MorningStar

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is devastating for everyone in the family and an uncomfortable, difficult topic for people to talk about.  In some cases, even physicians do not discuss the disease with their patients, and sometimes a person is unaware of the diagnosis.   Others may try to hide their memory problems, and as a result, end up with little time to put their affairs in order and plan for the future.   However, experts say it is important to discuss the diagnosis and its ramifications with your family in order to make your wishes known regarding your care.  One of the things you will want to do is to designate a family member to make decisions on your behalf once you are unable to do so.  With the help of your family, you will also need to make financial decisions such as setting aside assets to pay for long-term care in an assisted living community or for home care.  Keep in mind that planning ahead also gives your family peace of...

Did you know that studies show many older adults prefer the carefree life offered by senior living ?  The idea of no longer having all of the responsibilities that come along with owning a home including the repairs and upkeep is very appealing to many seniors.  Furthermore, for seniors who still think moving into an assisted living community is a place people go to die, most likely have not visited one of today’s vibrant communities.  There are even studies that suggest moving into senior living may be a healthier option for some than living alone.  This can especially be true for seniors after the death of a spouse as many begin to feel isolated and lonely.  Not to mention the burden of keeping up with household chores such as cleaning, cooking, laundry or needing to move up and down stairs.   Senior living communities offer an individual the opportunity to easily make new friends as well as gives them the time to pursue special interests or...

For family members, assisted living and memory care can offer peace of mind knowing that your parent or loved one is receiving the care and companionship they need to live safely and as independently as possible.  However, we recognize that for some adult children or spouses, considering assisted living brings up feelings of guilt as you think you are not doing enough for them.  As an adult child, you may realize that you have too many responsibilities already on your plate including your own children, a job and other constraints but still feel guilty about not offering your parent a home with you.  Even if you are a caregiver that has reached the point where you know the job is taking a toll on your own well-being and you are no longer able to provide the level of care your loved needs, you may still be hesitant to make changes.  This is why assisted living and memory care communities such as MorningStar at Jordan Creek offer the perfect solution....

While it is true that we are all living longer, there are some steps you can take to help make those years healthier than ever.  The National Institute of Health recommends that seniors incorporate the following habits into their daily lives: eat a balanced diet; keep your mind and body active; do not smoke; get regular checkups; and practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls. The Family Doctor website also offers some commonsense advice on how even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health even if you are already a senior.  Their primary recommendation is to add physical activity to your daily life and eat food that is enriched with fiber.  By increasing your daily physical activity, it will help improve the strength of your bones and muscles.  In addition, we know that stronger muscles can help to prevent falls, and in the event you do experience a fall, those stronger bones are less apt to break.    Anot...

The month of February celebrates all things heart related from Valentine’s Day to the American Heart Month, whose goal is to eradicate heart disease and stroke.  Started in 1963 with a signed presidential proclamation by Lyndon B. Johnson, American Heart Month pays tribute to the tireless efforts of those working to prevent, treat and research this devastating disease.   Also it strives to educate the general public on prevention, detection and treatment options.   This year’s American Heart Month kicks off on February 7, 2020 with a designated “ Go Red for Women initiative that unites millions of people for a common goal: the eradication of heart disease and stroke.”  As heart disease can be a silent killer for women, the aim is to make women aware of their own risk and to commit to taking charge of the health of those they can’t bear to live without. While the numbers dying from cardiovascular disease has declined since the first American Health Month ...

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 and memory care Colorado Springs offers? 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 misconce ptions 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...

The Mayo Clinic reports on research that suggests listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. They explain the reason may be that “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.”  Listening to music can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation.  Music can bring back memories to those even in the most advanced stages of Alzheimer’s .  Alzheimers.net quotes neurologist Oliver Sacks, who says, “Music evokes emotion, and emotion can bring with it memory… it brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.”  When music is incorporated into the everyday activities of someone with dementia, it can help them to recall memories of that activity and improve cognitive ability over time.  Research has shown that some of the last two ...

Do you think all senior living communities are pretty much the same?  If so, it may surprise you to learn that MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is committed to a distinct mission statement that guides the way we do business and how we deliver our care services.  It reads 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 was founded in 2003 by Ken Jaeger, who after fifteen years of working in the industry was determined to start his own brand of senior living.  It would be one that was defined by...

At MorningStar of Littleton , we not only provide assisted living to Littleton, CO area seniors but also experienced memory care.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 20 secure memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   MorningStar’s compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.  Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call “Lavender Sky.”  By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  All of our employees receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training includes the pathology behind the disease as well...

We have all had the experience of visiting our doctor’s and afterward thinking of questions we wished we had thought to ask.  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Dept. of Human Health & Services, says asking questions and providing information to your healthcare providers, actually helps to improve your care.  Also, when you actively participate in your care, it helps build trust between you and your doctor and leads to better results. The AHRQ has put together a series of questionnaires to facilitate better communication between you and your doctor.  They explain that once you get in the habit of preparing questions beforehand, you can more efficiently use your time with the doctor (doctors spend between 13 to 24 minutes with each patient).   Questions will change depending on the reason for your visit such as discussing a medical procedure (remember you are your own best advocate).  AHRQ recommends ask...

You may be confused about whether assisted living is the best choice for you or your loved one.  While licensing requirements for assisted living communities vary by state, they generally provide care for individuals who do not require around-the-clock skilled nursing.  The National Center for Assisted Living 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.” Thus, assisted living communities are ideal for seniors who are mainly independent but need help with the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as dressing, bathing, and other personal care tasks.  They also provide daily meals and 24/7 care and can readily accommodate residents’ changing needs and preferences.  Most offer transportation and housekeeping services, which me...

Congestive heart failure affects about 6.5 million Americans and there are approximately 670,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While it is the leading cause of hospitalization in people over the age of 65 , the Medical News Today website reports on a 2016 study that estimates about half of the people who develop heart failure live more than 5 years after being diagnosed.  They explain there is no set reason why some people with CHF live longer than others as life expectancy varies greatly but “personal lifestyle choices may also play a factor, as well as whether a person has other medical problems.” CHF is a disease that occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood as well as it should and can be chronic or come on su ddenly.  It affects people of any age but 80 percent of the cases occur in elderly people. Also, while the disease is not curable, early detection is important to extending life expectancy as well as quality of life.  Common symptoms of CHF...

If an elderly parent is in a senior living community and has limited mobility, you may feel it is difficult to think of things to talk about or to do when you visit.  By organizing an activity such as scrapbooking, it can help to keep everyone engaged as well as inspire your loved one to start sharing stories about the “good old days.”  As you start documenting their life story, it will likely bring back memories they may have forgotten and/or ones the rest of the family knows anything about.  To get started, visit your local craft store or shop on the Internet for scrapbooking supplies that will help you create a book that is uniquely your parent’s.  Your next step is to help gather and organize the photos and materials in chronological order that will go into the scrapbook.  If the project seems too overwhelming for your parent, have them pick a theme such as family vacations or weddings through the years, or do one that focuses on their childh...

Have you started to suspect that your parent is not doing so well living on their own?  Experts say there are several things you should look for that will help you determine if it is time to make a change in their living situation.   One of the biggest concerns for families is safety as the y begin to see their parents struggle with health issues that can make them more vulnerable to accidents and medical crises.   Things to be on the lookout for include poor balance or failing eyesight that increases their risk for a fall; or the worry that comes from knowing they have already fallen.  Maybe you have noticed bruises or cuts they are reluctant to talk about.  In addition, if your parent is still driving, have they recently had a fender bender or another mishap while driving?  Are you worried your loved one’s forgetfulness is putting their safety in jeopardy?  Do you have reason to believe that they are prone to wander or that their ...

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 p...