MorningStar

The American Healthcare Association defines assisted living as “part of a continuum of long-term care services that provides a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care designed to respond to individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities in a way that promotes maximum independence.”  So rather than taking away the independence of seniors assisted living actually helps residents to maintain their independence while giving them the care they need to live comfortably and safely.  Please remember assisted living is not a nursing home.  It is a community designed to meets the needs and preferences of the residents and to give them their dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice and safety.  While each community has its own personality, assisted living typically addresses the needs of its residents with 24-hour care services, daily meals and wellness activities.   In fact, it is often more cost effective not to mention more convenient than

If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer.  We are proud to report that while we opened only last March, we have already earned a reputation as one of the best communities for assisted living and memory care in the area. Although we strongly recommend that families schedule a tour to experience our community firsthand, we give you lots of information in advance on our website under a section entitled “FAQ.”  This section is intended to provide answers to many of the question’s families have when deciding if MorningStar at Jordan Creek is the best option for them.  We start by answering some questions regarding our company.  You will learn that MorningStar is not just a family of senior living communities, but what we refer to as “senior loving homes.” We feel it is not only our privilege to serve but our pleasure to love all those beneath our roof.  In addition our staff is made up of individuals that

Many people think they already know everything there is to know about senior living communities – “a place where old people go to die.”  This could not be further from the truth.  As the largest assisted living referral service, a Place for Mom explains, “senior assisted living is a viable option that can enhance your quality of life by empowering you to live that life the way you want to.”  Today’s vibrant communities include independent living for active seniors, assisted living for those needing help with personal daily care activities, and memory care.  In fact, assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Mountain Shadows are specifically designed to give aging adults the opportunity to maintain their independence while providing access to the assistance they need.  In addition they get the benefit of built-in companionship as well as a range of meaningful wellness programs and activities.  Another misconception about assisted living is that you will have to gi

If you are considering assisted living , you will want to know how the monthly fee is determined.  At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our assisted living residents pay a monthly fee based on their accommodations as well as their level of care.  Within our 45 bright suites, we offer a range of configurations that include spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 683 square feet and priced accordingly.  Your level of care (we offer five) is determined after you and your family meets with our Wellness Director to discuss your medical needs.  From there, we create a personalized care plan based on your medical history and daily needs.  Your care plan is routinely reviewed and updated as needed.  We are also proud to offer MorningStar’s assisted living communities our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for more coordinated, efficient care.  The central, mobile solution offers assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior

The American Heart Foundation encourages everyone to celebrate Heart Month by learning ways to decrease your risk for the disease and to make changes for a healthier heart.  While heart disease is still the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Foundation, it is one of the most preventable.  Their advice includes: making heart-healthy choices; knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart disease; getting regular check-ups; and working with your physician to help you follow these recommendations.  In addition, they advise everyone to encourage their family and friends to have check-ups and lead heart-healthy lives.    Many of the things we can do to improve our heart health are easy and some are actually enjoyable.  One of the easiest things to do is to eat more dark chocolate, which the experts say can help to restore flexibility to the heart’s arteries.  It also can prevent white blood cells

All of our MorningStar communities, including MorningStar of Littleton, provide our residents with our signature wellness program, WellStar. Offering an array of creative and enriching ways to stay active and productive, our programs integrate different modalities and senses for both the body and the mind. WellStar has five wellness components – physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, and food philosophy.  Our daily assortment of physical wellness activities has been designed to meet a range of capabilities as well as a variety of interests. We also recognize meeting the spiritual needs of our seniors is vital to their wellbeing, and as such, our chapel is open to all faiths. MorningStar also offers non-denominational services on a regular basis along with bible study and hymn singing. While MorningStar was founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faiths at our communities, among both our residents and team members. In terms of intellectual wellness, we u

Proud to be one of the best Colorado Springs assisted living facilities, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is honored to serve seniors and to help make their lives a little easier.  The way we deliver our exceptional service is through our Radiance program, which is taught to all new team members and reiterated every day at our daily Huddle.  Much more than just a customer service program, Radiance embodies the guiding principles for how we dispense our services – with depth of purpose and warmth.  The program emanates from an authentic, sincere place and celebrates an attitude of selflessness that resembles a beam of light. We use the program to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others.  It distinguishes our compassion and care as well as our service professionalism and provides residents the respect and dignity they deserve.  As Courtney Sonnier, Director of Community Relations so eloquently stated, “What attracts me most to MorningStar is teamwork.

Falls are one of the most common reasons why elderly adults seek emergency care.  In fact the National Institute on Aging ( NIA) reports. “More than one in three people age 65 years or older falls each year.”  Moreover they add that the risk of falling and fall-related problems rises with age. However, they say this is no reason to avoid being active, and there are a few things you can do to help prevent a fall.  Seniors need to try and stay physically active and to follow an appropriate exercise plan.  Regular exercise can increase your strength, and improve your muscle tone (be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise).  Even mild weight-bearing exercises such as climbing stairs or walking can help to slow down osteoporosis (bone loss).  Another way to reduce your risk of a fall is limit the amount of alcohol you drink as even a small amount can affect your balance and reflexes.  Also use a walker or cane if you are unsteady on your feet.  In additi

One of the best Colorado Springs assisted living facilities , MorningStar at Mountain Shadows devotes 19 secure suites in its Reflections Neighborhood to the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Our specially trained staff provides personalized care for residents using some of the most respected research-based care programs to give residents the best life possible.  Furthermore, our community is equipped to care for individuals in the onset of the di sease right through to the most advanced stages.  At Mountain Shadows, we take a gentle, resident-directed approach to calm and awaken memories as well as to support capabilities.  By interviewing family members, we gather together a complete history of a resident’s preferences, abilities and idiosyncrasies and use that information to help create a daily routine designed to stimulate or calm, in response to a particular situation or mood. The goal of MorningStar’s methods is to affirm dig

A fall can have serious consequences especially for an older adult.  The National Council on Aging cites statistics showing “one in four Americans 65 years or older falls each year, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.”  They add that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults.  Loss of balance in seniors can be caused from many things including inner ear problems such as vertigo, failing eyesight, numbness in feet and legs, arthritis, chronic diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis), medications and heart problems.  A condition called orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure, can also result in feelings of dizziness, light headedness, or feeling faint and lead to falls.  To keep your muscles strong and help prevent falls, you need to keep moving, and th

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort , wellness and community.  Along with lots of amenities and services, excellent food and beautiful surroundings, our residents benefit from WellStar, our signature wellness program,  Every day MorningStar’s Life Enrichment team presents our community with ways to stay active and productive for man’s good and God’s glory.  Our programs are designed to enhance your health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage social connections that allow you to continue learning and contributing.  The breath and scope of our wellness programs tap into a wide range of various interests, hobbies and talents and provide seniors with the chance to explore a range to topics.  Furthermore, if our programs do not address a special interest, residents are invited to start a club themselves.  To get an idea of what goes on around our community, we invite you to visit MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s website and take a pe

One of the best Colorado Springs assisted living facilities, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is proud to provide our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Our community consists of 45 graciously appointed assisted living suites and 19 memory care suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. If you are a senior who requires a little help with your day-to-day personal care, our assisted living is expertly designed to provide the assistance you need in order to maintain your independence.  Once you decide to move into our beautiful community, you and your extended family will sit down with our Wellness Director to create an individualized care plan that meets with your approval and ensures your comfort and safety.  Our assisted living offers five levels of care and the cost of your monthly fee is based on the types of services we will be providing.  Regardless of your level of care, all residents receive 24/7 Care Managers as

Do you or a loved one need some help with the activities of daily living?  Are you confused about exactly what assisted living is?  Would you like to find the best assisted living Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer? Too many older adults do not have a true picture of what assisted living is all about.  They still think senior living communities are like the nursing homes their elderly relatives had been “sent to” years ago once they could no longer care for themselves, and considered them to be depressing places.  Since these misconceptions are from people who have not visited one of today’s modern, vibrant communities, they do not understand that nothing could be farther from the truth. In the case of assisted living communities, residents typically are able to lead a more independent lifestyle than many elderly adults who live alone as they have access to assistance whenever they need it.   Others worry assisted living communities may be too expensive. Ho