MorningStar

Along with assisted living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers individualized care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure memory care suites, and we are equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. MorningStar’s holistic memory care is personalized and compassionate supported living under what we call Lavender Sky, which is the way we thoughtfully enter, embrace, and explore to find purpose and encouragement in every aspect of daily routine. As dementia care specialists, we deeply understand the disease and know regardless of the extent of memory loss residents deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity. All team members are trained in MorningStar’s brand standards of Lavender Sky and in the pathology of dementia and brain disease. Caregivers provide 24/7 assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and have the tools to calm or stimulat...

MorningStar of Littleton is proud to offer exceptional assisted living and Alzheimer’s care. Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates senior living communities throughout the Western U.S. This means MorningStar of Littleton benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained in their 18 years of operation regarding all facets of senior living , including a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. MorningStar has earned a reputation as trusted dementia care specialists, and we feel it is our calling to provide care to our most special residents. By devoting a separate area to memory care called our Reflections Neighborhood, residents have the independence to safely move about their expansive surroundings. To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure courtyard to allow them to enjoy being outdoors. Once a resident joins our M...

While assisted living has been around in the U.S. for the last several decades, some people are still confused as to what it means. Senior living communities that offer assisted living provide long-term housing for seniors to safely age in place. As it is not skilled nursing care, assisted living residents are overall active and independent, but may need support with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet. As a resident, you get 24/7 care and nutrition, daily meals as well as benefit from a range of wellness programs, the company of fellow residents and staff, and peace of mind knowing help is at hand if needed. The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA NCAL) reports assisted living is a fast-growing sector of senior living with over 800,000 Americans currently residing in an assisted living community. Experts say in some cases, depending on the level of services provided, in-home care can actua...

Studies report approximately 12-18% of people aged 60 or older have some level of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). So how do you know if you are one of them? The first step to diagnosing MCI typically comes after a person starts to complain of forgetfulness or cognitive problems or initiated at the urging of family members. Doctors explain it is usually more serious if it comes at the request of those closest to the person because as a person develops more of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease , they are often not aware of their memory loss. So, how is MCI diagnosed? Your doctor will begin with a thorough evaluation to try and determine if the problem is MCI, Alzheimer’s, normal age-related memory loss, or caused by another factor. It is important to note not all cases of MCI develop into dementia and an evaluation could identify medications as the problem. A Harvard Medical School article states, “Establishing the cause and scope of the impairment is helpful in setting a baseline for f...

From time to time, we hear news stories about elderly people causing serious car accidents due to negligence.  This typically reignites the on-going debate about “when is it time for a senior to stop driving?”  Also, it is important to keep in mind that seniors are more likely to be injured in an accident as well as more likely to die from their injuries.   Obviously being told you should no longer drive is a very sensitive topic for an elderly person still driving.  To them, it represents more than just getting from one place to another but their independence and a way of life.  So before you take away your elderly parent’s driving privileges, there are some things you can do to check that their driving is up to today’s road conditions.   The first thing you can do is to get in the car and take a ride with them.  Experts say some driving issues signal serious problems while others less so.  For instance if your loved one is confusing t...

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we understand it can be difficult to decide if it is the time to move into assisted living as many seniors do not like the thought of giving up their home and their independence. However, if you have not looked into today’s senior living communities , you may be unaware that many are like true homes. Also, when you move into a community and start receiving the daily help you need, you will most likely start feeling more independent than you did before. While change can be hard for anyone, it can be especially hard for elderly adults who like things a certain way. This is why MorningStar offers both respite stays and short-term stays that give you the opportunity to experience our community and see what you think. A respite stay ensures you get the personal attention you need in a quiet, restful place as you recover from surgery or to convalesce from an illness. Also, you have the advantages offered by companionship and community that can make the ...

This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 8 th .  Rather than sending a bouquet of flowers this year, show grandma, mom and other moms in your life your appreciation and love by giving your time.  Do something special like planting a new rose bush or a tree, putting in a tray of annuals, or cleaning up the garden in readiness for summer. Commit to helping mom with a DIY house project like painting a room or helping clean up the attic or basement. G ive mom and grandma the “day off” by taking over the cooking and cleaning up. For a simple dessert, set up a sundae bar with all the trimmings and let everyone make their own treat.  If mom lives in an apartment, decorate her front door with a wreath or a huge homemade card signed by the whole family telling her how special she is. For a movie-loving mom, make a date to watch one of her favorite romantic comedies together in person or virtually. Other fun ideas include hosting a garden tea party or barbeque, and if you can...

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our goal is to provide residents with a comfortable, inviting home where they can safely age in place. Our services, amenities and wellness programs are all geared toward accomplishing this. Residents also receive the often overlooked benefits of community living such as healthy social connections and peace of mind knowing loving support is available whenever they need it. All assisted living residents have an individualized care plan created to help them maintain their independence, and our 24/7 care managers make sure the plan is carried out. MorningStar’s care managers are dedicated, hard-working individuals who provide loving care to our incredible residents and enjoy building strong relationships with them. Many of our daily activities are just plain fun and include movie nights, trivia and card games, craft classes, exercise classes and much more. Our all-day meal service is targeted to seniors’ palates as well as their nutritional needs. We...

Researchers say despite declining cognitive abilities, studies show those with Alzheimer’s disease do better when encouraged to participate in meaningful activities as it gives them a sense of purpose and self-worth. The Nation Institute of Health (NIH) reports, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” One study’s author explains the act of staying engaged can help dementia patients maintain quality of life even in advanced stages of the disease. Just as it is important for older people to stay engaged and active, it is also important for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to be involved in healthy daily activities. Dementia care specialists say structure and routine helps individuals “maintain their cognitive function, sense of security, and can calm anxious or aggressive behaviors.” Espe...