For families searching for assisted living, our community ensures seniors get the help they need when they need it.  Along with our dining services, wellness activities, and onsite amenities, we offer a full range of care services based on an individualized care plan that includes 24/7 care managers, medication management, access to licensed nurses, and more.   

Lastly, we provide secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments staffed by dementia care specialists who have a deep understanding of the disease.  Our philosophy and approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” Under a Lavender Sky, our ambition is to thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore.  

MorningStar of Arvada 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 create a true home for residents.  Visit our website for more information about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada, CO offers.