Looking for More Happiness in Your Life?

After living under the cloud of a pandemic, many of us now want to live life to the fullest; however, social scientists say our brains are wired for survival and happiness is not something that comes naturally. Too often and too many people get trapped in negative thinking and have a hard time finding joy. 

Experts say there are things we can do to encourage positive thinking such as taking a few minutes, a couple of times a day, to focus on the things that make us happy. A good way to begin is to think about things we are grateful for and what makes us happy. Even during difficult situations, try to find the silver lining. 

The Harvard Medical School reports on research that shows changes in our brains when we picture ourselves in a situation with people we like, or engage in an activity that gives us pleasure. “By actively imagining feelings of happiness or recalling happy experiences, you can help to encourage changes in your brain that will predispose you to creating more real-life joy in your daily experiences.”

Many social scientists say optimism is the key to happiness and you can become an optimist by reframing your situation more positively. Martin Seligman, PhD, writes about a study in which depressed people were told to write down three good things that happened to them each day for 15 days. The results of the simple exercise were impressive as ninety-four percent of participants reported a decrease in depression and ninety-two percent said their happiness level had increased.

Research has also found mindfulness, the act of being in the present, another path to happiness. Spending time multi-tasking, living on auto-pilot and caring for others as well as ourselves, we forget to focus on the here and now. Experts say practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and help us better manage our emotions and reactions, tune in to what is important and reject those things harmful to our wellbeing.    

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community puts a premium on quality of life and helping seniors live life to the fullest. Along with a dedicated team committed to serving seniors, we provide the services, amenities, and wellness programs and activities to keep residents engaged and productive. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s finest independent living, assisted living, memory care and respite care.   

Source: 

experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/7-ways-to-experience-more-joy/

entrepreneur.com/article/315636

MorningStar of Beaverton Offers Compassionate, Individualized Memory Care

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Beaverton offers 38 secure suites for the comprehensive care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Our home is honored to provide compassionate, individualized care for residents from the earliest stages of the disease to the most advanced. 

The Reflections Neighborhood is meticulously designed to accommodate the special needs of memory care residents.  As such, it means we can encourage and support independence as much as possible and let residents move freely about their environment including an enclosed courtyard.  In fact, every aspect of our community from the physical design to a range of purposeful activities, food service, security and more offers residents a comfortable, stress-free lifestyle.

MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care involves treating each of our residents with the respect and dignity they deserve.  Even before a resident joins our community, we meet with them and their family to find out as much as we can about their background and interests as well as personal preferences.  From there, we create an individualized care plan that takes all of this into consideration.

Most importantly we are blessed to have a team of individuals with big hearts who recognize it is a privilege to serve seniors. They enjoy listening to life stories, view family photos and make sure each one feels loved, safe, and respected. All team members, regardless of position, receive training in Radiance, which is much more than a customer service program. It is how we build a culture of consistency, authenticity and genuine concern for the needs of others and guides the way we dispense service – with sincerity, warmth and depth of purpose.   

If a parent, spouse or another loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, the MorningStar of Beaverton team is here to help. Our loving care is designed to meet their social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Please visit our website or contact us for further information.

MorningStar of Beaverton’s 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. 

When a Loved One with Dementia No Longer Recognizes You

Apart from having to watch a loved one go through the devastating stages of Alzheimer’s or another dementia disease, the next saddest thing may be when the person stops recognizing you. This can bring up all sorts of feelings, of which some while not fair, are there nonetheless.  When we take time to visit a family member (in person or via video call) in a memory care community and they don’t even know who we are, some people wonder why they are making the effort.  

However, a long-term caregiver reminds us how we can be certain the person is not reacting to our presence in some way?  Maybe the sound of our voice, or the touch of our hand?   In the same way people in comas have said they heard the voices of loved ones even when they were unable to communicate, perhaps a person in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease knows we are there for them on some level.  At the very least, in whatever way they can understand, we want them to know they are loved and valued.    

Experts suggest a way to help make yourself more recognizable to your parents or spouse.  If you are an adult child, try putting together a photo timeline of you as a small child, an adolescent, a young adult to a current picture.  Spouses can do the same starting with a picture from their early days as a couple to the present.  

For anyone having difficulty being around a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it may be helpful to learn all you can about the disease so you understand what is going on.  It will also teach you better ways to more effectively communicate with the person.  

At MorningStar of Arvada, our goal is to offer the best senior living in the area, which includes compassionate and loving care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our approach is holistic and encompasses every aspect of the disease as well as individualized care.  For trusted memory care Arvada, CO families can count on, please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Arvada’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 beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide residents exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.

How to Narrow Down Your Search for an Assisted Living Community

For anyone considering a move to senior living, choosing the right community is a big decision as getting it wrong may mean another move within a couple of months. To help, senior living experts say the first thing to do is to think about the level of care mom or dad, or if looking for yourself, needs to improve their quality of life. 

After you have a pretty good idea of what your needs are, now factor in things like location and affordability. If mom or dad needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) focus on communities offering assisted living. If you want the home to be a convenient drive for easy visiting, concentrate on those communities. If mom or dad no longer drives, look for a community offering transportation for doctor appointments or errands; or if they plan to bring a car, does it offer parking? Does the home offer 24/7 care, medication management and access to licensed nurses?

Obviously affordability is an important consideration but senior living advocates warn don’t be initially shocked at the price. Rather think about all of the living costs such as property taxes, maintenance, utility bills and meals included in the home’s monthly fees. For a better understanding of mom or dad’s assets, it may be worth your while to consult an Elder law attorney. They can explore various options such as eligibility for Veterans’ benefits, what your parent’s long-term care insurance will cover, and the advantages of leveraging real estate assets and life insurance, tax benefits and more.   

 

Other things to consider include the physical characteristics of the assisted living community. Does it offer a range of suite configurations including studio, one-bedroom and two bedroom options? Do you want amenities such as a fitness center, hair salon, outdoor patio, all-day, restaurant-style dining, swimming pool, WiFi, etc.? 

If you live around Peoria, AZ, why not take a look at MorningStar at Golden Ridge, a senior living community offering independent living, assisted living homes, memory care, companion living, and respite care. Our large 8.8 acre campus has 38 quadraplexes for active seniors and a main building with 65 assisted living suites for those requiring a helping hand with the activities of daily living (ADLs). For those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, we offer 35 suites.  Visit our website today to inquire about pricing and availability.

Receive the Care You Need at MorningStar of Beaverton

Does your elderly mom or dad dismiss the idea of assisted living fearing it would end their independence and life as they know it? Do they think assisted living homes are more like nursing homes of the past? We want to reassure you and your senior loved one that assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Beaverton are not a nursing home. In fact, we do not offer skilled nursing services but rather provide assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), along with engaging activities and other services intended to improve and enhance quality of life.  

It is important to a senior’s overall health that they receive proper care as the website Aging.com reports, “Functional status and the ability to care for oneself have a significant impact on a senior's quality of life. Unmet needs for help with activities of daily living can lead to malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, isolation, illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and falls.” In fact, studies show seniors getting assistance with the ADLs allows them to feel like they are in control of their life again and helps them regain a sense of self-worth and purpose. 

At MorningStar of Beaverton, we know seniors have a lot to offer and the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. We act upon this truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Our community offers 66 stylish suites for assisted living. Our Reflections Neighborhood provides an additional 38 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. As part of our mission statement includes “valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals”, we are committed to creating a community promoting a healthy, engaged lifestyle, and providing security and independence. 

In addition, we offer respite care for those recovering from surgery or an illness, as well as short-term stays from one week up to a full month to see if we are a good fit. For trusted senior living in Beaverton, visit our website or contact us for further information.

MorningStar of Beaverton represents the very best in assisted living and memory care.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Contact us to see what sets us apart from other senior living communities and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

Source: agingcare.com/articles/activities-of-daily-living-why-this-measure-matters-186853.htm

The Dining Experience at MorningStar of Arvada

At MorningStar of Arvada, we understand the importance of gathering as a community to “break bread” each day.  We believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other, and when our residents sit down to a delicious meal served restaurant-style, it creates lasting bonds and fellowship within our “family.”  

We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why MorningStar meals are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest of ingredients from high-quality producers and/or are locally sourced.  Menu offerings are designed by our Executive Chef and include daily and weekly specials as well as a la carte items. Dining is available all day and in nice weather residents enjoy meals on the outdoor deck.

As a resident, you will be treated to seasonal menus and special holiday feasts such as those we enjoy at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Also, our Chef modifies menus and recipes to accommodate residents’ changing needs and tastes.  Moreover, you can easily self-manage any dietary restrictions as we offer a wide selection of low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, and low-fat foods.    

MorningStar of Arvada also believes that nutrient-rich ingredients can help stimulate the appetite and support brain health.  Therefore, we prepare meals using BrainWise super foods that contain a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.  Super foods include acai, leafy dark greens, dark chocolates, berries, and fish, nuts and other foods high in Omega 3 fats.  

For our memory care residents, food is as much about Community as it is about Nutrition. To encourage appetites, our team members sit and share meals with residents, and many are served “family style” as they are in private homes.  Much of our food is modified out of respect for residents’ somewhat compromised eating abilities and includes finger foods, texture-modified diets and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. 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.

Join MorningStar and Make a Difference in the Lives of Our Residents

At MorningStar Senior Living, we think seniors are heroes and they deserve to be treated with respect and enjoy a lifestyle of comfort and wellness.  To help us provide the finest care to our cherished residents, we are currently seeking team members with a calling to serve seniors for various positions at our Phoenix area communities. Positions include caregiver jobs along with support staff such as maintenance and housekeepers.  Just some of the current openings are Care Manager, Cook, Dining Room Server, Medication Care Manager/QMAP, Housekeeper, Life Enrichment Coordinator, and more.

People working in senior living are often surprised to discover how pleasurable it is to serve seniors and how much they learn from it.  After all, if we take the time to listen, seniors have plenty of valuable life lessons to pass on to the younger generation.  Over the span of a lifetime, they have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge, which provides them with a unique perspective.  And older folks typically love having someone around who is willing to listen to them and to look at pictures and cherished mementos from the past.  

When you hang out with seniors, you get the chance to hear about their various backgrounds and interesting careers and to be inspired by their life-long perseverance.  They can help you see what is important in life, and you use their life lessons to develop more rewarding relationships with your own family.  Also, you will come away with a better understanding of the aging process and increased empathy for those suffering from illnesses and disabilities.     

MorningStar is proud to support our team members with some of the most generous benefits in the industry. Compensation starts with competitive wages, and bonus or incentive opportunities (depending on position).  In addition, employees are eligible for paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick time, birthday appreciation day, 401k plan availability, health savings account availability, uniforms, training and advancement opportunities. At MorningStar, we strive to make sure our team is paid well for the valuable services they provide our company.  Please visit our website to search open positions at our communities in Phoenix, Glendale, Fountain Hills, and Peoria, AZ. While you are there, visit our communities’ home pages to learn more about us. 

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.