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.