Learn More About MorningStar of Rio Rancho

 

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best senior living in Rio Rancho, NM. Our Rio Rancho community has 51 bright suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 26 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.   

MorningStar Senior Living has over 30 communities currently open or under construction all across the country, including three in New Mexico.  MorningStar of Rio Rancho, with a loving care team and outstanding architecture and design, provides seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.

MorningStar began in 2003 when founder, Ken Jaeger had a dream to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He says, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  From this came our guiding principles and three mission statements our company is based on:

• 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

To eloquently illustrate our mission, all of our communities have a specially commissioned piece of art hanging in them.  The “Tree of Life embodies and celebrates our Mission and our Name.  Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar Senior Living and our beautiful community.  

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.   

Stretching Exercises for Seniors

 

If you are a senior who wants to start exercising again, you may not know how to begin.  For one thing, you probably realize you are not as fit as you used to be, and are not up to the same degree of physical activity that you once did.  And of course, before you begin any new form of exercise, you will need to check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough especially if you have osteoporosis, an injury, or balance issues.     

Once you get the go ahead from your healthcare provider, stretching is a good place to begin.  In fact studies show that as we grow older our flexibility decreases by up to 50 percent in some joints.  Another good thing about stretching is there are exercises that are appropriate for any level of fitness including ones that can be done sitting in a chair.  Stretching can help you maintain your flexibility and mobility as well as loosen up some of your stiffness in your back, neck and shoulder muscles.

Another plus about stretching exercises is that most of them do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere.  The Silver Sneakers website recommends that as you stretch, “to breathe deeply, and go slowly. Listen to your body, and never force a movement that causes pain.”  They remind seniors it is okay if they cannot bend very far as over time they will loosen up some.  Safety is always important and you do not want to hurt yourself.  

Some common forms of exercises especially good for seniors include chair yoga, resistance band workouts, walking and dumbbell strength training.  At the MorningStar of Happy Valley, our beautiful assisted living and memory care community offers a whole host of resort-style amenities and care services as well as wellness programs and activities daily that include exercises geared toward our residents.  Located in the southeast suburb of Portland, OR, we proudly offer our residents a true “home.”   Please see our website to learn more.

*This blog is for information purposes only. Before beginning any exercise, be sure to check with your healthcare provider*

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 and memory care in Happy Valley.  

Source: 

silversneakers.com/blog/stretching-for-seniors-7-simple-moves-for-the-not-so-flexible/

Heart Disease in Women

 

Doctors have known for a while now that men and women experience heart disease differently.  For one thing, before menopause, estrogen plays a role in protecting women from heart disease and thus they do not typically have a heart attack before the age of 72.  For men, the average age is 64.  The bad news is that women do catch up “making heart disease the leading cause of death for both sexes overall during non-pandemic times.”  

Another cause of concern is that while younger women (under the age of 65), have fewer heart attacks, they are much more serious than those of the men under 65.  Researchers at the Mayo Clinic went looking for answers by studying 7 million hospitalized heart attack patients. Their study, published in January’s Mayo Clinic Proceedings, showed that “women who are hospitalized with a heart attack are less likely than men to receive life-saving treatments, such as angioplasty, in which clogged arteries are opened; and mechanical circulatory support, in which devices are used to improve blood flow.”

Another significant link they discovered was that while estrogen does provides some heart protection, women who suffer from moderate to severe symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances have a greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.  One reason may be that severe hot flashes “are associated with artery stiffness, inflammation and vascular problems, which are linked to heart disease.”  Lack of sleep in itself can cause problems as well as interfere with a person’s motivation to exercise.  

Brest cancer also puts women at risk for cardiac disease.  The January’s Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network reported that, “survivors were at greater risk of life-threatening blood clots called deep vein thrombosis, arrhythmia, heart failure, heart valve disease and sudden cardiac arrest compared to women who had not had cancer.”   Researchers also said while the risk is far greater in the first year after a breast cancer diagnosis; the risk remained elevated for five years. 

Researchers also found that women are three times more likely than men to suffer from hearts attacks known as myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCAs).  This in itself is a problem as the type of equipment used to test for MINOCAs is not always used on women and many times the patient is told she did not have a heart attack.  It is so common that doctors say if you experienced symptoms of a heart attack but are told you did not have one, ask if you are a candidate for advanced imaging testing.  

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 for more information about one of the area’s most trusted assisted living and memory care communities. 

Source:  aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/women-heart-disease.html

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Rio Rancho

 

If you are looking for senior living in Rio Rancho, NM, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Rio Rancho.  For seniors who wish to maintain their independence but require assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living), our 51 assisted living suites are equipped with all of the modern conveniences and safety features.  Available in a variety of well-designed floor plans, suites have wall-to-wall carpeting, high ceilings, lots of windows, ceiling lights, and mini-blinds. 

In assisted living, we offer various levels of support with the ADLs (we have 5 levels in all), and your care plan is determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director, and in agreement with you and your family. Various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, are priced a la carte.  However, regardless of your level of care, all assisted living residents have access to around-the-clock Care Managers to ensure your safety as they compassionately meet your expressed (and even unexpressed) needs.   

If you are someone who finds that preparing meals has become too difficult due to your health or just not something you enjoy any more, you will be delighted to know we offer three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef.  All of our delicious meals are served in our beautiful dining room, restaurant-style, and created largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients to tempt the most particular taste buds.  During the coronavirus outbreak, however, changes have been made in dining protocols to protect both residents and team members. We are happy to report that COVID-19 vaccinations began at MorningStar communities last month.

We believe our care to be different from that of other senior living communities because of the type of individuals who make up our team.  When we set out to hire a new staff member, we look for virtues such as character, kindness and selflessness as we believe these are more important than education or experience.  Moreover, many of our “Great Hearts” come to us for a job as they love the idea of working for a company with core values that include Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness! 

Visit our website for contact information and to learn more about MorningStar’s commitment to delivering service with sincerity, warmth and depth of purpose.    

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.   

Need a “Little Help” to Maintain Your Independence?

 

Too often seniors mistakenly believe that moving into assisted living means an end to their independence and their life as they knew it.  We want to reassure you that at today’s assisted living communities like MorningStar of Happy Valley; nothing could be further from the truth.  

Aging.com explains that while changes in a person’s ability to care for themselves can be caused by underlying medical conditions, studies show the importance of seniors receiving the assistance they need with the ADLs (activities of daily living). “Functional status and the ability to care for oneself have a significant impact on a senior's quality of life.  Unmet needs for help with activities of daily living can lead to malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, isolation, illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and falls.”  

Another benefit of getting the help you need when you need it, is it actually gives the person a renewed sense of independence and lets them feel like they are once again in control of their life.  Independence promotes a sense of achievement as well as a sense of self-worth and purpose.  It encourages achievement, and reminds seniors that they still have a lot to contribute to their families, their communities and the world as a whole.  

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community, one important part of our mission statement includes “valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence.”  Thus our entire community is focused on physical, intellectual, spiritual and social activities that present creative ways for our residents to stay active and productive each day.  Residents are also encouraged to tap into their own unique talents and experiences by leading special interest clubs. 

Our beautiful home has 61 private assisted living suites in a variety of configurations to meet a variety of needs from spacious studios to one- and two-bedroom floorplans as large as 928 sq. ft.  In addition residents have peace of mind knowing that help is readily available when they need it. We also have 27 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please see our website to learn more.  

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 Happy Valley.   

Source: 

agingcare.com/articles/activities-of-daily-living-why-this-measure-matters-186853.htm#:~:text=are%20still%20met.-,Why%20Are%20ADLs%20Important%3F,a%20senior's%20quality%20of%20life.&text=Unmet%20needs%20for%20help%20with,(UTIs)%2C%20and%20falls.

A Gift Basket to Brighten Your Favorite Senior’s Day

 

If you have an elderly relative living alone or in a senior community and they are still isolating themselves from the coronavirus, you probably would love to do something to brighten their day but just not sure how.  One idea is to send them a gift basket filled with goodies to eat and drink, gifts to entertain, and items to make their lives a little easier or more pleasant.  

For your coffee drinking parent or grandparent, a bag of gourmet coffee and a nice new mug is one way to start your basket, or add a collection of teas that include decaffeinated and herbal options.  Are they a chocolate lover or prefer salty snacks?  Adjust your selection to include high-end chocolates and other delightful treats or a nice selection of crackers and cheeses.  For a book lover, add a novel you think they would enjoy or a coffee table book on famous gardens, architecture, maps, photography or wherever matches their interest.   A collection of classic movies is also something many seniors would enjoy.  

Now pack the basket with items such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, word-search books, a new coloring book and fresh colored pencils or markers.  If they have low vision, include large-print playing cards and books.  If your loved one is feeling anxious or having a hard time sleeping, give them a weighted blanket.  While they come in many sizes, it is suggested you choose one that is 10% percent of their weight.   For example, if they weigh 150lbs, buy a 15lb blanket, and if they do not have a blanket that exactly matches 10% of their weight, you can go up a couple of pounds.   

If you are looking for outstanding senior housing, Rio Rancho, NM’s MorningStar community may be the place for you.  Our beautiful community has 51 stylish assisted living suites for those who need help with the activities of daily living.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, 26 secure suites are devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please visit our website for more information.           

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “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 finest senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer.    

Treatment of Dementia Risk Factors Could be the Cause of Declining Cases

 Researchers are studying promising news that indicates a decline in the number of new cases of dementia.  The Aug. 4, 2020, issue of Neurology published a report from the Alzheimer's Research Consortium, which looked at data from people over the age of 65 in both Europe and North America.  Their findings show the percentage of people diagnosed with dementia has dropped 13% every 10 years over the past 30 years.

This does not mean that dementia is not a widespread problem.  As life expectancy has improved along with the number of people on the planet, so has the number of adults with dementia increased.  However, what researchers are pleased to see after looking at seven different studies is that new cases are actually lower than what we had been expecting based on the rate of the increases of several decades ago.  Scientists believe that the decline may be due to “treatment for dementia risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation.”

If you are looking for care for a family member with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Fountain Hills.  Along with assisted living, we provide compassionate and loving care to those suffering from memory impairment.  Our 28 secure, memory care suites are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  

MorningStar’s unique approach to memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the individual essence of each resident, and our energy is put toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life.  Along with individualized care plans, residents receive 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and services tailored to their special needs.  Please visit our website to learn more about unsurpassed senior living in Fountain Hills, AZ.    

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 contact us for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dementia-declining-in-the-united-states