Loneliness Can Impact Health and Wellbeing

A study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that loneliness in aging adults can impact their health and wellbeing and be responsible for accelerating seniors’ decline and death.  They cite that “people 60-years-old and older who reported feeling lonely saw a 45 percent increase in their risk for death.  Isolated elders also had a 59 percent greater risk of mental and physical decline than their more social counterparts.”

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 28 percent of people 65 years and older (11 million at the time of the census) lived alone.  In addition to living alone, there are several reasons seniors feel lonesome including losing a spouse.   Furthermore, the AARP reports that more and more seniors do not have children, which means fewer family members available to provide companionship and care.  As many elderly people stop driving, they may not have a convenient way to get around and this can contribute to more feelings of isolation. 

Researchers also discovered that isolated seniors often behave in ways that make others less likely to want to spend time with them.  Not only do the seniors resist the efforts of those who want to reach out but actually push them away.

If you have an elderly parent or know someone who is living alone, there are some easy things you can do to make them feel cared about.  One way is to really engage them in conversation and ask questions and listen to their stories about the past.  Another thing you can do is to help them find a hobby they will enjoy or rekindle an interest in something they used to do.   If you live a distance from an elderly parent, call frequently and send greeting cards or small gifts that let them know you are thinking of them. 

Senior living communities such as MorningStar at Jordan provide assisted living and memory care for older adults as well as an ideal place to socialize and form bonds with both residents and staff.  We offer seniors a lifestyle that provides all the comforts of a real home.  Please visit our website to learn more.   

 

MorningStar at Jordan proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  Please schedule a tour to see our exceptional community.

Source: agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm

Dealing with a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is devastating for everyone in the family and an uncomfortable, difficult topic for people to talk about. In some cases, even physicians do not discuss the disease with their patients, and sometimes a person is unaware of the diagnosis. Others may try to hide their memory problems, and as a result, end up with little time to put their affairs in order and plan for the future. 

However experts say it is important to discuss the diagnosis and its ramifications with your family in order to make your wishes known regarding your care. One of the things you will want to do is to designate a family member to make decisions on your behalf once you are unable to do so. With the help of your family, you will also need to make financial decisions such as setting aside assets to pay for a senior care community or for home care. Keep in mind that planning ahead also gives your family peace of mind as they will know they are following your wishes.

Another one of the recommendations from experts who work with Alzheimer’s patients is to have the person tell their life story. This can be in a journal form or recorded and provides a meaningful way for the family to bond together. Furthermore, it helps to make the person feel that they are a valued member of the family. 

At MorningStar of Fort Collins we provide individualized senior care in our Reflections Neighborhood for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We treat each of our residents with dignity and respect and find ways to connect with and nurture their very essence. Our memory care is based on our extensive knowledge and experience with dementia-related diseases and we support residents from the early onset of the disease through the final stages. Please visit our website to learn more. 

MorningStar of Fort Collins represents the very best in senior care with a mission “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is one built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting team members with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a tour to discover the finest assisted living and memory care in Fort Collins.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-06-26/5-steps-to-ending-the-stigma-surrounding-dementia

Strong Social Connections are Beneficial for Any Age

Studies show that socialization is a key component to a senior’s overall health and can help to reduce stress and anxiety and maintain cognitive health as well as improve longevity. Conversely older adults who are isolated have been found to be more at risk for a range of health problems including cardiovascular disease and depression. 

Researchers also found that the more social a person is the more likely they are to exercise on a regular basis. This is important as older adults are susceptible to a number of health conditions, including osteoporosis, heart trouble, cancer and chronic illnesses that can benefit from exercise. In addition daily exercise can prevent muscles and bones from deteriorating in old age. A good way for older adults to exercise is at a community class designed for seniors as you have the opportunity to socialize and to stay motivated. 

Senior retirement homes such as MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder provide seniors a healthy lifestyle designed around comfort, wellness and community. Our mission is to care for residents’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs within a loving, secure setting. MorningStar’s monthly calendar consists of a range of exercise classes, arts and crafts projects, and enjoyable, challenging games. We also have fun celebrating holidays and hosting special events and outings. 

Opened in the fall of 2015, MorningStar of Boulder offers 48 assisted living suites, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 700 square feet. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 46 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Please visit our website to learn more one of the area’s finest senior retirement homes. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience unsurpassed senior retirement living. 

Source:

actsretirement.org/latest-retirement-news/blog/2017/12/12/the-importance-of-socializing-for-seniors/

Dealing with an Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnoses

If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone.  It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and every 65 seconds someone in the US develops the disease.  As a way to help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services. 

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear.  Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through.  There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated. 

The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing as a way to help you to move forward.  They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.”   

You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through.  One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy.  They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able.  Finally they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.” 

MorningStar at Jordan’s philosophy and approach to memory care includes our guiding principle that: whatever the extent of the memory loss, whatever the form of dementia, a person’s essence remains.  We feel it our calling as well as our privilege to find ways to connect with and nurture that essence.

Our holistic approach to memory care provides an atmosphere of safety and well-being, while at the same time, encourages and supports choice and independence whenever possible.  Our residents participate in daily recreational and purposeful activities that include life skills, art, music, and exercise and are included in special events and scheduled outings. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care in Centennial CO.

Do You Consider Seniors to be Heroes?

Did your grandparents or an elderly friend or neighbor take a special interest in your upbringing?  Have you been positively influenced and shaped by an older person in your life?  Do you appreciate the many contributions the elderly have made to the community and the world at large?  Would you like a chance to help make sure seniors are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve?  If you answered “yes,” you may be the kind of person who can help Denver’s MorningStar Senior Living communities carry out our mission. 

At MorningStar Senior Living, we believe in caring for and loving the residents of our communities and that the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. We consider it a privilege and a responsibility to “cast a new light on senior living” through these foundational principles: Honoring God in our business practices with a commitment to strong moral values, ethics and relationships.  To value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals with a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence.  In addition we are committed to hiring and retaining employees who would like to use their creativity and compassionate hearts to serving our residents.

Working in one of our assisted living jobs gives individuals the chance to join our loving MorningStar “family,” and to build enduring relationships with other team members as well as our residents.  We also recognize our team is the very heartbeat of our brand, particularly our front-line service staff, and as such, we seek nothing less than exceptional individuals with a felt calling to serve seniors. Furthermore we are intentional and articulate about the kind of culture we want to build – one that allows you to thrive personally and professionally.  Please visit our website’s Careers page for more information.  

At MorningStar Senior Living, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  We are committed to a foundation built upon honoring God and valuing all seniors, and are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve seniors.  Please visit MorningStar’s Join Our Team page for more information on rewarding Denver area assisted living jobs.

Senior Living Communities Offer Both Privacy and Community

For many elderly adults, the thought of moving from their home is overwhelming.  However the truth is that today there are many excellent options for seniors specifically designed to enable them to keep their independence.  One example is senior living communities that offer a range of care options to meet the individual needs of all their residents.

The goal of senior communities is to give aging adults the opportunity to maintain their independence while providing convenient access to assistance, activities and companionship.  All too often, seniors mistakenly think that moving into a community setting means they have to give up their privacy.  Again, this could not be further from the truth as communities like MorningStar at RidgeGate offer a choice of spacious private suites (penthouses as large as 1838 sq. ft.) for independent living, assisted living or memory care.

Another issue older adults worry about when moving into senior living is that they will be leaving their families.  The fact is senior living communities offer their own sense of comfort with 24/7 security and care.  So if you need help in the middle of the night, someone is there to respond quickly. 

Seniors also cite the fact that they think moving to a senior living community will mean they have to give up the things they liked doing around their home such as gardening and having a backyard to enjoy the outdoors.  The truth is that living in a community probably means you will be busier than when you lived alone.  Senior communities are designed with an array of activities such as gardening and book clubs, fitness rooms, outdoor patios and strolling paths, game rooms, theaters and much more.     

To see one of the finest examples of senior living, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar at RidgeGate’s website or contact us for a visit.  We are conveniently situated in the heart of Lone Tree, near shopping centers, entertainment venues and the medical community, offering every possible neighborhood amenity to our residents.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at RidgeGate, “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 learn more about the finest senior independent and assisted living in Lone Tree CO.

Source:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/senior-assisted-living

MorningStar of Jordan’s Leadership Team Feels Honored to Serve Seniors

While MorningStar at Jordan was specifically designed to accommodate the needs of its residents, the heart of our community is our caring staff.   Right from the leadership down, our team is comprised of people who feel honored to be able to serve seniors and to help make their lives more comfortable and enjoyable.

As MorningStar at Jordan’s Executive Director, Laura Robbins puts it, “My maternal grandmother, Christine, was the first senior I ever loved.  I so enjoyed her annual visits from Alabama to our Texas home. She set me on the career path I’ve enjoyed for over 20 years. Today I’m as committed as ever to serving our amazing seniors. Even on their hardest days, they offer endearing hugs and heartfelt gratitude.”  Laura finds it a great privilege to work with a team who wants to make a difference in residents’ lives on a daily basis. Before coming to Jordan she had a career in the senior living industry as a Licensed Social Worker.

The Jordan commuity is also pleased to have the steady and loving leadership of our Director of Community Relations, Jan Peterson.  She feels blessed to have had the opportunity to help her own Mother though her journey of aging and ill health.  “Throughout, I discovered the importance of senior advocacy—for ALL seniors to have a voice…be heard…understood…extended the right to live with respect and dignity.” This experience created a foundation for Jan to extend caring and compassionate support to MorningStar residents and their families.

Rounding out our team is Michelle Johnson, Wellness Director.  Michelle is happy to be part of a team that makes a difference, even in the small things.  She brings to MorningStar wonderful memories of her Grandma and a love for all seniors.  “The times I share with all seniors are adventures, for they present me with such different eras and ways of thinking. I love hearing their love stories, how long they were married, through thick and thin, a level of commitment that younger generations can learn from.”

Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care in Centennial CO.