MorningStar

MorningStar at Jordan Creek senior care community consists of 56 private suites specifically designed for assisted living and offers spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, we have another 29 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the personalized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.   Situated in West Des Moines, our beautiful building offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  If you are a senior who requires help with the activities of daily living, our care team will provide the assistance you need in order to maintain your independence.  Once you decide to move into our 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 ...

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we understand that looking at assisted living facilities and deciding which community is right for you is a big step for a senior.  This is why we encourage interested families to give us a call to discuss any questions you may have and/or to inquire about availability.  In addition, our website is filled with lots of pertinent information regarding amenities, services, floorplans, enrichment programs and more.  Our website even has a dedicated page for FAQs under our “Family Resources” tab.  Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions such as age requirements (in our assisted living and memory care suites, you must be at least 62 years old).  You will also discover important information on how a resident’s level of care is determined and our pricing structure.  FAQs include practical queries such as, yes, we will help you find a physician if you need one whether it is a primary care doctor or a s...

Many seniors are especially susceptible to the cold and end up feeling chilly all winter long.  There are several reasons why cold weather can be hard on the elderly including complications from common diseases and health conditions.   The American Heart Association explains that seniors with cardiovascular conditions can experience increased side effects from the cold as lower temperatures and cold winds reduce body heat and cause blood vessels to constrict.  This makes it more difficult for oxygen to reach the entire body, and someone with heart disease can have difficulty breathing.  Other health conditions common to the elderly include hypothyroidism (a low thyroid gland output), which can cause the sensation of cold feet and hands.  Also a sedentary lifestyle, problems with circulation from diabetes, and losing weight can cause seniors to be more affected by the cold.    The National Institute on Aging (NIA) cautions that if an elder...

For the area’s finest senior living, Des Moines and West Des Moines area seniors are invited to take a tour of MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s gorgeous community .  We are extremely proud of our community starting with our unpretentious, loving and homey environment.  Outdoors we are surrounded by beautiful landscaping that encourages residents and their families to get out and take daily strolls around the grounds.  Residents also benefit from a whole host of resort-style amenities as well as wellness programs and activities.  Lastly the best part of MorningStar at Jordan Creek is our dedicated team who has a felt calling to serve and see seniors as heroes.   To get the real feel of our lovely community, we encourage you to schedule a tour by visiting our website and follow the “Schedule a Tour” link to our online form.  We will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you let us know your priorities, we will tailor your tour to make sure ...

November ushers in shorter days, colder weather, and the start of the holidays; and many of us spend more time entertaining at home.  Thanksgiving kicks-off the season and is the perfect time to connect with family, friends, and our community.   Since the earliest civilizations, people have given thanks for the annual harvests.  In America the tradition of Thanksgiving began in 1621 in Plymouth Rock with pilgrims giving thanks for their bountiful harvest.  While the majority of us do not live in farming communities any more, Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the U.S.  We gather together with loved ones to honor our country and give thanks for our many blessings.   The holiday is a time to celebrate tradition and to create new, lasting memories.  When surveying older adults , researchers found that lasting memories are typically the most meaningful ones such as getting married, the birth of a child, or taking pride in com...

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us are stumped as to what to buy for an elderly parent and other senior loved ones .  Experts suggest you keep in mind they most likely they do not need a lot of “things” but would appreciate something that helps to make their lives easier and/or more enjoyable.  In fact, do not limit yourself to the idea that gifts have to be something new.  Many seniors enjoy getting out and taking them to an activity they love such as a sport’s game (maybe a game of their grandchild’s), a play, or concert is quality time spent together.  Another idea is to give them a series of gift certificates for a year’s worth of monthly dinners with you or for things like haircuts, manicures, a spa day with massage, or even ride services. As many elderly adults get cold easily, a comfy, soft throw blanket makes for a good gift.  Another thoughtful gift especially for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is a customized photo bl...

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) states that, “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors ’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.”  They report one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each year and account for more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency rooms annually, and result in over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.  However they say falls do not have to be an inevitable result of aging.  Rather with some practical lifestyle adjustments as well as public campaigns on how to reduce the problem from the NCOA and other organizations, the number of yearly falls can be reduced.  The NCOA’s evidence-based Falls Free® National Action Plan was updated in 2015, and includes “goals, strategies and action steps to increase physical mobility, reduce the impact of medications as a falls risk factor, and improve home and environmental safet...

Have you recently noticed some signs of memory loss or confusion in a parent or another loved one?  Are you worried it may be the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia?  We understand this may be a touchy subject to broach with your loved one, which is why experts recommend you do your homework first and learn about the common signs of the disease.   The Alzheimer’s Association explains that Alzheimer’s disease can cause changes in cognitive abilities, executive function and behavior.  Those afflicted may start having memory problems along with difficulty completing familiar tasks. They may also become confused as to time and place.  Other problems involve a marked change in their judgement and trouble with language skills and abstract thinking. Mood swings or changes in personality can also signal Alzheimer’s.  All of these are common signs that can point to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia but only a specialist c...

A 2017 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or prediabetes.  As of 2015, 30.3 million Americans (9.4 percent of the U.S. population) have diabetes and another 84.1 million have prediabetes.  Rates of diabetes increase as people age, and among those 65 years and older , 25 percent have diabetes. That means more than one-third of U.S. adults have prediabetes, which is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.   The CDC warns that if prediabetes is left untreated and steps are not taken to make healthier lifestyle choices as many as 15 to 30 percent of those people will have type 2 diabetes within five years.  Furthermore, one of their biggest concerns is the fact that the majority of people with prediabetes do not know it.  While diabetes may be a common disease, self-...

MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, first began forming the idea of starting a company from a desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch.  He says his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  This simple but profound concept has driven the overwhelming success of our MorningStar brand.  Now sixteen years later, MorningStar continues to add communities across the Western U.S., including MorningStar at Mountain Shadows Assisted Living & Memory Care. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ goal is to create a true home for our residents - one that feels like a family.  To help us achieve this, our dedicated team strives to live up to our unique mission statement, which includes honoring God in all of our business practices and relationships and valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.  The last part of our mission statement is to ...

If you are looking for the best senior living in the Littleton area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Littleton.  We are located on Kipling Street just south of Belleview Avenue, with proximity to banks, hospitals, shopping, and restaurants. Our community has 65 stylish, assisted living suites in a variety of configurations including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans.  Each of our apartments come with high ceilings, wall-to-wall carpeting and mini-blinds. Our suites also have overhead lighting, large windows, and their own heating and cooling system.  To ensure residents’ safety, all of our apartments are equipped with emergency call systems and handicapped-accessible bathrooms.  If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia , we are here to help.  Our community’s Reflections Neighborhood has 20 secure suites in a range of floorplans and is designed to allow residents th...

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge , our whole team is committed to being one of the finest assisted living and memory care communities in the area and to live up to our unique mission statements as follows: Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and ethics Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well — a commitment to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve residents      MorningStar Senior Living ’s founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, began the company out of his desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch.  He said his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”   Sixteen years later...

If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, you may be coming to the realization that their needs are more than you can manage on your own and are ready for help.  If that sounds like you, it is now time to start researching the various care options in your area.   One choice is to place your family member in a community specifically designed to serve the needs of those with dementia.  Memory care provides long-term, intensive care that is more specialized and comprehensive than assisted living.  Most are equipped to care for residents at all stages of the disease and include 24-hour supervision.  The communities are secure to   reduce the risks of wandering and many have features such as color-coding to help residents safely navigate through the hallways.  You will also find the best memory care communities provide programs that address the needs of residents such as helping to calm or provid...

According to many studies, the creative arts provide older adults with multiple benefits including improving cognitive function.  The Today’s Geriatrics Medicine’s website states that, “Current studies in the fields of art therapy, music ther apy, and other creative modalities confirm that art can affect individuals in positive ways by inducing both psychological and physiological healing. We know that, in general, exercising our creative selves enhances quality of life and nurtures overall well-being.” For many seniors , the creative arts can help relieve boredom, provide an opportunity to learn new skills, re-engage in life, and even help prevent feelings of depression and anxiety.  Experts say the arts also can bolster seniors’ self-esteem, and put them in group settings, which increases socialization and helps to develop interpersonal skills.  Moreover, with so many choices to choose from, a person is sure to find something of interest whether it is paint...

According to research, animals can help older adults lower their blood pressure as well as increase their social interactions and physical activity.  Studies have also found pets help seniors to cope with d epression and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Pets such as dogs and cats are very loyal, loving animals and make great companions for seniors. In the National Poll on Healthy Aging, sponsored by AARP and the University of Michigan, 2,051 seniors age 50 to 80 were interviewed.  Over half of the participants were pet owners, and of that group, more than 88% reported that pets added to their enjoyment of life.  Moreover 86% of them said their pets made them feel loved. The survey also reported that as many as 80% of the pet owners stated their pets helped them reduce stress. Experts estimate that up to 40% of seniors feel lonely on a regular basis, which is problematic as loneliness is associated with poor sleep habits, higher stress and...

Many older adults, especially those in senior living communities , are no longer as steady on their feet as they used to be.  This puts them in danger of a fall, which can have many serious repercussions on a seniors’ health.  If you are considering getting a walker to help you move more safely around, you need to know something about them.  For starters since there are several kinds of walkers, you should consult with your healthcare provider or physical therapist to assist you on finding the most suitable one.  They will make sure it is your size as well as the right type.  To determine size, you should be able to stand between the rails, and the width of the walker should be level with the insides of your wrists. A professional will also teach you how to use the walker and provide tips for normal activities such as sitting down while using a walker.  This is done by backing up until you feel the seat of the chair behind you.  Now bend for...