MorningStar

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our mission is to provide seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  To ensure residents the finest assisted living and memory care , we define health and well-being holistically and back it up with an array of services and programming that support the whole person in mind, body and spirit. Wellness is enhanced through our Life Enrichment wellness programs and activities as well as through our Wellness Care Team.  At Mountain Shadows, we have the expertise and authority to provide the level of resident care that can extend the stay of residents in spite of changing health conditions.  To this end, we pride ourselves on working hard to create solutions for residents and their families that result in higher quality of care at lower costs.  Assisted living residents are thoroughly evaluated by our Wellness Director when they join our community, in order to create a care plan that is appropriate to their...

While congestive heart failure can affect people of any age, 80 percent of the cases occur in elderly people and is the leading cause of hospitalization for people age 65 years and older . The Mayo Clinic defines congestive heart failure (or heart failure) as a disease that occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood as well as it should, and it can be chronic or come on suddenly.  The disease can be caused by several conditions including coronary artery disease (the narrowing of arteries in the heart) or high blood pressure, which gradually damages and weakens the heart.  It can also cause the heart to become too stiff to fill and pump efficiently.  While doctors says not all conditions that lead to heart failure are reversible, there are many treatments and lifestyle changes that can improve the signs and symptoms of the disease.  Lifestyle changes include incorporating exercise into your routine as well as managing stress and reducing sodium in your ...

If you are looking for the best pet friendly senior living Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar at Jordan Creek .  At MorningStar, 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!  More and more research seems to bear out that owning and caring for a pet can actually be good for seniors’ health and wellbeing.  One such study reported on by A Place for Mom’s website suggests that, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.”  Researchers found that interac...

If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related condition, you may be looking for assisted living Des Moines area families trust to provide the best care for your loved one .  Look no further than MorningStar at Jordan Creek. At Jordan Creek, 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 t...

According to a growing body of research, laughter may have therapeutic value, and it now is used as part of a mind/body approach to help people cope with something as serious as receiving cancer treatments.  At the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, they endorse laughter therapy as a way for patients to “use and enjoy laughter as a tool for healing.” Citing a large Norwegian study, Scientific American writes that “women with a strong sense of humor were found to live longer in spite of illness, especially cardiovascular disease and infection.  The same study showed that men with a sense of humor appeared to be protected against infection.   The results were most notable in those fighting cancer. HelpGuide.org, a trusted guide to mental health and wellness, explains that a good laugh relaxes the whole body and that the effects can last up to 45 minutes.  Laughter also helps to decrease stress hormones and increase immune cells and infection-fighting...

The Alzheimer’s Association’s website is loaded with the most up-to the-date information regarding all the various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease.   Part of their extensive information includes a check list of 10 early warning signs of the disease.   This is important to know as an early diagnosis allows someone an opportunity to seek treatment and to make plans for the future.   While everyone’s journey is different, they recommend if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of memory loss, to consult with a doctor. The first sign of Alzheimer’s as stated by the Association is memory loss that disrupts a person’s daily life. This is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages.  Examples include forgetting important dates or events as well as recently learned information.   The second sign is experiencing difficulties in developing a plan or working with numbers.  It may affect everyday tasks such as balancing a ...

There is often confusion between the definition of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia . According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not a specific disease. Rather it is the overall term used to describe a wide range of symptoms that cause a decline in memory and other cognitive skills that reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.  Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, while vascular dementia, which is caused by the damage from a stroke, is the second most common cause. Other types of dementia may be a result of Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, and a person may have more than one form of dementia. Thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, brain tumors, medication side effects as well as depression, excessive alcohol use and even infectious diseases can cause dementia-like symptoms; however in these cases, once the problem is correctly diagnosed, it is reversible. This is why...

Many adult children who live a distance away from elderly parents often feel there is not much they can do to help with day-to-day care.  However one of the things experts suggest that can be done long-distance is to help mom or dad get their paperwork organized. Initially the job requires more time and energy, but once you have everything gathered together, you will just need to make sure to keep it updated.  In fact having all of your parents’ pertinent information up-to-date and in one place, will make caregiving long-distance much easier as it allows you to more quickly make decisions and respond to a crisis.  Paperwork should include maintaining and managing current information about your parent’s health and medical care including the type of medications and the dosage they are taking.  Other important information includes details regarding sources of income and assets, i.e. bank accounts, pensions, life insurances, IRAs, 401 (k)s and other investme...

According to a recent survey conducted by Genworth Financial in 2017 and published by the US News & World Report, “the median monthly cost for an assisted living community is $3,750 (costs vary depending on the community) – totaling $45,000 annually.”   They add that long-term care by a home health aide tops $4,099 monthly or nearly $50,000 annually.   The fact that many assisted living facilities are actually less expensive than seniors choosing to live in their own home and bring in a team of caregivers to provide the services they need surprises many people.  The reason for this is so many of the services a senior pays separately for to stay at home are included in the cost of assisted living.  Assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Mountain Shadows eliminate the costs of such things as property taxes, property insurance, condominium maintenance fees, and 24-hour security. You no longer need to pay for lawn mowing, snow removal, and...

Assisted Living is a new paradigm in wellness and engagement, and is built on a European social model.  It is designed for seniors who do not require 24-hour nursing care but rather just need a little assistance with daily living.  An assisted living community provides a secure and comfortable environment that lets you or your loved one age in place.  Furthermore, it gives family members peace of mind knowing that their elderly parent or relative is receiving the care they need.  Many communities offer a range of amenities that include private suites, libraries, theater, fitness centers as well as creative and wellness programs.  Some of the services typically provided by assisted living communities are daily meals, medication management, help with bathing and dressing and transportation.  With a home-like atmosphere, seniors have the opportunity for companionship and to develop new friendships and interests. Assisted living can also provide a s...

It can be difficult to find the right gift for an elderly parent, grandparent or relative living in an assisted living community . We recognize that they have had a lifetime of gifts, and as they are no longer running their own household, they not only do not need as much but have a limited amount of space.  The A Place for Mom website has a few suggestions for gifts that are sure to please. One suggestion is to give them a blanket or throw as seniors often suffer from the cold. However if you want to personalize your gift, there are several companies that will create a cozy throw using one of your family photos. A talking photo album also lets you create memories through family pictures and when it has recorded voices of the grandkids, it is really special.  Another idea is to give them a lap desk that allows them to easily read a book or to write a letter from the comfort of their chair. You could add a couple of adult coloring books illustrated with things they e...

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 oppo...