Acknowledging the Independence of Aging Parents

We all understand the value of independence but as we grow older, many seniors are faced with physical and mental limitations that make them feel it may be threatened. Independence is one of the things seniors want to feel they still have control over; and is important as it is closely tied to self-worth and a sense of achievement.

Experts say well-intentional families can sometimes create bigger problems by becoming overprotective toward mom or dad. This can result in the senior becoming more fearful than the situation warrants, and erode their self-esteem and confidence. Another problem threatening a senior’s independence is when adult children talk to the parent as if they are a child. Even the most conscientious caregivers can sometimes baby the person too much or pressure them to do what they think is best.

Just as we do not want people telling us what to do or intruding into things we are not ready to share, you need to respect your parents’ privacy. When mom or dad’s wishes are respected, they will feel like they have more control of their lives. If a time comes when your parents need more help than they can get at home, it may be time to consider an assisted living community. Just be sure it is one where their independence will be nurtured.

What MorningStar of Happy Valley sets apart from other assisted living and memory care communities? We provide an environment that supports a healthy, engaged lifestyle and a team committed to serving seniors who treat them with the respect they deserve. Our beautiful home is designed to meet all the needs of our residents with a range of resort-style amenities, care services, wellness programs, and activities. Please contact us or visit our website for more information and to set up a tour.

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, Oregon.

Discover MorningStar of Happy Valley

A highly respected senior housing company, MorningStar Senior Living, has 40+ independent and assisted living communities in eleven states that are designed to be true homes for their residents. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Happy Valley is one of four communities in Oregon.

MorningStar started in 2003 based on a unique mission statement, principles and philosophy. As Ken Jaeger, founder/CEO of MorningStar explains his intention was to create senior living that was “defined by the human touch. I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”

Out of this vision, came a three-pillared mission statement that still guides the way we deliver service to our residents: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well.” Even the name “MorningStar” was inspired by Mr. Jaeger’s contemplation of the bible and his commitment to relieve poverty around the world.

However, while founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition; please know that we welcome and honor all faiths and worldviews in our communities, and are committed to meeting not only residents’ social, emotional, and physical needs but their spiritual ones. In our pursuit of creating a loving home, honoring spiritual preferences is part of caring for the whole person.

In addition, we recognize our mission is advanced by hiring team members who hold true to our core values of love, respect, honesty, fairness, goodness, and kindness. They are the type of individuals who feel privileged to care for seniors and help us create the kind of culture we envision building – a Family for Life.

Our all-inclusive assisted living and memory care community offers a dining service under the direction of an Executive Chef, a range of floor plans to meet our residents’ varying needs, and onsite amenities and care services to provide carefree retirement years. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about luxury senior living at MorningStar.

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, Oregon.

Advance Care Planning Documents Empower Your Medical Decision-Making

An advance directive is a legal document giving you a voice involving medical decisions in the event you are incapacitated. Many people shy away from creating such documents as they fail to realize how important they are, and mistakenly worry they are signing away their lives, and/or don’t like thinking about being so ill they are unable to make decisions.

Advance care planning documents may include a living will, power of attorney and health care proxy. By planning ahead, they guide decisions made on your behalf if you are unable, and suffer from an incurable, irreversible illness, condition or disease determined to be terminal. Living will specify the kind of medical treatment desired and many simply express the desire to not be given life-sustaining measures that only serve to prolong a person’s death. Specific details may regard care including the use of pain medications, antibiotics, hydration, feeding and the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or ventilators.

A health care proxy is someone designated to express your wishes for medical care and has the same rights you would in requesting or refusing treatment. A durable power of attorney document names a person to act on your behalf if you are incapacitated and gives them the power to make financial decisions.

The Harvard Medical School reports on some of the myths people have regarding advance care directives. They say you need to realize more care is not always better but can prolong the dying process without respect for quality of life or comfort. Refusing life support does not mean you are committing suicide but rather allowing your medical problem to be the cause of your death. Moreover, refusing life-extending treatment does not mean you are refusing comfort measures for pain management and symptoms. Talk to your family and doctor about your medical preferences, and be sure each has a copy of your advance directive documents.

MorningStar of Happy Valley provides all the amenities, wellness programs, and care services residents need for their comfort and wellbeing. Our beautiful community offers 61 suites for assisted living in a range of configurations to accommodate residents’ preferences and needs. In addition, our distinct Reflections Neighborhood has 27 memory care suites for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Please contact us to inquire about availability, pricing or to set up a tour.

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 to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, Oregon.

Tips for Keeping Your Brain Active with Trivia Games

Who doesn’t love a good trivia game? Whether it’s recalling old movie stars, naming state capitals, or testing knowledge on history, trivia isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful way to keep the brain sharp. And the best part? It doesn’t feel like work.

In assisted living, trivia games can be a great way to stimulate the mind, encourage social interaction, and even spark nostalgia.

Why Trivia is Great for Brain Health

Keeping the brain engaged is just as important as staying physically active. Trivia games help:

• Boost memory – Recalling facts and making associations strengthens cognitive function.

• Improve focus – Concentrating on questions and answers enhances attention span.

• Encourage learning – Even if you don’t know an answer, you’re still expanding knowledge.

• Support social engagement – Playing with others creates laughter, conversation, and connection.

The brain thrives on challenge and stimulation, and trivia offers both in an entertaining way.

Best Trivia Games for Seniors

Not all trivia games are the same. Some focus on pop culture, while others test general knowledge. Here are a few options to try:

• Classic Board Games – Games like Trivial Pursuit offer different difficulty levels and topics.

• Jeopardy-Style Quizzes – Whether played in a group or watched on TV, this format keeps players thinking fast.

• Online Trivia Apps – Apps like Trivia Crack or QuizUp provide endless categories to explore.

• Themed Trivia Nights – Topics like “Golden Age Hollywood” or “U.S. History” make for a fun group activity.

How to Make Trivia a Fun Routine

The best way to benefit from trivia is to make it a regular part of life.

• Host a Weekly Game Night – Gather friends, pick a topic, and enjoy a night of laughs.

• Challenge Yourself Daily – Solve crossword puzzles or play online trivia games for a quick mental workout.

• Mix Up the Categories – Try history one day, music the next—variety keeps things interesting.

• Use Trivia to Connect with Grandkids – Kids love fun facts, and trivia is a great way to bond.

The more you exercise your brain, the sharper it stays!

The Joy of Learning Never Ends

Trivia isn’t just a game—it’s a way to keep the mind active, learn something new, and enjoy time with others. Whether you play solo or in assisted living facilities rio rancho, a little daily brain exercise goes a long way in supporting cognitive health and keeping life interesting.

How to Keep a Sense of Structure After Leaving the Workforce

For decades, work schedules provided a natural rhythm to daily life—wake up, get ready, head to work, take lunch, finish the day, and do it all over again. But when retirement begins, that predictable structure disappears. And while the freedom can feel exciting at first, many retirees find themselves feeling unanchored without the routine they once had.

In senior living, creating a sense of structure can bring balance, purpose, and even a greater sense of happiness in retirement.

Why Structure Still Matters in Retirement

Without a daily schedule, time can start to feel a little too open-ended. This can lead to:

• Lack of motivation – Without clear goals, it’s easy to feel sluggish or unproductive.
• Loneliness or isolation – A routine helps ensure social connections stay strong.
• Poor sleep patterns – Without a reason to wake up early, it’s tempting to stay up late, throwing off the body’s natural rhythm.
• Less physical activity – Regular movement is easier when it’s scheduled into the day.

By building a new structure, retirees can stay active, engaged, and mentally sharp.

How to Create a New Daily Routine

The key to a great routine? Balance. You don’t have to plan every hour, but having a basic framework for each day can help maintain a sense of purpose.

1. Start with a Morning Ritual

• Wake up at a consistent time each day.
• Begin with a small habit—reading the newspaper, stretching, or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee.

2. Plan Meaningful Activities

• Schedule social interactions like phone calls, coffee dates, or group activities.
• Dedicate time to hobbies or creative projects—painting, gardening, or learning something new.
• Include movement, whether it’s a daily walk, a yoga class, or light stretching.

3. Stick to Set Mealtimes

• Eating at regular intervals helps maintain energy levels and overall health.
• If living in assisted living facilities Rio Rancho, enjoying meals with others can create built-in social time.

4. Wind Down at Night

• A calming evening routine—like listening to music, watching a favorite show, or journaling—signals the body it’s time to rest.
• Aim for a consistent bedtime to support better sleep.

Finding Purpose Beyond Work

A fulfilling retirement isn’t just about filling time—it’s about finding meaning. Consider exploring:

• Volunteering – Helping others fosters a sense of purpose and connection.
• Lifelong learning – Taking a class or attending a lecture keeps the mind engaged.
• Mentoring – Sharing wisdom with younger generations can be deeply rewarding.

Adjusting to retirement takes time, but by creating structure and focusing on enjoyable activities, each day can feel both meaningful and fulfilling.

Memory Care Communities Provide a Safe and Comfortable Environment

If a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, at some point, you may require professional help. The number one concern at a memory care community is to ensure the safety of the person as many of the disease’s symptoms place the person more at risk for accidents and other mishaps.

Forgetfulness and confusion are some of the most recognizable signs of Alzheimer’s disease and can cause problems like forgetting to turn off a stove, getting lost in familiar areas or wandering. Other common issues in the early stages of the disease include vision/spatial issues and impaired reasoning and judgment, problem solving and difficulty in completing everyday tasks.

Memory care communities are equipped to provide a safe, stable residential environment for seniors with memory impairment as well as provide meaningful activities to keep the person engaged. At most communities, the staff receives extensive training and information regarding the disease to better treat and understand residents.

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we offer a holistic approach to memory care for the utmost comfort, safety and well-being of the individual. Once a family decides to entrust the care of their loved one to MorningStar, we create a Personalized Service Plan to provide the care, people, programs, and activities they need. Residents receive healthy, specially prepared meals to make eating less stressful along with daily health monitoring, 24/7 care from a well-trained staff, access to licensed nurses and other third-party service providers.

Our Reflections Neighborhood has welcoming common areas and is designed to support residents’ independence as much as possible. To ensure the safety and well-being of residents, our community is completely secure, including an outdoor courtyard. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicapped-accessible bathrooms; and we offer SafelyYou technology, which can detect and prevent falls for residents with (AI) Artificial Intelligence. Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s memory care or assisted living in Happy Valley, Oregon.

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.

Learn More About Pacemakers

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the most common reason for a pacemaker is when the heart beats too slowly (bradycardia), or it pauses, causing fainting spells or other symptoms. The device also prevents or treats a too fast or irregular heartbeat (tachycardia). For patients with heart failure, a pacemaker is used to help the heart chambers beat in sync, and enable the heart to pump blood more efficiently.

Pacemakers use low-energy, electrical pulses to control the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat, and the type of pacemaker you get depends on your situation. A traditional pacemaker sends electrical pulses through wires (or leads). It is placed in the chest or abdomen; and wires are connected to electrodes inside one to three heart chambers. This type of pacemaker includes single- and double-lead pacemakers, or biventricular pacemakers also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices.

A newer version of the pacemaker is a wireless pacemaker without wires, which is about the size of a large pill capsule. It is placed inside a chamber of your heart through a small tube inserted in one of your veins and doesn’t require surgery. The device sends pulses to the right ventricle. Typically the battery life of a pacemaker is between 8 and 13 years.

After the procedure, most patients spend a night in the hospital so doctors can make sure the device is staying in place, doing its job, and programmed correctly. You will be given a card with information regarding the device’s settings and the hospital where you got it, which needs to be always carried with you in senior living.

Once home, restrictions include not lifting heavy items or putting your arms over your head to avoid shifting the device or the wires. Your medical team will schedule a check-up over the next few weeks.

Living with a pacemaker includes avoiding close contact (at least 6” away) with devices having strong magnetic fields as they can disrupt your pacemaker. When using your cell phone, put it on speaker phone or hold it to the ear on the other side of your body from your device. Don’t put it in your shirt pocket. Household items like microwaves, electric blankets, and heating pads are usually safe if they are working properly. The risks of airport screening are low, but show your pacemaker card to be individually screened. Contact your doctor with questions and problems, and if you think your pacemaker has stopped working, contact them immediately.

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 senior living 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: nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pacemakers/living-with