MorningStar

With better nutrition and healthcare, more and more seniors are living well into their nineties and beyond .   A recent study reports that the number of Americans age 65 or older increased tenfold during the last century and today’s seniors are not only living longer but more comfortably and in better health.   In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported there were 72,197 Americans aged 100 or older, which is up more than 44 percent from 2000, when there were only 50,281 centenarians.    By 2050, it is estimated that 4 percent of the population will be 85 years or older, which is ten times the amount of people alive at that age in 1950.   Furthermore, researchers say that on average, one in twenty women today who are age forty will live to celebrate their 100th birthday (one in ten girls born today will live past 100).   For men, the number is one in forty who are age forty today that can expect to live to 100 (one in twenty boys born today will live past

Searching for an assisted living community for yourself or a parent can feel like an overwhelming task.   We know you want to make the best choice and there are a couple of things you may want to consider before you take such an important step.    First, you will want to research the various options in your preferred area.   The Internet is an efficient and easy way to discover what is out there, and you will find several websites that offer a search directory of facilities.   Also you can check with your health care provider for any recommendations they may have.     Once you have narrowed down your list to several communities in your target location, give them a call to set up a tour.   While on the phone, have a list of questions handy such as are there immediate openings available, and if not, how long is the wait, the price range and what will you see on the tour as well as how much time it will take.   A community tour is your best opportunity to get a real feel

Residents of the MorningStar at Jordan Creek community will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of wellness programs and activities as well as receive resort-style amenities.   Along with an on-site chapel/theatre (including Wii), bistro, salon, fitness room, and more, resident are provided with three daily meals served restaurant style and prepared by our Executive Chef.   We also have a library that includes multiple computers and newspapers available for our residents.      Another new technology we are proud to offer residents is the groundbreaking “It’s Never 2 Late” (iN2L) computer program that combines touchscreen computers with intuitive picture-based software.   The user-friendly technology components are designed so residents can enjoy using a computer regardless of their past experience or physical or intellectual limitations. Offering a library with over 3,000 selections, iN2L users are provided intellectual and physical stimulation, social and spiri

Even for older adults , good nutrition is important for a healthy lifestyle.   A study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) states that “a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers. As you age, you might need less energy. But you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.“       As a part of their findings, they recommend avoiding foods loaded with empty calories such as potato chips, cookies, soda and alcohol to ensure you get your proper amount of daily nutrients.   Instead they advise eating wholesome, nutrient-rich foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated or trans fats.   One of the benefits of eating well is that it may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes and bone loss as well as some types of cancer.   In fact if you already suffer from one of those diseases, maintaining a healthy diet along with staying physically active can help you to b

As with any project, the last few months are some of the most exciting as things finally start to come together.   Now that MorningStar at Jordan Creek is only a couple of months from move-in day (we are on schedule to open in February), everything is looking better than we even imagined.    At our recent holiday-style “We’re Building Excitement” event in MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s Information Center, we had the honor to welcome many area families who are looking into senior living options.   We took the opportunity to update everyone on our construction progress, and all in all, it was a wonderful day.    If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit our community in person, you can start by browsing through our website and take a look at our most recent pictures.   As you will see, we have grown into a beautiful fully-built and fully-furnished community.   Also one of the best things about our 71,643-sq-foot community is that every aspect has been specifically desi

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Mountain Shadows , our Reflections Neighborhood is dedicated to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.   We take a holistic approach to our care, which starts with the utmost respect and compassion for each resident, borne out of a deep understanding of the many pathologies known collectively as dementia, including the most prevalent, Alzheimer’s disease.     Our secure and loving memory neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.   The creative side of our care begins with learning about each resident.   We interview the family to get a thorough understanding of a person’s history and use that knowledge to aid in their care and to develop a trust between the resident and our staff.   To help control adverse behaviors associated with the disease, we use a variety o

Once MorningStar at Jordan Creek opens, we will lovingly provide our residents the amenities and services to ensure their comfort and to make them feel right at home.   We also will provide a range of activities including our creative and enriching WellStar programs consisting of five wellness components – physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, and food philosophy.   Designed to help seniors stay active, engaged and productive, the programs integrates different modalities and senses for both the body and the mind.     Introduced by our Life Enrichment coordinator, the activities will tap into the unique talents and experiences of our residents and includes encouraging residents to start and lead special interest clubs themselves.   Along with recognizing a range of capabilities and a variety of interests, the goal of our activities is to elevate the mood of our residents, reduce pain, and help them to rely less on medications.        We know that physical exercise is i

Since Americans are living longer, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself to ensure your later years are good ones.   The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains there are real benefits to a healthy lifestyle and adds that it is never too late to begin.   Another recently published study by Sian Robinson, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Southampton, also emphatically states that, "Improving the quality of your diet can have a beneficial effect on health, whatever your age."    Experts advise that one of the best things older adults can do to stay healthy is to eat a balanced diet and to keep their minds and bodies active.   Other healthy habits include not smoking, getting regular checkups and learning how to prevent falls.      At the FamilyDoctor.org website, they remind seniors that even small changes such as daily physical activity can make a difference.   Moreover as you increase your physical activity, it wi

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report in 2015 that states 25 percent of all American women aged 65 years or older suffer from osteoporosis.   They found that in men over 65 years, it is closer to 6 percent.   Since anyone with osteoporosis is more at risk for dangerous fractures, it is important for seniors to be aware of whether they suffer from the condition.      According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, “Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Healthy bones look like a honeycomb when viewed under a microscope, but for those with osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycombs are much larger and the abnormal porous bone is compressible or sponge-like.   As the bones lose density or mass and are made up of more abnormal tissue structure, the bones become less dense, weaken and more likely to break.         Healthy, strong bone is composed of protein, collagen and calcium. Osteopenia is the term used when a person’s bones are slig

One essential thing that sets MorningStar apart from other senior living communities is our unique approach to service.   At MorningStar at Jordan Creek , all of our new team members are trained in our proprietary service program known as “Radiance.”   The program is much more than just a way to offer customer service to our residents but rather our brand standard of Service Excellence.      The very essence of Radiance begins in a deep and sincere place, much like a beam of light, and celebrates an attitude of selflessness.   The program provides us with a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and is the basis for how we dispense service - through warmth, sincerity and depth.   Along with introducing the program to each new team member, we also will be reiterating and strengthening the program’s concepts during daily short meetings called the “Huddle.”      In 2003, MorningStar was founded on the premise that the co

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek , we understand there are all sorts of emotions that occur when a family begins to look into assisted living for a parent or a loved one.   Often it is a complete learning experience as many people do not know what assisted living offers and how it differs from a nursing home.      Assisted living is a fairly new concept that started in the late 1990’s and is designed for seniors who want to maintain their independence but need a little help with daily living activities.   Based on the European social model, it creates a new paradigm in wellness and engagement, and we believe that the structure and society offered in Assisted Living communities introduces a return of healthy routines and healthier lives.      It is estimated that approximately one million Americans are living in senior care communities and that number is expected to almost double by 2030 as people are living longer.   Most assisted living residents moved into a community fro