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MorningStar of Billings
Readers Theater

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MorningStar of Billings
Readers Theater

MORNINGSTAR SENIOR LIVING | May 01
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Assisted Living, Lifestyle, Rooted Blog, Senior Care, Senior Health, Senior Living |
The MorningStar of Billings Readers Theater gives senior living residents a way to enjoy many emotional, mental, and social benefits that participating in the performing arts offers.

Nothing against the fun of a spirited bingo competition, a challenging game of chess, or participating in a knitting group, but these days seniors residing in an independent or assisted living community often have a much more engaging option for intellectual stimulation and social engagement.

And that’s participating in a theater group.

Research has shown that learning new skills is an effective way to slow down the aging process. In addition to providing older adults with a deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and empowerment, working to develop a mastery of a new field of interest has important benefits for the brain.

That seems to be especially true when it comes to taking acting classes.

A 2008 study published by the Journal on Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition that focused on seniors who took acting classes found that it improved comprehension and memory – reducing the age-related decline of cognitive skills by nearly 50%. In addition, it also had the benefit of fostering creativity.

That last component is especially important for seniors. Engaging in creative activities has been shown to reduce anxiety and lower the risk of depression.

And the benefits don’t stop with the brain. Getting involved with the performing arts can:

  • Improve Physical Health – Acting and other performing arts like dancing often require seniors to use their body as a form of artistic expression. This can provide an enjoyable way to get physical exercise that doesn’t involve traditional workout routines. Better physical health and balance can result in fewer falls as well as reduce doctor and emergency room visits.

  • Build Social Connections – Acting isn’t a solitary pursuit. A big part of this performing art involves interacting with others. Practicing lines, rehearsing scenes, and even simply being a part of the audience draws seniors together in a shared experience which can reduce the isolation and sense of loneliness that many older adults experience.

  • Enhance Group Relationships – Depending on the type and subject of the play, dramatic role playing can provide a comfortable place for seniors to honestly express their feelings about the challenges of aging to their peers, caregivers, and families.

Seniors residing in an independent or assisted living senior community may be able to enjoy the benefits of being part of an acting troupe through a local theatre group. For those lucky enough to be part of a community that has their own in-house troupe, this engaging activity may be just down the hall.

That’s been the experience of members of MorningStar of Billings Readers Theater. Located in the town of Billings, Montana, this innovative community currently has an active and engaging inhouse-troupe made up of 11 residents aged 80 to 95.

Far from being elaborate and complicated, this community’s drama group concept is about as simple as you can get. There are no costumes. Members simply dress in simple all-black outfits. There is no curtain-draped stage. The performance area is just a corner of the room. As for the sets? Even more basic. Just a prop or two and a narrator who verbally describes when and where the action is happening and who the characters are which sets the stage for what is about to happen.

While many theater groups are more physically active, this one has the actors delivering their lines (which are read, not memorized) seated in chairs. This relaxed arrangement lets its less mobile and slightly memory-challenged members to fully participate in every production.

The group is an active one. They practice every Thursday afternoon and put on at least three performances a year. It began during the worst of the pandemic when senior living communities were virtually closed off from the outside world. So, they decided to make their own fun and create a community activity where residents could come together to laugh, socialize, and enjoy a glass of wine while watching an engaging theatrical performance.

The result is a troupe that is one where friendships have been forged and strengthened, spirits have been lifted, and everyone has gotten a little peppier. That’s what the best of life is all about. And the members of the MorningStar of Billings Readers Theaters and their audience have found it by creating a space where they can enjoy all the emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual benefits that participating in the performing arts offers.

MorningStar Senior Living — Assisted Living Community


If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into an assisted living community nearer to their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offering care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.





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BRIDGE LOANS

It’s not uncommon for families to be short on funds when transitioning a loved one into a senior community. The ElderLife Bridge Loan allows you to pay for rent and care in the short term while waiting for other funds to come in. Common financial shortfalls include the time that it takes to list and sell a home, or the waiting period before receiving VA Benefits.

The Bridge Loan is designed like a line of credit, bridging the financial shortfall for up to 12 months. The loan is unsecured (no collateral needed) and approved quickly with no penalty for early payoff and affordable interest payments as low as $8 per $1000 borrowed.

To learn more about the ElderLife Bridge Loan, call 877.664.1710 or Click Here.

REVERSE MORTGAGE

When one partner needs assisted living, and the other partner chooses to remain living in a private home, a reverse mortgage may be a good solution to help pay for increased expenses. Without affecting Medicare or Social Security benefits, reverse mortgages allow a homeowner to stay in the home and withdraw from the equity that the couple has built. Mortgage holders get tax-free cash flow as a loan against that equity, a loan that doesn’t need to be repaid until the house is sold or the owner moves out or dies.

Be sure to vet lenders and their terms thoroughly before making any decision. If you would like to be connected to a trusted, licensed reverse mortgage partner, call 877.664.1710.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

Long-term care insurance helps pay for senior care and protect personal assets by covering expenses up to the amounts set forth in the policy. LTC insurance pays for a variety of services in senior communities, and can offer care options that may not be covered through the federal subsidies of Medicare and Medicaid (see below section).

LTC policies can be complex and it may be difficult to understand and activate your policy. If you have questions about your Long-term Care policy, call 877.664.1710 to be connected with an expert for a free policy review.

SELLING THE HOME

The equity built up in a private home is typically a retiree’s largest asset, making the proceeds from selling extremely helpful when transitioning to a senior community. However, selling a home in a timely manner can be challenging and time-consuming. This is especially true when adult children are not living near to assist.

Many families find it helpful to work with a Real Estate Professional experienced with all aspects of selling a senior’s home. From packing and cleaning to listing and selling, ElderLife’s agents are ready to assist with the entire process to simplify a senior transition. To be connected with a local agent, call 877.664.1710.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Approach Social Security (SS) benefits tactically. Historically, it was wise to take SS benefits early and invest them. Today, that’s not necessarily so. Maximized benefits may best be found through delayed retirement credits. Depending on your birth year, benefits increase by 3-8% annually. If you wait until age 70 to collect, that monthly check could increase by 25% or more. And a surviving spouse receives the entirety of that benefit upon the worker’s death, making delayed retirement credits even more valuable. Study the new rules to choose your best course.
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MEDICARE

Think of Medicare as health insurance for those 65 years and older, regardless of income. While Medicare never pays for assisted living, it is designed to help fund certain postacute expenses in the first 100 days, namely hospitalization and rehab, as long as the person’s health is improving.
Once you’ve plateaued, Medicare stops paying.

Benefits may be available for home health care, but only if certain conditions are met. Medicare Part A covers hospice (palliative care) for the actively dying, regardless of income, including in a senior living community. Click here for original source info.

In contrast, Medicaid is a federal government program that subsidizes the medical expenses (including certain health services and nursing home care) for low income people of all ages. MorningStar does not accept Medicaid. Click here for more information.

LEVERAGE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

Whole life and universal life policies build a reserve of cash through interest-earning excess premiums (known as the policy’s “cash value”). In some situations, life insurance can be a source of ready funds through cash surrender, death benefit loans, accelerating death benefits, life (or viatical) settlements, or even selling the policy on the open market for immediate cash.

Before acting on any of these methods, consult a financial advisor, as there may be tax consequences. Life Care Funding can also help you determine whether a policy can be converted. Click Here

TAX BENEFITS

The IRS allows certain deductions on a federal tax return for the cost of housing and meals of those receiving long-term care in a senior community due to chronic illness or the inability to live alone.

Assisted living residents may qualify for these deductions if a physician certifies that they have been unable to perform at least two activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing or dressing) without assistance for at least 90 days. The same deductions can apply to those who require substantial supervision due to memory impairment.

An adult child paying for a parent’s care may also qualify for the tax deductions, if the child can claim the parent as a dependent. Consult a tax advisor for further information or visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Click Here.

COMPANION LIVING

MorningStar offers Companion Living in all of our communities, where two unrelated people of the same sex share a suite, whether in independent living, assisted living or memory care.

Not only does this living arrangement enhance life by its camaraderie, it also extends savings.

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