5 HEALTHY THANKSGIVING MEALS FOR SENIORS

As a national holiday that is based on expressing appreciation for a wide variety of blessings, Thanksgiving also is known for other traditions that include the Macy’s Parade in New York City and three National Football League games that feature the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Thanksgiving also is renowned across the United States for a menu fit for a king and queen that packs the pounds.

As we grow older, our nutritional and caloric intake needs change. At our senior housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, we account for the culinary changes by creating meals that match the lifestyles of older residents. Does this mean seniors staying at an assisted living facility in Rio Rancho have to forgo the traditional Thanksgiving meal? The answer is no, if you prepare a meal with many of the same dishes minus the unhealthy ingredients.

Let’s take a look at five healthy Thanksgiving meals for seniors.

Roast Turkey

While science continues its quest to determine whether turkey makes you sleepy, there is no debate as to the protein’s popularity as the centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals. Turkey is a healthy protein for seniors, if it does not contain stuffing or is doused with a glaze. Prepare a roast turkey without adding any salt, as well as change out traditional carb-rich stuffing for nutrient-rich fruits such as apples and oranges.

Sweet Potatoes

Turkey served alone does not wreck a senior’s diet, but a whopping serving of mashed potatoes drenched in butter sends a Thanksgiving meal off the healthy meal chart. You can still get your potato fix at Thanksgiving by serving sweet potatoes, without the common additions of butter and sugar. Sweet potatoes enhance the digestive process, as well as provide high amounts of vitamins A and C.

Mashed Cauliflower

Another stand-in for mashed potatoes is a bowl full of mashed cauliflower. This much healthier alternative to buttered mashed potatoes is rich in fiber content, as well as delivers a healthy dose of magnesium and potassium. Seniors also receive plenty of vitamins C and K. Top this dish with an herb like rosemary and sprinkle a bit of low-fat Parmesan cheese to make it the new Thanksgiving comfort food.

Green Bean Casserole

Incorporating a cream-based sauce and sprinkling fried onions over the top of a green bean casserole is what makes the traditional Thanksgiving dish unhealthy. Incorporate whole wheat flour and reduced fat milk to form the base of your Thanksgiving meal green bean casserole, as well as top this dish with freshly chopped onions and sliced mushrooms.

Pumpkin Pie

Does serving a healthy meal at a senior housing center in Rio Rancho mean removing traditional pumpkin pie from the menu? It does mean that if you bake a pumpkin pie with too much sugar and add a whopping portion of whipped cream. Use crushed pecans to form the pie crust, and then combine skim milk with an egg substitute to transform an unhealthy dessert into a heart-healthy last Thanksgiving course.

At the MorningStar assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, we take the health of our residents seriously. Learn more about the diet and nutrition focus of our menus, including the meals served at Thanksgiving, by contacting one of our senior care specialists.

4 POPULAR HOLIDAY EVENTS IN RIO RANCHO, NM

One of the keys for seniors to enjoy healthy lifestyles is to remain active. At the MorningStar senior housing center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, our monthly activities list is chock-full of fun things to do that keep your senior loved one engaged. From yoga classes to individual activities such as solving puzzles, our residents keep busy throughout the year.

An important part of our activities calendar involves leaving our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho to attend special events. This is an especially important part of our activities calendar during the winter holidays when several events help enrich the lives of our residents.

Old Town Holiday Stroll

One of the many attractive features of Albuquerque concerns the year-round mild, dry climate. This is an especially attractive feature in winter when temperatures typically average above freezing and the skies do not unleash a load of snow on residents. During December, Albuquerque’s favorable climate takes center stage during several winter holiday events. One of the most popular outdoor winter holiday events in Albuquerque is called the Old Town Holiday Stroll. This free special winter holiday event takes place on December 6, 2023. from 5 to 9 p.m.

The highlight of the event is the tree lighting at Plaza Don Luis.

Mannheim Steamroller

The winter holidays evoke a wide variety of fond memories based on tradition. From decorating a tree to hanging lights around the house, the winter holiday season represents the essence of charm and energy. As the top-selling live act during the winter holidays, Mannheim Steamroller rolls into Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 27, 2023. Enjoy traditional holiday songs that present a one-of-a-kind Neo-classical twist.

Make sure to get your tickets to this one-time winter holiday event before the show sells out.

Trolley of Lights

Nothing dazzles the eyes more than to be immersed in a sea of colorful holiday lights. The best way to discover dazzling holiday lights is to join the ABQ Trolley Company Trolley of Lights tour that runs from December 15 through December 28. This 75-minute unforgettable holiday light tour takes you through neighborhoods and business districts displaying beautiful winter holiday lights that hang from rooftops and around large pine and cedar trees.

Make sure to dress warmly to get the most out of this popular winter holiday event.

Winterfest Arts & Crafts Festival

At the Santa Ana Center on December 14, 2023, arts and crafts enthusiasts can attend one of the most popular festivals located in greater Albuquerque. Not only do you get the opportunity to shop for arts and crafts, but you also can offer your creations for sale during the winter holiday event. This free winter holiday event represents an ideal way to get most, if not all of your shopping done for the holidays.

Learn More About the Activities Calendar at MorningStar-Rio Rancho

One of the most influential reasons why our residents choose MorningStar-Rio Rancho is that we offer three lifestyle options: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The three lifestyle options allow new residents of our independent living program to transition into an assisted living arrangement as circumstances warrant, without having to search for another assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM.

Learn more about the three lifestyle options at MorningStar-Rio Rancho by scheduling a tour today.

Encourage Engagement and Self-expression in Those With Dementia

Multiple studies report on the benefits of using music and art to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Experts explain they help encourage engagement and self-expression even in more advanced stages.  

Professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients say music seems to decrease agitation and improves behavioral problems common in the middle stages of the disease. Patients in later stages may even be able to sing a song they knew from childhood or tap a foot to the beat even after other forms of communication are difficult. Dancing or gently moving to a rhythm helps coordinate motor movements as well as allows the person to express emotions. Research shows “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” 

If you wish to use music to calm and soothe, choose peaceful, tranquil pieces. If you want to boost spirits and bring back happy memories, use livelier pieces. Experts say to turn off other distractions like a TV and close windows if there is outside noise. Music may be more enjoyable to the person if it is something they are familiar with from their earlier life. 

Art can also be an outlet for self-expression and give a person with Alzheimer’s a sense of purpose and accomplishment in creating their own work. Experts recommended avoiding any project that seems childlike and demeaning. Use safe, non-toxic materials, and if they need, take their hand and guide it on the paper to get them started. Moreover, remember there is no need for the person to finish.  

MorningStar of Fountain Hills is a trusted assisted living and memory care community which was awarded “Best of Senior Living” 2023 by A Place for Mom, an online referral service for families. Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. A resident’s day is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Please visit our website for more information about outstanding senior living in the Scottsdale-Fountain Hills area.

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 Scottsdale - Fountain Hills, AZ offers.

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Fountain Hills

Along with memory care, MorningStar of Fountain Hills provides assisted living with a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit.   Our residential home is filled with spacious, beautifully appointed common areas both inside and out including a living room, bistro, chapel/theater, fitness center, fireside patio and atrium with water feature. Delicious meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room.

However, our stylish design does not stop at the door of our private suites.  Each one offers a range of features including high ceilings, large windows, private heating & air conditioning, and a kitchenette.   For residents’ peace of mind and safety, our suites are equipped with an emergency call system to ensure help is there if the need arises as well as a handicap-accessible bathroom.  Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal.  

All assisted living residents are provided with 24/7 Care Managers who help assist them with the Activities of Daily Living (dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, transferring and more). Access to a licensed nurse is available onsite throughout the week and on-call around-the-clock.  We also offer medication management by Certified Med Care Managers.  Moreover, we want to reassure you and your family that we periodically re-evaluate care plans and make changes as needed.   

Other clinical care services provided by MorningStar include mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more.  We offer supportive services from third-party providers including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

At the heart of our community, and what we are most proud of, is our loving, responsive team who feel privileged to care for seniors.  Please visit our website to see what sets us apart from other assisted living in the Scottsdale area 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 to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Scottsdale - Fountain Hills has to offer.

The Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar of Happy Valley

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley offers experienced memory care.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   Our compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.  

The Reflections Neighborhood is designed in full consideration of the dispositions and behaviors of those with memory impairment and encourages independence for residents with clear wayfinding; and safe, inviting common areas. Residents receive daily health monitoring and 24/7 care along with access to a licensed nurse and more supportive third-party service providers. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms.

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call “Lavender Sky.”  By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  

All our employees, regardless of their position, will receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training include the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.  

Through Lavender Sky, our caregivers thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the “purple world” of dementia as they cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. By exploring each of our residents’ life stories including their history and preferences, we create an individualized care plan. We also involve and engage family members in how to follow our lead.  

Please contact us for more information about MorningStar’s memory care or assisted living in Happy Valley and all the amenities and services we provide. We look forward to hearing from you.

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 assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.

Stretching Can Help Maintain Flexibility and Mobility

If you are a senior who would like to get some exercise, 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 many exercises 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.  Other exercises especially good for seniors include chair yoga, resistance band workouts, walking, and dumbbell strength training.  

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, our beautiful community offers a whole host of amenities and care services as well as wellness programs that include exercises geared toward our residents.  Located southeast of Portland, Oregon, we are convenient to medical facilities, shopping, and restaurants as well as other services.  Contact us to learn what sets us apart from other senior living communities 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 in Happy Valley, OR.

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

The Advantages of Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities of today are designed to meet aging adults’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs.  After working hard for a lifetime, seniors are offered well-deserved carefree retirement years with just the right amount of care and support.  For many seniors, assisted living offers a better choice for those who require help in their daily lives than receiving in-home care services.  This is because assisted living communities offer 24/7 care and provide the security of knowing help is not far away in the event of an emergency.   

For older adults who are still homeowners, assisted living means saying goodbye to yard work and never-ending home maintenance. For those already in an apartment, a move to an assisted living community provides an extra layer of security as well as amenities and programs not offered at most apartments.  Another reason you may want to consider assisted living is that communities such as MorningStar of Happy Valley are designed for the mobility and safety of seniors who may not be as sturdy on their feet as they once were.   To modify your own home to accommodate physical limitations can be quite expensive.  

Assisted living also helps to eliminate loneliness and isolation that often occurs after retirement or the loss of a spouse or other close loved ones.  In addition, our community provides multiple ways seniors can continue to learn and contribute.  In fact, one of our mission statements is to “value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals with a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence.”  We too know that research has found intellectual stimulation to be an important step in mitigating and slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and we want to help in that effort.    

We encourage you to learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley.  Not only is our staff happy to answer any questions but our website provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission.

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. Contact us for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.