Pet Ownership Offers a Range of Health Benefits for Seniors

Several studies have provided evidence suggesting pet ownership offers a range of health benefits for seniors. One of the most consistent findings is the fact that owning and caring for a pet may help seniors feel less lonesome, and with almost 1/3 of all seniors saying they are lonely, this is a good thing. In one study of pet owners ages 50 to 80: “88% said their pets help them enjoy life; 86% said their pets make them feel loved; and 79% said their pets help reduce stress.”

In addition to a pet’s unconditional love, caring for the animal provides an older person with a sense of purpose as their pet needs to be fed and cared for daily. For example, a dog encourages seniors to get outside and exercise both themselves and the animal. Studies show pets can help improve seniors’ cardiovascular health and their mental and emotional health. Other studies have shown benefits such as improved mobility, a longer life span, pain relief and a better heart attack recovery.    

While a pet can be a loving companion, it is important to pick one suited to the person’s physical health and their budget as vet bills can be costly. Cats and dogs make loyal friends, but you may enjoy putting together and caring for an aquarium of exotic fish or raising songbirds. Whatever the choice, a pet is sure to bring a smile to the person’s face and help to keep them engaged. 

If you are looking at assisted living communities in the Boulderc area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Boulder.  We understand that your pet is an important part of your family, and you would not wish to move somewhere that he or she was not welcome.  If you decide to choose our beautiful senior living community for your new home, no worries – we are pet friendly! Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

MorningStar of Boulder represents the best in senior living communities with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our principles are based on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Committed to creating a true home for our residents amidst a beautiful, tranquil setting, we invite you to set up a visit to experience one of Boulder’s finest assisted living communities.

Source: aplaceformom.com/resources/pets-for-seniors      

Good Nutrition is Especially Important to the Wellbeing of Seniors

The government first published nutritional recommendations in 1941, which became known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs).  At the time, recommendations were more concerned with ensuring the population “as a whole was adequately fed and free from scurvy, rickets and other wartime diseases of malnutrition.”  These early guidelines did not address long-term issues such as heart disease and diabetes.   

Since then, we have learned we need to focus on maintaining good nutritional habits well into our senior years to avoid or mitigate our risk for chronic diseases.  One example is type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body’s muscle, fat, and liver cells stop responding well to insulin resulting in consistently high blood sugar.  Doctors say Type 2 diabetes can be caused by too much sugar and refined carbohydrates in our diet, and to lessen our risk, we should maintain a healthy weight and minimize blood-sugar spikes as well as add more fiber to our diet. 

Another thing an older adult should be aware of is muscle loss.  Along with resistance training, weightlifting, Pilates, and yoga, nutritionists say to maintain the strength we need to include protein in our diet.  Christine Ritchie, director of research for the division of palliative care and geriatric medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says older adults’ diet should include more protein than when they were younger.  A man in his 50s needs “about 25 to 30 grams at each meal (like a medium chicken breast or burger, a 5-ounce can of tuna mixed with mayo, 2 cups of cooked rice and beans, or a cup of low-fat cottage cheese).”

Government dietary guidelines report that we burn approximately 200 fewer daily calories after age 50, so if you keep eating like you did in your thirties or forties, you will probably gain weight.  Also, as bone loss starts sometime in our early thirties and continues into old age, seniors should consume foods with calcium and vitamin D. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends 1,200 milligrams a day of calcium for women and 1,000 mg for men.  Additionally, eat fruits and vegetables in a bright range of colors for heart-protecting antioxidants.  

At MorningStar at Jordan, we recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the well-being of seniors. Our meals are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest ingredients from high-quality producers, locally sourced when possible.  Our beautiful home offers 55 stylish suites for assisted living and another 29 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living communities and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar at Jordan represents the very best in assisted living and memory care.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community.   Visit our website to learn more about one of the finest senior living communities in Centennial, CO.

Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/nutrition-after-age-50.html

Join the MorningStar Team and Make a Difference in the Lives of Seniors

MorningStar Senior Living is a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors as well as throughout the world. As a company that prides itself on offering seniors trusted, compassionate independent living, assisted living, and memory care, we could not accomplish all we do without our dedicated team. 

Currently, six of our Denver area communities are recruiting individuals to fill a variety of positions. Communities include MorningStar of Arvada; MorningStar at Jordan; MorningStar of Littleton; MorningStar of Parker; MorningStar at RidgeGate; and MorningStar of Wheat Ridge.  Jobs range from caregiver to medication managers, dining room servers, cooks, dishwashers, housekeeping, concierges, drivers, maintenance workers, and managerial positions. While each requires a certain skill set, they all need individuals with big hearts and a passion for serving. 

You will love working for a company where every employee is an essential part of the team. Since we know we are lucky to have the type of people we do working for us, part of our mission statement is to invest generously in our team. This starts with competitive wages, great benefits packages, meaningful training, and coaching. We are proud of our culturally diverse workforce; and as we know our employees have responsibilities in their own families, we accommodate flexible hours and schedules.    

Benefits of working for a MorningStar community include health insurance (deductible options, below-average premiums), dental insurance, vision insurance, and telehealth coverage (at no cost). A basic life insurance policy is standard with supplemental policies available at group rates as well as supplemental disability, accident, and critical illness policies. Along with competitive salaries, we offer vacation, sick and holiday pay, and things like Birthday Appreciation Day, 401K Savings Plans, uniforms, and more.  

We strive to create the ultimate work environment and to be a place where team members understand the magnitude of their contributions and recognize they are making residents’ lives better. Please visit MorningStar Senior Living’s “Careers Here” page to learn more about opportunities in the Denver area.

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 a life of comfort, joy, and wellness. Please visit our website and apply for a rewarding position (including caregiver and housekeeping jobs) in the Denver area.

Is Assisted Living Right for You or a Loved One?

While assisted living has been around in the U.S. for the last several decades, some people are still confused as to what it means. Senior living communities that offer assisted living provide long-term housing for seniors to safely age in place. As it is not skilled nursing care, assisted living residents are overall active and independent, but may need support with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet. As a resident, you get 24/7 care and nutrition, daily meals as well as benefit from a range of wellness programs, the company of fellow residents and staff, and peace of mind knowing help is at hand if needed.   

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA NCAL) reports assisted living is a fast-growing sector of senior living with over 800,000 Americans currently residing in an assisted living community. Experts say in some cases, depending on the level of services provided, in-home care can actually be more expensive and doesn’t offer all of the services and amenities found in many assisted living communities.

Homes like MorningStar at Jordan provide residents with much more than supportive care. Our Life Enrichment programs offer physical, intellectual, spiritual or social engagement with creative ways to stay active and productive as we believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. We act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. 

MorningStar at Jordan is part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, whose mission is to “cast a new light on senior living.” We start by creating a true home for our residents, made possible by a dedicated team who understands the highest expression of living is to share their talents, time and energy with others. Visit our website to learn more about MorningStar at Jordan in Centennial, CO.

MorningStar at Jordan represents the very best in assisted living and memory care.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Contact us to see what sets us apart from other senior living communities and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

Source: aplaceformom.com/assisted-living

As You Age, Stretching Exercises Become More Important

Health professionals say it is important to incorporate stretching exercises into your routine especially the older we get as our flexibility naturally decreases. As joints become stiff, and tendons and ligaments tighten up, we become more susceptible to injuries as well as chronic pain and poor posture. In fact, studies show men’s flexibility drops sharply at around 70 years of age. 

Stretching exercises are easy to learn, relatively easy to do, and should not take more than five to ten minutes. Urvashi Chogle, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, says the shoulders, hips, knees, and spine lose the most flexibility.  He explains, "This makes many everyday movements more difficult, such as reaching overhead, squatting, twisting, and bending over." 

Of course before you begin any new stretching exercises, you need to consult with your healthcare provider. He or she may have suggestions on how to safely get started or direct you to your local community senior center or other organizations for classes. Additionally, the Internet has a lot of information on how seniors can improve their flexibility with stretching exercises done in a chair, standing up, or if you can, on the floor. Regardless of your level of fitness, these exercises should help improve your range of motion, flexibility and joint stiffness.   

At MorningStar of Boulder, we offer seniors a carefree lifestyle to safely age in place with a range of care services, luxury amenities, wellness programs and activities. Our programs include a range of exercise classes such as chair yoga, gentle stretching and others to help keep you moving. Our community has 48 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 46 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  For the area’s finest memory care or assisted living, Boulder CO seniors are encouraged to contact us for more information.

We proudly provide the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “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.  If you are looking for exceptional memory care or assisted living, Boulder CO’s MorningStar community may be your answer.

Source: health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/a-plan-for-easy-stretching

Are You Worried About Mom or Dad’s Memory?

If your mom or dad is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time.  Medical experts recommend doing some research on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, in order to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is.  You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parents.  

Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms.  This is why you need to sit down and have a talk with your parents about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.   

Experts say when you are ready to have the “conversation,” be honest and try to keep your voice calm.  Pick a time and place where you will not be interrupted and be sure to include in your homework different care options in case they ask.  Also, be ready to talk less and listen more as they may have also been worried about some of the changes they have been experiencing.  However, keep in mind it is common for a person to be confused, in denial, and/or withdraw.  

At MorningStar of Boulder, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia related disease is devastating, and we want area families to know we are here to help shoulder the burden. Our goal is to provide the best assisted living Boulder CO offers, which includes specialized care for those with mild to advanced memory impairment.  Our comprehensive care also includes assisting families to better understand and cope with the disease. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Boulder’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest memory care and assisted living Boulder, CO offers.

MorningStar’s Memory Care in Centennial, CO

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 at Jordan is just such a place. As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, founded in 2003, we are 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 of our employees receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training includes the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.  

Moving a parent into a memory care community is often a difficult decision to make. However, once a family chooses MorningStar, we are there every step of the way to walk your loved one through the transition. Our first step is to get to know all we can about the individual such as their background, talents and personal preferences by using a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” From there, we create a specialized, individualized service plan in accordance with the family. 

Along with memory care, MorningStar at Jordan offers assisted living as well as short-term stays (30 days or less) for those times when a senior’s regular caregiver needs a vacation or when recovering from surgery or an illness. Please contact us or visit our website for more information. 

MorningStar at Jordan proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 contact us to learn more about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.