Staying Active Physically, Mentally and Socially

Spending time doing things you enjoy can not only help you to stay more interested in life but may also be good for your health.  Many hobbies are enjoyed at any age and can help to exercise your mind or body (many do both) as well as provide social interactions.    

Creative hobbies such as painting, sculpting, photography, scrapbooking and knitting or the performing arts are fun activities for seniors and provide lots of opportunity for socializing.  Another healthy hobby is caring for a pet according to A Place for Mom.  They explain that, “Pets provide a comfort system and actually produce a chemical chain reaction in the brain that helps to lower levels of the stress-inducing hormone cortisol and increase the production of the feel-good hormone serotonin.”  Studies have shown that pet ownership may help lower cholesterol, fight depression and help protect against heart conditions.    

Stretching exercises and yoga are also popular with seniors as they help improve flexibility and movement and build balance as well as improve blood flow to the brain, heart and circulatory system. Yoga classes are designed for many physical fitness levels such as chair yoga for those unable to get down on the floor.  Joining a walking group is another fun way to exercise and spend time with friendly faces.  

At MorningStar at RidgeGate, we specialize in providing our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Every day we offer a variety of fun and engaging activities that include things such as exercise and aquafit sessions, craft classes, games, sing-a-longs, dance workshops and much more.  Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community and while you are there, be sure to take a look at “Life Around Our House.”    

MorningStar at RidgeGate represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to serve, 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 setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities.   

Source: aplaceformom.com 

Not Just a Housekeeper but a “MorningStar” Housekeeper!

If you live in the greater Denver area and are feeling unfulfilled at your current job, we encourage you to consider a housekeeping position in one of our MorningStar Senior Living communities.  Our luxury-style communities are located in Littleton, Parker, Centennial, Wheat Ridge, Lone Tree and Arvada and provide independent living, assisted living and memory care.  

When it comes to hiring team member, we first look for people who exhibit character, kindness and selflessness as we understand these virtues are as important as education and experience in building a team of distinction. Our employees are the type of people who have perfected the art of anticipating needs and willingly go the extra mile to serve those needs.  As part of our housekeeping team, you will have the opportunity to connect with and bond with residents as you work to keep our award-winning communities spotless.    

Recognizing our employees are the very heartbeat of MorningStar communities, we are committed to investing generously in their ability to serve well as we seek individuals with creative minds and compassionate hearts.  Regardless of your position, you will receive the training you need to enable you to deliver the service excellence our residents deserve.  We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud to have a culturally diverse workforce.               

If you feel it is a privilege to serve seniors, our Denver area senior living communities look forward to meeting you.  Please visit our MorningStar Senior Living’s Career page and follow the link to “Assisted Living Jobs Denver” for the full list of job openings as well as qualifications and duties.  We invite you to be part of a Bigger Story and a Greater Purpose at MorningStar’s Denver area senior living communities. 

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.  For a rewarding career, visit our Career page for information on various assisted living jobs including housekeeping jobs in Denver.

Tips to Help Your Loved One Transition to Assisted Living

While many older adults wish to live out their senior years at home, for some, it is not a manageable option. Moreover no matter our age, change can be challenging, and it is no different for seniors when the time comes for them move into a senior retirement home. 

To ease the transition, experts offer several tips that can help make the move less stressful. One suggestion is to start planning way ahead of the time you anticipate you will need to make the move. So if you can, do not wait until your parent needs to go from a hospital stay into assisted living. The advantage to starting your search way in advance of the move is it allows you the time to find a place ideally suited to your loved ones’ needs and personality. Always remember it is a huge life transition and should be treated as such. 

If possible, it is recommended to try and pick from one of the senior retirement homes in the community they reside in as it allows them to retain some continuity in their lives including keeping their doctors. They can also continue to visit area friends and companions. If you will be moving the person to another town or state to be closer to family, keep in mind this can be especially difficult and your parent may need even more support. Experts advise in this situation to have more services in place rather than less. If later you find you do not need some of them, you can cancel them. 

Another tip is to visit the new community as often as possible before the move. Along with a formal tour of the community, make arrangements for them to have lunch there several times before they move in or participate in an activity or special event. The more familiar they are with their new home the easier the transition will be. 

MorningStar of Boulder is a gorgeous, loving community that feels privileged to serve seniors. Providing both assisted living and memory care, our wonderful team of caregivers is committed to providing our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Please visit our website for pricing and availability. 

As one of the nation’s top assisted living companies, MorningStar 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.

Type 2 Diabetes Can be Effectively Managed

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that living with diabetes can be difficult but with the right care and treatment, it can be effectively managed.   We know the risk of getting type 2 diabetes increases as we age, and current statistics show more than 25% of seniors in the United States age 60 and over have the disease.  Also as we age, the risk of complications increases.     

Along with your health care provider, organizations such as the ADA and the National Institute of Health offer tips and information for coping with the disease and ways to avoid or delay complications.  Also even if you do not have the disease, it is still a good idea to education yourself to try and prevent the onset. 

The ADA recommends the following suggestions for living as healthy as possible with type 2 diabetes.  Their first recommendation is to keep your blood glucose levels under control.  Know your target range and check your levels daily or as recommended by your doctor.  In addition make the appropriate changes to your diet to not only lower your blood glucose, but to lower your risk for heart disease.

Another important part of living with diabetes is to work to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the normal ranges.  Many of the same lifestyle changes we do to control blood glucose can help control blood pressure.  The ADA advises that “people with diabetes keep their blood pressure below 140/90, but check with your health care professional about what target is best for you.”  Along with medications, you can lower your cholesterol by eating a healthy diet, losing weight and exercising. 

You can also manage your diabetes better if you stop smoking.  We recognize that smoking is bad for everyone but it is far worse for those with diabetes.  Finally if you increase your physical activity, you will gain more strength and energy and be better able to manage your blood glucose as well as help to lower your blood pressure.  

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Jordan proudly provides the very best in senior living residences 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 firsthand our exceptional community.

Source: diabetes.org

Visiting Someone with Dementia

If you have wondered how to make the most of your time when you visit a relative or friend suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, take some tips from the experts.  They have the experience to help your visit go more smoothly.    

Their first tip is to adjust to your loved one as they are now and do not expect to have the same type of conversations with them as you once did.  As dementia care specialist Vivian Green Korner explains, “Conversations may become less intellect to intellect and more emotion to emotion.”

Another thing, focus on what the person still has rather than focusing on what they have lost.  They may enjoy stories about the past as well as love hearing music that reminds them of when they were young.  Anthony Cirillo, president of The Aging Experience and host of the Virtual Summit for Caregivers, say that, “Music activates something in people no matter how advanced their dementia.”  Also it may be helpful to bring photos, books or even tasty treats to share with your loved one. 

In addition don’t waste time asking a lot of questions that may just confuse the person, instead, just live in the moment.  Talk about things you are seeing such as the color of the leaves on a tree outside the window or a pretty picture in the room.  If the person appears to be getting agitated, suggest getting up and taking a little walk as often a change of scenery can help to change their mood. 

Remember it is important to make eye contact as a lot of your communication with the person will be non-verbal.  Experts also suggest touching a person before you start to speak as touch is a powerful communicator especially as their verbal skills are starting to diminish.   

MorningStar at RidgeGate is a senior living community offering independent and assisted living as well as 29 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  As dementia specialists, we understand the disease and provide care that treats the individual with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Please see our website for more. 

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 our exceptional community

Source: caring.com/articles/tips-visiting-someone-dementia

MorningStar at Jordan is the Very Best in Assisted Living

MorningStar at Jordan offers senior living residences with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our beautiful and inviting community has 55 bright suites for assisted living, and another 29 secure suites devoted the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

For assisted living, we offer various levels of support for the activities of daily living designed to preserve and extend the independence, choices and privacy of our residents.  After a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director, a Care Plan is put together in agreement with both the senior and their extended family.  Our Care Managers are onsite 24/7 ready to ensure the safety of our residents and see to it that all of their needs are met.  As our private suites are available in variety of configurations including spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, we are sure you will find one that is perfect for your needs.        

In our Reflections Neighborhood, we are set up to care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia all the way to the most advanced stages.  MorningStar’s unique approach to memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the individual essence of each resident, and our energy is put toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life.

MorningStar at Jordan is proud to have been named 2018 “Best of” Assisted Living by SeniorAdvisor.com, the esteemed review and referral website. This designation is awarded to the top 1% of senior living providers in the US and Canada, based on consistently high ratings and positive reviews from residents, families and visitors to SeniorAdvisor.com.

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Jordan proudly provides the very best in senior living residences 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 firsthand our exceptional community.

A New Year and New Career Opportunities

As we approach a new year, it is the time to reflect on our lives and the direction we are going as we look toward the future.  In term of resolutions, one of the most important things we can do next year is to make a difference in someone’s life, which will most likely also make our lives even better.  Great thinkers and religious leaders throughout time have praised the merits of helping others.  One saying attributed to the Chinese goes: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.  If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

Even scientific research offers convincing data to support the “anecdotal evidence that giving is a powerful pathway to personal growth and lasting happiness.”  Moreover it is not only how much we give, but whether or not we give it with love. 

At MorningStar Senior Living, we are a group of servant-minded leaders who are called to serve seniors.  Currently six of our Denver area communities are seeking extraordinary individuals to fill a variety of assisted living jobs.  While experience is preferred, most importantly we are looking for people who consider serving seniors to be a rewarding career.  If you share our core values of: love, kindness, goodness, honesty, fairness, and respect, we invite you to apply for one of our open assisted living jobs.     

For more, go to the MorningStar Senior Living website’s Career page and follow the link to “Assisted Living Jobs Denver.”  Here you will see our full list of job opportunities such as: Care Manager, Medication Care Manager/QMAP, Concierge, Cook, Dining Room Server, Maintenance Assistant and Housekeeping jobs at our Denver senior living communities. 

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 website for details on assisted living and housekeeping jobs in Denver.

Source: http://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4070299/secret-to-happiness/