Our New Happy Valley Community is Designed as a “True Home”

Great News! MorningStar of Happy Valley’s Information Center is now open seven days a week.  We invite you to stop by and learn more about our new assisted living and memory care community opening later this year.  We are located in a residential neighborhood southeast of Portland, at the intersection of SE Sunnyside Rd. and SE 145th Ave.

As one of the newest senior living communities in the greater Portland area, MorningStar of Happy Valley will offer 61 assisted living suites and 27 secure suites for memory care.  Residents will have 24/7 care and a wide assortment of resort-style amenities to ensure their comfort and wellbeing.  Our wellness programs and activities will be designed to engage and support residents’ physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs.

Starting with our attractive exterior, MorningStar of Happy Valley will be a place anyone would be proud to call home.  Situated on an expansive 2-acre parcel, it will provide residents and their families the opportunity to get out and enjoy Oregon’s beautiful weather.  The exterior areas feature comfortable courtyards with unique artwork and trellises, strolling paths, resident gardening areas, and a barbecue and fire pit.

In addition, our spacious 3-story building will offer lots of common areas that include a general store, salon, game room, fitness and wellness center, and a 24-hour bistro with full bar.  As a resident, you will be treated to delicious, healthy meals prepared by our Executive Chef and served restaurant-style in our charming dining room.  And for special occasions, we offer a private dining room for intimate diners. 

Beautifully-appointed throughout, our interior is designed by the award-winning senior interior specialist, Thoma-Holec Design, known for their passion and expertise in designing comfortable, functional, innovative and dignified environments for seniors.  Please visit our website or stop by the Information Center for more information. We look forward to meeting you and your family.

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living in the Happy Valley – Clackamas area.   

Join the “MorningStar Family” at Our New Happy Valley Community

When our beautiful MorningStar of Happy Valley opens its doors later this year, we will be excited to finally get the chance to start serving our special residents.  Our whole team is committed to being one of the finest senior living communities in the area and to live up to our unique mission statements as follows:

• Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and ethics
• Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence
• Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well — a commitment to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve residents     

MorningStar Senior Living’s founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, began the company out of his desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch.  He said his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  Fifteen years later, MorningStar has continued to grow and prosper including MorningStar of Happy Valley as well as another Oregon community, MorningStar of Beaverton, which opened last year.

Our team is made up of a group of individuals who do the right thing even when no one is watching and feel privileged to serve seniors.  Our compassionate community is filled with love and laughter as we aspire to and nurture our core value of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness.  Please visit our website to learn more about our community as well as for information on pricing and availability.          

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Happy Valley, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s Assisted Living Caters to All of Your Needs

MorningStar of Happy Valley is getting ready to open its doors later this year.  As the area’s newest assisted living and memory care community, we will fill a well-needed niche for senior housing in Happy Valley Oregon, a fast-growing suburb of Portland.  Our community has 61 private assisted living suites, and another 27 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases. 

If you or a loved one is considering a move to assisted living and are wondering how your costs are determined, we can provide you with a general guideline.  Assisted living offers seniors 62 years and older compassionate assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in a residential setting and each resident’s care is personalized to address their needs.  Even before you move in, MorningStar’s Wellness Director will sit down with you and your family and do a thorough assessment in order to create an individualized care plan.  Once you have moved in, your trained Care Managers will see to it your needs are met, and as we do routine Care Plan reviews, any changes to your health will be addressed. 

You monthly fee is based on a couple of things including your choice of apartment (we offer spacious studios and one-and two bedrooms suites) and its location within the building and views.  In addition we offer five levels of care for assisted living, and your level will be determined by your care plan. MorningStar also offers a range of auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, which are priced a la carte.    

MorningStar of Happy Valley is designed to meet residents’ every need and offers a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Amenities include a bistro, life enrichment room, fitness and wellness center, library and much more. Throughout our community, you will find inviting areas to sit and have a chat with friends or family or the perfect spot to find some solitude and just enjoy the day. Our equally enjoyable outdoor areas include courtyards featuring artwork and a trellis, barbecue, fire pit and strolling paths.   Please visit our website for more information. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living in the Happy Valley – Clackamas area.   

Help Prevent Falls with Balance Exercises

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest statistics show that one in four Americans aged 65 years and older falls each year.  Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, and number of falls will continue to increase as America’s baby boomers grow older.

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

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

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

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

As one of the area’s top senior living communities, MorningStar of Happy Valley will offer exercise classes to improve balance, strengthen muscles, and increase joint flexibility.  Our various enrichment activities and wellness programs are designed to enhance and support our residents’ physical, mental, spiritual and social connections.  Please visit our website for more information about our beautiful new community opening later this year.

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

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Happy Valley, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. 

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

Short-term Respite Care at Englefield Green

Caring for a loved one can be very rewarding, but it can also be stressful especially when it is a long-term arrangement and there is no cure for what ails your loved one.   If you are a regular caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you need to take a break from time to time for your own wellbeing.  One of the tips experts suggest to get the caregiving help you need is to look into respite care.

At MorningStar at Englefield Green, we offer caregivers the chance to feel comfortable about taking a well-deserved break by providing your loved one with a warm and loving temporary home.  Our entire community is devoted to providing holistic dementia care that is designed to nurture the essence of the individual and reaffirm their dignity and value.  In addition, we are set up to care for those in the early onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.

As a short-term respite care resident, your loved one will get all of the amenities and services we provide for our permanent residents.  This includes three daily meals prepared by our own Executive Chef that are geared toward encouraging the appetite of those with dementia.  In addition, all of our respite care residents participate in our wellness programs and activities, special events and scheduled outings. 

To ensure the comfort and safety of your loved one, we provide 24-hour care, medication management and group transportation.  Furthermore, our respite care suite (subject to availability) is fully furnished so all you need to do is bring your loved one’s personal items.  Please visit our website to learn more about our community and for contact information on respite care.  You deserve a break from your 24/7 caregiving responsibilities.  

 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Englefield Green, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other assisted living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best dementia care in Boise.

Seniors and Heat-related Illness

While beautiful, summers in Rio Rancho are hot and sunny with temperatures typically in the upper-80s or higher so it is important to remember that seniors in particular can easily become overheated.   As statistics unfortunately show, during 1999-2009 “approximately 40 percent of all heat-related deaths in the U.S. – nearly 3,000 – were adults over 65 years old.” 

Experts explain this is mainly due to the fact that as we age, we are less efficient at regulating our body temperature.  When people over the age of 65 heat up, they do not sweat as much as they did when they were younger and sweating is one of the body’s most important heat-regulation features.  Seniors also store fat differently, which makes them more prone to heat illnesses and as temperatures heat up, so does their internal body temperature especially in hot environments or in the direct sun. 

Another reason why seniors become overheated is their thirst sensation has lessened, which can lead to dehydration and heat-related illness.  Instead of feeling thirsty, many seniors just feel tired and dragged out. Even the kidneys do not conserve body water as well, which can cause problems.  Furthermore, it is important to know certain drugs can cause dehydration including diuretics and medications for blood pressure and heart disease.  

Diet can also play a role in becoming dehydrated, which is why food high in sodium should be avoided.  If you are a senior or help to care for one, please remember to drink water throughout the day, eat lots of fruit and vegetables, and to stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks.

MorningStar of Rio Rancho’s mission is to provide the best senior living in Rio Rancho NM, and our residents enjoy a home that is not only beautiful but designed to accommodate their every need.  Our deliciously prepared meals take into account seniors’ dietary restrictions with choices that include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat for our residents to self-manage.  Please visit our website for more details and contact information. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM.

Managing Medications can be Difficult for the Elderly

It is no wonder that some elderly adults get confused with their medications and often miss doses or take too much of a medication. According to 2010 statistics, “medication usage among elderly patients in the US is eye-opening: more than one-third of prescription drugs used in the US are taken by elderly patients; the ambulatory elderly fill between 9-13 prescriptions a year (including new prescriptions and refills).”  In addition the average elderly patient takes more than five prescription medications; and the average nursing home patient takes seven medications.

If your elderly parent is on several medications, do you know if they are managing dosages appropriately?  A quick look in their medicine cabinet or wherever they keep their medications should give you a good idea.  If they have outdated bottles of pills mixed in with current prescriptions or un-opened bags from the pharmacy, chances are they are not doing a good job.

Experts warn it can be a sensitive topic to broach with your loved one, but if you start slowly, you should be able to help them get things sorted out and organized.  Begin by listing all of the current medications they take including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins. Your list should include medicine they take every day and things they use occasionally.

Now take the list to their pharmacist to see if the combination of what they are taking is safe to do so.  Many drugs can poorly interact with one another or be redundant. Check with their doctor to see if they still need to take a particular drug or is it just getting refilled over and over again.  If it helps, get a new pillbox that better fits their need. There are many choices including color coded and multiple holders. If medication management continues to be a problem, you may need to get more help for your parent. 

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, our assisted living community is designed to provide the utmost care for our residents.  From healthy daily meals to wellness programs and activities, we have a whole range of services and resort-style amenities to ensure their comfort and wellbeing.  Our care services include care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication care managers. If you are you looking for senior living in Rio Rancho NM, please visit our website for more information.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM.

Want to Tour Rio Rancho’s New Senior Living Community?

MorningStar’s senior living in Rio Rancho NM offers residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. We have 51 bright suites for assisted living in a range of configurations including spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Our memory care residents are cared for in their own Reflections Neighborhood. The expansive area includes 26 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages.

While our team is more than willing to brag about how beautiful our home is and to tell interested families all about our resort-style amenities, wide range of care services and wonderful staff, we think you should see it for yourself.  The best way to really experience the loving atmosphere beneath our roof is to take a tour of our senior living community. 

We make setting up a tour easy-to-do as we have a link right on our website.  The online form takes just a few minutes to fill out, and we even give you the chance to let us know your particular areas of interest, and will tailor your visit using those priorities. 

We recommend you allow at least 45 minutes for your visit in order to see what we are all about.  Also if you can, we encourage you to join us for a leisurely lunch; it is a great opportunity to sample our extraordinary food!   If you would like to do so, please count on being with us an additional 45 minutes. Simply let us know when you set up your tour.   Once you submit your online form, someone from our team will get back to you to schedule a day and time that is convenient for you. We look forward to meeting you!

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM.

The Best Senior Living in Rio Rancho Starts with a Compassionate Team

If you have started the search for the best senior housing Rio Rancho NM has to offer, you may have already discovered that senior living communities are not all the same.  At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we feel that while we offer all of the luxury amenities, care services and wellness programs our residents need, the thing that sets us apart is our loving, professional team.

In order for us to deliver the Service Excellence our MorningStar brand demands, it requires a staff that has one thing in common – a big heart.  Our hiring process starts by looking for individuals with virtues that include kindness, character and selflessness. We look for people who have a felt calling to serve, and feel like we do, that seniors are heroes and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

Upon hiring, each team member takes our Radiance training, which is much more than a customer service program but rather an attitude.  We use it to guide the way we deliver service - with depth of purpose and sincerity, and its percepts are reiterated each day during our daily Huddle.
     
Each team member also receives training in our Lavender Sky program that is designed to aid all of our employees, regardless of their positions, to better understand our memory care residents.  It explains the disease and outlines our holistic approach to memory care that includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the essence of a person despite the extent of their memory loss. 
 
Our MorningStar or Rio Rancho team feels privileged to serve seniors, and we all work together to provide our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Our assisted living offers various levels of support, which is determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director. As dementia care experts, we feel it is our calling to care for our most tender residents as well as offer support to their families.  Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the best senior housing Rio Rancho NM offers.

Our “Extraordinary Brand” of Senior Living is Now in Rio Rancho, NM

If you are looking for the best senior housing Rio Rancho NM has to offer, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Rio Rancho.  Not only are we the city’s newest community but the most unique one with a mission statement of: honoring God in all business practices and relationships; valuing all seniors as gifted, contributing individuals; and investing generously in our team’s ability to serve.  We proudly bring to the area our special brand of compassionate assisted living and memory care, and while only open for a short time, we are well on our way to creating a loving “MorningStar family.”
  
Although we have all been busy, it has been enjoyable getting to know our new residents as we help them settle into their new home.  We attribute much of our smooth opening to MorningStar’s hardworking team members who embody qualities such as kindness and character.  We also feel blessed to have a group of wonderful residents and their families who have entrusted MorningStar’s team with their care. Another thing that has helped us to get it “right” is the fact that we are part of a company of highly-respected senior living communities spread out across the Western U.S., and thereby have lots of good examples to follow.   Our communities include MorningStar of Albuquerque and MorningStar of Santa Fe.

The MorningStar of Rio Rancho team would love to hear from area families who are interested in our community.  We invite you to give us a call or email us (visit our website for contact information). Our website also has several online links for pricing and availability or to set up a tour. In addition we have lots of resources and information regarding assisted living in general such as how to start a conversation on the subject with an elderly parent.  Moreover, you will find out a lot more about our special brand of assisted living.  Please keep in mind that today’s senior housing is much different than it was even a couple of decades ago and our beautiful new community is a great example. 
  
MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the best senior housing Rio Rancho NM offers.

What Sets Englefield Green Apart from Other Communities?

For everyone involved, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease is heart wrenching.  As a family, you are faced with many difficult decisions and that includes deciding what type of living arrangements will best suit your loved one. 

At MorningStar Memory Care at Englefield Green, we are committed to providing the best dementia care in the Boise area.  So, what is it that sets us apart from other memory care communities?  To start with Englefield Green was specifically designed to serve the needs of those suffering from memory impairment diseases.  Our community, newly opened in the fall of 2017, was built to allow residents the freedom to explore their expansive surroundings as independently as possible while at the same time ensuring their safety.

When people visit MorningStar at Englefield Green for the first time, they discover a loving home filled with warm and inviting common areas. Our spacious community has four fireside living rooms, secure courtyards, a life enrichment room, bistro, library, theater (including Wii), and a full salon.  In addition, all residents are encouraged to participate in a full range of daily wellness programs and activities designed to support and engage their physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social connections.  We also offer musical entertainment and sing-alongs as well as planned outings such as scenic drives or walks around the neighborhood. 

However, beyond all of our beautiful well-designed surroundings, activities and programs, we are most proud of our caring and loving staff.  Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.  As dementia care specialists, we feel privileged to walk alongside our residents and their families on this unexpected journey. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Englefield Green, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other assisted living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best dementia care in Boise.

Music May Help Calm Those with Alzheimer’s Disease

The Mayo Clinic reports on research that suggests listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. They explain the reason may be that “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.”  Listening to music can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation. 

Music can bring back memories to those even in the most advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.  Alzheimers.net quotes neurologist Oliver Sacks, who says, “Music evokes emotion, and emotion can bring with it memory… it brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.”  When music is incorporated into the everyday activities of someone with dementia, it can help them to recall memories of that activity and improve cognitive ability over time. 

Research has shown that some of the last two abilities in Alzheimer’s patients are musical abilities and the appreciation of it, which is why it is such an effective way to try and reach the essence of the person.  It has also been found to help those in the more advanced stages of the disease to express and share emotions with their caregivers through dancing or moving along with the rhythm. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America says, “When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function and coordinate motor movements.”  

MorningStar of Fountain Hills is one of the top assisted living communities in the area offering dedicated memory care.  As dementia care specialists, our training and experience has given us a deep understanding of the disease.  Our holistic approach includes leveraging the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy to heal and comfort.  Please contact us to learn about our assisted living and memory care community.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the area.
Sources:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/music-and-alzheimers/faq-20058173
alzheimers.net/why-music-boosts-brain-activity-in-dementia-patients/
medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321677.php

Wellness Services at MorningStar of Fountain Hills

If you are considering assisted living, and like many older adults suffer from a chronic health condition, MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ community is designed to help you better manage it.  We define health and well-being holistically, and as such, offer a range of services and programming that supports the whole person – body, mind and spirt.  Both our Enrichment team and our Wellness Care team play an important role in making our community the best choice for senior living in the Fountain Hills area. 

We are pleased to offer assisted living residents the many benefits provided by our centralized, mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.  This ensures an accurate record of assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records). The EHR system not only allows us to maintain accurate, legible and complete demographic and medical information on residents, but enhances privacy and security of the data. 

Some of our services to residents include a licensed nurse on call 24/7 and onsite throughout the week, and CPR-trained team members on each shift.  We also offer 24-hour Care Managers and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Our team does routine Care Plan reviews as well as scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations.

In addition, MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers care services such as mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more.  Residents receive scheduled physician visits (with a choice of physicians), pharmacy services and onsite dental services and podiatry. Please visit our website’s Care Services page to see our entire list of services.  
MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 63 bright suites for assisted living and 28 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please contact us for more information, pricing and availability.          

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the area.

MorningStar Senior Living was Founded to Create a “True Home” for Seniors

Do you think all senior living communities are pretty much the same?  If so, it may surprise you to learn that MorningStar of Fountain Hills is committed to a distinct mission statement that guides the way we do business and how we deliver our care services. 
It reads as follows: 

• Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and ethics 
• Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence 
• Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well — a commitment to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve residents   

MorningStar Senior Living was founded in 2003 by Ken Jaeger, who after fifteen years of working in the industry was determined to start his own brand of senior living.  It would be one that was defined by human touch and lovingly meet the residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs.  MorningStar communities were thus created as a true home for seniors – one in which the sense of family prevails and residents are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.  Most importantly communities are staffed by individuals who have a felt calling to serve and view seniors as heroes.   

Those values have served our company well for over the past 15 years, and we now fast forward to November 2016 when MorningStar of Fountain Hills opened as MorningStar’s third community in the Phoenix area (today there are four).  Fountain Hills’ warm and welcoming community was designed from the ground up to be a place where residents are proud to call “home.” Our two-story building has 63 assisted living suites in a variety of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans.  In addition, we offer 28 secure suites dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Please visit our website for more information.     

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Fountain Hills area.

MorningStar at Fountain Hills Believes Seniors Have a Lot to Contribute

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we strongly believe that older adults still have a lot to contribute and are eager and open to learning new ideas and pursuing new interests.  This is why in addition to our exceptional care services; our community offers an inspirational and engaging life enrichment program. Our Life Enrichment is designed to stimulate your brain, enhance health and wellness, and encourage social connections.

Headed by our talented Life Enrichment team, our assisted living calendar is filled with optional activities that use creative ways to stay active and productive for man’s good and God’s glory.  We tap into our residents’ unique talents and experiences, and if we do not already have one, encourage residents to take the lead in establishing special interest clubs. 

From art classes, to physical activities such as total body workout, poetry readings or writing classes, and live music, MorningStar of Fountain Hills is committed to engaging the mind, body and spirit each day.  We also take outings to cultural destinations, casinos, scenic drives, out to lunch and more.  We suggest you take a look at our monthly calendar, Life Around Our House and Upcoming Events on our website to get a better idea of the fun and entertainment enjoyed by MorningStar residents and their families as well as our staff. 

MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 63 private assisted living suites studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations (some as large as 870 square feet). In addition, we have 28 secure memory care suites dedicated to individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. All of our suites are ready to move into and just need your furnishings and personal items to feel like home.  Please contact us for information on pricing and availability. 

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills Helps Seniors Live Life to the Fullest!

If you or a loved one has started to slow down a bit and needs a little help with day-to-day activities or could benefit from more companionship and socialization, assisted living may be the answer.  Sometimes older adults resist the idea of assisted living as they think they will lose their independence and freedom but this could not be further from the truth.  Making the move to an assisted living community like MorningStar of Fountain Hills actually improves the quality of life for many seniors. 

If you are picturing dark and dreary assisted living facilities like your grandparent’s nursing home years ago, you need to update yourself to today’s modern senior housing available in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun.  We suggest visiting MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ website and follow the link to our Gallery where you will find stunning interior and exterior photos.  Also follow our links to a list of amenities and floor plans. 

While at our website, we suggest you take a look at our monthly calendar of wellness activities and special events to get an idea of the daily goings-on.  For example, on a Tuesday in June, assisted living residents could enjoy a scenic drive, catch up on current events, go to a Total Body Workout class, attend a Weekly Praise & Worship Service, play Bingo, and join our Inklings Writing Club all before dinner!  Activities are optional but participating can sure be fun and most likely you will be missed if you do not join in.  

MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 63 assisted living suites on two levels, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, we have 28 secure suites devoted to the care of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the area.

Greater Verbal Memory Decline in Seniors Who Watch More TV

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

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

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

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, residents have a whole lot more to do than just watching TV.  Our assisted living and memory care community provides the care services residents’ need as well as a range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate the brain and encourage connection.  With such a broad range of activities, we are sure you will find something of interest, such as exercise classes, reading and writing groups, painting classes, trivia and card games, arts and crafts, entertainment and much more.  Please call or visit our website for more information. 

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.   

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324598.php

Sleep Issues and Sundowning in Those with Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association reports on studies that show “as many as 20 percent of persons with Alzheimer's will experience increased confusion, anxiety and agitation beginning late in the day. Others may experience changes in their sleep schedule and restlessness during the night.”  This condition is often referred to as sundowning or sundowner’s syndrome.  Those providing Alzheimer’s care to a loved one should be aware of the syndrome and know that there are coping strategies.

In addition to the anxiety and agitation, other symptoms for the syndrome include anger, depression, pacing, fear, restlessness, hallucinations, paranoia, wandering and violence.  The cause of sundowning is not known but researchers speculate that the condition may be triggered by a number of factors such as fatigue or an overreaction to the day’s sensory stimulation.  Some think that sundowning could be the result of anxiety caused by the inability to see well in the dark.  Another reason may be hormonal imbalances that occur at night.  Also, because people with sundowner’s symptoms experience a disruption in their sleep-cycles, that can create more behavioral problems.

The Alzheimer’s Association advises that any sleep disturbances should be discussed with a doctor but experts do offer some helpful tips to cope with sundowner’s syndrome.  One of the suggestions is to keep the home well-lit during the evening hours.  They also recommend scheduled meal times and bedtimes.  If the person needs a nap, it should be taken early in the day.  Furthermore, doctor appointments and other activities should be scheduled for the morning or early afternoon as it allows for plenty of downtime before evening.  

Furthermore, the person’s biggest meal should be at lunch and only a light dinner.  It is important to avoid nicotine and alcohol, and any caffeine consumption should be restricted to morning hours.  At night, help keep the person safe by providing nightlights and make sure doors are windows are locked.  If wandering is a big part of their sundowning behaviors, use door sensors and motion detectors. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, and offers loving, compassionate Alzheimer’s care in a beautiful residential setting.  We encourage you to schedule a tour to see our exceptional community.

Sources: agingcare.com/Articles/sundowners-syndrome-133187.htm

alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/sleep-issues-sundowning