Our Team Grew Up Loving & Honoring Seniors

Our MorningStar at Golden Ridge leadership team learned from a young age not only the joy that comes from loving a senior but what great teachers they are to us. We feel blessed to have such fine individuals leading our community and knowing we are in good hands. 

Beginning with our Executive Director, Kerri Felix, who has adeptly, and compassionately led our team over the past three years, explains the first senior she loved was her “Grampy.” She says she didn’t ever think of him as a senior but just knew he was her favorite guy who happened to have white hair. From her earliest relationships to today, Kerri has seen the ways seniors teach us to be humble and to be respectful of time as it is a precious commodity not to be wasted. Adding, “It is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to serve them every day; and to serve alongside team members who daily exhibit the core value of kindness.”   

Nicole Baker serves as our Wellness Director. She explains the first senior she loved was Grandpa Jim, or as others knew him, “Big Jim;” the glue of the family who was funny, kind and made them laugh with silly jokes. Nicole says, “Seniors have taught me to live life to the fullest, to stop and enjoy the little sthings. They show me that family is the most important thing you have in life, and how precious this life is.” 

Rounding out our leadership team is Julie Larsson, the Director of Community Relations. Her grandfather Leo made her feel special and told her one day she would be an artist. She says, “I feel called to serve seniors because it is very satisfying to know I can play a part in improving their quality of life. My elders teach me to be grateful for things we often take for granted, like health and family.” Julie loves working for MorningStar because the company’s mission and core values echo her own.

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge provides 55+ adults a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security with the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our philosophy, floorplans, amenities, services and availability. Our team is ready to answer any of your questions and look forward to hearing from you and your family.  

Studies Show Vegetables & Fruits May Help in the Fight against Forgetfulness

New research shows flavonoids, the chemicals that provide plant foods their bright colors, may help in the fight against forgetfulness and mild confusion many seniors experience. The evidence comes from two long-term continuing health studies from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Participants were periodically surveyed regarding their diet and state of their health including memory problems over a 20 year period. Data was extracted from over 100,000 men and women with an average age of 73.  

The study’s lead author, Dr. Deborah Blacker, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said they focused on participants’ consummation of two dozen common types of flavonoids. These included carrots (high in beta carotene), strawberries (containing flavone) and apples (containing anthocyanin). Results suggest those who answered “yes” to having memory problems also reported eating a lower amount of flavonoid-enriched foods.  

Researchers found a significant difference between the bottom one-fifth of participants who reported the lowest intake of flavonoids compared to the upper one-fifth who were 19 percent less likely to report forgetfulness or confusion. Additionally the study reported “higher intakes of Brussel sprouts, strawberries, winter squash and raw spinach were most highly associated with better scores on the test of subjective cognitive decline.” Dr. Thomas M. Holland, a researcher at the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging who was not involved in the study, said “There’s some really good data here with 20 years of follow-up.”

MorningStar at Golden Ridge is a senior living community in Peoria committed to making your retirement years carefree. Along with resort-style amenities and hospitality and care services, we offer residents a 5-star dining experience enriched with a variety of healthy, fresh foods. For active seniors, we have 38 beautiful Casitas quadraplexes with attached garages. For seniors who require a little help with daily care, we have 65 assisted living suites in one and two-bedroom options. We also provide 35 suites devoted to the specialized care of seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website for contact information.  

As a community leader in all issues regarding seniors, we recently hosted Falls Prevention: Protect Your Loved Ones presented by Ryan Levins, Director of Rehabilitation, Genesis Rehab. Stay tuned to our website for future education programs and events.  

Source: nytimes.com/2021/08/09/well/brain-health-fruits-vegetables.html  

Maintain and Enhance Your Memory

In an article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health.  Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.      

One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain.  An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.”  Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming.  However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider.  

In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health.  This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits.  

Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night.  Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.”

What sets MorningStar of Arvada apart from other independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada, CO offers?  We strive to provide a true “home” for our residents and have a team committed to serving seniors who treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Our loving, around-the-clock care encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of our residents. 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 independent living, assisted living, and memory care Arvada, CO offers.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory

Does a Yawn Mean You are Tired?

Experts say you may be surprised to learn yawning is not a sign that we are tired. Moreover we yawn anywhere from five to 20 times a day and a yawn typically lasts around 5 seconds. 

Scientists explain a yawn is probably not a sign we need more oxygen or need to get rid of extra carbon dioxide. In fact they say a “yawn/sleep link may be a form of nonverbal communication.” They add when a family of baboons start yawning, it appears to be a signal it is time to sleep.  

Other theories regarding why we yawn include the idea that it exercises and stretches our lungs and nearby tissues, helping to prevent the tiny airways in the lungs from collapsing. This may be why yawns occur when our breathing is shallow like when we are tired or bored. The newly stretched muscles help us feel more awake and alert as the yawn increases our heart rate. 

Another odd thing about yawning is we can feel a need to do it just by thinking about it, and scientists say it is one of the most contagious, uncontrollable things we do. Just watching a video of people yawning can cause us to yawn. Researchers say it may be a good thing if we yawn when someone else does as a study with Boston University students showed the less empathic a person was the less likely they were to mimic a yawn.  

A study on the yawning habits of 120 people published in 2014 in the journal, Physiology & Behavior, found people yawned less in the winter. Researchers theorized hotter temperatures may cause the brain to get too warm and a yawn brings in fresh air to cool it down. It is important to note yawning excessively as well as other symptoms like brain fog and a hard time sleeping could be a sign of other problems, which should be reported to your doctor.  

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with an array of luxury amenities and services. Our senior living options include assisted living and independent living, and memory care. We are dedicated to creating a true home for carefree retirement years, and invite you to visit our website or contact us to learn more.

Learn More About Assisted Living at MorningStar of Beaverton

As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, MorningStar of Beaverton is designed to meet the needs of our assisted living residents with compassion and professionalism. Each aspect of our home is intended to allow residents to comfortably and safely age in place with an array of luxury amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities. 

Our gracious living extends to our dining service that offers an upscale experience inspired by the belief that dining is the centerpiece of personal wellness. It is through a proper diet of healthy choices that food becomes a healing medicine unlike any other. When it is enjoyed as a community, it helps to bond us as a family. MorningStar of Beaverton’s trained Executive Chef has been instructed in culinary skills and menu creation, along with the soft skills of being a servant-leader. As we recognize today’s seniors have more sophisticated culinary tastes, we balance a blend of world foods and flavors with nostalgic comfort foods. 

One of our special interests is a focus on developing delicious meals around foods known to support brain health. Containing a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, they include “Super Foods” like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate, and dark greens. So, our meals not only delight the eye and palate, but contain the ingredients to help recharge our bodies. 

MorningStar of Beaverton provides many support services and the physical environment to enable seniors to live as comfortably and as safely as possible. All assisted living suites are equipped with full handicap-accessible bathrooms and have emergency call systems. Along with our delicious daily meals tailored to the changing health needs of older adults, we offer 24/7 Care Managers, licensed nurses, scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations and Care Plan reviews, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Contact us or visit our website for more information.

At MorningStar of Beaverton, our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, 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. 

 

Join Our Team of Great Hearts in the Phoenix Area

If you have a felt calling to serve and love the idea of having meaningful relationships with seniors, we invite you to apply for one of MorningStar’s rewarding positions now available in our Phoenix area communities.   Our homes were founded on a Vision statement that reads: In pursuit of excellence, MorningStar resolves to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.  

Within each of our communities, we have proudly assembled a team of Great Hearts committed to serving our resident-families, fellow team members, and the wider community.  When recruiting new team members, we start by looking for virtues such as kindness, selflessness and character.  Our hiring process also includes seeking the type of individuals who do the right thing even when no one is watching; who wish to perfect the art of anticipating needs and going the extra mile, and who intuitively understand that Senior Living, at its best, is love in action.   From there, our job is to invest generously in purposeful training and mentoring as well as to provide compensation and benefits to ensure each employee reaches their full potential.  

In addition to competitive wages and a generous, sick, vacation and holiday policy, MorningStar offers comprehensive insurance to our employees. This includes health insurance (with deductible options and below average premiums), dental insurance, vision insurance, telehealth coverage (at no cost), life insurance (basic policy at no cost; supplemental policy available at group rates), and supplemental insurance (disability, accident, critical illness). At MorningStar, we strive to make sure our employees are protected against most of life’s unexpected costs.

While educational requirements and skill sets are diverse, the various openings at our communities all need people with a desire to make a difference in someone else’s life.  We have Medication Care Managers and Caregiver jobs available in Phoenix.  Other openings include Concierge, Maintenance Assistant, Dining Room Servers, Cook, Housekeeper and more. If you have a Great Heart, please apply today.  

MorningStar Senior Living exemplifies the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and investing in staff with a felt calling to offer seniors lives of comfort, joy and wellness. Please visit our website and apply for a rewarding position (including caregiver jobs) in the Phoenix area.

Anger can be a Part of the Grieving Process

The loss of a loved one or the diagnosis of a deadly disease is devastating and hard to process. Turning inward and drawing on our spiritual strength as well as seeking comfort from our family and friends is important in the healing process. However, if you feel you need professional help to deal with the loss or to face end-of-life decisions, grief counselors and other mental health providers may be able to help you better shoulder the burden and ease the pain. 

In many cases, people can be surprised to find they are angry but experts explain it is one of the five stages in the grieving process that includes: denial and seclusion, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Anger may be triggered by feelings of abandonment or fear when a beloved spouse, child, or parent passes away. Social Worker Kriss Kevorkian, Ph.D., explains “When anger is involved, it’s important to look at it and find out if you’re angry about the situation, the person who died, or perhaps even God.” She says discussing your feelings with a grief counselor can help you find ways to cope with the loss and start to process it. 

    

When a loved one has a terminal illness, talking to a grief counselor can help you start the difficult conversation regarding your feelings and even help you to make the most of the time you have left with them. Afterward, professionals can help you find ways to honor the memory of your loved one as well as you process your grief. 

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge Senior Living community, we offer 55+ adults a true home.  Along with 65 suites for assisted living, we have 38 Casitas for independent living and 35 suites devoted to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our selection of floor plans, our wide range of amenities, our care services and to ask about availability and pricing.   

What Does Assisted Living Offer?

Many families mistakenly think senior living and particularly assisted living is just a more luxurious nursing home.  The fact is nursing homes are intended for people who are unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental conditions and require around-the-clock skilled nursing care.  Residents may be bedridden or in wheelchairs and receive ongoing palliative and preventative long-term care.    

Assisted living is for seniors who are mostly independent but require help with what is known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and include things like dressing, bathing and other personal care activities.  In some cases, people move into an assisted living community knowing that while they do not now need assistance with such tasks, they may need help in the near future.  

Assisted living also makes sense for seniors who are looking for more companionship and love the security of knowing they are not alone.  As many senior living communities such as MorningStar of Arvada have an emergency call system in each suite, you can rest easy knowing help is just minutes away.   Another perk of MorningStar is we offer scheduled transportation so you will never have to worry about getting to your doctor appointments and other important errands.  

Moreover, while MorningStar’s suites vary in size and number of bedrooms, all of our suites are smartly designed to make the most of the space they offer with high ceilings, large windows and many offer patios or balconies.  In addition, residents often tell us what a relief it was to give up their large family homes that were hard to keep clean as well as all of the maintenance required.  Residents also enjoy weekly housekeeping and delicious meals they no longer need to cook.

MorningStar of Arvada offers the kind of senior living area families have come to count on.  Along with assisted living, we provide independent living for active seniors and memory care for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. In addition, we offer respite care, (short recuperative stays) and trial stays from one week up to a full month to see if we are a good fit.  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 to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living, and memory care Arvada, CO offers.

Music and Art May Improve Quality of Life for Those with Dementia

Multiple studies report on the benefits of using music and art to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Experts explain they help encourage engagement and self-expression even in more advanced stages.  

Professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients say music seems to decrease agitation and improves behavioral problems common in the middle stages of the disease. Patients in later stages may even be able to sing a song they knew from childhood or tap a foot to the beat even after other forms of communication are difficult. Dancing or gently moving to a rhythm helps coordinate motor movements as well as allows the person to express emotions. Research shows “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” 

If you wish to use music to calm and soothe, choose peaceful, tranquil pieces. If you want to boost spirits and bring back happy memories, use livelier pieces. Experts say to turn off other distractions like a TV and close windows if there is outside noise. Music may be more enjoyable to the person if it is something they are familiar with from their earlier life. 

Art can also be an outlet for self-expression and give a person with Alzheimer’s a sense of purpose and accomplishment in creating their own work. Experts recommended avoiding any project that seems childlike and demeaning. Use safe, non-toxic materials, and if they need, take their hand and guide it on the paper to get them started. Moreover, remember there is no need for the person to finish.  

MorningStar of Beaverton is a trusted assisted living and memory care community southwest of Portland, OR. Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. A resident’s day is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Please visit our website to learn more about senior living, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care. 

At MorningStar of Beaverton, our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living assisted 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/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music

Learn More About MorningStar of Arvada

A highly respected senior housing company, MorningStar Senior Living has communities throughout the Western U.S. that are designed to be true homes for their residents.  MorningStar of Arvada is one of six MorningStar communities in the Denver area.

MorningStar was started in 2003 based on unique mission statements, 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 recreate my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” 

Out of this vision, came three mission statements that still guide 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.  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 serve seniors and help us create the kind of culture we envision building – a Family for Life.   

Our all-inclusive 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.  If you are looking for exceptional independent living, assisted living or memory care, Arvada, CO seniors and their families are encouraged to contact us 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 independent living, assisted living, and memory care Arvada, CO offers.

Concierge Living for the Best Carefree Retirement

Peoria, AZ’s MorningStar at Golden Ridge offers 55+ adults a selection of senior living options including independent living and assisted living as well as memory care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Along with all of our luxury amenities, care services and signature wellness programs, we offer Concierge Living to ensure seniors the ultimate in stress-free retirement years.  

We like to say Concierge Living takes senior living to the next level allowing residents to live life on their own terms. MorningStar’s luxury living starts with an array of resort-style amenities included with your private suite such as all-day, restaurant-style dining; covered parking; scheduled transportation and fitness center along with housekeeping, laundry and maintenance services. In addition our à la carte services are designed to make life even easier with extra laundry and other housekeeping services including light carpet cleaning and maintenance. 

Our top level amenities can help upgrade and organize your closet space for ease of living or walk and groom your pet from a mobile pet grooming service. Other types of à la carte services include help with hosting an intimate dinner party by reserving our private dining room and ordering guest meals for a special night with family or friends. 

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge is near the Cardinal’s stadium and close to shopping, restaurants, major medical facilities and metropolitan recreation. Please visit our website to see various floor plans in our main building including studio, and one-and two bedroom configurations. For independent living, take a look at one of our 38 Casitas quadruplexes with attached garages. For residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, we have 35 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood. Contact us to learn more about our dedicated hospitality and care services for the best senior living in Peoria. 

Adult Children Often Feel Guilty When a Parent Moves to Assisted Living

Many adult children feel as if they let their parents down by moving them into an assisted living community. Mom or dad may have even asked years ago that you never put them into a “home,” and at the time, you made the promise; and/or you know families whose adult children have opened their home to their parents. You keep thinking your parents spent years caring for you, and now when they need help, you turn to strangers to provide the care they need. 

Experts explain feelings of guilt are normal and moving a loved one to an assisted living facility is probably one of the hardest decisions you will have to make as an adult. However, they quickly add it is important to remember they were not getting the assistance they needed at home. For their safety and wellbeing, they needed to move to a place where they would receive the proper care. 

Rather than waste time thinking you have let them down, think of it as giving them a better quality of life where they can safely age in place. Experts say stop comparing yourself to others who may have made different decisions; and most of all to remember “people who don’t help and don’t understand the situation aren’t qualified to make judgments or accusations.” Also, remember your loved one is getting older and chances are their health is not going to improve in the long-run regardless of where they are living. By getting the care they need, assisted living can offer a senior the feeling of independence.  

For exceptional assisted living, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Beaverton, a true destination for successful aging.  We provide all the amenities, wellness programs, and care services residents need for their comfort and wellbeing.  Our beautiful community offers 66 bright suites for assisted living in a range of configurations to accommodate residents’ preferences and needs.   In addition, 38 memory care suites are devoted to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Please visit our website for more information.  

At MorningStar of Beaverton, our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, 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: dailycaring.com/3-reasons-to-stop-feeling-guilty-about-putting-mom-in-assisted-living/