Learn More About MorningStar Senior Living and Our Albuquerque Community

MorningStar of Albuquerque is a part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company whose vision is “to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.”  This means right from the start we have made a point to staff our loving home with a team who feel it is a privilege to serve and understand that seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  

In addition, we support MorningStar’s mission of serving others here at home and throughout the world including supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and the Casa Bernabé orphanage in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.  We also support MorningStar’s partnership with “Lifewater,” a non-profit organization that focuses on delivering safe water sources to villages across the globe. 

MorningStar of Albuquerque is also guided by our company’s principles that include: 

• Honoring God in our business practices and relationships 

• Valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals 

• Investing generously in our team’s ability to serve well 

Thus our home’s first priority is to create a comfortable, compassionate home while striving to meet residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs.  Also, while our company was founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews, and understand it is our responsibility to honor spiritual preferences as part of caring for the whole person.

MorningStar of Albuquerque has 48 stylish assisted living suites as well as 21 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Our community is filled with spacious, beautifully appointed common areas both inside and out including gathering spaces, salon, theatre, fitness room and bistro.  Residents also enjoy chef-inspired meals that feature the freshest ingredients from high quality producers and are served all day in our full-service dining room. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand what sets our community apart from other senior living Albuquerque offers, and why MorningStar is a great place to call home.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest senior living Albuquerque, NM offers.

Increase Bone Strength With a Healthy Diet

The Mayo Clinic explains our bodies constantly absorb and replace bone tissue. When a person has osteoporosis, their body is removing old bone but not keeping up with making new bone. Early warning signs of osteoporosis include bone fractures, lost height, curved back, sudden back pain and gastrointestinal problems. However, many people have no symptoms, and it isn’t until a bone fracture or a bone density test (measuring the proportion of minerals in the bones), do they learn they have osteoporosis. A step above osteoporosis is osteopenia, which affects approximately half of Americans over age 50.  

It is important to work with your doctor if your bone loss has progressed to osteoporosis as there are medications that can help build stronger bones. In addition, you can help increase bone strength with a healthy diet of foods high in calcium, vitamins D and K, and protein. Foods containing calcium include dairy and soy, fish and green leafy vegetables like kale. Additionally, many foods are fortified with calcium so check labels. Protein is found in meat, fish, eggs, soy and dairy products, beans, lentils, and legumes as well as seeds and nuts. Experts recommend people over age 70 increase their uptake of vitamin D to 800 IU daily, which they can also obtain from supplements. 

Consuming a lot of salt should be avoided as the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports overconsumption of salt can cause the kidneys to excrete calcium. Studies indicate consuming caffeine in coffee or caffeinated drinks can additionally interfere with the body’ absorption of calcium and it is recommended older adults limit their coffee intake to no more than three cups a day. Limiting alcohol also helps maintain bone health.    

MorningStar of Albuquerque offers a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with an abundance of amenities. Residents enjoy beautifully prepared, nutritional meals made with the freshest ingredients from high quality producers, locally sourced when possible.  Amenities include a fitness room, bistro, salon, theater, library and more. In addition, we offer a range of wellness programs and activities designed to promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle.   For more information about MorningStar’s senior living in Albuquerque, please visit our website. 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us for more information about the finest senior living Albuquerque, NM offers.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/osteoporosis-diet#diet-and-bone-health

Welcome Home to MorningStar of Albuquerque

MorningStar of Albuquerque offers private assisted living suites that are specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors who wish to retain their independence but require some 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 an individualized care plan that ensures your comfort, well-being and safety. 

Some of the services we provide include help with daily personal activities such as bathing and grooming, 24-hour care managers and a licensed nurse available 24/7.  We 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 keep seniors healthy, which is why we have a trained Executive Chef on staff that will create daily meals that are both tasty and nutritional.  Our menu is tailored to accommodate various needs and tastes and includes low sodium, sugar free, vegetarian and low-fat choices.  We feel breaking bread together offers far more than physical nutrients – it helps to bond us together as family and friends.

Our beautifully designed community has plenty of common areas to sit and relax or enjoy a pleasant conversation with a friend.  To keep residents as busy as they want to be, our calendar is loaded with a wide range of activities and wellness programs including exercise classes, games, live entertainment and special events. We offer scheduled transportation services and special outings to local parks, shopping and other recreational venues.   

Along with assisted living, Albuquerque, NM’s MorningStar community offers specialized care in our Reflections Neighborhood for residents with memory impairment.  Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.  We look forward to hearing from you. 

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us for information about the finest assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.

When You Eat a Breakfast With Protein, You Stay Full and Satisfied Longer

How many times have you eaten breakfast, and after an hour or two, you start to feel hungry? Many breakfast options involve foods such as cereals, breads and granola bars that are high in refined grains and sugar. To solve the problem, nutritionists say you should add protein to every meal including your breakfast. 

When you eat a breakfast with protein, you feel fuller and more satisfied for a longer period of time and less apt to reach for high-calorie snacks mid-day. Registered dietician, Lisa Jones, explains an adult’s daily intake of protein should be between 10% and 35% of the calories consumed. She adds, “For example, if your nutritional needs call for 2,000 calories daily, you should get 200 to 700 calories from protein, or 50 to 175 grams.” 

One suggestion for an easy-to-do, protein-rich breakfast is avocado and fried egg on a bagel or enriched whole-grain slice of toast. Omelets are also fairly easy and can be assembled with a variety of fillings such as mushrooms, spinach and bacon. You can increase the protein in a bowl of oatmeal by adding a scoop of protein powder and topping it with almond milk and berries. Try other creative options such as smoked salmon on a toasted whole wheat English muffin spread with cream cheese, or a Greek yogurt parfait layered with granola, nuts, and fruit.  Nutritionists say another incentive for eating protein in the morning is it may help you lose weight as you feel more satisfied for a longer period.  

MorningStar of Albuquerque is a luxury 55+ community with 48 assisted living suites for residents who need help with the activities of daily living. In addition, we have 21 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our all-inclusive community offers a dining service under the direction of an Executive Chef, a range of floor plans to meet our residents’ varying needs, and onsite amenities and care services to provide carefree retirement years.  We are committed to providing the best senior living in Albuquerque, and invite you to set up a tour to see our beautiful home.   

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque, NM offers.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/high-protein-breakfast

Losing Weight Gets Harder as We Get Older

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 that 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 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 instead of cheese. Rather than pasta, use squash or zucchini noodles.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Santa Fe is a 55+ community offering seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security.  Amenities include a fitness room, healthy meals served restaurant-style, enrichment activities, and more. Remarkable for our beautiful surroundings and luxury amenities, we are most proud of our dedicated team who understand it is a privilege to care for seniors.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information about outstanding senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM has to offer.

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

Memory Care at MorningStar of Santa Fe

MorningStar offers unsurpassed senior living in Santa Fe, NM.  Along with 56 private assisted living suites, our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 suites devoted to caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   MorningStar of Santa Fe’s memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. 

As dementia care specialists, we understand how devastating it is when a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another memory loss disease, and we want you to know we are here to help.  Our memory care area is in a separate area specifically designed to allow residents the freedom to explore their expansive surroundings safely and easily.  Within the safe haven of our Reflections Neighborhood, we have created an environment that encourages and supports residents’ independence whenever possible. 

Our holistic approach to memory care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes.  MorningStar leverages the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy to heal and comfort, and provides meaningful wellness programs and activities that engage our residents.  Also, as many adverse behaviors are often side effects from antipsychotic drugs, our goal is to have as few as possible of our residents on such drugs.

We recognize that the essence of the individual remains despite the extent of memory loss, and that our job is to find ways to connect with and nurture it.  MorningStar’s philosophy and approach to this kind of supported living is encompassed under the breadth of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.”  Thus, each day we strive to thoughtfully “enter, embrace and explore” the world of dementia.  Please visit our website for more information about compassionate, loving memory care in Santa Fe.

 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Help Maintain and Enhance Memory and Overall Brain Health

In an article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health.  Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.      

One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain.  An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.”  Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming.  However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider.  

In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health.  This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits.  

Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night.  Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.”

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, our goal is to be the finest senior living in Albuquerque, NM, and we work hard to provide a comfortable home and a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  We offer chef-inspired all-day dining, a range of care services, luxury amenities, and a complement of wellness programs and activities. Our community has 48 stylish assisted living suites and another 21 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest senior living Albuquerque offers. Please contact us to learn why MorningStar is such a great place to call home. 

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory