Remarkable Assisted Living Community in Rio Rancho, NM (1)

As the third largest city in New Mexico, Rio Rancho represents the ideal location for operating an assisted living facility. As part of rapidly growing Albuquerque, Rio Rancho offers spectacular views of the nearby desert and mountains, as well as a stunning visual display each day when the sun sets. The relatively dry climate allows residents of the MorningStar Assisted Living Facility in Rio Rancho to enjoy outdoor activities virtually every day of the year.

What Makes the MorningStar Senior Housing Facility in Rio Rancho a Remarkable Place to Call Home?

Culture plays an integral role in creating the living environment at the MorningStar Senior Housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Our founder, Ken Jaeger, established the MorningStar system of assisted living facilities based on following Judeo-Christian principles. By making God the foundation for establishing our culture, MorningStar commits each day to follow strong moral ethics and values. We value every one of our residents as important individuals by establishing a community that promotes healthy and engaged lifestyles, while at the same time encouraging independence.

One of the most important elements of the MorningStar Assisted Living facility is the people that work here. We invest substantially in each team member’s ability to serve our community. MorningStar’s commitment to hiring and retaining the most compassionate employees makes us a remarkable assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM.

Life Enrichment

Seniors require mental and physical stimulation to remain vibrant during their golden years. At the MorningStar Senior Housing Facility, our Life Enrichment Teams offer creative strategies that help residents remain active. Our Life Enrichment program has even motivated some of our residents to utilize their unique talents by leading special interest clubs.

Dining Experience

Staying active represents just one component of establishing a healthy lifestyle for our residents. The MorningStar Assisted Living Facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico also emphasizes the importance of following a nutritious diet. Our highly-trained executive chefs create seasonal menus that feature the freshest, most nutritious ingredients that include some menu items that come from our facility’s resident gardens.

Clinical Services

The extensive number of our clinical services reflects the standards established by the Department of Health. We determine the level of care required for each resident by establishing a simple point system based on the cost and time it takes to deliver individual wellness services. MorningStar has established an electronic health record system to provide quick access for our caregivers, as well as loved ones. We provide onsite therapeutic services, which include educational resources, fitness and wellness classes, and a center for physical therapy.

Schedule a Tour of MorningStar Senior Living Facility in Rio Rancho

The MorningStar Assisted Living facility in Rio Rancho, NM offers three lifestyle options for residents: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. We work closely with loved ones to choose the best lifestyle option for each resident. MorningStar Senior Housing facilities encourage our residents to lead self-sufficient lives that include the most comprehensive list of amenities offered by any full-service community. Discuss how to best take care of a loved one by contacting one of our resident services specialists.

Learn More About Dementia

Many of us, especially seniors, have heard or known someone with Alzheimer’s disease and have an idea of the devastation it causes. While there are other types of diseases categorized as dementia, Alzheimer’s is by far the most common form of dementia accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. You should know dementia is not actually a specific disease but refers to a decline in a person’s mental ability to such a degree it interferes with their daily life.    

It is also important to understand dementia is not a normal condition of aging but rather caused by damage to brain cells that affect a person’s memory, reasoning and other cognitive skills including an ability to communicate. There are several types of clinical dementia including: Alzheimer’s disease; vascular dementia; dementia with Lewy Body; and frontotemporal dementia. Mixed dementia is the term used when a person has both Alzheimer’s and another form of dementia, which is causing their mental decline. 

The Alzheimer’s Association says the “most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.” As the disease progresses, the person is robbed of many other abilities such as speaking, swallowing and walking. 

To help get the proper diagnosis and rule out other causes that may be treatable such as side effects from a medication, it is important to see your doctor. If warranted, they may have you see a specialist that can do further testing.      

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley offers memory care to those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We are a team of compassionate, professionals who feel privileged to serve our most tender residents.  We also consider supporting family members as part of our job and recognize that a diagnosis of dementia is traumatizing for all involved. Contact us for availability, pricing information and to schedule 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 for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.

Source: alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s

MorningStar Offers Luxury Assisted Living in Happy Valley, Oregon

Today’s assisted living is not just another term for a nursing home, which is intended for people who require skilled, around-the-clock medical care and supervision. Rather assisted living, the most popular and fastest growing long-term care option for older adults in the U.S., is designed for seniors who cannot get the help they need or afford while living at home or in an independent living community. The first community in the U.S. opened in the late 1980s. The concept quickly took hold out of consumers’ distaste for nursing homes and the desire for something offering the services, safety and amenities seniors required while still supporting and encouraging their independence.  

Assisted living recognizes seniors as productive, contributing individuals who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Moreover, unlike nursing homes, assisted living communities offer private suites and most are equipped with kitchenettes. At communities such as MorningStar of Happy Valley, meals and transportation are provided, and residents can get help with activities of daily living including bathing, grooming, dressing, transferring, toileting, etc.  Residents feel comforted having the security and safety of 24-hour support, and families rest easy knowing that a trained, caring staff is available to help whenever their loved one needs it. 

Residents of MorningStar appreciate the ease of built-in social connections and predictable budgeting as well as activities designed to engage them physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. Amenities include a bistro, theater/chapel, fitness room, library, salon 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.

If you think you or a loved one would benefit from an assisted living environment, MorningStar of Happy Valley may be the place for you.  If you would like to see if we are a good fit, we offer short-term stays (from one week up to a full month) and respite care for those recovering from an illness or surgical procedure. Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

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 Happy Valley’s finest assisted living and memory care.

Children May Have Difficulty Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

When a grandparent or another close family member or friend suffers from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, it can be difficult for children to understand, especially if they are very close to the person.  Most likely they have questions and concerns regarding the disease and may be struggling with a range of emotions including sadness and confusion. They may not know how to act around the person anymore or be frightened by the “strange behavior.”

Having grandma or grandpa call you by mom or dad’s name or asking the same question again and again are just some of the strange things kids see happening to a beloved grandparent. They may worry Alzheimer’s is contagious and it is important they know it isn’t but rather a degenerative disease that happens in the brain. If the person lives with them, teenagers may be embarrassed to have friends around due to the person’s behavior, and sometimes children withdraw from the person or lose patience.  

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests sitting down with your child and telling them while the person may forget your name, they can still feel your love. Encourage questions and provide honest answers, and perhaps together you can learn more about the disease. The experts offer ideas on things kids can do with the person such as listening to music, setting the table, working on a puzzle, reading a book or looking at family photos. As the person’s disease progresses, make sure your kids feel comfortable asking more questions. Regardless of how old we are, losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease is challenging for everyone.   

MorningStar of Happy Valley offers assisted living as well as 27 suites for the individualized memory care of those with memory impairment. Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is geared toward residents’ care from meaningful activities, trained caregivers, food service, security and more. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, they deserve the best care. Please visit our website to learn more about exceptional senior living in Happy Valley, OR. 

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 resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Source: alz.org/documents/national/brochure_childrenteens.pdf

5 BENEFITS OF READING FOR SENIORS

Few things in life give us as much pleasure as spending time reading a good book. Whether it is a romance, mystery, or science fiction novel, reading represents one of the most beneficial activities for seniors at assisted living facilities. If you are considering a senior housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, you should consider one such as MorningStar that encourages its residents to stay active mentally by reading books.

Why Seniors Should Read

The joy of reading is reason enough to make the leisurely activity a part of a senior’s lifestyle. However, reading does much more than bring joy into a senior’s life. Some studies demonstrate that reading can help prolong a senior’s lifespan.

Let’s review the six benefits of reading for seniors residing at an assisted living facility in Rio Rancho.

Improves Brain Performance

You understand the benefits for a senior when it comes to using muscles to maintain strength and stamina. The same muscle-flexing principle applies to the brain as well. Seniors need to flex their brain muscles every day, which makes reading the ideal activity to improve brain performance. Some research indicates daily reading represents one of the most effective strategies for staving off the development of dementia.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Seniors at an assisted living facility in Rio Rancho have many ways to unwind, but few ways are as successful as reading. Research shows reading can decrease stress by as much as 68 percent. Because seniors at assisted living facilities often have to deal with the anxiety caused by uncertainty, reading is an activity a senior can rely on every day to create a more stable living environment.

Develop Empathy

Our brains display an intelligence level early on that stays consistent for the rest of our lives. The same cannot be said for emotional intelligence, which is an ongoing development process that helps us cope with different situations. Reading books, especially works of fiction, can increase empathy to help seniors at senior housing facilities in Rio Rancho connect with other people.

Encourages Interactions

Assisted living facilities represent great environments for seniors to interact because of the events scheduled each month. One of the first things you should do when searching for a senior housing facility in Rio Rancho is an assisted living facility’s monthly social calendar. With reading, a senior does not need a social calendar to interact with other people. Reading motivates seniors to share what they have read.

Effective Sleep Aid

Many seniors find it more difficult to fall asleep and then stay asleep than when they were younger. Reading is an effective sleep aid because it signals to the brain and the rest of the body the time has come to unwind for the day. Seniors should read hardcovers and paperbacks instead of reading from an electronic device to enjoy better sleep. Electronic devices trigger more brain activity, which makes it difficult to fall asleep.

Start Reading Today

Seniors have many ways to start reading. Joining a book club not only is a great way to build a reading habit, but it also helps seniors interact with other residents at an assisted living facility in Rio Rancho. Audiobooks are a great tool that encourage reading, especially for seniors struggling with vision issues. The environment where seniors read also plays a role in developing a consistent reading schedule.

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we encourage our guests to live self-sufficient lifestyles. Reading represents one of the best ways to achieve self-sufficiency. Learn more about what MorningStar assisted living facilities have to offer by connecting with one of our guest service representatives.

6 SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS IN ASSISTED LIVING

Although the calendar marks June 21 as the start of summer, the official start of the most active season of the year begins on Memorial Day. From Duluth, Minnesota to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, summer is the kick-off for barbecues, water sports, and family vacations. Summer also is the time of year when seniors at assisted living facilities in Rio Rancho celebrate their favorite activities.

Let’s look at six summer activities for seniors in assisted living.

Enjoy Nature

Hot and relatively dry describes the climate during the summer in Rio Rancho, which sits a few miles north of the Albuquerque city limits. Although heat might limit some outdoor activities, residents of senior housing facilities in Rio Rancho have plenty of time to enjoy nature. Seniors can organize a group trip to watch a sunrise or catch one of the spectacular desert sunsets. If a senior feels like spending a little quiet time with nature, taking an evening walk represents an effective way to rejuvenate both the mind and body. 

Bird watching is an especially popular nature-related activity that helps seniors avoid spending time outdoors during the warmest times of day

Board Game Nights

Cool evenings make board games the perfect activity at an assisted living facility in Rio Rancho during the summer months. In addition to engaging seniors, board games also keep residents of senior housing facilities in Rio Rancho mentally active. A comprehensive study demonstrates that board games boost mental activity enough to decrease the risk of developing dementia. According to a related study, solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles helps keep a senior’s mind nimble, as well as gives a senior purpose through achieving accomplishments.

Cookouts

One of the most popular group activities at senior living facilities in Rio Rancho involves organizing outdoor cookouts. Working with a facility’s dining services department, seniors can organize cookouts that range from simple barbeques to more elaborate cooking competitions. Choosing a day for a weekly cookout makes it easier to organize different events. A variation of the weekly outdoor cookout is to arrange a weekly dining out event. Albuquerque offers a diverse range of culinary destinations.

Stargazing

One of the advantages of living in a semi-arid climate is enjoying the night sky explode in Rio Rancho. The city is far enough away from the bright lights of Albuquerque for stargazers to get unobstructed views of the stars and planets. An assisted living facility in Rio Rancho can plan a weekly stargazing event that includes serving a light snack. 

Museum Trips

A twice-a-month trip to visit a museum in Albuquerque represents a great way to keep cool when daytime high temperatures can reach 100 degrees. Albuquerque is world-renowned for its Native American art and history museums that provide an in-depth look at the Native American cultures surrounding the city.

Outdoor Movies

Drive-in theaters have become a nostalgic memory, but that does not mean seniors at assisted living facilities in Rio Rancho cannot catch a flick or two outdoors. Movies shown with nature as a companion help take the focus off ailments and other issues seniors face as they age. They also give seniors the opportunity to relax.

By valuing our guests and recruiting team members that feel a calling to value others, MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Rio Rancho is recognized as one of the best assisted facilities of its kind in greater Albuquerque. Contact our facility to learn more about the resort-like amenities and stunningly beautiful views.

Age in Place Safely and Comfortably at MorningStar of Happy Valley

If you are looking for exceptional senior living, MorningStar of Happy Valley may be your answer.  Our community was designed to allow our residents to age in place safely and comfortably.  By offering luxury amenities, wellness programs and activities, and a broad range of care services, we support the whole person – mind, body and spirit.  

The amenities at our beautiful community include outdoor courtyards with fire pit, salon, fitness room, massage room, theatre/chapel and more.  We also have a 24-hour bistro, and along with restaurant-style dining in our main dining room, we offer residents a private dining area for intimate dinners with family and friends.

We consider it part of our job to find creative solutions that can extend the stay of our residents even when their health conditions change, and often are able to give them a quality of memory care at a lower cost to families.  For assisted living residents, an individualized care plan is determined (based on five levels of care) after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director, and in agreement with the resident and their family.  

Along with our in-house care services, which include around-the-clock care managers and access to a licensed nurse on-site/on-call 24/7, we also refer residents to home health and out-patient therapy services.  These are third-party providers we know and trust who bring additional services to our residents in the form of skilled medical professionals, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and others.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley has stylish suites for assisted living including spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  If a family member requires memory care, our Reflections Neighborhood offers suites devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.   We also offer respite care and short-term stays from a week to a full month. Please contact us or 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 for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.