MorningStar

The holistic trend in Alzheimer’s care focuses on a person-centered approach to dementia treatment that uses positive reinforcement to meet the emotional needs of seniors and creates a sense of trust and understanding between caregiver and the individual. Creating a comfortable, safe, and nonjudgmental space is necessary for this type of holistic treatment to be successful. MorningStar’s Alzheimer’s care is the very best in senior living that Littleton, Colorado has seen. MorningStar is a senior living community focused on holistic treatment of dementia and other memory loss diseases through their specialized holistic ideology, Lavender Sky. MorningStar developed the philosophy of Lavender Sky. This mantra is a holistic form of dementia and Alzheimer’s care that is dedicated to helping residents affected by memory loss and their families find a place of peace and purpose through a three-tiered ambition to serve the memory-impaired. MorningStar explores a person’s life, history, and p...

Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases have been known to impact a person’s sleep and their sleep schedules. An individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia Someone with Alzheimer’s may sleep too much or not enough and may experience waking up many times during the night and being unable to get back to sleep. Memory care facilities such as MorningStar Senior Living of Littleton, are reliable communities that are knowledgeable in the difficulties surrounding sleep and dementia and work with holistic methods to help solve the side effects of memory loss. Named the “Alzheimer’s Association Leader in Dementia Care,” MorningStar Senior Living Littleton, Co prides themselves on offering modern and holistic memory care to their senior living communities. Our bodies need sleep, and it is certainly frustrating when we can’t seem to fall asleep or stay asleep. Seniors in Alzheimer’s care or struggling with memory loss may experience heightened responses to the lack of sleep or their sleep schedu...

Many of us joke about “senior moments” when we have lapses in our memory. However, when memory loss and other cognitive functions begin to deteriorate for seniors, it becomes a difficult realm to navigate. Doing daily household tasks and running errands could feel overwhelming for some seniors dealing with memory loss. As we age, things become more difficult, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Issues arise when seniors do not recognize or refuse to admit the need for help from their loved ones or a senior living community or retirement home. This refusal may often stem from stigma surrounding an adult's need for help or an extra hand. If you notice yourself or a loved one running behind on bills or food going bad in the fridge, it may be time for an honest discussion about the idea of assisted living options and what next steps should be taken to ensure your loved one’s safety while also maintaining respect. It’s not wrong for seniors to need help and it’s important that they know...

Littleton is ranked the 8th best small city in America and named the top spot for retirement and senior citizens. This Colorado city is minutes from downtown with shops and restaurants and is surrounded by Marston Lake and South Platte River. If you are looking for the best Alzheimer’s care, MorningStar Memory Care and Senior Living Littleton Colorado offers the finest modern and holistic senior living Littleton, Colorado has to offer. If you are considering memory care or Alzheimer’s care for a spouse or loved one, MorningStar of Littleton, Co should be at the top of your list. MorningStar of Littleton has been named “Alzheimer’s Association Leader in Dementia Care” by The Alzheimer’s Association. To be so designated for this award, a senior living community is required to enroll 75% of its staff in an eight-hour training that encompasses brain pathology, communication techniques, and methods of lessening agitation with non-pharmaceuticals. Colorado is the only Alzheimer’s Associati...

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we proudly offer the finest senior care with assisted living and memory care suites .  As experienced specialists in caring for those with memory loss from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, our community is equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Our loving and compassionate team considers it their calling as well as their privilege to care for your loved one.  MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available. Our comprehensive care also includes assisting families to better understand and cope with the disease.   When a resident joins our community, we spend time with them and their family to learn as much as we can about their life before the memory loss including their talents, vocation, and preferences.  From there, we create a daily care plan based on their needs and design...

Through proper diets and healthy choices, food is a healing medicine unlike any other. It is also one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed in community. With Fall approaching, our appetites are searching for warm, hearty, and familiar meals. For seniors, it’s important to consume foods high in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats throughout the year. Finding foods that can meet all our needs can be difficult, but these fall foods might just offer you that brilliant and beautiful meal that you’ve been searching for. Butternut squash is a type of winter squash with pale orange skin and a bright orange interior that is often served in the fall and winter months. It is great in soups, pastas, and roasted on its own with some olive oil. Butternut squash is high in potassium, which can help keep your blood pressure in check. Managing your blood pressure can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease. Who doesn’t love pumpkin flavored dishes? Well did you know that pump...

Did your elderly parents spend a lot more time alone during COVID-19 and now appear to be having difficulty taking care of themselves or managing their home as they once did? For many families, the last 2+ years have underscored the fact that their elderly loved one is not getting on as well as they did before the pandemic; and may need additional help with the activities of daily living. We know the decision to move a family member into a senior living community is a big one. Seniors can be resistant to moving, and many hate the idea of leaving their home and everything familiar to them. However, it is an important thing to consider whether your parent’s current living situation is meeting their overall physical and safety needs; and if it doesn’t, it is time to start the conversation about the need for change. One important thing to look for is if your loved one has had one or more falls over the last several months. The CDC reports every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+)...

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 actuall...

It’s no doubt that over exposure to stress has been linked to poor health, wellness, and overall dissatisfaction in life. As we age, stress can add an extra toll onto our bodies and minds. According to the Mather’s Institute, in recent years it has been found that assisted living communities contribute to a senior’s happiness and well-being which has been found to boost life expectancy. Assisted living facilities give senior’s the ability to live in stress free environments while also granting them independence and exploration. Simply said, it’s time to move to Assisted Living when the transition will ease the stress of either the senior’s life or the family caregiver’s life. Assisted Living is the best choice if your parent or loved one needs more personal care than they can get in the home or in an Independent Living community. These individuals do not yet need 24-hour medical care and supervision but may struggle with caring for household chores or personal errands. If you’re lookin...

We all know moving has its challenges, but it can be especially difficult when it is prudent for an elderly person to change their living situation. Many times a move to assisted living is triggered by an emergency medical event such as an injury due to a fall or a substantial decline in the person’s health. The senior may not only feel threatened by the change in their health and lifestyle but leaving a home they may have lived in for decades. Often families are faced with a decision of whether to sell the home before the parent moves or to wait until after they have left and are settled into their new community. Since a person’s home is typically their biggest asset, one thing to consider is if they will need the proceeds from the sale to help finance their new home? However, experts caution selling an occupied house can be tricky as you want potential buyers to view the home in the best light. It should be free of clutter and personal belongings, which makes keeping it ready for sh...

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we regularly have questions about our community from Colorado Springs area seniors and their family members. FAQs include how our pricing is structured as well as availability. In assisted living, fees are based on the level of care a resident requires. For memory care residents, we offer all-inclusive pricing , which means suite rental and care, whatever the level of need, is one price. To calculate your level of need in assisted living, you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director and go over your medical history and personal preferences to create an individualized care plan. This sets the basis of your Care Level (we have five) and your monthly fee accounts for the costs and time to provide the needed services. These can include help with daily personal care activities (grooming, bathing, toileting, etc.) and medical assistance. If you are concerned the cost of assisted living may be too high for your means , we want to remind you...

Medical experts have found that many older adults are not being screened for cognitive decline during routine physical exams and say it would be a good idea to do so. While many of us would be shocked to hear devastating news that we have early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, doctors say it is important to identify memory loss issues early as available treatments are more effective early-on. Moreover, if it is determined you do have some memory loss, there are steps you can take to help slow down or mitigate the risk. Additionally, if you are wondering if a cognitive test is expensive, Medicare does pay for an annual “wellness visit,” which is supposed to include a quick cognitive assessment to help identify some early warning signs of dementia. From there your doctor can recommend a more thorough examination. However, according to an Alzheimer’s Association survey, over half of the respondents said their healthcare provider has never asked about their cognitive health, let alone admini...

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is proud to offer exceptional assisted living and memory care. Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates senior living communities throughout the Western U.S. This means MorningStar at Mountain Shadows benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained in their 19 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 joi...

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. There are some changes you can make to fall...

Information on what constitutes a healthy diet continues to evolve as researchers discover more and more about the human body and how it reacts to the food we consume and the way it affects the aging process. Not too long ago, medical professionals touted diets low in fat and high in carbohydrates. Now newer studies emphasize the role protein plays in our overall health and the importance of eating healthy proteins. Experts say the best proteins should contain vitamins and minerals. Cesar Sauza, clinical nutrition manager of health education and wellness at AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles, explains his "top go-to protein foods sources are fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines.” A 3 oz. A serving of tuna steak contains 24 grams of protein and salmon 17 grams of protein. Fatty, cold water fish also contain omega-3s; fatty acids that help maintain eye and brain health as well as heart and circulatory health. Omega-3s DHA and EPA are linked to brain and cardiovascular heal...