What You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Retirement Home

The decision to move into a retirement home is a big one. It’s not only a major life change but also a major financial decision. With so many different types of retirement homes and so many factors to consider, it’s important to do your research before making a decision.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide of what you need to know about choosing the right retirement home.

What to Look for in a Retirement Home

Before you start your search, it’s important to have an idea of what you’re looking for in a retirement home. What type of amenities do you need or want? Are you looking for one that offers home care services or is more independent living? Would you prefer to live in a smaller community or something larger? Taking the time to really think about your needs and wants can make your search easier and help you narrow down your options to the best fit for you. It’s also important to consider the other residents when choosing a retirement home. Spend some time visiting the home and talking to the people who live there. Ask about how satisfied they are with the services and amenities offered, and inquire about the community’s atmosphere and culture. Getting a sense of the people and the atmosphere can give you a good idea of whether or not it’s the right fit for you. 

Tips for Finding the Perfect Retirement Home

Once you’ve identified your needs and wants, you can start your search for a retirement home. The best place to begin is online. There are plenty of websites and resources dedicated to retirement homes, so you can easily compare different homes and get reviews from current and former residents. Another great way to narrow down your options is to visit retirement homes in your area and take a tour. Seeing a retirement home in person is the best way to get a feel for the atmosphere and services they offer, so make sure to take your time and explore your options. It’s also a good idea to ask lots of questions. The staff should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the home. 

Financing Your Retirement Home

Depending on the type of retirement home you choose and how much care you need, the cost can vary significantly. Before making any decisions, it’s important to think about your budget and make sure you can afford the retirement home of your choice. The good news is there are plenty of financing options to help cover the costs associated with a retirement home. If you have a long-term care insurance policy, it may cover some or all of the costs depending on the plan. Medicare and Medicaid are also options for retirees who are in need of assistance, and there are also tax benefits available in some states. 

Making the Most of Your Retirement Years

Looking into retirement homes is just the beginning. After you’ve made your decision, you’ll still need to figure out how to make the most of your retirement years. If you plan on staying active, consider joining a fitness class or volunteering at a local charity. Social activities are also great ways to stay connected with your community and make new friends. If you’re looking for more educational opportunities, many retirement homes offer classes on a variety of topics, ranging from photography to art. Take advantage of the amenities offered at your retirement home and explore your interests.

MorningStar at Laurelhurst assisted living and memory care community provides a full range of senior care and hospitality services and luxury amenities. We also offer a complement of wellness programs and activities to help residents stay engaged physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. Contact us to learn more about the newest senior living in Portland and to reserve your select suite. We open to residents in the Spring 2023. 

New Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease Show Promise

Researchers from pharmaceutical companies Biogen and Eisai recently announced promising results from a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. They report a monoclonal antibody treatment, called lecanemab, “reduced cognitive decline by 27% in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s compared with those on a placebo after a year and a half.” 

While there are still a lot of questions as earlier studies with similar type drugs have cleared amyloid plaques in the brain, which are clumps of protein that disrupt neurons and other cells, they have not helped Alzheimer’s patient’s symptoms. According to researchers, lecanemab is the first to do so; however, the study only included 1795 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s. 

Scientists say one reason why lecanemab is showing positive results while other similar drugs have failed to do so, is that it does work a bit differently. Jonathan Jackson, a cognitive neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) explains the drug aducanumab primarily binds to amyloid protein after it has clumped together. Lecanemab starts working in an earlier stage, targeting “protofibrils.” These are strands that will most likely consolidate into plaque but haven’t done so yet. 

Although there are still a lot of questions regarding the efficacy of lecanemab, doctors hope future studies will provide a clearer picture. Meanwhile people and their families who participated in the study expressed gratitude at having the opportunity to wind up in a study “where the drug actually worked, against a backdrop of repeated failures to develop effective Alzheimer’s medications.”

MorningStar at Laurelhurst assisted living and memory care community is MorningStar’s newest retirement home in Portland, OR. With 83 assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans along with 32 suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment in our distinct Reflections Neighborhood. We are situated in the historic Laurelhurst district, a neighborhood of vintage homes and undulating streets that straddle the NE and SE sections of Portland. Please contact us to reserve your select suite, we open to residents in winter 2023.

Source: 

science.org/content/article/five-big-questions-about-new-alzheimer-s-treatment#:~:text=Earlier%20this%20week%2C%20the%20pharmaceutical,on%20a%20placebo%20after%20astatnews.com/2022/10/20/front-of-alzheimers-patients-in-successful-drug-trial/

Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One

Death is part of life and if we are fortunate to live a long one, most likely we will have to deal with the loss of a beloved spouse, life partner, child, sibling or friend. As loved ones give our lives purpose, coping with their loss and finding new purpose is difficult as many seniors do not have the opportunities to socialize or get out as they once did. 

Grief counselors suggest some things a person’s family and friends can do to help them get through the worst of the grief. If it was your parents who died, be sure to let your surviving parents know how much you miss dad or mom, and share memories you have of the good times. Ask your parents if they have more difficult times during the day dealing with the loss as you could offer to come over or give them a call. Also be sure to not shy away from saying the deceased person’s name.   

Offer to do things with them you know they once did with their spouse such as grocery shopping. If dad did the yard work, either offer to do it or help mom hire a company to take care of it. Help your parents find outlets for socializing, and encourage them to pick up an old hobby or find a new one, or take a class. 

Being part of a senior living community such as Portland’s MorningStar at Laurelhurst, can be very supportive and give the person a sense of belonging. Other residents most likely have gone through similar experiences and have a special understanding of what the person is going through. 

MorningStar at Laurelhurst’s assisted living and memory care is designed to provide seniors everything they want and need in a retirement home. Along with impressive architectural design elements, an array of luxury amenities, hospitality services and 5-star dining; we offer Personalized Service Plans for the activities of daily living (ADLs) to help maintain residents’ independence. We open to residents in winter of 2023 and encourage you to contact us today to reserve your select suite and learn about exclusive savings for early depositors at the finest senior living Portland offers. 

Medication Management in Assisted Living Facilities is Life-Saving

If your elderly parent or loved one is taking several medications, healthcare providers say it is a good idea to check their medication management. It’s not uncommon for adults 55 and over to take multiple medications, vitamins, and supplements to manage a wide array of symptoms and health conditions. However, the more pills seniors take, the greater the risk for medication mix-ups. Medication management in senior living is an important preventive measure to avoid serious health hazards for seniors that could even be fatal. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, report approximately 350,000 people are hospitalized each year due to adverse, or harmful drug events. Doctors acknowledge it can be confusing for seniors to keep track of the daily dosages of their medications. Remembering special instructions for drugs, such as to take with or without food or at a specific time of day, can also be hard for seniors to keep up with. If a senior struggles with memory loss or Alzheimer's, the risk of improper medication consumption increases. 

An elder may not be organized with their medication routine if they have multiple medications stored in different locations throughout the house. If they are also hoarding old, outdated prescriptions and forgetting the times in which they have taken their medication, it may be time to consider better medication management through a form of assisted living to keep your loved one safe and in good health. 

MorningStar at Laurelhurst is a senior living and retirement home in Portland, Oregon, that opens in December 2022. Our assisted living in Portland offers residents an array of support in their daily activities while advocating for their safety and independence. Services in our retirement home include 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, and an emphasis on medication management. Proper documentation and scheduling of our residents' medication avoids harmful and even fatal drug events. 

Contact us to earn more about MorningStar’s amenities and assisted living in Portland. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other assisted living facilities in Portland.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Laurelhurst, “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 see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Portland, Oregon.

Summertime Brings an Abundance of Fresh Superfoods to Enjoy

Experts say one of the easiest as well as one of the tastiest ways to improve our health is to eat a variety of colorful fresh fruit and vegetables. Regretfully statistics report nine out of ten adults fail to meet the minimum requirement of three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit a day. A recent CDC survey found 95% of US adults said they eat some amount of vegetables each day but only 70% said they ate some fruit. 

This means too many adults are missing out on the minerals, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants fruits provide. At 90 calories a cup, cherries are a good example of a superfood readily available this time of the year. One cup of cherries provides 3 grams of fiber as well as vitamin C and potassium. As a source of anthocyanins, they offer antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardiovascular and other benefits. Cherries also contain melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone, and flavonoids that are linked to improving muscle soreness and blood pressure. Other research reports cherries can help with gout. Cherries can be enjoyed fresh or added to flavor foods from grains to ice cream. 

The heat of summer makes it the perfect time to enjoy a salad with the wide variety of greens available including lettuce, arugula, romaine, chard, spinach, and kale. Add another superfood to the mix, a tomato, which contains lycopene, a potent antioxidant known to protect eyesight, and provide anti-cancer and heart health benefits. 

Like a refreshing glass of water, watermelon lives up to its name with 92% water content. Along with being a tasty way to rehydrate during the hot days of summer, watermelon contains vitamins and minerals along with lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. Also did you know one cup of strawberries offers more vitamin C than an orange? Researchers say strawberries may help decrease harmful LDLs and other risk factors for chronic diseases. So while you are making the most of the warmer weather, be sure to enjoy the abundant “fruits of summers.” 

Let us introduce the newest retirement home Portland offers, the MorningStar at Laurelhurst assisted living and memory care community. We are scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2022 and are ready to help seniors reserve a select suite from a range of floorplans and configurations. Our community is uniquely situated in the historic Laurelhurst District, and convenient to the Portland Medical Center, shopping and nature areas. Please visit our website for more information. 

A Unique Retirement Home in Portland Offers the Finest Carefree Living

The new MorningStar at Laurelhurst assisted living and memory care community is located in the historic Laurelhurst District. As one of the few senior living communities in northeast Portland, we provide aging adults in the neighborhood the opportunity to remain in an area they love and stay close to family. 

Our contemporary design is inspired by the vintage homes, lush greenery and eclectic vibes of the District. The side of our community facing Sandy Boulevard, a commercial street, has large retail-style windows and is where our bistro, art studio, and fitness center are located as a way to engage residents in the outside world. The other side of our community faces a residential neighborhood and serves as our main entrance. This side of the building is scaled down using step backs, going from five-stories to one story to better compliment the neighboring homes. This includes using a similar brick exterior to that of the historic Anna Mann Home next door. 

To accommodate seniors who have moved from homes with backyards, we have maximized residents’ access to the outdoors with meandering pathways, and raised beds in our memory care terrace. Our rooftop terrace for assisted living residents features an outdoor fireplace and offers spectacular views of Southeast Portland, Downtown and the West Hills. As a resident, you will be able to appreciate the dynamic city life as you enjoy all the comforts of home. 

While MorningStar at Laurelhurst is a new retirement home in Portland, MorningStar communities are found across the Western US and include Oregon’s MorningStar of Happy Valley, MorningStar of Beaverton and MorningStar of Hillsboro. We offer 83 smartly-designed assisted living suites; and our distinct Reflections Neighborhood has 32 suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

Our unique mission statement to honor God, value all seniors and invest generously in our team sets us apart from other senior living. We open to residents in the first quarter of 2023 and invite you to visit our website for more information or to reserve your select suite. 

An Ancient Form of Exercise that is Good for Seniors

Harvard Health restates a classic text that says tai chi will help you become “Strong as an oak, flexible as a willow, and [mentally] clear as still water.” The ancient Chinese tradition is based in the martial arts; and is a popular low-impact exercise involving slow movements and breath. Experts say tai chi is suitable for people of all ages including seniors and offers numerous benefits.  

Tai chi’s mind-body exercises consist of slow, flowing, and choreographed movements that provide many people a sense of calm, which is why it is often referred to as mediation in motion, or medication in motion. Its movements focus on control as well as slowing down and relaxing muscles to allow the body to move more freely. Harvard Health says for those in their 60s, 70, 80s and beyond, “tai chi’s restorative powers can help you age more gracefully and function at a higher level than those who don't practice.” 

Other known benefits include offering relief from common ailments such back, neck and arthritis pain, and fibromyalgia as well as reducing the risk of heart disease. One study reports older adults who practiced tai chi one to three times a week had better balance and were 43% less likely to fall, and cut their risk of injury in half. In addition research suggests tai chi improves mood and is an effective treatment for depression. It may also help reduce age-related cognitive decline and slow dementia. 

MorningStar at Laurelhurst is the newest retirement home Portland offers for assisted living and memory care. We are scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2022 and have 83 assisted living suites and 32 memory care suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Located in the historic Laurelhurst District, we are near to the Portland Medical Center, shopping centers and nature areas. Visit our website for more information and to reserve your select suite today. 

A Senior Living Community with “Heart”

Perhaps you have heard of, or seen a MorningStar senior living community in or around Portland, OR as in addition to our newest community under construction, MorningStar at Laurelhurst, we also operate MorningStar of Beaverton, MorningStar of Happy Valley and MorningStar of Hillsboro. Our company has been around since 2003 and now operates 32 senior living communities across the Western US. 

MorningStar’s Founder/CEO, Ken Jaeger, began MorningStar Senior Living after 15 years of executive leadership experience and close observation of the senior housing industry, which he found lacking in the human touch. His mission was to establish a brand of senior living rooted in Judeo-Christian principles, which re-created his grandmother’s house, “a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”

Thus began Mr. Jaeger’s life’s work to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by a three-pillared mission upon which MorningStar remains grounded: 

• Honor God in our business practices and relationships

• Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals

• Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well

To continue these goals, MorningStar at Laurelhurst is putting together a team of individuals with big hearts who understand it is a privilege to serve seniors. Each team member is trained in our brand standard of Service Excellence we call Radiance, and guides how we want to deliver service – with warmth and sincerity and depth. 

The Laurelhurst assisted living and memory care community is designed to provide seniors with everything they want and need in a retirement home. Along with impressive architectural design elements, an array of luxury amenities and hospitality services and 5-star dining; our home offers Individualized Service Plans for the activities of daily living (ADLs) to help maintain our residents’ independence.  

While MorningStar is founded on Judeo-Christian principles, we welcome residents and team members of all faiths and worldviews. Our community offers 83 assisted living suites and another 32 suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment. Ideally situated in the historic Laurelhurst District, long-time area residents can continue to comfortably live in familiar surroundings or near loved ones. We open to residents in the last quarter of 2022. Contact us today to reserve your select suite to the finest retirement home in Portland. 

Smartly-designed Floor Plans to Call Home

The new MorningStar at Laurelhurst assisted living and memory care community is built from the ground up to satisfy the most discerning seniors’ desire for what they want in a retirement home. On the top of the list are smartly-designed floor plans in a wide choice of configurations. 

A look at our assisted living floor plans (open the tab on our home page) will give you an idea of the multiple options new residents have in reserving a stunning suite that fits your criteria for square footage, room configuration, number of bedrooms and location in the building. MorningStar’s assisted living suites include several choices in studios ranging from 412 to 473 square feet. For those seeking a little larger space, our one-bedroom, one-bath units are available in floor plans as large as 758 square feet. For our largest suites, consider a two-bedroom, one bath or two-bath options ranging from 750 to 905 square feet.       

Each suite is equipped with a kitchenette with sink and refrigerator; handicapped-accessible bathrooms; emergency call systems, private heating & air conditioning; and basic cable TV and utilities. Residents receive weekly housekeeping and laundry and linen services as well as daily spot cleaning and trash removal. Located in the historic Laurelhurst District, our community’s overall design aesthetically embraces the area’s historic background while seamlessly blending modern practicality.

We have another 32 suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment. While there may be a new retirement home in Portland, MorningStar communities are found across the Western US and include Oregon’s MorningStar of Happy Valley, MorningStar of Beaverton and MorningStar of Kirkland. Furthermore you will discover our unique mission statement to honor God, value all seniors and invest generously in our team sets us apart from other senior living. Please visit our website for more information or to contact us to reserve a select suite.