MorningStar

If you are looking for the best assisted living Des Moines or West Des Moines offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Jordan Creek. We provide 56 private assisted living suites that are specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors who wish to retain their independence but require a little help each day.  Once you decide that MorningStar is the place you want to call “home,” you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director to discuss your needs and set up a care plan that ensures your comfort, well-being and safety. Some of the services we provide include help with daily personal activities such as bathing and grooming; 24-hour Care Managers; a CPR-trained staff member on each shift, and a licensed nurse on call 24/7 and on-site 5 days a week.  We also provide regular Care Plan reviews, medication management, scheduled health and wellness evaluations, pharmacy services, and much more.  Each MorningStar Care Level has its own monthly fee and is based

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows , we are honored to provide our residents with one of the finest assisted living facilities in the Colorado Springs area.  However we are aware that too many seniors and their families do not fully understand all of the services and amenities communities like ours provide.  Rather they think that assisted living is much more expensive th an it actually is as they are not considering all it offers.  In fact a 2016 study found that for full-time care, assisted living is a less expensive option than cobbling together comparable in-home care, which can end up costing considerably more.    You need to keep in mind that assisted living care at MorningStar at Mountain Shadows not only includes nutritious, delicious daily meals, but a full range of services including 24/7 care managers, and access to a licensed nurse.  We also provide scheduled transportation, medication management services, CPR-trained staff on every shift, scheduled physician visi

We know it is devastating to have your loved one receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  While it’s a lot to process, please take comfort in the fact that there are a lot of resources to help you understand the disease as well as high-quality care options . One good resource for information and support is the Alzheimer’s Association website.  Not only do they discuss the disease and publish results of the latest research, but they also link you to the numerous ways you can take action in the fight against Alzheimer’s.     To get educated on the disease, you may want to read about the stages of Alzheimer’s so you know what to expect.  The Alzheimer’s Association says the disease “typically progresses slowly in three general stages — mild (early-stage), moderate (middle-stage), and severe (late-stage).”   However, each person is different and so is the progression of the disease.   In the early-stage of the disease, a person is typically still independent and enga

As some of the more severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are now associated to poor overall health, researchers stress the importance of maintaining healthy habits to help reduce symptoms of the disease.  They say that care should include getting the proper exercise, and eating a healthy diet as well as identifying and managing other medical conditions.   Studies show that “light exercise and walking appear to reduce wandering, aggression and agitation.”  Additionally, getting the daily exercise appropriate to the person’s abilities also seems to help alleviate other problem behaviors.  A person’s hearing and vision should be regularly tested and the appropriate steps taken to deal with any problems found.  They should also be routinely seen by their primary care physician along with visits to specialists to address specific needs.      Eating problems are another common issue affecting those with Alzheimer’s and can put a person at risk for weight loss, dehydratio

Are you wondering if your parent or an elderly loved one is still able to care for themselves?  If they live alone, are you worried about their safety?   Do they seem to have lost interest in hobbies and activities they used to enjoy? Experts say it is important for family members to notice if a loved one is properly managing their needs and to be alert for signs that may indicate trouble.   Top of the list includes things like recent cuts or bruises, driving mishaps, poor balance, failing eyesight, and weight loss.  Have they become more forgetful and/or prone to wandering?  Do you have reason to believe they may recently have had one or more fall?  Each year falls in people 65 years and older account for 2.8 million injuries that require a visit to an emergency department, and include over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths. Another common problem is managing medications including remembering to take them correctly.  One look at your parent’s medicine

More and more research suggests it is just as important for seniors to stay mentally fit as it is to stay physically fit, and may actually help to keep older adults’ brains healthier.  Seniors who engage in meaningful activities also report they feel healthier and happier. The National Institute on Aging says these types of activities may protect the brain by establishing a cognitive reserve.  They explain “they may help the brain become more adaptable in some mental functions, so it can compensate for age–related brain changes and health conditions that affect the brain.” One study called the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE ) Trial , had good results in improving seniors’ mental skills in the areas they were trained in.  The study involved healthy adults age 65 years or older who participated in 10 sessions of memory training, reasoning training, or processing–speed training.  The most surprising result of the study is that ten yea

If you are a senior , it is especially important not to wait until you feel thirsty before you reach for a drink of water.  Experts explain that by the time older adults feel thirsty; they may have already lost two or more cups of their total body’s water.  One of the first sign of dehydration can be a headachy feeling at the end of the day.  As we age, our body’s ability to conserve water is diminished, and as such, we are more susceptible to water and electrolyte imbalances.  Seniors also have a diminished sense of thirst, which means they may forget to drink enough fluids and become dehydrated.  In addition, many medications commonly taken by the elderly have side effects that can cause dehydration such as blood pressure medications, heart disease medications, antihistamines, laxatives, and diuretics.  Diuretics, also known as water pills, are often taken by seniors with high blood pressure or heart problems as a way to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood vessels and ease t

Caring for a parent or a spouse with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is a difficult task.  As the disease progresses, families become concerned about their ability to keep the person well cared for and safe.  For some families, trying to hang on and care for a loved one at home may be creating a situation that is not optimal for the individual or the caregiver.  Experts say there are signals that more care is needed such as is the person eating regularly? Have they lost or gained an unusual amount of weight lately?  Do you suspect the person is missing medication doses or may be taking too much medication? Have they fallen recently? Have you found the burners on the stove left on?  Other warning signs may include aggressive behaviors, wandering, or forgetting where they are when they are out of the home. Neurologist Douglas Scharre, MD, director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains that “The

Even if you are new to assisted living , you have probably already realized the many benefits it offers you and your family.  Along with hundreds of thousands across the nation, you have seen that by providing the various levels of medical and personal care a resident needs, it not only improves quality of life but promotes independence. During September the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) gives you the chance to recognize the role assisted living plays in providing America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities the care they need.  Since 1995 the NCAL has sponsored a National Assisted Living Week® that lets residents, their families, staff, volunteers and surrounding communities acknowledge its numerous benefits.  The event “encourages assisted living communities around the country to offer a variety of events and activities to celebrate the individuals they serve, as well as to help educate members of the public about this distinctive aspect of long term care

After making the move into assisted living , many residents are surprised at how full their lives become.  And despite their fears about los ing their independence by moving into an assisted living community, most are pleased to discover that by getting the assistance they need, they are ready more than ever to lead productive lives.   Along with supplying built-in companionship, assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Mountain Shadows strive to enrich the lives of residents with a range of activities that engage the mind, body, and spirit.  In addition, it solves the problem of many elderly adults who live alone that find meal prep to be difficult and often resort to frozen meals or fast food. When living at our gorgeous community, you can sit back and enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors while you are served beautifully prepared meals restaurant-style.  Moreover, if you are a senior who no longer drives, we take care of that with scheduled transportat

We have all heard stories or may have had an older relative take a fall that lead to serious injuries, hospitalization, or in the worst case, a fatality.  In fact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the fatal fall rate for people 65 years and older jumped 31 percent from 2007 to 2016, making falls the leading cause of injury-related death among people in this age group.  Falls are so common in the elderly that every 11 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that many falls are preventable and publishes a one-page guide called “Take Control of Your Health: 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall.”  Their first tip is to find a balance and exercise class that is specifically designed to help older adults built strength and improve their balance and flexibility.   NCOA also recommends talking to your doctor about your fall threat.  Ask if any medications you are taking have side

Superfood is a term for a plant-based food that is nutritionally dense - meaning that it contains a lot of nutrients at higher than normal quantities. Superfoods are believed to be beneficial to wellness for having high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, and properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Studies report turmeric, a seasoning that enhances the flavor of food, may also be beneficial to your heart.  Research suggests turmeric may help to reduce a person’s total cholesterol as well as the levels of bad cholesterol known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) in the blood.  By reducing the oxidation of LDL, turmeric may help reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Another benefit of turmeric is it is believed to help calm inflammation in the body as its essential oils and curcumin display a wide spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and other anti-inflammatory properties.  Turmeric may also offer a natural protection against Alzheimer’s disea

If you are exploring assisted living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer.   While we know the many benefits assisted living and memory care provide to both residents and their families, we also understand many families worry the cost is too high.  This is where a little research of just what is offered at assisted living communities like MorningStar at Jordan Creek can put a different perspective on things.   In fact, many families are surprised to learn that several studies show that assisted living communities are less expensive than comparable in-home care, and may actually provide more services.  If your loved one requires help at least 44 hours a week, experts say a home health care aid will costs an average of $3,813 per month.  Keep in mind this doesn’t include the costs of running a home such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utility bills as well as routine home maintenance expenses.  Moreover, piecing together servi

A study has revealed a link between a declining sense of smell and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.  Researchers found that neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s has a notable effect on the brain circuits that process our sense of smell. The 2016 study was conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital and involved a group of 183 participants of which 70 were cognitively normal and 7 4 tested normal on cognitive tests but were concerned about their cognitive abilities.  Another 29 had MCI and 10 had been diagnosed with possible Alzheimer’s disease.  Those who performed more poorly on the olfactory tests were found more likely to have the variant of the APOE gene, related to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.  One of the study’s authors, Mark Albers, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, states, “There is increasing evidence that the neurodegeneration behind Alzheimer’s disease starts a

The arts enrich the lives of the artist as well as the viewer.  While some of us may not feel creative, it is probably just more of a result of not having the opportunity to explore your creative side.   Expressing ourselves in the creative arts has been proven to be beneficial to every age group including the elderly.   As artist Norman Rockwell explains, “The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.” Over the last several decades studies in the “fields of art therapy, music therapy, and other creative modalities confirm that art can affect individuals in positive ways by inducing both psychological and physiological healing.”  The first major study to look at the effects the arts have on our health and illness as we age was done by the George Washington University in Washington, DC.  The national longitudinal study was led b

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ beautifully designed community offers compassionate assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs .  We provide a wide range of care services including 24/7 Care Managers, Certified Medication Managers, Licensed Nurses, routine health monitoring, and much more.  In addition, residents have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of enrichment programs and activities as well as be treated to delicious meals prepared largely from scratch and served restaurant-style.    We know that seniors and their families have lots of questions about assisted living and what all it offers, which is why our website is loaded with useful information and resources.  After you peruse the MorningStar at Mountain Shadows site , which is filled with details regarding floor plans, community amenities, and gallery pictures, we suggest you next take a look at the “Family Resources” link.   Under FAQs, you will find answers for many of your initial quest