MorningStar

If you are looking for exceptional assisted living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer.   Our community has 56 private assisted living suites , and another 29 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases.  If you are wondering how costs are determined, we can provide you with a general guideline.  Assisted living offers seniors 62 years and older compassionate assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in a residential setting and each resident’s care is personalized to address their needs.  Even before you move in, MorningStar’s Wellness Director will sit down with you and your family and do a thorough assessment in order to create an individualized care plan.  Once you have moved in, your trained Care Managers will see to it your needs are met, and as we do routine Care Plan reviews, any changes to your health will be addressed.  You monthly fee is based on ...

It is no wonder that some elderly adults get confused with their medications and often miss doses or take too much of a medication. According to 2010 statistics, “medication usage among elderly patients in the US is eye-opening: more than one-third of prescriptions drugs used in the US are taken by elderly patients; the ambulatory elderly fill between 9-13 prescriptions a year (including new prescriptions and refills).”  In addition the average elderly patient takes more than five prescription medications; and the average nursing home patient takes seven medications. If your elderly parent is on several medications, do you know if they are managing dosages appropriately?  A quick look in their medicine cabinet or wherever they keep their medications should give you a good idea.  If they have outdated bottles of pills mixed in with current prescriptions or un-opened bags from the pharmacy, chances are they are not doing a good job.  Experts warn it can b...

If you are just starting to look at assisted living facilities for yourself or a parent, you probably have some questions regarding what type of care is offered.  At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we understand the concerns families have and provide answers to FAQs on our website as a good way to get you started.  For example, one question we get asked often is our age requirement and the answer is you must be at least 62 years old.  We also get asked if couples can live together.  Of course!  Couples can live together in their own suite, surrounded by their own treasured possessions, or suites can be shared by friends of the same sex who simply enjoy one another’s company. Another question we are frequently asked is, “do we offer short-term stays.”  Yes, it is based on availability and we do ask that you commit to at least a week’s stay or a full month.  This gives you the chance to sample a life free from cooking and household chores, ...

Just as MorningStar at Jordan Creek encourages anyone interested in our community to schedule a tour , so do most other assisted living communities .   This is because you cannot really get an idea of what a community looks like or feels like without seeing it in person .  In addition to wanting your loved one to be happy in their new “home,” your priorities most likely include finding a community that is well run, clean, and within your price range.   Experts recommend your first step should be to do some research over the Internet and on the phone.  Narrowing down your choices includes considering things such as how convenient will it be for the family to visit and is it located close to a pharmacy, medical facilities and shopping.  Furthermore, find out if the community is accepting new residents, and if not, you may want to go on their waiting list.    Senior support network Caring.com has a great checklist (it is e...

There are many misconceptions about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.  As traumatizing as it is for a family to learn a loved one has Alzheimer’s, it is also important to sort through the various truths and myths regarding the disease.      One mistake many people make when they or a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is to think their life is over.  In reality, a person can live a productive life for many years.  Adopting a healthy lifestyle is important and should include a nutrient-rich diet and routine exercise.  Experts also note it is important to stay socially connected and engage in activities that challenge the brain.  As medication is more helpful in the earlier stages, getting a proper diagnosis is vital.      People also fear that if a parent had Alzheimer’s, they will get it.  The facts are that “familiar Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than 5% of all ca...

Most of us agree that Christmas is a magical time of the year.  It is a time to embrace the true meaning of the holiday in terms of our faith as well as connect with family and friends.  It is a time to think about helping others and how we can lend a hand to lift them up.  It is the time to think about the events of the past year, and with today’s insight, on how we might have done things differently.  It is also the perfect time to reminisce and reflect on the wondrous Christmases of o ur past.  Those of us who have celebrated more Christmases than we care to admit have seen changes evolve over time as to how the holiday is celebrated.  When we were young, everything from gift-giving, to decorating, to special Christmas foods was simpler, and more focused around our faith and our families.  Stockings were filled with fruit and nuts and not expensive tablets and cell phones.  Yesteryear’s Christmas celebrations usually had fewer g...

Many families with elderly parents or loved ones are uncertain just what to expect from an assisted living community .  While each community has its own personality and differs from the type of services and amenities offered, typically “assisted living” is a long-term care option that provides personal care support services such as bathing, dressing, meals, medication management, and transportation.  According to aPlaceforMom.com, assisted living may offer “a more cost effective, residential approach to delivering many of the same services either by employing home health agencies or personal care staff.” MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers 45 private assisted living suites in a variety of configurations as well as provides residents with a whole host of resort-style amenities and services.  Upon joining our community, the resident and their family meets with our Wellness Director for a thorough assessment of their needs that is used to create a customized care plan....

It is typically with mixed emotions that a family comes to the realization that their loved one needs more care than they can get at home.  When this happens, there are several things to consider as you search for the best memory care.  One of the first things you need to know is that “ memory care ” is committed to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Assisted living is intended for those that require some extra care with their daily living activities in order to retain their independence and live their lives safely and comfortably.    Many senior living communities like MorningStar of Wheat Ridge have a separate area devoted to memory care residents.  Memory care staff members should have gone through specialized training in order to understand the disease as well as to effectively care for those with dementia. At MorningStar our Reflections Neighborhood team members are extensively trained to care for our tender r...

It is estimated that approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million Americans have low bone mass, which puts them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.  People may be unaware they have the disease until they fall and fracture a bone as osteoporosis does not exhibit any clear signs or symptoms.  While the disease affects both men and women, older white and Asian women (especially those post-menopausal) are at the highest risk.  Studies show one in every two women and up to one in four men age 50 years or older will break a done due to disease.  Furthermore, injuries can lead to serious complications and twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year of surgery.  Many others require long-term care.    The National Osteoporosis Foundation says it is never too late to take steps to protect our bones and prevent fractures (broken bones), and urge us to take action by adopting health habits that build an...

Many studies have discovered that pets can be very beneficial for the elderly.  For example, the various tasks that go along with caring for a dog such as taking them for a walk offers good cardiovascular exercise for seniors.   Additionally petting, grooming and feeding a pet helps to keep seniors engaged in life and give them a sense of purpose.   Pets also offer unconditional love and their loyal companionship can help alleviant loneliness.  Research points to evidence that pet and human interactions can help to lower cholesterol levels, fight depression, and reduce stress, which is why they are so beneficial to the elderly. In fact researchers report that “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.” It used to be that when someone moved into a retirement community, they had to give up their p...

Getting a good night’s sleep is important no matter what your age is as it impacts both our physical and mental health.  HelpGuide.org explains that not getting enough sleep can contribute to negative health conditions and put you at risk for heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.    Research has found that insufficient sleep can cause the release of insulin that leads to an increase of fat storage and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.  It may also make people more susceptible to depression, fatigue, and premature aging of the skin. Other problems can include an impaired attention span as well as difficulty in problem solving, reasoning and concentration.  In addition, experts suggest chronic fatigue may contribute to weight problems and even breast cancer in women.    However when we routinely get good sleep, it can improve concentration and memory formation.  HelpGuide reports that ...

If you or a loved one has started to slow down a bit and needs a little help with day-to-day activities or could benefit from more companionship and socialization, assisted living may be the answer.  Sometimes older adults resist the idea of assisted living as they think they will lose their independence and freedom but this could not be further from the truth.  Making the move to an assisted living community like MorningStar at Mountain Shadows actually improves the quality of life for many seniors.  If you are picturing dark and dreary assisted living facilities like your grandparent’s nursing home years ago, you need to update yourself to today’s modern senior housing available in Colorado Springs.  We suggest visiting MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ website and follow the link to our Gallery where you will find stunning interior and exterior photos.  Also follow our links to a list of amenities and floor plans.  While at our websi...

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our mission is to provide the best assisted living Des Moines-West Des Moines offers, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure suites that provides residents with an atmosphere of safety and well-being and supports the senior’s right to remain as independent as possible. In the Reflections Neighborhoods we are set up to care for those from the early onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  Our team has been specially trained in our unique, holistic approach to memory care that begins by treating each resident with the utmost respect and compassion. Each day finds our memory care residents participating in a variety of purposeful and recreational activities, including special events and scheduled outings. We bring a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to o...

Once you visit our website and have the chance to take a look at our Gallery photos, you will see that MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is one of the best-looking assisted living and memory care communities in the area.  We are located in a northern suburb of Metro Denver, and are proud to be part of Kipling Ridge, a mixed-use redevelopment project in the heart of Wheat Ridge. As our pictures show from the moment you walk through the door, you will feel like you have walked into a gracious home.  From beautifully-appointed common areas that provide a comfortable, relaxing place to sit and enjoy a visit with friends, bistro, private dining room, life enrichment room a full salon offering hairstyling, manicures and pedicures and much more.  Other Gallery photos features onsite amenities such as our theatre, library, and fitness room. You will also notice that throughout our community everything is designed for residents’ comfort as well as to accommodate their every need....

As one of the area’s top senior living communities , we feel it is our calling, and our privilege, to provide loving, compassionate memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  With 19 memory care suites , we are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  Also, our Reflections Neighborhood is a secure environment, designed to allow residents the independence to move freely and safely about in their expansive surroundings.  In fact, every aspect of our memory care is tailored to serve the needs of our most tender residents from a team of exceptional caregivers to meals, wellness programs and services.  Once your loved one decides to join the MorningStar community, we sit down with your family to learn as much as we can about their personal preferences, medical history and background in order to cr eate an individualized care plan.  Every resident receives 24-hou...

Committed to provide the best senior living Des Moines-West Des Moines has to offer, MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly takes dining to a new level with beautifully prepared meals served restaurant-style.  We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why we put so much emphasis on ensuring our food service is A+. Furthermore, we believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed within a community setting.  When we break bread together, it is much more than just physical nutrients as it helps to bond us as a family and as friends. To ensure our food service is both delicious and nutritious, we have our own highly-trained professional chef who is in charge of all meal prep.  Residents enjoy seasonal menus that are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest of ingredients of which come from high-quality producers and/or are locally ...