MorningStar Senior Living Community Blog

Research supports the importance of seniors staying physically fit as well as keeping their brains’ fit. Harvard Health Publishing reports on research with mice and humans that show “brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological ‘plasticity’ and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.” Mentally stimulating activities such as trivia and memory games, puzzles, crosswords, board and card games can help maintain brain function. Even if you don’t have a partner to play with, many of these types of games can be found on a computer or tablet. Reading, taking courses, drawing, painting and experimenting with things that require manual dexterity are stimulating mental gymnastics. Other great brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities like playing an instrument or dancing. Board games, such as chess and checkers, require counting, strateg...

Since our company was founded in 2003, we have believed it is a privilege to “cast a new light” on senior living guided by the following precepts: to 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. In addition, we firmly believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. MorningStar of Boise provides all the services, resort-style amenities, and programs to ensure residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Starting with a five-star dining service that includes meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients, restaurant-style dining and private dining room, we have an onsite bistro, theatre, and more. Other amenities include a billiards & game room, salon, fitness center and raised garden beds. For your safety, all suites have a handicap-accessible bathroom and 24-hour emergency call system. To serve ...

Many times, a move to assisted living for an elderly loved one is due to an event such as a recent hospitalization for a fall or a worsening medical condition. This means the person does not have the time to process the move from a beloved home, and the sudden change may be very upsetting. Even for seniors who have had the time to plan a move into assisted living , it may be challenging.  At MorningStar of Boise, we know the many benefits senior living communities such as ours afford to residents; but at the same time, we recognize any change is difficult and moving into assisted living is certainly one of those events. In addition to our own experience, experts also offer suggestions to families on how best to support their loved one during the transition.  It may ease the transition for the person to get as familiar as possible with the new community and staff before the move.  Also, after a decision is made, let your loved one decide what furniture and keepsakes they ...

Seniors face unique challenges when it comes to socializing and staying healthy. In senior living communities, you have access to tight-knit groups of peers who enjoy the same lifestyle as you. Here’s why you should consider senior living and how it can improve your health. The Importance of Connection After Retirement Once you retire, you might find yourself navigating a completely new social world. You may not keep in touch with as many people as the workplace offered to you. Social connection is incredibly important for people throughout all ages and stages of their lives. Socializing can offer you that human connection that makes you feel worthy, needed, and seen in the world. Feeling lonely and isolated can eventually lead to serious health problems. Improved senior social health is linked to better physical and mental well-being across the board. Unfortunately, this isn’t always easy to accomplish on your own. Senior living communities are designed to foster healthy connections...

When you move into assisted living, you take on some new expenses. This can urge you to consider whether any of these expenses can cut you a tax break. The answer is highly dependent on your individual situation, but there are some general tips you can follow for navigating assisted living and tax deductions. Here’s what you should know about assisted living expenses when tax time rolls around. The Purpose of Tax Deductions Every adult earning income in the country has to pay federal taxes (and state taxes, where applicable). If you have any type of income coming into your household each year, even retirement funds, you must pay taxes on it. Tax deductions can be very helpful when it comes time to pay the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS allows some expenses to reduce your total tax liability by deducting them from your earned income. Many medical, rehabilitation, and care expenses qualify as tax deductions. However, assisted living can be trickier because of the long-term natu...

Moving to a senior living community can be exciting and rejuvenating. You get to enjoy a robust social life with plenty of healthy and interesting activities each day. If you are moving to a senior living community, there are some acronyms and phrases that you will often hear while you’re there. Take a look at these common senior living terms, along with some tips on how to use them correctly. Medical Terms Many residents of senior living communities have specific health issues that require frequent medical care. Here are some of the medical terms you should know: HIPAA HIPAA refers to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This term usually comes up in matters of patient privacy and protected healthcare information (PHI). Essentially, HIPAA protects any sensitive health information from being revealed to third parties without your permission. Your privacy matters in senior living . Hospice Hospice care is designed to make the end of someone’s life as comfortable and...

When you move your loved one into memory care , you expect their life to be enriched and fulfilling. With the right amenities, your loved one will thrive in their new community. Here are some of the most important amenities to watch for when touring and researching memory care facilities. 1. Nutrition Programs Your loved one will likely need help with meals as their memory problems progress. Nutrition is key to preventing many age-related diseases. Even if your loved one’s physical health is declining, they will still benefit from good nutrition and balanced meals. High-quality memory care facilities provide nutrition and wellness programs to ensure that your loved one gets the nutrients they need. Most nutrition programs in memory care facilities include nutrition counseling, flexible meal options for residents, and residents’ classic favorite dishes. 2. Pools for Water Fitness A swimming pool might sound like more of a danger than an amenity, but don’t worry. In memory care facilitie...

There are thousands of assisted living facilities around the country. How do you know which one to choose? Your lifestyle is determined by the activities and habits you enjoy daily. When it comes to choosing an assisted living facility, you should keep your lifestyle in mind. Here are the signs to look for that show an assisted living facility is a good match for you.   You Already Feel Welcomed and Included You will likely attend a tour of the assisted living facility you are considering. Pay attention to how the staff, current residents, and medical personnel make you feel as you explore the facility. A good match will feel like home before you even move in. The social scene is a good fit for you if you already feel at home in a prospective assisted living facility.   The Dining Options Resonate with You Food is an important part of life. Everyone loves to chow down on their favorite meal after a long day. Check out the dining options and meal areas for each assisted livin...

At MorningStar of Hayward, 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 ingredients from high-quality producers, locally sourced when possible. 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 a private dining room is available for special meals with family and friends. 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 ...

For exceptional senior living, the new MorningStar of Mission Viejo in Orange County offers residents a home that is not only beautiful but designed to accommodate their every need. For the most active seniors our community offers 64 independent living suites in a variety of floorplans and configurations for carefree retirement years and a healthy, engaged lifestyle. For those needing help with the activities of daily living, we have 41 assisted living suites and provide a nurturing environment that allows residents to thrive. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 30 suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. To ensure residents’ every need is met, we offer a broad range of amenities, wellness programs, care services and more. For a deep dive into our community, our website is a good place to start as it is loaded with information including a list of amenities, pictures, and background on the MorningStar Senior Living Company. We explain...

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), every year more than one in four people aged 65 or older suffer from a fall, and many of those accidents require a trip to the emergency department. In addition to serious injuries, some falls even result in death. To help mitigate the risk, experts recommend that along with safety modifications to the home that elderly adults also do balance exercises. Balance exercises are relatively easy-to-do and can improve both your balance as well as increase lower body strength. Ask your doctor for some suggestions or take a look at the Internet. Most do not require special equipment other than someone to assist you if needed. The exercises can be done throughout the day and each one only takes a few minutes to do. One example of a balance exercise is called Tightrope Walk. This easy exercise improves balance, posture, and core strength. Start in a standing position and lift your arms extending them out to your sides. Now walk in a st...

At MorningStar of Mission Viejo, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating and we want families to know we are here to help shoulder the burden. Our community offers loving, compassionate care to those with memory impairment in our Reflections Neighborhood. Although new to Mission Viejo, MorningStar brings 19 years of experience to memory care in senior communities across eleven states. MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available. We are different from other communities in that every aspect of our memory care is designed from the ground up to accommodate residents. Secure and inviting, the Reflections Neighborhood gives residents as much freedom as possible. Through the rigors of MorningStar’s Lavender Sky training, our staff truly understands Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-loss conditions; and after a family decides to place a loved one in our ca...

Along with assisted living and independent living, Hayward’s MorningStar community provides memory care suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our care services are extensive, and we provide a wide range of amenities, wellness programs and activities. MorningStar of Hayward’s memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We start with a physical space designed to enhance residents’ quality of life with safe, inviting common areas encouraging independence. Residents stay active with a gentle flow of activities including art, dance, physical exercise, special events, and scheduled outings. Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we sit down with them and their family to get to know as much as we can about them including their history, vocation, talents, and preferences. From there we create a daily routine designed t...

Dementia is a very challenging condition to live with. This is true for adults with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers. In light of these challenges, assisted living can be the best solution. However, making the move to senior living can be intimidating for many aging adults. There are four key steps you can take to make the process easier for your loved one during this challenging time: Step 1: Have an Honest Conversation Your loved one will value a candid, compassionate conversation about the move. They need support and validation as they prepare for their move into assisted living. Be honest in your discussion with them. Go over what they can expect in the process, what the facility is like, and why the move can benefit them. It’s okay for them to feel a wide range of emotions in response. Don’t mislead or trick your loved one into memory care or assisted living . This will only make the transition more frightening for them. Instead, share your thoughts and feelings, ...

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 s...

While practitioners have known for centuries the calmness and peace yoga brings into their lives, science has finally caught up with real evidence of its benefits to our brains. Studies show yoga elevates levels of the brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAGA), which helps regulate nerve activity and is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety. The Harvard Medical School journal writes, “Yoga strengthens parts of the brain that play a key role in memory, attention, awareness, thought, and language. Think of it as weightlifting for the brain.” Their evidence comes from several studies that used MRI and other brain imaging technology. Researchers found participants who practiced yoga regularly had a thicker cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory, than participants who did not practice yoga. This could be significant because as people age, this is one of the areas in the brain that typically shrinks. As the older yoga practitioners had less...

At MorningStar Senior Living of Hayward, we proudly offer seniors a range of options including independent living, assisted living , memory care, short-term stays and respite care. Our community is ideally located in the heart of Hayward and offers scenic views in every direction, including the Bay and the San Francisco skyline as well as the beautiful Hayward Japanese Gardens. Senior living is a perfect solution for older adults who live alone and are feeling lonely. Their world may have gotten smaller as they retired from careers or suffered the loss of a spouse or close friends. Some seniors no longer feel comfortable driving, which can lead to more isolation. Senior living offers you privacy but now you have the comfort of knowing that people are around when you need them. For independent living residents we provide carefree, comfortable retirement years with a maintenance free lifestyle. Residents enjoy the built-in companionship and numerous perks of community living, includi...

Many seniors and their families are confused as to what exactly assisted living offers and how it differs from independent living. At MorningStar, we explain our senior living supports residents as they age with freedom and choices, resort-style amenities and best-in-class dining and hospitality. Spacious suites come in a variety of well-designed floor plans and configurations that are sure to meet your needs. Wellness programs and activities help keep residents socially engaged and offer opportunities for personal growth. The new MorningStar of Mission Viejo offers beautiful common areas both inside and out. Amenities include all-day dining, fitness center, billiards room, salon, art studio, theater, sky terraces and swimming pool. For your safety, our entire community is designed to facilitate safe mobility with wide doorways and halls as well as suites equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and grab bars, and 24/7 emergency call systems. Independent living is designed specifi...

When you start looking for senior living for your loved one, it can be confusing. There are many different titles under the umbrella of “senior living.” Assisted living and memory care are distinctly different. Here’s what you need to know about each of these senior living facilities. Assisted Living: More Independence Not every aging adult struggles with memory problems. Assisted living is geared toward helping your loved one with daily physical tasks, like grooming and cleaning. These tasks can become difficult as your loved one gets older. Aging can impact muscle and bone health, making even simple activities more challenging. If your family member or other loved one is still mostly independent, assisted living is probably their best option. In assisted living, residents receive help with routine tasks and live normally otherwise. Memory Care: Long-Term Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care Memory care is a more intensive, around-the-clock type of senior living. Memory care staff members a...

For outstanding assisted living , seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Mission Viejo, the perfect community to age in place comfortably and safely. By defining health and well-being holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Together our Life Enrichment programs and Wellness Care services complement one another to ensure each resident gets the best care. As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health. These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident. We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This centralized mobile station ensures accura...

At MorningStar Senior Living of Hayward, we are experts in providing seniors with first-class independent living, assisted living and memory care . In fact, every aspect of our community is designed to offer a relaxing lifestyle enabling you to fully enjoy your retirement years. This includes providing support to residents and their families starting with the all-important decision process and carries through to the move-in and transition period. A great way to start is to take a look at our Senior Life guide. Along with our knowledgeable team, it is a great resource in aiding families who are deciding if the time is right for assisted living or memory care . When it comes to the move-in process, our team helps in whatever way we can (see our detailed description of what is involved in our FAQs). We recognize moving into a retirement community is a major lifestyle transition for a senior and approach the moment with the utmost sensitivity. Our MorningStar team nurtures a relationship ...

Senior living is an umbrella term that extends into multiple arenas of senior care. When you consider the best options for your aging loved one, senior living should be at the top of the list. There are many physical, mental, and social health advantages to choosing senior living for your loved one. Here are four of the most common benefits that aging adults experience after moving: 1. Increased Medical Support Aging adults often need more medical care than the average adult. This is because aging can cause a host of health problems. As your loved one grows older, their physical and mental health can start to decline. Assisted living and memory care facilities offer advanced medical support for elderly people. This means you never have to worry about your loved one suffering without receiving the necessary medical care. Staff are trained in geriatric care and will monitor your loved one’s health regularly. 2. More Opportunities for Socialization Socializing can become more difficult a...