Friday, January 15, 2021

We are Committed to the Comfort, Wellbeing & Safety of Residents

 MorningStar at Arcadia’s goal is to provide the best assisted living Phoenix offers, and we are committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our remarkable residents.  To accomplish this lofty goal, our approach takes into account every aspect of senior living from the design of our gorgeous community to a broad range of care services, amenities, and wellness programs.  In fact, Ken Jaeger, MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder, had specific ideas on how to foster the ultimate environment for the wellbeing of seniors and it is the guiding spirit in which our community operates on.

For assisted living residents, private suites are available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (including penthouse suites). Each suite has high-end finishes, a handicap-accessible bathroom, ceiling lighting, high ceilings, and large windows.  Suites also include a kitchenette with refrigerator, 24-hour emergency call system, and a private heating & air conditioning system.  Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal. 

At MorningStar at Arcadia, our assisted living offers five levels of care.  Your level of care will be determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with you and your extended family.  Also, regardless of your level of care, we provide all residents with around-the-clock Care Managers to meet your needs and ensure your comfort and safety.       

As a resident of MorningStar, you will get three daily meals that are meticulously prepared largely from scratch by our Executive Chef.  Each meal is nutritious as well as delicious and recipes are modified to address a number of different dietary restrictions including low sodium or low fat, sugar-free, no sugar, and vegetarian options.   In addition, residents will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and programs that are designed to promote physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness.   


Add to that, our dedicated team members who are the heartbeat of our community and the kind of people who come to work each day with a smile on their face.  They understand it is a privilege to serve and many come to know and treat our residents as they do their own moms and dads.  As a true home, we consider our residents, their families and team members to be part of the MorningStar family.  Please see our website for more information about our exceptional community.  


MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide our residents the best assisted living Phoenix has to offer.

Artistic Expression is Good for the Soul, Mind & Body

 As we grow older, it is important to continue to nurture and connect to our inner healing voice.  Creative expression is one way to do that and can lead us to a place of deeper understanding and self-discovery.  Moreover with so many various disciplines such as dance, music, drama, the visual arts, writing, woodworking or photography, we are certain to find something that speaks to us.    

As many of us did not have opportunities to express our creativity as we moved into adulthood and began the process of building a career and raising a family, our retirement years are the perfect time to renew or begin a creative pursuit.  Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources, defines the experience as: “The arts address the idea of an aesthetic experience. An aesthetic experience is one in which the senses are operating at their peak, when you are present in the current moment, when you are resonating with the excitement of this thing that you are experiencing, when you are fully alive.” 

In support of this concept, the National Endowment for the Arts and the George Washington University conducted a widely-respected, multisite national study in 2001 to determine the impact of professional, community-based cultural programs on the general health, mental health and social activities of persons 65 years and older.  Led by the director of the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at the University, Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, the study found that the arts have a positive effect on health and illness as we age.

The MorningStar of Santa Fe senior living community fully recognizes the importance of seniors living meaningful, creative lives, which is why we have built our home around engaging ways to stay active and productive for man’s good and God’s glory. Our many activities focus on mental, physical, spiritual and social connections and give residents something to look forward to each day.  For the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers, please see our website.   

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Please contact us for more information on unrivaled senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Source:
joyfulheartfoundation.org/reunion/creative-expression
todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/news/ex_082809_03.shtml

Are You the Main Caregiver for an Elderly Family Member?

 If you are the main caregiver for an elderly family member who requires help with the activities of daily living (ADLs), it may be the job is becoming too much for you.  The Nov/Dec issue of Today’s Geriatric Medicine cites a study by the “National Alliance for Caregiving and Caring Across Generations,” which states that more than 11 million American adults are considered sandwich generation caregivers and bear the responsibility of simultaneously caring for their children as well as an aging family member.  In total it is believed there are approximately 40.4 million unpaid caregivers for adults 65 years and older in the United States consisting of adult children, spouses, relatives or friends.  In addition, 61 percent of those caregivers are employed, including nearly half who work full-time and juggle their own family responsibilities.    

While for most, caregiving is a labor of love but there is no denying it can be challenging.  Whether you are an adult child with your own children, a spouse, or another relative, you may feel it is time to ask for help.  This decision may lead you to an assisted living community where mom or dad will receive all the care they need and you can go back to being their loving child.  If you are a spouse who has been responsible for the caregiving duties, senior living communities such as MorningStar of Albuquerque warmly welcome married couples to live together in their own suite, surrounded by their own treasured possessions. 


We are pleased to give residents and their families peace of mind knowing that trained care managers are there to help navigate changes in health, and that transportation is available for doctor visits and other errands.  It is also a relief to know mom or dad will have nutritional, daily meals prepared by our own Executive Chef, built-in companionship, and the comfort of knowing someone is always around to lend a hand if needed.  


In addition, MorningStar of Albuquerque has a team of caregivers who feel it is a privilege to serve seniors and understand that residents deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  Our community has 48 suites for assisted living and 21 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  If you are looking for outstanding memory care or assisted living, Albuquerque’s MorningStar community encourages you to contact us for more information about our beautiful home.  

MorningStar of Albuquerque’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.


Sources: 

viewer.zmags.com/publication/d04ca42b#/d04ca42b/9

pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/18/5-facts-about-family-caregivers/

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Senior Living You Can Trust!


Placing a loved one in an assisted living or memory care community is not done lightly as we want the very best care for them. Trust is an important part of that decision, which is why MorningStar of Santa Fe is pleased to share a couple of the reviews we have received from family members of our residents. 

One resident’s daughter writes about how much she appreciated the fact that the staff is always willing to lend a helping hand, and she loves the warm welcome she gets from the moment she steps through the door. She goes on to say, “The Reflections Neighborhood staff is taking great care of dad,” and adds, “I have no worries about his care. I appreciate all you do for my dad and highly recommend your Assisted Living facility to all.”

Another family expressed their gratitude with the following message: “My 93-year-old mom spent the last few months of her life in this assisted living setting. The staff, from top to bottom, was so loving and conscientious from the time my mom arrived through the time of her passing. Nice, smart, responsible, compassionate people. Our family sincerely thanks MorningStar staff and administration for everything.” 

We do want to give a shout-out to our remarkable team members as we know that we could not deliver this kind of service without them. MorningStar of Santa Fe is lucky to attract a team of caregivers that are dedicated and feel privileged to serve. In addition we provide each with the support and training they need to be successful including Radiance, our brand standard of Service Excellence. Its precepts are introduced to team members upon hiring, and celebrate an attitude of selflessness that issues from a deep and sincere place - like a beam of light. Please visit our website for senior living in Santa Fe, NM that is delivered with warmth, sincerity and depth. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Visit our website for the best senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Tips to Help Your Elderly Loved Ones Avoid Being Scammed

 

Each year millions of elderly seniors fall prey to ruthless schemes that rob them of their money and identity. The sad part it is often a result of a senior’s trusting nature or feelings of isolation and loneliness; or in some cases, a senior may have cognitive issues that impair their judgement and decision-making skills. Experts also say seniors are from a generation that was raised to be polite and agreeable to others, which in turn can make them more susceptible to fraud.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) updates the public to current scams targeting seniors so if you have a parent or other elderly loved ones who may be at risk, take a look at the info and discuss the various schemes used with them. One scam frequently used this year is a phone call, email or in-person approach to collect money for disaster relief. Thieves also scam those who have been the victim of a disaster by trying to collect personal information under the guise of providing some sort of financial relief.

The NCOA says there are ways to avoid getting scammed such as never giving out your personal information to anyone but a trusted family member, friend or your professional financial advisor. In addition never make big financial decisions without consulting with one of those trusted people. Also do not give out personal PIN #s, or Medicare and other financial info over the phone unless you initiated the call or know the person.

Other commonsense advice includes being wary of high-pressure sales persons, never signing a contract until you understand it entirely, and to be suspicious of unexpected announcements of winning money, trips, or other prizes. Experts say it is most likely a hoax. Always take your time when making financial decisions and do not give blanket approval to a vendor for medical equipment and other purchases.

Please visit MorningStar of Sparks to learn more about vibrant senior living in Reno. Our community has 128 bright suites for independent living and another 80 for assisted living. Within our memory care wing, we provide 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us for more info regarding one of the finest Reno assisted living & independent living communities.

Source:

ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/protection-from-scams/

MorningStar of Albuquerque Provides Compassionate, Loving Care

 If you are considering assisted living, Albuquerque NM’s MorningStar community may be the answer.   Unlike many other senior communities in the area, our warm and welcoming home was designed from the ground up to serve both assisted living residents as well as our most tender memory care residents. 

MorningStar of Albuquerque is dedicated to providing compassionate, loving care that enhances our residents’ lives.  We are proud to have a team of individuals with a felt calling to serve, and who consider seniors to be heroes.  Each staff member is the type of person who does the right things even when no one is watching and willingly goes the extra mile to assist our residents.  


A sign that a loved one would do better in assisted living includes a person who lives alone and has had a fall (or more than one) over the last six months.  While hopefully they were not seriously injured, please keep in mind how dangerous falls are for seniors.  The CDC reports that, “each year one in four older adults aged 65 and older will fall. Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury.”  In 2017 this resulted in 29 million falls, 3 million emergency department visits, 800,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths.  At MorningStar, every resident has around-the-clock Care Managers and access to full-time Licensed Nurses (on call 24/7).  In addition, each of our private suites has an emergency call system installed.    


Another reason assisted living makes sense for so many seniors right now is the isolation from sheltering at home due to the pandemic.  For elderly adults who live alone, this can be very lonely as many are not able to spend time with their family members including their grandchildren.  While it is great to be able to Skype or Facetime, we all know it is not the same thing.    


While just a few examples of the numerous advantages senior living offers, a community like MorningStar of Albuquerque is committed to ensuring the wellbeing and comfort of our residents on all levels.  Think about the benefit of no longer having to grocery shop and prepare meals as we offer a 5-star dining service, or worry about getting safely to doctor visits and other important errands as we provide scheduled transportation.  


Finally, we want you to know we have made many changes in our community to keep both residents and team members safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We continue to stay abreast of developments and evaluate best practices and innovations in our services to seniors. Please visit our website for more information. 

 

MorningStar of Albuquerque’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.

Friday, January 1, 2021

Seniors with Chronic Diseases are More at Risk for Poor Nutrition

 The National Council on Aging (NCOA) cautions that elderly adults with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease among others, are more at risk for poor nutrition.  Bad eating habits, loss of appetite, lack of access to healthy foods due to an inability to get out and shop, or a shortage of money, only add to the problem.  

The NCOA also wants seniors to know that poor nutrition not only makes it harder to manage chronic diseases but may actually make you more vulnerable to coming down with them.  Another problem is it can weaken your immune system leaving you susceptible to the flu, colds and other viruses.  Moreover, poor nutrition can hamper one’s ability to recover from surgical procedures, heal wounds, and increases the risk for infection or falls.     


Also, as many elderly people have a decrease in appetite and consume much smaller portions each day, the food they do eat needs to be nutrient-dense.  This is one reason experts recommend the elderly avoid foods high in sugar, salt and trans fats as well as processed foods, which often are short on nutrients and much needed vitamins and minerals.  


At MorningStar at Arcadia, we know that good nutrition is important to the health of seniors.  This is why we offer our residents not only delicious daily meals but ones that are largely prepared from scratch and include the freshest ingredients.  Our range of nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat so residents can self-manage their diet.  Our Executive Chef even incorporates “super foods” such as acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate, and leafy, dark greens to enhance our food service. For more information on the finest memory care and assisted living Phoenix offers, please contact us or visit our website.


MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. If you are looking for exceptional memory care or assisted living, Phoenix’s MorningStar at Arcadia may be your answer.

Source: ncoa.org/healthy-aging/chronic-disease/nutrition-chronic-conditions/