MorningStar

  The American Diabetes Association, along with other organizations help to raise awareness of a serious disease that affects millions of Americans. November is the month that has been chosen to sound the alarm for the millions of Americans who are at risk of getting diabetes. Medical professionals recognize it is important for people to be educated about the disease and to be aware of the risks. In addition, World Diabetes Day, which was first created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization, is observed each year on November 14. Experts say that knowing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be life-saving and lead to getting the care you need. For individuals with risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, having an awareness of the disease, may help to prevent or delay the progression. While sometimes known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition without a cure that occurs when a person’s pancreas produces litt...

  Along with 45 assisted living suites , MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has another 19 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Starting with the actual physical design right through to our holistic, compassionate care, every aspect of our memory care is designed to provide the best for our most tender residents including our food service. Many individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have trouble using a fork and knife to eat with, which is why many memory care homes resort to serving finger foods like chicken nuggets, fish sticks, french fries and purees. The problem with this is while the food may be easy to eat; it is not very nutritional and lacks variety. This is why the MorningStar communities have modified our memory care food service to one that avoids overly processed meals, and is both tasty and nutritional. Our menus consist of foods like pastas and other edible items wrapp...

      If you are a senior or have a parent or other loved one that needs more daily help to ensure their safety and wellbeing, it may be time to look into senior living communities offering assisted living. When you begin your search, please add MorningStar at Mountain Shadows to the top of your list. Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful Colorado Springs, we are convenient to hospitals, medical offices, and other services. Too often a senior worries that moving into assisted living will result in a loss of independence and freedom. They are afraid that assisted living communities are cold, institutional places that feel more like a hospital or nursing home. Moreover, many mistakenly believe it will mean a loss of privacy and the ability to make their own decisions. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, this could not be further from the truth. What sets MorningStar apart from other assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer? Along with beautiful ...

  No one wants to have a vehicle breakdown in freezing weather or an accident on icy roads due to poor tires. By winterizing your family’s vehicles before heading into demanding driving conditions like blizzards and ice storms, you may help avoid such incidences. Experts offer several tips to help keep you and your family safe and ensure your vehicle is ready to meet the challenge. Consumer Reports recommends starting with visibility as extreme winter weather impairs our ability to get a good look at what is going on in front of us. If the wiper blades are leaving streak marks, feel stiff, or cracked, replace them. It is a cheap fix and will provide better visibility when you need it. Fill your windshield fluid reservoir with a solution that contains an antifreeze agent. Periodically check and refill throughout the winter as you use much more of it than during mild weather. Now it also the time to do an inspection of your vehicle’s lights to make sure they are in working orde...

  Now may be the time to consider moving your parent into assisted living as a way to ensure they get the daily support they need in a safe, comfortable environment.  Assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provide all of the comforts and care residents need to thrive!  Assisted living also provides peace of mind if your mom or dad has poor balance or failing eyesight, which can increase the likelihood of a fall, and not having help close at hand can be dangerous.  In addition, if a parent no longer drives, it may be difficult for them to get groceries and other necessary supplies including prescription medications or to see a doctor.  MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provides assisted living residents help with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) to help maintain their independence.  Residents and their families take comfort knowing our trained care managers are there to help them navigate through any changes in their hea...

While most of us have heard about the 1918 flu pandemic, sometimes called the Spanish Flu, that caused approximately 40 million deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO), we may not know much more about it. Scientists explain this strain of flu was an H1N1 virus with a similar genetic structure of viruses derived from avian origins. Experts also say the methods for preventing the spread of the flu was much the same as preventing COVID-19 from spreading – handwashing, mask wearing, and avoiding close contact with others. On October 6, 1918, a Greek newspaper published an announcement from the government that read: “The disease germs enter the body through the mouth and generally from the respiratory system. […] The disease spreads by coughs and [is] transmitted by air. Therefore, it is recommended the avoidance of [mental] stress and overwork. […] All schools must be close[d], and meticulous maintenance of cleanliness of lingerie and hands is proposed. In pa...

  Most of us have heard the CDC and other health professionals stress the importance of everyone getting a flu shot this year.  However, you may not have heard about another important vaccine recommended for anyone over the age of 50.  Shingrix is a vaccine designed to prevent shingles and was introduced to the public in 2017.  The CDC reports Shingrix is the preferred shingles vaccine as it offers more than a 90 percent success in preventing shingles.  However, for the last couple of years, there have been shortages of the vaccine and it was not available to many older adults.   While you should always check with your healthcare provider before getting any vaccine including the shingles’ vaccine, as of July 2020, a company’s spokesman said GSK's Shingrix is no longer on the CDC's shortages list, and there is now a supply “available to meet demand across all distribution channels.”   They still suggest you check with your drugstore or doc...

  Are you the adult child or spouse of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia ?  At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge senior living community we understand the anguish and heartache that families go through seeing their beloved mom, dad, or spouse change before their eyes.   If the diagnosis is recent, you are most likely wrestling with lots of questions including what will the future bring and who will be there to provide the level of care the person will probably need.  We hear you and want you to know our experienced team is here to help with holistic memory care that focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss.   As dementia care experts, we provide specialized, individualized care to each resident and are equipped to care for the person from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  Our Reflections Neighborhood was desig...

  A fall can result in serious injuries especially for the elderly , who make up the majority of cases, and can take a long time to heal.  Many even lead to permanent mobility issues that limit the person’s freedom.  The CDC reports that each year 3 million older adults are treated in the emergency room for a fall injury and over 800,000 patients are hospitalized due to their injuries.  Experts explain there are several reasons why the elderly are more vulnerable to falling and include medical conditions such as Parkinson’s and heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and blood pressure fluctuations.  In addition, physical disabilities that affect strength and balance, poor eyesight, inner ear problems, and dehydration can also put a person more at risk for a fall.  Common situations that can result in a fall include wet or recently polished floors, poorly lit areas, rugs not properly secured, stairs, and uneven sidewalks....

    If your parent lives alone and you are worried that they need more personal daily care than you can provide, it may be time to look into other options. One of those is assisted living , which focuses on providing residents the daily care they need to help them retain their independence. Especially now, you want to judiciously make the best, safest choice for your mom or dad. To help you do so, experts offer a few suggestions of things to think about before you begin your search (obviously you want to respect mom or dad’s preferences and wishes). They recommend that while you take into account your parent’s immediate needs, you also give some thought to their future needs. So, find out if the home you are considering will allow them to “age in place” and/or if there are limitations in terms of how much care the community provides. Your questions should include the level of care services they are licensed for as well as their limitations. For instance, at Mor...