Seniors with Dementia Can Enjoy the Water this Summer

Spending time in the pool can serve as physical therapy for seniors experiencing Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss. By strengthening the whole body with low impact and gentle movements, water aerobics is a fun way for seniors to be social and get some physical exercise. As specialists in memory care, MorningStar’s Memory Care of Arvada, Co is aware of the benefits of aquatic therapy, especially for seniors living with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Water therapy encourages independence in seniors that live in memory care facilities. Because of the unique properties of water, bodies can perform movements more easily than on the ground. Water therapy helps seniors experience relief from stress on joints and bones. Improved joint function, motor coordination, balance, and an increased range of motion are other major benefits for the body when participating in water aerobics.

Performing rhythmic body movements and dance steps in water is what water aerobics is all about. These exercises are performed in waist, or chest, deep water, making it ideal for people with arthritis, neck and back problems, and obesity.

While water therapy is beneficial for some individuals experiencing memory loss, these seniors should never enter a pool unsupervised. In fact, instructors should be present in the water with dementia care individuals that have been cleared to participate in pool activities. A lifeguard should also be within reach for extra safety measures. MorningStar’s Memory Care and Senior Living in Arvada is happy to have a swimming pool within our own community. If swimming doesn’t pique your interest, you may enjoy a soak in our hot tub or a rejuvenating spa bath.

Regardless of the barrier within your loved ones' memory loss, we continue to practice empathetic techniques with our residents in memory care. By incorporating holistic methods through properly trained personnel, our individualized care plans enhance the health and happiness of our memory care seniors.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Arvada, Colorado. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Colorado.

 
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Arvada, Colorado.

These Stretches are Beneficial Exercises for Seniors with Dementia

As specialists in memory care, MorningStar’s Memory Care of Arvada, Co is aware of the anxiety and grief families experience regarding an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or other memory loss diseases. Learning how to navigate this new reality can be especially daunting. You might ask yourself, “how will my parents continue to live a rewarding life?” Learning new skills and maintaining old ones can become difficult for someone struggling with memory loss. If your loved one, spouse, or parent is dealing with dementia, these low-risk exercise techniques may be beneficial in keeping their mind and body active.

Start simple when helping your loved one maintain their physical activity. Gentle stretches and regular walks are an easy way to ensure your loved one is moving their body. The hamstring stretch, or a toe touch, is one exercise that can be beneficial if your loved one spends most of their time sitting in one place. If they are immobilized, encouraging them to stretch their feet out in front and reach forward is another way to loosen the muscles. Joining in with your loved one is greatly encouraging.

Going on regular walks helps to stretch muscles as well. Walking is a great way to increase the heart rate and remain mobile while also getting some fresh air. MorningStar’s Memory Care of Arvada, Co has three secure gardens/courtyards specifically designed for our memory care residents to stroll through and enjoy nature.

Regardless of the barrier within your loved ones' memory loss, we continue empathetic techniques with our residents in memory care. By incorporating holistic methods through properly trained personnel, our individualized care plans enhance the health and happiness of our memory care seniors.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Arvada, Colorado. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Colorado.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Arvada, Colorado.

MorningStar Senior Living is Recruiting in the Phoenix Area

MorningStar Senior Living is a company of servant-minded leaders committed to advancing a mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team’s ability to serve.  Several of our communities in the Phoenix area are currently recruiting men and women who understand the significance of serving others to fill various roles within our homes. 

We seek men and women with big hearts who would love to work for a company that shares their values and wants to grow professionally as well as personally.  As one team member explains, "The seniors teach me to love more, have compassion, appreciation, and respect. The shared memories of our seniors help us to understand life, stimulate our development, and help us to evaluate ourselves positively. Respecting the rights and dignity of our seniors is the first step in establishing a satisfactory relationship between them and us." 

From the start, MorningStar’s Founder/CEO, Ken Jaeger, had specific designs on how to foster the ultimate environment for the well-being of seniors as well as an environment where employees would flourish.  Thus, we are committed to building a team of service professionals who feel called, connected and empowered.  Guided by a mission statement that includes investing generously in our team’s ability to serve, we provide all employees training in our proprietary service excellence initiative called “Radiance.”  Also, as we provide memory care, team members receive training in Lavender Sky, our holistic approach and philosophy to memory care that helps staff better understand Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  

In addition to training and a generous financial compensation package, MorningStar offers a host of other benefits including comprehensive insurance coverage. This includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, telehealth coverage, life insurance, and supplemental insurance (disability, accident, critical illness). At MorningStar, we strive to make sure our team members are protected against most of life’s unexpected costs.

If you feel called to serve, please consider applying to one of our rewarding positions in the Phoenix area. Current open positions include Caregiver, Server, Maintenance Director, Concierge, Medication Care Manager/QMAP, Wellness Nurse, Housekeeper and more.  MorningStar’s website has a Careers Here page with the full list of current openings, job descriptions and an online application. 

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.

Learn how Environmental Wellness can Impact Your Health

Our environment has a huge impact on our stress levels and overall well being. Not only should our homes feel comfortable and offer a good flow of positive energy, but we should receive the same pleasantry from the world outside our doors. When searching for senior living or memory care, it’s common for retirement facilities to boast about their indoor activities and amenities but may fall short when it comes to keeping up an enriching outdoor environment. Environmental wellness is desirable for seniors, especially those that may have lost mobility in recent years and cannot travel far distances. Alternatively, taking care of our physical environments by reducing waste, tending to gardens, and preserving the natural beauty around us promotes a sense of purpose and duty.

Environmental wellness is a term that suggests occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support wellbeing and encourages good overall health. Respecting your surroundings and the planet for which we live contributes to a healthier mindset. Interacting with nature and enjoying its beauty lowers depression and anxiety. When we are in a location filled with plants, natural scenery, fresh air, and reduced noise pollution, our bodies reward us. Better cardiovascular health, more maintained sleep patterns, and improved mood are all positive symptoms of a healthy outdoors.

A well-maintained community that fills its grounds with lush plants and trees creates lively social environments for friends to gather. Socializing on walks, sitting on a patio, or bird watching are some activities that enrich our physical and mental wellbeing. MorningStar of Beaverton enjoys a picturesque setting overlooking the natural wetlands. Senior living residents take pride in maintaining the community garden. On chilly nights, the outdoor courtyard with barbecue and fire pit hosts immaculate gatherings to help residents wind down for the evening, all while enjoying the fresh air of Oregon.

Senior residents in MorningStar's Memory Care enjoy the outdoors safely and easily. The spatial design of the community creates a safe and healthy environment by reducing the risk of falls and accidents. Their enclosed courtyard is designed for memory care residents. Strolling outdoor paths allow seniors to easily navigate the outdoors within our grounds with the help of 24-hour care staff. This access to fresh air and sunlight greatly improves the lives of individuals with memory loss or dementia.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Beaverton, Oregon. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Oregon.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Beaverton, Oregon.

Maintaining Proper Dental Health in Dementia Patients

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis often impacts every area of an individual’s life. As the disease progresses, the individual with dementia will begin to lose more motor skills and show more signs of memory loss. One of the first signs of dementia is a senior forgetting personal hygiene techniques and maintaining their daily upkeep. If you notice your elderly parent or loved one struggling to care for themselves, it may be time to incorporate a more hands on approach. Proper dental hygiene is necessary for seniors in memory care. Proper oral care is necessary to prevent issues with eating regularly, digestive problems, and dental infections.

Once dementia is diagnosed in your loved one, building a regular dental plan with their dentist will help prevent cavities and other oral issues down the line. You may have to re-teach dental hygiene to your loved one. Proving easy instruction to teeth brushing keeps seniors in memory care focused and calm. Perhaps showing them how to brush can also be beneficial. Try not to be forceful in this technique as it may make your loved one frustrated and scared.

For seniors in memory care that wear dentures, make sure the dentures are being properly cleaned. rinse them with plain water after meals and brush them daily to remove food particles and to limit bacterial growth. Each night, remove them and soak in their designated cleanser. Using a soft thistle toothbrush, clean the gums, tongue, and other soft mouth tissues. Remind your loved one that you’re there to help and keep them safe.

As specialists in memory care, MorningStar’s Memory Care of Arvada, Co is aware of the anxiety and concern that is associated with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases. Regardless of the barrier within your loved ones' memory loss, we continue empathetic techniques with our residents in memory care. By incorporating holistic methods through properly trained personnel, our individualized care plans enhance the health and happiness of our memory care seniors.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Arvada, Colorado. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Colorado.

 
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Arvada, Colorado.

Ageism in Healthcare is a Growing Concern

How we decide to speak to seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's greatly impacts their quality of life. Infantilizing communication is sadly a too-common communication style used by family members, strangers, and even health care specialists. Elderspeak is a term that refers to the infantilizing communication used to speak to older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's disease or another kind of dementia. Elderspeak is a form of ageism and is a cause for concern in healthcare.

Elderspeak elicits a tone of incompetence towards a memory care patient. Baby talk, simplistic grammar and vocabulary, slowed speech, and elevated pitch and volume are some examples of elderspeak. While referring to a patient with dementia as a “good girl” for completing a meal may feel empathetic and encouraging, this sort of treatment actually reduces the agency of the person. This language derives from stereotypical views of older adults as less competent than younger adults and projects negative stereotypes on elders.

Ageism greatly impacts dementia care and can even reverse progress. Elderspeak can make dementia patients resistant to care. Research from the NIH documents that elderspeak is perceived as patronizing by seniors struggling with memory loss and can precipitate communication breakdown as well as exacerbate problem behaviors for cognitively impaired elders.

The independence of seniors should be of utmost importance in senior living and memory care. MorningStar of Beaverton is proud of its responsive and compassionate care team, which is the very heart of MorningStar's care philosophy. They recognize that as a memory care facility, success is hiring the right team of people who are committed to the goal of serving with love, kindness, honesty, and humility.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Beaverton proudly brings the finest assisted living Beaverton, Oregon has to offer. They provide carefree retirement years and create a true home for residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community. While MorningStar may be new to Beaverton, their team is highly experienced in serving seniors, and understanding how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other assisted living communities simply cannot match.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Beaverton, Oregon. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Oregon.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Beaverton, Oregon.

Senior Living Offers Carefree Retirement Years

Unlike years ago, when elderly people wanted to live in their own homes for as long as possible, many of today’s seniors see a real advantage to senior housing and love the idea of a more active community life. In fact, studies indicate community living provides a higher quality of life for many seniors and may contribute to a longer life and better physical and emotional health than those who remain in their own homes. 

Experts say this may be due to the fact senior living offers a less stressful, carefree environment in which seniors no longer have the responsibilities and unexpected expenses of home repairs and maintenance. Furthermore, a retirement community is built around the needs of its residents as it is designed to be safely navigable for older folks as well as offers the benefit of others being around in case the need arises such as in the event of a fall. 

Another reason a senior living community such as MorningStar at Golden Ridge enhances quality of life for residents is the five-star dining experience for better nutritional health. Additionally, wellness programs, social activities and special events mean there is something to look forward to each day. Whether taking a yoga class, playing a challenging game of trivia, relaxing with friends on the patio or sharing a drink during happy hour, you will be engaged, stimulated and have a sense of purpose.   

MorningStar at Golden Ridge strives to be the best independent and assisted living in the Peoria area, and we take the well-being of our residents very seriously.  Our all-inclusive community offers all the amenities, services and enrichment programs to give you the best retirement years possible. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, we have 35 secure suites devoted to individualized, compassionate memory care. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar Senior Living takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Peoria, AZ.