MorningStar Senior Living Community Blog

Senior living is all about recreation, comfort, and community. You don’t have to stay indoors all summer long while the sun is shining! If you’re looking for some fun outdoor activities to enjoy this summer, here are five ideas to get you started:  1. Go for a Bike Ride with Friends Bicycling is a great way to stay active without putting too much pressure on your joints.  When you pedal a bicycle, your joints move smoothly without the impact of the pavement beneath you. This allows your body to continuously produce fluid motions, even if you struggle with joint pain and discomfort.  Bring along a few friends to make your biking fun in the sun even more enjoyable.  2. Enjoy Your Community’s Outdoor Swimming Pool Most senior living communities have a large outdoor swimming area for residents to enjoy when it’s warm outside. Take advantage of this luxurious amenity! Water fitness is popular among older adults because it’s both gentle and effective. If you struggle with stiff joints, weig

Many seniors and their families are confused as to what exactly assisted living offers and how it differs from independent living. At MorningStar of Boise, 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. MorningStar of Boise offers beautiful common areas both inside and out. Amenities include all-day dining, fitness room, salon, library with computer, theater, billiards and game lounge, strolling paths and raised garden beds. 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 24/7 emergency call systems. Independent living is designed s

A garden full of beautiful flowers and/or home-grown vegetables is a gratifying pastime for many seniors. Not only does it offer beauty and wholesome, nutritional food for you and those you share your bounty with, but a healthier lifestyle. Experts say getting outside to work in the garden is a wonderful way to get exercise and enjoy nature as well as to get a dose of vitamin D. They warn to protect your exposed skin with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, wear light, loose clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and don’t overdo it, and avoid working outside during the heat of the day. Gardening is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and to forget about your problems, at least for a while. Overall, even a few hours a week doing something as enjoyable as gardening can strengthen muscles, improve mobility and increase flexibility. Growing tomatoes and lettuce or starting an herb garden is a great place for beginners to start and

Cataracts are cloudy areas that form in the lens, which is normally transparent, and are the main cause of vision loss in people over 40 years of age. It is estimated more than 40 percent of Americans aged 75 years or older have some degree of lens clouding; and over half of people 80 or older have their vision significantly impaired by cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Surgery is generally recommended once vision is impaired to a degree that people have trouble reading, driving and recognizing faces. Today the surgery is a quick, safe procedure, replacing the cloudy lens with a clear plastic one. Doctors say there are things people can do to reduce their risk of developing cataracts with quitting smoking at the top of that list. Medical News Today reports on studies linking a 3-fold increase of smoking to cataracts as well as raising the risk of several other eye conditions. A healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good quality fats (avocados, olive oil, and ome

Father’s Day was first officially celebrated in the United States on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. It then took another 58 years (in 1972) after President Woodrow Wilson had declared Mother’s Day to be an official holiday for dads to get their own official national holiday. This year Father’s Day is June 18, as the holiday is celebrated on the third Sunday of the month. The earliest public event honoring fathers was in 1908 at a West Virginia church. It was held in memory of 362 area men who had been killed in a tragic coal mine accident the year before. It was a one-time commemoration and not intended to be an annual holiday. The first recognized celebration of all fathers took place at the Spokane, WA YMCA on June 19, 1910. It was organized by Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father, William Jackson Smart was a single parent who raised six children. Ms. Dodd had heard a sermon about the Mother’s Day celebration at Central Methodist Episcopal Church a year earlier and enco

If mom or dad, or another loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, you want the finest care for them. MorningStar of Mission Viejo is just such a place. As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, founded in 2003, MorningStar of Mission Viejo is committed to using best-practices including Montessori-based therapy techniques to provide comprehensive, compassionate care for our residents. We understand the challenges a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease presents for the whole family and believe it to be an honor and a calling to help. MorningStar’s philosophy and approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families. All our employees receive training in the program as we understand know

MorningStar of Hayward, a vibrant 55+ community, has a range of options including independent living, assisted living and memory care as well as short-term stays. We want prospective residents and their families to know we are here to answer all their questions, and once the decision is made to join our community, we provide the support needed to ensure a smooth transition. Our apartments for independent living offer seniors a refreshing change of lifestyle with built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, activities and programming, and tasty meals they no longer need to cook. It also provides peace of mind knowing that if you ever find yourself needing help with daily personal care; we can make sure you get it. Moreover, contrary to what many think about assisted living, it is designed to help seniors maintain their sense of independence. By providing assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), residents can focus on living their life to the fullest. Upon joining ou

We all want our loved ones to lead long, healthy lives so why not encourage them when birthdays and holidays come around. One suggestion is to buy a loved one a fitness watch. The marketplace has a wide assortment of watches as well as sensor devices to measure your daily footsteps and help keep you moving. Moreover, they come in many price points and offer a variety of features. Research shows measuring your daily activity improves your fitness level and can help people with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease boost physical activity levels. JAMA Network Open published a finding which reviewed 38 randomized clinical trials with 4,203 participants. They stated that “interventions with wearable fitness trackers were associated with significantly increased physical activity levels after approximately 15 weeks. Devices such as pedometers or trackers that count steps were associated with greater levels of physical activity in about 70 percent of the studies examined.” Another healthy gi

How many times have you eaten breakfast, and after an hour or two, you start to feel hungry? Many breakfast options involve foods such as cereals, breads and granola bars that are high in refined grains and sugar. To solve the problem, nutritionists say you should add protein to every meal including your breakfast. When you eat a breakfast with protein, you feel fuller and more satisfied for a longer period of time and less apt to reach for high-calorie snacks mid-day. Registered dietician, Lisa Jones, explains an adult’s daily intake of protein should be between 10% and 35% of the calories consumed. She adds, “For example, if your nutritional needs call for 2,000 calories daily, you should get 200 to 700 calories from protein, or 50 to 175 grams.” One suggestion for an easy-to-do, protein-rich breakfast is avocado and fried egg on a bagel or enriched whole-grain slice of toast. Omelets are also fairly easy and can be assembled with a variety of fillings such as mushrooms, spinach and

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 number of flavonoid-enriched foods. Researchers found a significant difference bet

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 Mission Viejo 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 theatre, art studio and sky terrace. Other amenities include a billiards room, salon, fitness center and swimming pool. For your safety, all suites have a handicap-accessible bathroom and 24-hour emergency call system. To serve

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 sugge

Once mom or dad has made the decision to move to an assisted living community, you will want it to go as smoothly as possible and this includes helping them choose the right place to meet today’s needs as well as the next 5 to 10 years. In some cases, a move to an assisted living community is precipitated by a worsening medical condition or an injury due to a fall and the time to mentally prepare oneself is short. This is why MorningStar of Mission Viejo has a guide to help families navigate through such a momentous change in a senior’s life.   Googling senior living in Mission Viejo will bring up quite a few hits so experts recommend narrowing down the candidates to 3 or 4 communities that offer  assisted living  in a location that works for your family.  Reading information on their website and contacting them for pricing information can help narrow down the choices to those you wish to tour.    Touring a community is a real eye-opener and the Internet offers many tips on what to loo

Pet therapy (also known as  animal-assisted therapy ) is used for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to alleviate feelings of boredom, loneliness and helplessness. Dr. William Thomas, a Harvard trained geriatrician and author of “The Eden Alternative,” said bringing in children, plants and animals helps to invigorate long-term care by “incorporating companionship, a sense of purpose, variety and spontaneity into the day-to-day experience of aged care residents.” While studies show therapy dogs and other animals are useful in stimulating social interaction and easing agitation in dementia patients, experts say it should be done with specially trained pets to get the most benefit. Moreover, the animal should be matched to the setting as well as to the person. Pet therapists say dogs are generally the easiest to train as they are comfortable interacting with a variety of people.     The benefits of animal therapy to dementia patients include the unconditional love and acce

As an aging adult, it’s important to get plenty of physical activity each day. However, this can feel intimidating if you have joint and mobility problems. Walking is the best solution to this problem.  When you  take daily walks in senior living , you effectively exercise your heart, legs, and core. Here are some of the positives of daily walks in senior living.  Better Heart Health Cardiovascular health is a common concern among seniors. As you get older, your heart health largely depends on your lifestyle habits.  Regular cardiovascular exercise improves your heart health and prevents future heart problems.  Most people think of cardio in its most intense forms: running, climbing stairs, and dancing. However, walking is one of the best forms of cardio for seniors. It’s easy on your joints and doesn’t strain your muscles too much.  If you want to protect your heart from age-related problems, make sure you get outside for your daily walk. Positive Moods Outdoor walks can do wonders to

Caring for yourself goes beyond your medical and physical needs. Sometimes, you just need a “you” day. That’s what self-care is for! Self-care is important in  senior living . Aging adults deserve time to rest, relax, and enjoy the world around them. Here are some ideas for self-care in senior living communities.  Go on a Solo Outdoor Walk Connecting socially is important in  senior living , but alone time can be just as rejuvenating. Make time to walk outside to reconnect with nature and yourself.  Walking is a great way to boost your mood and improve your physical health. Daily walks strengthen your cardiovascular system, promote happiness, and reduce anxiety.  Next time you need some “me” time, go for a solo walk and see all that nature has to offer.  Bake Your Favorite Dessert Everyone has a sweet tooth once in a while. For your next act of self-care, spend some time baking your favorite treats.  Baking is a good way to reduce stress and take your mind off of anything that might be

Memory problems affect the whole family, and they can be troubling for the loved ones of  seniors in memory care . Fortunately, there are ways to rebuild your connection with your loved one.  Memory care encourages cognitive skill-building and protects your loved one from further mental decline. Follow this guide to improve your communication with your loved one — no matter their memory capabilities.  Speak Clearly at a Slow Pace While you should avoid patronizing or treating your loved one like a child, speaking at a slower pace than normal is best. This will help them process your words without getting upset and frustrated.  Make sure you speak clearly, pronouncing your words with care. Your  loved one in memory care  may have trouble understanding speech, so it’s best to be as thorough as possible.  Additionally, speaking at a fast pace can lead to overstimulation for your loved one. They may not be able to process lots of sounds, inflections, and tones of voice at one time.  Use Ge

Assisted living is an excellent option for seniors who need extra help with daily tasks. However, many aging adults are resistant to the idea. You can use the following tips to have respectful, productive conversations about  assisted living  with the aging adult in your life. Validate Their Feelings Your loved one will likely feel some strong emotions during your discussions. It’s important not to dismiss, ignore, or belittle these feelings. Use validating phrases like, “I hear you. It’s scary to think about moving into a new place” or, “It’s understandable that you feel angry and abandoned. I’m here for you.” Acknowledging your loved one’s emotions shows them that you’re a safe person to talk to. They’ll feel less alone and more empowered once they process their feelings.  Give Them Choices  Your aging loved one is likely still capable of caring for themselves on a basic level if they’re going into assisted living. They should be able to make choices that work best for them.  While y