4 PLACES WHERE SENIORS CAN VOLUNTEER

Senior housing communities in Rio Rancho, New Mexico are not just places where volunteers engage with residents to keep them mentally and physically active. For example, at our assisted living center in Rio Rancho, we encourage our residents to return the gift of volunteering by signing up to contribute their skills to worthy causes.

Research indicates that volunteering positively impacts both mental and physical health. The results of studies discovered that nearly 80 percent of volunteers at least 55 years old enjoyed good, very good, or excellent health. Senior volunteers reported a significantly lower number of mobility issues, as well as a dramatically higher quality of life. About two-thirds of seniors polled felt less isolated, which helps prevent the development of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

“Volunteers have lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, increased strength and energy, and fewer physical limitations than those who do not volunteer,” said Samantha Jo Warfield, who is the spokesperson for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency behind the study.

Let’s look at the four places where seniors can volunteer as part of the activities calendar at a senior housing facility.

National Park Service

The National Park Service needs volunteers to care for more than 85 million acres of American landscape and historic sites. Once a volunteer and now the spokesperson for the National Park Service, Kathy Kupper emphasizes the importance of the role played by the organization. “We take care of America’s most special places. These parks are part of the American story. People can be part of that. We match the skill set of the volunteer to the needs of the park. If someone calls who’s a librarian or a photographer or a videographer, that might not be somebody we knew we were looking for. But we would gladly work with them.”

Senior Corps

Seniors offer considerable experience, as well as an incredible amount of dedication to building communities across the United States. The Senior Corps acts as the magnet that attracts seniors who are eager to share their wisdom and life experiences with people from all walks of life. Because of the Foster Grandparent program, which has more than 8,000 locations across the country, seniors serve as mentors, tutors, and role models for children and adolescents in need. The Senior Companion program connects senior volunteers with older adults who struggle with daily tasks such as shopping and paying bills.

Canine Companions for Independence

Maybe you have seen clips on TV or experienced it first-hand, but there is no denying how dogs enhance the mental well-being of seniors. You can benefit from the joy of interacting with canines by volunteering with Canine Companions for Independence. This organization trains support dogs to help people living with disabilities. Senior volunteers help by teaching standard commands, as well as helping puppies socialize during instructional classes. The volunteer work also involves submitting monthly puppy progress reports.

Meals on Wheels

How would you like to help fellow seniors who are homebound? With a network of more than 5,000 independently operated programs, Meals on Wheels delivers meals to homebound seniors. This volunteer opportunity requires you to pick up meals at a distribution center and then deliver the meals by following a well-organized route. When you complete a route, you return the delivery packaging to the distribution center.  “Often, a volunteer is the only person an isolated, homebound senior will see in a given day,” said the spokesperson for the Meals on Wheels program, Jenny Bertolette Young.

Learn more about the volunteer opportunities for residents at our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM by submitting the Contact form found on our website.

8 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR FELLOW SENIORS AT AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Staying active during the golden years is one of, if not the most important goals for seniors. From visiting points of interest to solving engaging jigsaw puzzles, seniors have a wide variety of ways to keep both the mind and body operating at peak performance. However, maintaining an active lifestyle can become more difficult for seniors living at an assisted living facility. That is not the case at our senior housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico where we recommend eight activities you can participate in with your fellow seniors.

8 Popular Activities for Seniors at an Assisted Living Facility

Staying active as a senior delivers several benefits. Exercise not only keeps the body fine-tuned, but it also releases endorphins that help prevent the development of stress and anxiety. Physically active seniors tend to do a better job of preventing the development of diseases, especially ones that commonly afflict seniors such as diabetes and heart disease. A nimble mind and body also help seniors avoid the physical scars left behind by a slip and fall. Perhaps the greatest benefit of living an active lifestyle at a senior housing community in Rio Rancho is to prevent the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are eight activities you can do with your fellow seniors at the MorningStar assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico:

Hiking

Our senior housing center in Rio Ranch schedules organized hikes each month to allow our residents to get in a good workout, as well as socialize with their fellow residents. The bonus for seniors is the opportunity to soak in the spectacular scenery that surrounds greater Albuquerque. 

Tai Chi

Self-defense classes do much more than provide our residents with the tools to defend themselves. Activities such as Tai Chi also is an effective way to remain in shape, while at the same time keeping the mind sharp.

Yoga

Yoga represents a popular activity for seniors because it works the muscles in the body, as well as acts as a meditative exercise that clears the mind of negative thoughts. Performing yoga exercises in a group environment helps seniors get to know their fellow residents.

Trivia

Trivia nights are more than just an event that encourages socializing among our residents. The game also activates the mind to keep seniors mentally sharp. Striving to improve your intellect helps keep the brain active.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts is a popular hobby because it caters to all types of skill sets. Mastering an art and/or a craft might lead to a side business that generates a little extra income for residents that rely mostly on fixed income sources such as Social Security.

Games

You can do crossword puzzles on your own and play bingo with a group of fellow seniors to help your mind stay active. Board games and jigsaw puzzles also represent popular games that not only work the brain, but also foster social interactions with your peers.

Movie Night

Technology has increased the number of options for watching movies. You can go out with your fellow seniors to catch a flick at an Albuquerque theater or stay onsite and watch a streaming version of your favorite films.

Bus Tours

From scenic trips to visiting cultural attractions, bus tours help seniors interact with fellow residents in an assisted living community. Bus tours are a popular activity for seniors that no longer get around by driving a motor vehicle.

Learn more about how to stay active at our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico by contacting one of our resident services representatives.

Is it Time to Consider Assisted Living for Mom or Dad?

If a parent or other loved one is starting to slow down and would welcome assistance with personal daily care or has mobility issues requiring major renovations to their existing home, it may be time to think about assisted living. While there may be several communities to choose from, it is useful to have some insight into your parents’ needs when evaluating senior living communities. 

A Place for Mom, an Internet referral service, explains a good place to start is to “compare factors like staff friendliness, amenities, and overall culture.” If you plan to do a virtual tour or onsite visit, come prepared with a list of questions regarding costs, care plans, amenities, programming, and general lifestyle and culture. 

During your visit, observe residents. Do they seem engaged, happy? Are they encouraged to participate in activities and events? Ask to see the community’s calendar of activities. If mom or dad loves to garden, does the community have resident garden beds and a gardening club? If mom or dad is no longer driving, does the community offer scheduled transportation to doctor visits and other appointments? Do they do outside trips to area shopping and local parks?  

Remember your loved one’s suite is where they will sleep but the community is where they will live.  Are the common rooms inviting? How about the outdoor areas? Is there a nice courtyard or terrace where they can sit and relax on a nice day? If mom or dad enjoys a glass of wine before dinner, is it available? Other things to ask about include the meal service, the community’s ability to meet both present and future care needs and how emergencies are handled. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley is a senior community designed from the ground up to meet the needs of residents with a range of luxury amenities, senior care, hospitality services, wellness programs, and activities. Our beautiful community offers assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted senior living at MorningStar.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and luxury amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care.

How Prices are Structured at MorningStar of Happy Valley

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we regularly have questions about our community from area seniors and their family members.  FAQs include how our pricing is structured as well as availability.  In assisted living, fees are based on the level of care a resident requires.  For memory care residents, we offer all-inclusive pricing, which means suite rental and care, whatever the level of need, is one price.  

To calculate your level of need in assisted living, you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director and go over your medical history and personal preferences to create an individualized care plan.  This sets the basis of your Care Level (we have five) and your monthly fee accounts for the costs and time to provide the needed services.  These can include help with daily personal care activities (grooming, bathing, toileting, etc.) and medical assistance. 

If you are concerned the cost of assisted living may be too high for your means, we want to remind you that senior housing can be very cost-effective as there are many things you will no longer pay for out-of-pocket.  This includes the costs of your monthly utilities.  At MorningStar your monthly fee includes cable TV & utilities, housekeeping, and three daily meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef.  In addition, we have scheduled transportation every week for rides to medical appointments as well as transportation to organized activities and cultural events.  

Assisted living residents also have access to a full-time licensed nurse and our loving 24-hour care staff.  Our wellness programs and activities engage and support our residents’ mental, physical, spiritual and social needs for a healthier, fuller life.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission is to provide the best senior living in the area, and the comfort and wellbeing of our residents are the foremost considerations for everything we do.  Our dedicated team, the heartbeat of our community, delivers service that represents the mission and philosophy of MorningStar Senior Living - honoring God and valuing seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. Please visit our website for more information.

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 assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.

What Can You Do to Help Your Memory?

Studies suggest that while some memory decline is inevitable with aging, there are lifestyle habits we can adopt to help maintain and enhance memory function as well as our overall brain health. The US News & World Report says one of the things we can do is to routinely be physically active as studies show it provides a lower risk of mental decline and Alzheimer's disease. 

They explain physical activity optimizes blood flow to the entire body including the brain and helps keep our memories sharp. However, the type of physical exercise is important and should include a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio such as power walking, running, biking or swimming. (Before beginning any new exercise, experts say check with your healthcare provider.)   

If you worry about forgetting things, Dr. Vernon Williams, a sports neurologist and founding director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, says for most of us it is normal. He states all of us forget things like where we put our keys or when our doctor’s appointment is and this is typically not a reason for concern. Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are different and cause more consistent memory problems that have a debilitating effect on a person's quality of life.

Along with physical exercise, other strategies to improve and protect memory include challenging our brain by learning new things, sleeping well and eating a healthy diet. Dr. Williams says adults need at least seven to nine hours of sleep a night as it “allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia.”

 

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we have spacious assisted living suites in a choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans. Our luxury amenities ensure carefree retirement years with plenty of ways to exercise both the body and the brain.  Amenities include a library, fitness room, raised garden beds, strolling paths, wellness programs and activities. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood offers compassionate, loving memory care to those with memory impairment. Please contact us to set up a tour of our exceptional community.  

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.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/memory-decline-isnt-inevitable