MorningStar

If you would like the freedom to enjoy your retirement years without many worries, we invite you to take a look at MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Littleton .  For assisted living, we offer 65 stylish, private suites in a variety of configurations.  From spacious studios to one-bedroom and two bedroom floor plans over three levels, our suites are meticulously designed so all you need is to bring your furnishings and personal items.  Each unit offers high-end finishes and includes lighting, high ceilings, large windows, wall-to-wall carpeting and mini blinds.   For memory care residents, our Reflections Neighborhood has 20 secure suites that are devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our team feels honored to care for our tender residents, and in fact, MorningStar of Littleton was named as an “Alzheimer’s Association Leader in Dementia Care.”  To be recognized as such, a senio...

According to the Mayo Clinic, the elderly are among one of the groups of people that are more susceptible to dehydration.  They cite the following reasons for this including the fact that a senior’s ability to conserve water is lessened while at the same time they experience a diminished sense of thirst.  Furthermore, a senior’s capacity to respond to changes in temperature is reduced and many do not adept well to extremely hot or cold weather.  These issues are often compounded by the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, dementia and kidney problems.  There are even certain medications that can contribute to the elderly being more susceptible to dehydration.  As we age our kidneys’ lose some of their ability to concentrate urine and retain water during episodes of fluid deprivation.  Also a reduced sensation of thirst means that many seniors forget to drink enough fluids throughout the day.  Moreover disorders such...

I f your parent has reached the time in their life where they need help with daily personal care activities, moving into assisted living is the perfect solution. You will have peace of mind knowing their needs are being met and they are safe and comfortable.   However as much of the task of helping them move will likely fall on your shoulders, you have probably begun to realize that paring back a lifetime’s worth of possession is a bit overwhelming.   Not to worry, there are many good books on the topic as well as useful tips on the Internet.       Organizing experts caution that the job can be complicated and fraught with emotion because as you see a pile of stuff to sort through and toss; your parent sees treasures and memories. Begin by creating a list of things your parent will need at their new place (keep in mind the size) and adding in the treasured items and personal belongings they want to keep.   If something is hard for them to par...

While MorningStar at Mountain Shadows feels honored to serve, and consider seniors to be heroes, we are gratified to get positive feedback from the families of our residents.  As we deliberately hire the type of individuals who have perfected the art of anticipating needs and go the extra mile even when no one is watching, it is great to hear their service is recognized and appreciated. One daughter of a resident in our memory care recently wrote about her experience.  She explains that, “It’s never easy to realize that your parent needs more help than you can provide on your own.  My creative, fun loving mom developed dementia in 2013. I tried to help her stay in independent living but after several falls and health setbacks, I needed outside help. The staff at MorningStar made both my mom and my family feel like we were their only clients with the attentive, competent care they provided.  She adds that her Mom is loved by the staff and has a special bond...

If your parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, at some point, you may need to find a community that specializes in caring for them.  Given the progression of the disease, your loved one may eventually require 24-hour supervised care that is specifically designed to provide the level of safety and care they need.  What important questions should you ask when looking for specialized care for a family member with a dementia related disease?  One of their first recommendations is to make sure that the memory care community you are considering is fully equipped to care for the needs of your loved one.    In order to determine the level of care your parent or spouse requires, they suggest making a list of their medical and physical needs starting with their level of mobility and do they use a walker or wheelchair?  Also besides dementia, what other illnesses or health concerns do they suffer from?  It is impo...

Tucked at the foot of the majestic Rockies, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows in not only beautifully located but is convenient to banks, hospitals, shopping malls, and restaurants.   In addition our community has proudly received several awards over the last few years in honor of our outstanding care, services and amenities.  Unlike many retirement communities, Mountain Shadows was built as a senior living community and meticulously designed to accommodate every need of our assisted living and memory care residents.  For assisted living, we offer 45 graciously appointed suites in configurations that range from spacious studio to one- and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 683 sq. ft.   Our Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases and has 19 secure suites.  Each of our stylish units offers high ceilings, large windows, lighting, wall-to-wall carpeting and mi...

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek , we are proud to serve the needs of our residents as well as their families by providing the area with the finest assisted living and memory care in our beautiful new community.   Additionally we will also be hosting informative programs and events open to the entire Des Moines area.   One such program is our Dementia Support Group, which is a caring conversation for families living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.   Attendees are invited to come and encourage others as well as to be encouraged, and within the group, you will find empathy and a whole lot of love.   Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association, the group will meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.   We do ask that you RSVP to MorningStar at Jordan Creek as seating is limited.   Light refreshments will be served.   MorningStar’s Reflections Neighborhood specializes in memory care and has 29 secure suites entirel...

If you are confused with what the term assisted living means, you are not alone.   Relatively a new concept, assisted living is based on the European model and is not a nursing home.   Assisted living is designed for seniors who require a little assistance with their daily personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, etc.   Furthermore rather than taking away a person’s independence, assisted living provides the services seniors need to maintain an independent lifestyle.   At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows , our assisted living offers five levels of care.   Your level of care will be determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with you and your extended family.   Also regardless of your level of care , we provide all residents with around-the-clock Care Managers (at least one team member is CPR trained on each shift) to meet needs and ensure your comfort and safety. On the MorningStar websit...

The longest, most comprehensive study ever done on aging by the Harvard Study of Adult Development has turned up some unexpected results.   The study, which began in the 1930s, examined more than 800 men and women from adolescence into old age.   The purpose of the research is to find clues to the participants’ behaviors that translate into happy and healthy longevity. George Vaillant, MD, director of the Harvard study and senior physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, states that, "I had expected that the longevity of your parents, the quality of your childhood, and your cholesterol levels would be very influential.   So I was very surprised that these particular variables weren't more important than they were." Another commonly held belief regarding aging well has typically included avoiding stress.   However the results from the study indicate that stressful events did not predict future health and that some people who have had a lot of str...

The MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care Wheat Ridge, we emphatically agree with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community .   While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name.   The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory.   They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise.   In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you.   It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss.   Jolene Brackey...

Research has shown gardening to be an effective low-impact exercise for seniors .   Along with providing a moderate amount of aerobic exercise for aging adults, gardening can offer benefits to your mental and emotional health.   To keep it accessible to the elderly for whom lifting and bending can be difficult; it is smart to incorporate a few modifications such as raised garden beds as well as using various ergonomic tools. One of the best things about gardening is it stimulates all of the senses and offers an excellent excuse to get outside and soak up some vitamin D as well as boost serotonin levels in your brain.   Serotonin is a chemical that improves your mood and helps you to feel calm and centered.   In addition to relieving stress and anxiety, gardening gives seniors a sense of purpose and accomplishment with its beautiful or edible finished product.   It also is an enjoyable way to use of all of your motor skills and improve endurance and stren...

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Wheat Ridge, we provide high-quality assisted living and memory care as well as respite care.   Respite or temporary care is a great option for seniors who are recovering from surgery or an illness and require some day-to-day support services.   In addition communities such as ours allow recovering seniors the opportunity for socialization and meaningful activities.       As a respite resident of MorningStar, you will receive a quiet suite and personalized care to comfortably recover your health, as well as companionship and community, which can just as important in the healing process.   Of course, since our suites are subject to availability, it is important to contact us when you know you will require respite care in the foreseeable future.   Respite or temporary care also offers a solution for seniors whose regular caregiver is taking a much needed vacation or is busy with other ...

We are proud to say that it is not only us who feels MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is the top senior living community in the Colorado Springs area.   Our community was thrilled to be recently named by Senior Advisor.com as the 2018 “Best Of” Assisted Living .   This exclusive designation is awarded to the top 1% of senior living providers in the US and Canada and is based on consistently high ratings and positive reviews from residents, families and visitors to the SeniorAdvisor.com website.   As a division of A Place for Mom, SeniorAdvisor.com is one of the nation’s most widely respected senior living referral and review websites. But our accolades do not stop there.   MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has also been honored as the “Best Retirement Home” in both 2015 and 2016 by the Colorado Springs Gazette who hosts the annual “Best Of” competition.    Our entire team encourages you to arrange a visit to see for yourself what the “best” senior l...

While it is true that we are all living longer, there are some steps you can take to help make those years healthier than ever.   The National Institute of Health recommends that seniors incorporate the following habits into their daily lives: eat a balanced diet; keep your mind and body active; do not smoke; get regular checkups; and practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls.   The Family Doctor website also offers some commonsense advice on how even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health even if you are already a senior.   Their primary recommendation is to add physical activity to your daily life and eat food that is enriched with fiber.     By increasing your daily physical activity, it will help improve the strength of your bones and muscles.   In addition we know that stronger muscles can help to prevent falls, and in the event you do experience a fall, those stronger bones are less apt to break.  ...