MorningStar

At our Colorado Springs senior living community , MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we recognize that our wonderful assortment of amenities and our beautiful surroundings are fantastic; however, we know that the real heart of our community rest in our caregivers.  We have made it a point to hire individuals who have a real calling to serve seniors and understand the magnitude of their contribution when they work at our assisted living community.      The MorningStar team consists of a group of people who have perfected the art of anticipating the needs of our residents and going the extra mile to serve them.   Filled with compassion and care, each of our staff members has a smile for the residents and is as quick to listen to a story as they are to lend a helping hand when needed.  In fact as part of MorningStar’s on-going commitment to the well-being and care of our residents, we train all of our new hires as well as reiterate every day with...

If your elderly parent lives alone, you may have wondered if they have an adequate support system to ensure their safety and comfort.  We encourage you to read some advice from the experts to determine if your parent needs more help to not just survive but to thrive! Some of the things to find out are if they have had any recent falls or driving mishaps.  Do you have any reason to suspect they may be endangering their safety by forgetting to turn off the stove or other appliances?  Do you see signs that they are having difficulty bathing and attending to personal daily care activities?    Does their house look unusually unkempt with dirty dishes lying around and mail stacking up?  Are there signs of spoiled food or an empty refrigerator?    Also consider if your parent has health conditions that are making it more difficult for them to care for themselves.  Poor balance and failing eyesight can increase the likelihood of a fal...

Many people mistakenly assume that “assisted living” is just another term for nursing homes.  In fact, nursing homes are intended for people that require long-term, around-the-clock medical care and supervision and should not be confused with assisted living, which provides residents support for daily care activities.  At an assisted living community , you will receive the care you need to live comfortably and safely while still retaining your privacy and as much independence as possible.  Assisted living is ideal for anyone who does not require 24-hour skilled medical care but rather just needs more personal care than they can get at home or at an independent living retirement community.  Meals and transportation are provided, and if needed, residents can get help with activities such as showering, dressing, and etc.  For the family, they rest easy knowing that a trained, caring staff is available to help whenever a loved one needs it.    ...

In addition to MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offering seniors a choice of smartly-designed spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans , we also allow residents to share living arrangements.  Our Companion Living program is specifically designed for unrelated seniors of the same sex to share a suite.  This arrangement is available to both our assisted living and memory care residents.    What are the benefits?  Actually there are many reasons it may make good sense for you or a family member that is considering senior living. Since we understand that people are designed for relationships, most of us flourish when we are in one.  However, the fact is that many seniors have lost their long-term life partner and are left feeling bereft and isolated.  So besides offering the economic benefit of splitting the monthly rent expense in half, a roommate can help alleviate many of these feelings. In addition to providing a companion...

MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s goal is to provide the best assisted living Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer, and we work hard to create a true home for our residents. Newly opened last year, our community offers 56 assisted living private suites in a variety of configurations including studio, and one and two-bedroom floor plans.  Our Reflections Neighborhood offers 29 secure studio suites devoted to caring for seniors suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  To start to get to know our Jordan Creek community as well as the MorningStar Senior Living Company, we suggest you visit our website.  Here you will find a wealth of information regarding FAQs and the types of services and amenities we offer our residents.  You will learn about our mission and the core values we aspire to as we care for seniors, who we consider to be heroes, and the exceptional individuals that work for our company.  Our brand s...

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Wheat Ridge, 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 community 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 of multi-sensory cues, inclu...

We know that seniors value their independence and that many are reluctant to let families and friends know they may need more help.  Often older adults fear they may become a burden or worry their family.  However, experts advise that even if your parent is not expressing a need for more help, there are signs to look for that indicate they need it.  Michael Perskin, a geriatrician at NYU Langon e Health explains that, “Sometimes you’re shocked when you visit.”  He adds it is troubling if “you walk into a parent’s house and the bathrooms are dirty or there’s no food in the refrigerator.”   Other signs include weight loss and a general decline in their appearance.  Often older adults in need of more care can no longer safely bath themselves and their health problems can make dressing difficult.   Driving can also become a problem for seniors and evidence of scrapes and dents on their car may indicate they should not be driving anymo...

Many people are reluctant to take up their doctor’s time by asking a lot of questions.  However health providers say taking an active part in your health care can help your doctor to better treat you.   Also since it is easy to forget any questions you may have, experts suggest doing your homework and preparing beforehand.   If you are new to a doctor, you should write down your medical history and bring it to your appointment.  For all of your appointments, bring a list of the medications you are taking including the dosages and strength of the medications as well as all vitamins and herbal supplements.  Also take the time to write down any questions you have for the doctor.  This way you are less likely to forget and can use your time with the doctor more efficiently.  Be sure to share any health concerns you have and remember this is not the time to be embarrassed.   Describe your symptoms clearly and let them know if you are ex...

As we reach our senior years, research indicates socialization is more important than ever.  In fact a recent Harvard University study shows that “elderly individuals, who had active social lives, were happier, healthier and more likely to live longer, than elderly people who did not have an active social life.”   Results suggest that “loneliness can deter an elderly person’s life, while socializing can enrich it.” Seniors who regularly socialize are less likely to become depressed and are better-equipped to get help if they experience mental health problems.  Also older adults with a variety of social support are more likely to regularly exercise, which has been shown to keep the mind active and help slow down memory loss as well as improve overall health.  In addition strong social support can help maintain a senior’s self-esteem and sense of worth.    As we socialize, our brains are mentally engaged, which improves our cognitive functions an...

Too many seniors feel it is a waste of time to start exercising as it won’t do them any good and may actually harm them or that they cannot do it due to physical limitations. In fact, the U.S. National Library of Medicine recently published a report that found about 67 percent of older adults are sedentary for at least 8.5 hours each day, which strongly suggests a need to improve activity levels for senior health . Experts explain there are many unexpected benefits that can be gained from regular physical exercise regardless of your age or fitness level.  One benefit as reported by the National Council for Medicine is it is one of the “most crucial options for arthritis management.” In addition to lubricating the joints, it helps to reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Regular exercise can also help seniors lose weight. This is important as obesity is a risk factor for arthritis as well as type II diabetes and other medical conditions.  Other stu...

MorningStar at Jordan Creek brings the finest senior living Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer.  Along with our beautiful 56 assisted living suites and 29 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we proudly offer a range of activities that embrace the physical, intellectual, spiritual and so cial needs of seniors.  Our Life Enrichment program presents creative ways to enhance the health and wellness of our residents as well as to stimulate the brain and encourage social connections. Take a look at our monthly calendar posted on our website, and you will get an idea of the wide range of daily activities that a resident can choose to participate in.  As an example, our assisted living calendar this month starts most days with news and coffee in the Bistro.  Mid-morning offers exercise classes each day targeted to seniors such as mind and body exercise, stretch and exercise videos, or senior mot...

Have you started to think your parent or a loved one may need more care in the near future to assure their safety and wellbeing?  If the time is coming when they will need help with daily personal care activities, you may want to consider assisted living .   A community such as MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers a residential home where your loved one will receive the assistance they need, and allow them to live as independently as possible.  If this sounds like your situation, you will want to include your parent in the decision making process as the more they are involved, t he better they will accept the decision.  In the case of a loved one being in denial about the need for changes in their lifestyle, it may help to read suggestions from experts on how to navigate through the process such as MorningStar’s Decision Guide, which is available on our website.    Stella Henry, R.N., author of The Eldercare Handbook, explains, “Many senio...

Would you like to find the best assisted living Des Moines and the surrounding area offers?  Although MorningStar at Jordan Creek is one of the newer senior living communities in the area, it has been quick to earn an excellent reputation.  What sets us apart from other communities?  As you will learn, quite a lot! To start with, we have a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that is not just words but the guiding philosophy of how we dispense service.  Our team is comprised of individuals who feel privileged to serve seniors and routinely meet not only residents’ expressed needs but also their unexpressed ones.  Creating a true home for our residents, our community thrives on an atmosphere of love and builds a family for life.  Our community is designed for residents’ comfort with beautiful suites that have wall-to-wall carpeting, high ceilings, lots of windows, ceiling lights, and mini-blinds.  All you need to bring...

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is proud to provide Colorado Springs senior living that our residents are proud to call “home”.  Along with 45 private assisted living suites , our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 secure suites in a variety of floor plans devoted to caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.    Our Reflections Neighborhood is specifically designed to allow our most tender residents the freedom to explore our expansive surroundings safely and easily.  Within the safe haven of our “Neighborhood,” we have created an environment that encourages and supports residents’ independence whenever possible.    MorningStar at Mountain Shadows 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 un...