Have Questions Regarding Assisted Living?

At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we understand that making the move to assisted living is a big step for a senior. This is why we encourage interested families to give us a call to discuss any questions you may have and/or to inquire about availability. In addition our website is filled with lots of pertinent information regarding amenities, services, floorplans, enrichment programs and more. 

Our website even has a dedicated page for FAQs under our “Family Resources” tab. Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions such as age requirements (in our assisted living and memory care suites, you must be at least 62 years old). You will also discover important information on how a resident’s level of care is determined and our pricing structure.

FAQs include practical queries such as, yes, we will help you find a physician if you need one whether it is a primary care doctor or a specialty health care provider like an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist. And yes, we do provide transportation to doctor appointments as needed, and our transportation vehicles can accommodate a walker or wheelchair. 

You and your family may also want to know about the type of training our staff receives, and we go over that too. Care Managers complete an orientation program (including a three-day shadow), Radiance culture training, 8-hour dementia training, and ongoing training in specific care needs. Each of our Medication Managers (QMAPs) is additionally trained in medication administration. 

FAQs go over senior housing options such as Companion Living that allows two unrelated adults of the same sex to share a suite, and of course, married couples are welcome! MorningStar of Santa Fe also offers short-term stays based on availability that allows someone to get an idea of whether senior living is right for them. 

Newly opened, MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community is ready to provide residents with the best senior living in Santa Fe. Please visit our website for contact information, to set up a tour, or to get answers to any other questions. We look forward to hearing from you. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. We invite you to give us call or visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living in Santa Fe.

New Treatment Options for Neurological Diseases

Over the next fifteen years, the elderly population in the U.S. is expected to grow by 40 percent.  With that growth, experts expect the rate of neurological diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and strokes to grow at an unprecedented rate.   In fact Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase threefold and affect up to 16 million people. 

To meet these challenges, researchers such those at the Cleveland Clinic, a world leader in the treatment of neurological diseases, have approached the fight with a combination of cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary teamwork, and clinical research.  For example, they are one of only a few centers in the world conducting the first-ever study of an immunotherapy that targets Parkinson’s disease.  Dr. Hubert Fernandez, directory of the Center for Neurological Restoration at Cleveland Clinic, says, “It’s a treatment that works by stimulating the body’s natural defenses to help break down the abnormal clumps of protein found in the brains of Parkinson patients.”

In terms of Alzheimer’s, research is focused on improved treatments for symptoms as well as ways to treat the disease itself.  Dr. Leverenz, a director of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Cleveland, explains that medications include “an antibody that attacks amyloid deposits, the sticky, neuron-destroying protein plaques found in the brains of people with disease.” 

Other advances include a FDA approved stent retriever for stroke victims.  The device removes large clots from the blood vessels leading to the brain.  Also there has been promising results using surgically implanted electrodes in the cerebellum of stroke survivors who suffer from long-term paralysis.  Using a combination of the electrodes and therapy, patients have had restored movement.  

At MorningStar of Sparks, we proudly serve the needs of our residents by providing the finest independent living and assisted living Reno and the surrounding area has to offer.  Our community offers 128 bright suites for independent living and 80 suites in assisted living for those needing help with the activities of daily living.  In addition, 32 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood are devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest independent and assisted living Reno/Sparks has to offer.

Source:washingtonpost.com/brand-studio/cleveland-clinic/keeping-your-mind/?noredirect=on

UTIs Can Present a Danger to the Elderly

The Senior Living website says that, “One of the many unseen, hard-to-detect dangers that senior citizens face today is urinary tract infections, more often known as UTIs.” They explain that while the infection is usually easy to treat, the symptoms of UTIs in the elderly can often mimic much more serious conditions including dementia. 

The reason why UTIs often are undiagnosed in the elderly is that many of them do not experience the common symptoms associated with the infections such as frequent urination, burning pain, cloudy urine and lower back pain. As seniors’ immune systems typically do not function at optimal levels, UTIs symptoms can manifest in a range of behaviors including confusion, disorientations, agitation, poor motor skills, dizziness, falling and even depression. They can even cause a sudden onset of urinary incontinence. 

Many of these symptoms may be attributed to more serious illnesses or old age; however, once the infection is finally diagnosed, the treatment is relatively straightforward. A simple urinalysis can confirm the infection and most cases will be cured by antibiotics in a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the infection and the health of the person. Doctors recommend drinking four to six 8-ounce glasses of water a day to flush the bacteria from the system and to add cranberry juice or cranberry tablets to your diet. 

The new MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community is designed to care for our residents’ every needs. Along with a whole host of resort-style amenities, wellness programs and activities, we also provide residents with three wholesome, delicious meals each day with beverages as well as have an onsite 24-hour bistro. Please visit our website or drop by our Information Center. We expect to open sometime around Christmas. 

This blog is for informational purposes only, please see your healthcare provider if you have a medical problem.

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Located on the west side of town, we invite you to call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more information about unsurpassed assisted living and memory care in Santa Fe.

Source: seniorliving.org/healthcare/uti/

MorningStar of Santa Fe is Hosting a “Grief Support Group”

We strongly believe that grief comes in many forms but is always shaped by LOVE. This is why our newly opened senior housing community, MorningStar of Santa Fe is proud to host the “Hearts & Health Grief Support Group.” Sponsored by Heritage Home Healthcare & Hospice, an Affiliated Entity of The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, we welcome those struggling through any kind of grief including the death of a spouse or child, divorce or the loss of a pet. 

This free community event will be a loving place to share your feelings and get experienced counsel from the group’s leader, Chaplain Jerry Reynolds, a spiritual Care and Bereavement Counselor at Heritage Home Health & Hospice (Good Samaritan). His extensive experience includes providing spiritual care for terminally ill patients and their family members and friends. 

The group will meet every Thursday starting on March 7 - April 11th from 1:00–2:00 PM. In order to attend, we ask that you RSVP as the group is limited to 10.  We will meet at MorningStar of Santa Fe’s assisted living and memory care community located at 2041 S Pacheco Street. Please visit our website for details and contact information to RSVP. 

If you are unfamiliar with MorningStar of Santa Fe, we are a beautiful new pueblo-styled community offering 56 bright suites for assisted living. Our floorplans include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with some as large as 820 square feet. We also offer experienced, compassionate memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood, which has 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. MorningStar is a private pay community and we do not accept Medicaid. Please visit our website to learn more about Santa Fe’s newest luxury senior housing. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. We encourage you to contact us for more information regarding unparalleled senior living in Santa Fe.

Schedule a Tour of MorningStar of Sparks

Searching for Reno assisted living, independent living or memory care?  Look no further than MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, located east of Reno in the Sparks neighborhood of Wingfield Springs.

The gallery pictures on our website do a very good job of showing off MorningStar of Sparks’ gorgeous senior living community, but to really get an ideal of what we are all about, we encourage you to schedule a tour.  Located on our home page is a link to “Schedule a Tour” that takes just a few minutes to fill out.  If you plan to tour a couple of senior living communities, you may want to read a few articles on the Internet regarding things to look for on your tour.  

An onsite tour is important for many reasons and gives you the chance to experience it with your own eyes, ears, and instincts.  Remember this may be the place where you or your loved one decide to make their new home.  A tour also allows you to evaluate the community for cleanliness and to get an idea of the daily routine of the residents.  Additionally you will get to meet the staff and talk to residents.

Some of the questions you will want to ask include information regarding staff members’ credentials and have they gone through background checks or received any special training.   Does the staff seem friendly and do residents appear to be well cared for and happy?  If you can, eat a meal at the community as it gives you an idea of the quality of food as well as time to visit with staff and residents. 

At MorningStar of Sparks, we recommend that you plan on spending at least 45 minutes with us during your tour.  You are welcome to join us for lunch (please let us know when you set up the tour) and if you do, please allow approximately 90 minutes so you can enjoy your meal.  We will tailor the visit to your priorities and let us know if you have any special concerns.  Once you complete our online form, we will get back to you ASAP to set up a convenient time for you.  

MorningStar of Sparks provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “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 create a true home for residents amidst a peaceful setting.  Please contact us to set up a tour of our Reno assisted living, independent living and memory care community.

Listen to the Debut Podcast of Our “Aging Gracefully” Radio Program

If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, we encourage you to visit our website to listen to a Podcast of the debut of MorningStar of Santa Fe’s radio program, Aging Gracefully. The program is hosted by MorningStar’s Executive Director, Bill Bouvier and Director of Community Relations, Leslie Castaneda, and is scheduled to air Saturdays at 1:00–2:00PM on KTRC AM/FM. 

On our first program, we discuss “Alzheimer’s Dos and Don’ts” with guest speaker, Dr. Jytte Lokvig. Dr. Lokvig is a nationally recognized Alzheimer's and dementia care specialist, and author of several books including Alzheimer's A to Z, A Quick Reference Guide. 

During the Podcast, Dr. Lokvig recommends ways to help your parent or spouse transition to memory care. One of her suggestions is to take the time to introduce the person to the community and help them feel comfortable in the new surroundings. Another tip is to take advantage of respite care if offered by the community as this can be a good way to get your parent into the home if they think it is only for a short time. As they get comfortable there, they should be more open to the idea of staying put. 

During the Podcast, Dr. Lokvig goes over the most common signs of Alzheimer’s such as repeating the same thing over and over again as well as getting lost in familiar places. In addition she says to listen to the person’s concerns about changes they may be noticing. She also cautions families to not ask a person with memory loss a direct question as it can cause more stress and confusion. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe invites you to give us a call to set up an appointment to tour one of our model suites or to drop by our Information Center, located on the city’s west side on S. Pacheco St. Our team is committed to providing assisted living and memory care that affirms the dignity and comfort of each resident, and from the moment you step through our doors, you will discover a community that feels like a true home.

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to give us a call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more details about the finest assisted living in Santa Fe, NM.

Senior Housing from an Award-winning Company

The MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care is excited to open its doors to our first residents. While area seniors may not be familiar with the MorningStar Senior Living Company, we want you to know that many of our communities located throughout the Western U.S. have received awards and honors from outside organizations.

An example is the “Best Of’ award from A Place for Mom, SeniorAdvisor.com, one of the nation’s most widely respected senior living referral and review websites, which has been awarded to several of our communities. The exclusive designation honors the top 1% of senior living providers in the U.S. and Canada and is based on consistently high ratings and positive reviews from residents, families and visitors to Senior Advisor.com. 

Our communities have also been recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association for the training and education our staff receives. Additionally MorningStar communities take part in Alzheimer’s fundraising and awareness activities including hosting and participating in annual events several times a year. At MorningStar Senior Living, we too think it is important to honor our outstanding communities and annually designate one as “Community of the Year,” an award all of our communities strive to receive. 

However most importantly we are proud of the compassionate care our senior living communities offer residents, and are gratified by the consistently high reviews we get from residents and their families. As one family from our MorningStar of Albuquerque community writes, “Our family thanks the MorningStar team for the selfless and loving care you provided Mom. The entire staff always showed professionalism, yet it was clear that everyone sees their jobs as more than a paycheck; it is a commitment to the comfort and well-being of residents. The concierges were always bright, cheery and friendly. The management team always there to support, including just sitting with Mom when she needed a friend.”
Please visit our website for information on unsurpassed senior housing in Santa Fe. Also give us a call for pricing and availability. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Visit our website to set up a tour of the finest senior living in Santa Fe.

MorningStar of Sparks Takes Dining to the Next Level

MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks is dedicated to providing the finest senior living Reno NV and the surrounding area has to offer.  To that end, we proudly take dining to a new level with beautifully prepared meals served restaurant-style.  We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why we put so much emphasis on ensuring our food service is A+.

Furthermore, we believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed within a community setting.  When we break bread together, it is much more than just physical nutrients as it helps to bond us as a family and as friends.

To ensure our food service is both delicious and nutritional, we have our own highly-trained Executive Chef.  Residents enjoy seasonal menus that are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest of ingredients of which come from high-quality producers.  Meals are also modified to include an array of low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat choices so that residents can self-manage any dietary restrictions. 

Recognizing that nutrient-rich foods can help stimulate the appetite as well as support brain health, MorningStar of Sparks’ meals are also prepared using ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.   These “super foods” include leafy, dark greens; dark chocolate; acai; berries, and Omega 3 fats.  Most importantly mealtime MorningStar is a time for residents to relax and enjoy the company of fellow residents or family and friends. 

Nestled in a quaint neighborhood east of Reno, MorningStar of Sparks’ residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community within a loving, family atmosphere.  Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s best senior living community, and while you are there, set up a tour to see for yourself why residents are proud to call us home. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Reno NV area offers.

Looking for Gift Ideas for an Elderly Parent?

Now that the holiday season is almost here, many of us are having a hard time coming up with fresh gift ideas for elderly parents and other seniors in our lives.  Not only do many older adults live in smaller, paired down apartments with not much room for a more “stuff,” but most likely do not need much. This is why the most appreciated gifts are often practical ones that improve their quality of life or are meaningful. 

Memory-making presents are usually a hit and the marketplace has lots of options to choose from. One example is a Memory Journal, which provides a series of questions to get people thinking about the things they would like to share about their life. Other books are designed to make it easy to put together a scrapbook full of memories.

If your loved one has a hard time getting to sleep at night, you may want to consider a sound machine. Most of them have timers that can be set for as little as 15 minutes or up to an hour. Another useful gift is a humidifier. Kathrin Nicolacakis, MD of the Cleveland Clinic say “dry air can wreak havoc on your nose and lungs and make existing conditions worse.” A humidifier helps to relieve a variety of respiratory symptoms such as sinus congestion, asthma and allergies, and nose bleeds. 

Something a hearing-impaired adult as well as everyone else around them may appreciate is a wireless headphone set designed to clarify dialogue from a TV. The device allows the TV to be set at mute or the volume at a level comfort for other listeners. 

Other practical gifts include things like a lighted magnifying glass, a big-button phone, or a “reacher” for someone with mobility or dexterity problems. Entertaining gifts include jigsaw puzzles, oversized playing cards, or adult coloring books and markers. 

At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we consider the care, comfort and wellbeing of our residents to be of the utmost importance. Our compassionate caregivers are the type of people who consider seniors to be heroes and feel privileged to serve them. Our luxury senior living community is scheduled to open sometime around Christmas so be sure to check our website for details regard our “Grand Opening Celebration.” 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to give us a call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more details on exceptional assisted living in Santa Fe, NM.

Source: health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-tell-if-you-need-a-humidifier/

seniors.lovetoknow.com/Gift_Ideas_for_the_Elderly

Alzheimer’s Disease Can Result in Feelings of Grief & Loss for the Family

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is devastating news for all. Family members may quickly start experiencing feelings of grief as they recognize their life is about to be changed by the disease and are uneasy about what the future will hold. Most are left with questions about what to expect next. 

As Alzheimer’s begins to take away the person we know and love, the Alzheimer’s Association explains that, “you'll mourn him or her and may experience the different phases of grieving: denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance.” They remind us that feelings of grief do not come in a specific order but rather we go in and out of the various stages.

Feelings of denial include unrealistically hoping the person is not ill or expecting them to get better. Others try to convince themselves their loved one has not changed or try to normalize and make excuses for their behaviors. Anger may include being frustrated with the person or feeling abandoned. You may also experience feelings of resentment with the demands of caregiving and/or resent others who are not helping with care. 

Guilt includes having unrealistic thoughts about what you should have done or feeling guilty if you do not visit every day. A spouse that is well and still able to enjoy life may feel guilty that their husband or wife is no longer able to do so. Others may have negative feelings such as wishing the person would die or go away. 

The Alzheimer’s Association says you need to face both your positive as well as negative feeling. They also say to be prepared to go through feelings of loss more than once as the disease progresses. Remember your grief is a part of your journey, and if you need help, talk with someone about your feelings. 

At MorningStar of Santa Fe, our memory care residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and spend each day in an atmosphere that celebrates and elevates their lives. We look forward to bringing incomparable senior living to Santa Fe now that our new community is open. Please visit our website for information on pricing and availability or to set up a tour. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Please visit our website for more details on unsurpassed senior living in Santa Fe.

Independent Living Located in the Reno/Sparks Area

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we offer comfort, wellness and community with an array of amenities, making us the best senior living Reno NV and the surrounding area has to offer. Along with 128 independent living suites, our community is also home to two other neighborhoods, assisted living for seniors who require help with daily personal care, and our Reflections Neighbor devoted to those with memory impairment. 

Independent living at MorningStar provides seniors with carefree retirement years, and as our suites are rented on a month-to-month basis and not a buy-in community, it does not require a large upfront investment as many other area properties.  In addition, we offer a selection of floor plans with one and two-bedroom configurations.   Our stylish, contemporary suites offer ceiling lighting, high ceilings, large windows, wall-to-wall carpeting, mini blinds and laundry facilities. And yes, we are pet friendly!

All of our MorningStar residents are treated to a host of creative programs and resort-style amenities and services.  Our promise of a carefree lifestyle includes beautiful, relaxing outdoor strolling paths, transportation that makes it easy to get out and about, and a full calendar of wellness programs and activities.  Furthermore, we have a professional chief on staff and residents are served three healthy and delicious meals daily in our elegant dining room.  Additional on-site services include a full salon, billiards and game room, bistro, library, theatre, fitness room, and spa bath.

Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks.  We are conveniently located east of Reno in the Sparks neighborhood of Wingfield Springs. The Reno-Sparks area is just 59 miles from Lake Tahoe and adjacent to Sun Valley, Nevada.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Reno NV area offers.

Join Us at a United Way of Santa Fe Early Childhood Programs Fundraiser

MorningStar of Santa Fe is proud to be a sponsor of the United Way of Santa Fe’s “Coats & Cocktails” fundraiser for their Early Childhood Programs. The event will be held on Wednesday, December 12 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Casa Espana. Guest speaker will be Abby Bordner of the United Way. Appetizers and cocktails will be served as well as a raffle that offers multiple staycations from local hotels and resorts. 

The United Way is seeking cash donations along with children’s coats and other articles of clothing suitable for winter weather. They are requesting new clothing only and in sizes 0-7. If you would just like to make a donation, there is a convenient drop off bin at MorningStar of Santa Fe. 

Anyone interested in being a part of this great cause, please RSVP 505-919-7989 by December 10th. The United Way of Santa Fe County provides free, high-quality early learning programs for area families, including home visits, Pre-K, caregiver support and early literacy projects. We encourage you to take a look at their website to learn more about the wonderful programs they provide to the community, which increase opportunities for Santa Fe children and families to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

Please visit MorningStar of Santa Fe’s website for all the current news of our new community as we get closer and closer to our opening date. Also we will keep you posted on details regarding our Grand Opening, which is expected to be sometime around Christmas. Our new community will have 56 bright suites for assisted living and 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to give us a call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more details on the finest assisted living in Santa Fe, NM.

Santa Fe’s Newest Senior Living Community Opens with Pomp & Ceremony

The MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community opened its doors with an Inaugural Reception that included plenty of pomp and ceremony on January 10th. On our website, you will find pictures of the overall festivities as well as special guests and dignitaries that joined the celebration including MorningStar Senior Living’s CEO/Founder, Ken Jaeger. Please flip through the album to get an idea of the love, enthusiasm and pride we all feel for our brand-new, gorgeous senior housing community. 

If a parent would benefit from the care and the many amenities and services assisted living offers but are reluctant to make a change in their current situation, please visit MorningStar’s Family Resource link to our helpful “Decision Guide.” We know that while it is a good thing to have the various senior living options available today, it can lead to confusion and our Decision Guide helps to clarify them. 

One of the first tips in the guide is to clearly identify what you are trying to solve in terms of your parent’s comfort, wellbeing and safety. We recommend doing this with an eye to not just next year, but to the next 5-10 years. If you are new to the concept of assisted living, it is a relatively new idea that first emerged in the late 1990s, and provides a refreshing change from nursing homes of old that were often institutional and depressing. 

For additional help with starting a conversation on senior living, request a copy of “Senior Life: How to have the Best Conversation Ever with Your Elder Parent” from us. It provides a thorough explanation of the relational and psychological constructs of aging and legacy. 

Please give us a call or use our online form to set up a tour if you or a loved one requires a little help with daily personal care activities and would benefit from companionship and the stimulation of our wellness programs and activities. Our team looks forward to hearing from you. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. We encourage you to give us a call for more information on luxury senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Assisted Living for Your Parent May be More Affordable than You Think

As seniors get to the point in their lives where they need daily help in order to live comfortably and safely, many families worry that assisted living will cost more than they can afford.  The reality according to A Place for Mom is that assisted living may actually be less expensive than the cost of cobbling together everything you need to support your parent.  They state that after “dealing with the initial sticker shock and touring a community most families change their minds and realize assisted living is a great value.”

You may be asking yourself how this can be true.  To start with, if your parent is living alone in the family home, they have on-going expenses such as mortgage payments or yearly taxes and insurance as well as routine maintenance and repair costs.  If your parent is renting, costs continue to rise each year with increases in rent and utility bills.

In addition many elderly adults no longer feel comfortable driving and are not getting out like they used to, which can lead to feelings of isolation.  Studies show seniors who live alone often “experience social isolation and poor nutrition which contributes to cognitive decline, health problems, depression and a lower quality of life.”  Furthermore, if they are unable to drive, they will require assistance with getting to and from doctor appointments, running errands and buying groceries. 

Another expense you may encounter when your parent is living in their own house is it may require modifications to allow them to move safely about the home.  These types of changes can be expensive, and when it comes time to sell, may impact the worth of the home.

The bottom line is that after you add up all of the services and amenities included in the cost of assisted living, A Place for Mom concludes it may actually be less than half the cost of getting care for your elderly parent at home. 

MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks is dedicated to providing the finest independent and assisted living Reno and the surrounding area offers.  We have 80 beautiful suites for assisted living along with our independent living and memory care options. Please visit our website to check on pricing and availability as well as to set up a tour.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest independent and assisted living Reno/Sparks has to offer.

Source:aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/assisted-living-in-home-care-compared

MorningStar of Albuquerque has a Busy Calendar

Are you asking yourself “Is there quality senior living near me?” If so, you will definitely want to take a look at MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Albuquerque. We offer seniors a choice of configurations in 48 private assisted living suites, and devote 21 suites in our Reflection Neighborhood to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

As a resident of our senior living community, you will have a wide selection of meaningful wellness programs as well as creative and social activities to participate in. Our programs include exercise options, morning worship, Catholic communion, current events, table games, flower arranging, art classes, movie night and much, much more. 

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself,” and that “even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging.” At MorningStar we could not agree more, which is why we offer our exercise class Let’s Get Moving nearly every day. 

Another popular activity with our residents is our card and table games. Each monthly calendar is filled with various games such as poker, Dominoes, and Bingo. Our wide scope of activities means that regardless of your interest, you are sure to find something of interest. Whether it is joining the baking club, learning to knit, wine tasting or having the opportunity to attend morning church services, MorningStar is a great place to call home. Please contact us today to schedule a tour to discover for yourself all that we offer. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Source: nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association’s website is loaded with the most up-to the-date information regarding all the various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Part of their extensive information includes a check list of 10 early warning signs of the disease. This is important to know as an early diagnosis allows someone an opportunity to seek treatment and to make plans for the future. While everyone’s journey is different, they recommend if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of memory loss, to consult with a doctor.

The first sign of Alzheimer’s as stated by the Association is memory loss that disrupts a person’s daily life. This is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages. Examples include forgetting important dates or events as well as recently learned information. 

The second sign is experiencing difficulties in developing a plan or working with numbers. It may affect everyday tasks such as balancing a checkbook or keeping track of monthly bills. 

Next they cite new problems that develop in completing familiar tasks around the home, at work or leisure. The person experiences difficulties when driving to a familiar location, managing a budget or remembering the rules of a favorite game. 

Fourth on the Alzheimer’s Association’s list is signs of confusion regarding time and place. Examples include losing track of dates and what time of the year it is as well as forgetting where they are or how they got there. 

Another sign of Alzheimer’s is problems understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This can mean difficulty reading, judging distances and determining color or contrast. Further along in the disease, a person may not recognize their own reflection. 

The sixth sign on their list includes experiencing new problems with words when speaking or writing. Another sign is misplacing things and not having the ability to retrace their steps. People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. 

The eighth sign includes decreased or poor judgment such as giving away large amounts of money to fraudulent causes or paying less attention to grooming habits. The ninth sign stated by the Association is withdrawing from work or social activities. Last on the list is a significant change in mood and personality. People with the disease can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Please see the Alzheimer’s Association’s website for the complete details on the early warning signs of the disease. 

MorningStar of Albuquerque’s goal is to provide the best senior living in the area, and our community includes 21 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Our Reflections Neighborhood is uniquely designed to address all the various needs of our residents and has a 24-hour care staff, full-time licensed nurse, regular health monitoring, and meal assistance with our nutritional, Executive Chef prepared meals. Contact us to schedule a visit to experience our community firsthand. We know you will be gratified to discover a staff that is committed to providing compassionate and loving care to our special residents each and every day. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque NM has to offer.

Source: alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp?type=alzFooter#signs

Tips for Downsizing Before Moving into Senior Living

Once you decide to move into a senior living community like MorningStar at Arcadia, you may be faced with downsizing decades’ worth of personal items and a houseful of furnishings. It is no wonder it feels like an overwhelming task. 

Organizing experts have several tips to help you get started such as beginning with an inventory of your possessions. After that, create a list of the things you do not want to part with and another list of items you would like to give away to family and friends. 

Now measure the size of your new suite and create a floor plan that gives you a realistic idea of how your furnishings will fit in your new place. If the unit is a studio or a smaller, one bedroom, you do not want to be so crowded you cannot safely move around. It may even turn out that you need to buy some things like a smaller couch or coffee table. 

Your next step should be to evaluate the things you want to keep to determine if you will have the room. The process will require some give and take but keep in mind you do not want to bring a lot of useless clutter to your new home. Also remember at communities such as MorningStar at Arcadia, we do the cooking and serve the food restaurant-style. 

Any possessions that are left can be sold, donated or recycled and some charities will even come and pick up pieces of furniture and items you do not want. When you get into your new suite, use bins and shelving to help organize everything so you can easily get to it. 

Please visit MorningStar at Arcadia to learn more about our beautiful Phoenix senior living community. There you will find an online form to set up a tour or to inquiry about pricing and availability. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other Phoenix senior living communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional community.

MorningStar at Arcadia’s Resort-style Amenities Ensure Your Comfort

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia is committed to provide the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer. Designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the most discerning senior, our community is built on the premise that senior living can be both purposeful and beautiful. We have warm, inviting common areas both inside and out and the amenities and services to ensure residents feel right at home. 

If you are someone who finds that preparing meals has become too difficult due to your health or just not something you enjoy any more, you will be delighted to know we offer three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef. All of our delicious meals are served in our elegant dining room, restaurant-style, and created largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients to tempt the most particular taste buds. We even offer a private dining room for intimate dinners. 

MorningStar is a great place to meet new friends, as well as spend time with existing friends and family. Our Bistro offers a relaxing place for residents as well as their guests to gather and enjoy a beverage or a light snack. Other beautifully-appointed, comfy gathering places include our lovely fireside living room and relaxing outdoor courtyard, complete with fireplace and fountain.

Other onsite amenities include our own chapel, theatre with Wii, a library offering a computer and newspapers, a convenient salon offering hairstyling, manicures and pedicures, and much more. In addition a monthly calendar filled with meaningful wellness programs and activities will allow you to stay as busy as you like. 

While our array of amenities and services are vast, we haven’t even mentioned our devoted and loving team who are the type of individuals who feel privileged to serve seniors. Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community.

MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand the finest senior living Phoenix offers.

MorningStar at Arcadia Offers Smartly Designed Floorplans

Looking for the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer? Conveniently located in the heart of the Valley of the Sun, MorningStar at Arcadia is convenient to banks, hospitals, shopping malls, and restaurants. In addition, the firm who designed our beautiful, contemporary décor, Thoma-Holec Design, swept the Senior Living Category at the National 2014 ASID Design for Excellence Awards, winning First Place for their work on our remarkable community.

Unlike many retirement communities, Arcadia was built as a senior living community and meticulously designed to accommodate every need of our assisted living and memory care residents. For assisted living, we offer 80 graciously appointed suites in configurations that range from spacious studio to one- and two-bedroom floor plans (including penthouse suites). Our Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases and has 30 secure suites. 

Each of our stylish units offers high ceilings, large windows, lighting, wall-to-wall carpeting and mini blinds and is equipped with full, handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Moreover, basic cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly rent and every suite has its own heating and air conditioning system. Arcadia also offers weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services and daily spot cleaning and trash removal. In case you were wondering, we are pet friendly. 

We encourage you to visit our website and take a look at the variety of floor plans as we feel sure you will find the perfect configuration for your needs. For example, we offer studio suites from 347 to 400 sq. ft. One-bedroom units range from 437 to 493 sq. ft. and two-bedrooms in assisted living go from 587 to 1280 sq. ft. Memory care two-bedrooms range from 587 to 839 sq. ft.

While at our website, you can also set up a tour or email us for pricing and availability. We love showing off our community and we think you will see why our residents are proud to call us “home.” 

At MorningStar at Arcadia, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or to give us a call to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix offers.

Preparing for Your Doctor’s Appointment

Most of us have walked out of our doctor’s office and quickly thought of a question we wished we had asked the doctor. We know that doctors are busy and our time with them is short, but the medical profession says it is important for seniors to proactively communicate with their health care providers and control the appointment. 

They recommend putting together a list of questions you want to ask before your next visit. This can help to give you a better understanding of your medical conditions and improve your ability to self-manage them. You should also bring a list of all of the prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins and supplements you are currently taking.

General questions to ask include: 

• Are my medications still appropriate to my condition and should the dosage be lowered or increased? 

• How are my blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels?

• What type of exercise do you recommend for someone my age?

• Is my weight a problem?

• What steps should I take to improve my health?

If you are experiencing symptoms, make a list of all of them and include frequency and the amount of pain or discomfort associated with them. If your doctor diagnoses a disease, ask them how do you spell it and if you will need any tests or medications to treat it? In addition ask your doctor how the condition will affect your long-term health, and what, if any, are the side effects of the medications. 

Too many seniors are reluctant to ask questions of their health care providers but it is important to become educated about your medical conditions, treatments and possible health risks. In fact, most doctors say they wish their patients would be more proactive and ask questions during their visit as it lets them know you understand your health conditions. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia offers our residents an exceptional assisted living home.