MorningStar’s Approach to Service

One essential thing that sets MorningStar apart from other senior living communities is our unique approach to service.  At MorningStar of Santa Fe, all of our new team members will be trained in our proprietary service program known as “Radiance.”  The program is much more than just a way to offer customer service to our residents but rather our brand standard of Service Excellence. 

The very essence of Radiance begins in a deep and sincere place, much like a beam of light, and celebrates an attitude of selflessness.  The program provides us with a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and is the basis for how we dispense service - through warmth, sincerity and depth.  Along with introducing the program to each new team member, we also will be reiterating and strengthening the program’s concepts during daily short meetings called the “Huddle.” 

In 2003, MorningStar was founded on the premise that the company will operate with “servants’ hearts” and the Radiance program gives us the framework that enables us to take our service professionalism to the next level.  We recognize that the heart of each MorningStar community rests in the quality of our caregivers, which is why we hire individuals who have a calling to serve seniors and understand the importance of their contribution.   

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s goal is to have a compassionate and caring team with a ready smile for our residents as well as the time to listen to a story and lend a helping hand where needed.   We invite you to visit our website to learn more about Santa Fe’s newest and most assuredly the best assisted living and memory care.  

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.  We invite you to drop in to our Information Center or give us a call to learn more about our exceptional community.

Visiting a Memory Care Community

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arcadia emphatically agrees with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community.  While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name. 

The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory.  They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise.  In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you.  It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss.

Jolene Brackey also shares some tips from her book, Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Disease, to help family members when visiting.  She suggests you begin your visit by introducing yourself, and to use their given name rather than calling them “mom” or “dad” as they may have forgotten that their kids are already grown.  If your loved one has a familiar nickname, you can use that.   

Ms. Brackey also recommends that you visit “one on one” or in small groups, and to bring the conversation around to pleasant memories from their past.  If you do get them talking, give them plenty of time to respond to a question or to follow directions.    

MorningStar at Arcadia reminds family members that a new voice is always a welcome change and a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers can lift the spirits of someone struggling with dementia.  Your friendly, loving visit can have a positive effect on your loved one for the rest of the day. 

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 exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we offer our residents the best assisted living in Phoenix AZ.

Source:  alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf

Walking is Great Exercise for Seniors

Experts agree that walking is beneficial to seniors’ health as it can stop bone mass loss, strengthen leg and abdominal muscles, and improve circulation by helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for heart disease.  Walking can also lead to weight loss or help to maintain your weight, help you sleep better, increase your mental sharpness, and improve balance and stability.  It can even increase your lifespan.  However, if you have not exercised in a while, doctors recommend you start slowly and only gradually increase your distance and pace.

If you let your health care provider know you are going to start walking, they can help you determine a safe starting point.  From the onset you may only be able to walk a block, but over time, you will be able to go farther and should start noticing benefits fairly quickly.  Additionally, experts say even if you need a cane or a walker to safely move about, don’t let that stop you from walking, just take it with you.  Also wear properly fitted comfortable shoes that provide good arch support.   If you have foot problems, talk to your doctor about orthopedic shoes. 

Remember do not overexert yourself.  Walk at a safe pace and keep in mind that the most important thing is to just get started.  For your safety, tuck your cell phone into a pocket that you can easy get to if the need arises and stay hydrated.  To help keep you motivated, walk with a buddy or join a walking group. 

At MorningStar of Sparks, we wholeheartedly agree that exercise is important for seniors and residents can walk on the grounds as well as participate in other scheduled exercise classes or use the well-equipped fitness room.  Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community, activities and programs, and our wide range of amenities. 

Please consult your health care provider before starting any type of exercise.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Sparks NV.

Learn More Assisted Living at MorningStar of Santa Fe

Opening in Fall 2018 MorningStar of Santa Fe will offer 56 private assisted living suites that are specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors who wish to retain their independence but require a little help each day.  Once you decide that MorningStar is the place you want to call “home,” you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director to discuss your needs and set up a care plan that ensures your comfort, well-being and safety.

Some of the services we will provide include help with daily personal activities such as bathing and grooming; 24-hour Care Managers; a CPR-trained staff member on each shift, and a licensed nurse on call 24/7 and on-site 5 days a week.  We will also provide regular Care Plan reviews, medication management, scheduled health and wellness evaluations, pharmacy services, and much more.  Each MorningStar Care Level has its own monthly fee and is based on the cost and time it takes to provide the service.    

In addition, we know that a good diet is important to keeping seniors healthy, which is why we will have a trained Executive Chef on staff that prepares daily meals that are both tasty and nutritional.  Our menu is tailored to accommodate various needs and tastes and include low sodium, sugar free, vegetarian and low fat choices. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s assisted living will also include a range of wellness programs and activities designed to entertain and stimulate our residents.  Along with scheduled transportation services, we will also have special scheduled outings to local parks, shopping and other recreational venues.  

Along with our assisted living suites, MorningStar of Santa Fe will offer 29 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood that are devoted to the specialized care of those with dementia.  We encourage you to visit our website or stop by our Information Center to see for yourself the caring environment that makes MorningStar a real home. 

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.  We invite you to drop in to our Information Center or give us a call to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Santa Fe.   

Seniors and Driving Safety

Older drivers can still be good, safe drivers, but there are some things to consider both for your safety and the safety of others.  The Mayo Clinic recommends that seniors stay as active as possible in their day-to-day life which helps to maintain overall strength, flexibility, and range of motion.  Drivers need to be able to turn and look over their shoulder and move their head with ease.  They must be able to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and legs need to be strong enough to apply pressure to the gas pedal or brake. 

A senior’s peripheral vision can decrease with age or from certain medications and other eye problems may cause drivers to have trouble seeing in the dark or experience blurred vision.  Hearing problems can interfere with detecting sounds of sirens from emergency vehicles or approaching cars.  Be vigilant about scheduling vision and hearing tests regularly as part of your wellness care and follow your doctor’s advice as to how often they should be done.  Many problems can be corrected if caught early enough.   

Remember that certain medications can cause drowsiness so make sure you know the side effects of your prescription drugs and do not drive if you are feeling sleepy.  It may be a good idea to limit trips in the car to daylight hours and when the weather is good.  Keep in mind that a person’s reaction time slows with age as do their motor skills.  You may need to re-evaluate your driving every so few months, especially if you find yourself having incidences of accidents that almost happen. 

The MedicineNet website has some safe driving tips for seniors:

Planning before you leave:

·         Plan to drive on streets you know.

·         Limit your trips to places that are easy to get to and close to home.

·         Take routes that let you avoid risky spots like ramps and left turns.

·         Add extra time for travel if driving conditions are bad.

·         Don't drive when you are stressed or tired.

While you are driving:

·         Always wear your seat belt.

·         Stay off the cell phone.

·         Avoid distractions such as listening to the radio or having conversations.

·         Leave a big space, at least two car lengths, between your car and the one in front of you. If you are driving at higher speeds or if the weather is bad, leave even more space between you and the next car.

·         Make sure there is enough space behind you. (Hint: if someone follows you too closely, slow down so that the person will pass you.)

·         Use your rear window defroster to keep the back window clear at all times.

·         Keep your headlights on at all times.

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 exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we offer our residents the best assisted living in Phoenix AZ.

Live as Healthy as Possible in Your Senior Years

The website, Everyday Health Media reports that you can expect to live on average another 19.2 years if you reach the age of 65.  However they explain in order to be one of those lucky enough to live to be 85 years or older, you need to carefully manage your chronic health conditions and follow good health habits. 

Aging experts such as Jeanne Wei, MD, the director of the Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical School, explains, “You need to be physically active and eat a healthy diet and also make healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking and losing weight, to avoid senior health risks.”  She adds that it is helpful to include a geriatrician on your health care team.  

Furthermore, it is never too late to begin improving your health.  Whether you are suffering from diabetes, heart disease, or many other chronic health problems, doctors say you can benefit from even a moderate amount of physical activity.  Engaging in physical activity helps to make your bones and muscles stronger and can lessen your risk for falls.  Also if you do have a fall, your bones will be stronger and less likely to break.  Additionally research shows that physical activity is as good for your brain as it is for your body, but before you embark on any new physical activity, please talk to your physician. 

The FamilyDoctor.org website suggests that walking may be the easiest exercise for seniors as you can start at your own pace and you do not need any special equipment.  They also recommend gardening, dancing, swimming, Tai chi or yoga as good exercises for seniors. 

One of the many benefits of living at MorningStar of Sparks is that we make it easy for seniors to live a healthy lifestyle.  Our meals are both tasty as well as healthy and we offer lots of fun physical activities to keep our residents moving.  Please see our website to learn more about the best senior living community in Sparks.

Our post is for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking the advice of your health care provider.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Sparks NV.

Sources: everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/ 

//familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html   

Start Improving Your Health Today

Since Americans are living longer, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself to ensure your later years are good ones.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains there are real benefits to a healthy lifestyle and adds that it is never too late to begin.  Another recently published study by Sian Robinson, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Southampton, also emphatically states that, "Improving the quality of your diet can have a beneficial effect on health, whatever your age."

Experts advise that one of the best things older adults can do to stay healthy is to eat a balanced diet and to keep their minds and bodies active.  Other healthy habits include not smoking, getting regular checkups and learning how to prevent falls. 

At the FamilyDoctor.org website, they remind seniors that even small changes such as daily physical activity can make a difference.  Moreover as you increase your physical activity, it will help to strengthen your bones and muscles, which in turn can help prevent falls.  If you do fall, stronger bones are less susceptible to breaking. 

Participating in routine physical activity also helps your brain and studies indicate that people who regularly exercise make better decisions.  In fact exercise is so important to our health that experts say the benefits outweigh the risk of an exercise-related injury.  Even chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease may improve with exercise.   The NIH does suggests that seniors new to exercising start slowly; and before you begin any new exercise, consult your health care provider.   

Another easy-to-do tip from Family Doctor is to eat food high in fiber.  Not only does it help your colon work better but it may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.  Some research suggests it may help to lower your cholesterol levels.   Whatever healthy changes you decide to incorporate into your everyday life should help you feel better and can be done over a period of time.

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.  We invite you to drop in to our Information Center or give us a call to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Santa Fe.   

Sources: nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthyaging.html medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_169515.html

familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and beyond.html