MorningStar

Hip fractures are unfortunately very common for seniors in the United States. A majority of these accidents are caused by falling sideways, tripping, or a loss of mobility. Unfortunately, we become increasingly susceptible to new injuries as we age. Accidental falls result from typical physical changes that come with time, such as weakened bones and joints, balance issues, and loss of muscle mass. At MorningStar, we offer assisted living that works to avoid accidental falls and hip fractures. By employing safety features in our senior living community , we enhance our residents' overall happiness and health. At MorningStar, we understand the importance of creating a secure yet comfortable atmosphere assisted living community. Our design philosophy includes simplified floor plans that minimize distractions and eliminate fall hazards, ensuring the safety of our residents as they navigate their living spaces. Knowing that hip fractures are a prominent issue for seniors, we keep our ha...

Have you been the primary caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia? At MorningStar Senior Living in Colorado, we know that it can be difficult to place your loved one in someone else’s care. You understand your loved one’s needs, routine, and behavior, and can’t imagine someone else understanding what would make them happy. However, as dementia and memory loss progresses, memory care can become a necessity. At MorningStar, our memory care communities in Colorado offer specialized care plans, holistic therapy and memory care, and an active and modern community for your loved one to enjoy. Memory care communities, like MorningStar Senior Living, are designed to ease the stress on families who care for those with Alzheimer’s while improving the life of the person with the disease. We are specialists in what we do, but we love having families involved in their loved one’s care, as well. Together, we can develop the perfect personalized care plan for your loved one with Alzheimer...

As we’ve been told by our parents, doctors, and social media… vitamins and minerals are extremely important for our overall health and well-being. Taking supplements is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, did you know the human body can’t produce most of the vitamins we need to survive? B12 is a vitamin our bodies do not naturally produce and it can be difficult to incorporate enough B12 in our diets. Seniors especially struggle in getting an adequate amount of B12. Knowing this, MorningStar Senior Living and Assisted Living of Des Moines, Iowa is mindful of the Signs and effects of B12 Deficiency in Seniors. Unfortunately, B12 deficiency is very common, especially among older adults. This is a problem because a lack of B12 can cause, or worsen, cognitive impairment and mobility issues. At MorningStar, our executive chefs are equipped with knowledge of vitamins and supplements. Our trained Executive Chefs design seasonal menus for our assisted living residents that feature the freshest...

If you have decided that it’s time for your elderly parent or loved one struggling with memory loss to transition into memory care, you may be experiencing excess stress and worry. With so many choices in memory care facilities , you may be feeling uneasy about how to find the right memory care and senior living community that fits your loved one’s needs. At MorningStar Senior Living, we understand that finding the right memory care facility starts with identifying the core needs of your loved one. Our Senior Living communities can offer the best memory care options in Colorado because of our highly specialized memory care staff, up-to-date safety features, and personalized care plans. Staff Expertise Alzheimer’s symptoms can be complicated and unpredictable. That being said, you shouldn’t feel as though your loved one is difficult to care for. Finding out how memory care staff handle anger, frustration, and aggression in dementia residents will give you a good understanding of how the...

If your senior partner or elderly loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may have noticed that everyday activities have become more difficult and frustrating for them. Although chores, meal cooking, hygiene, and everyday activities have become more wearisome, your elderly loved one will still have the need to feel successful. Holistic memory care offered at MorningStar Senior Living and Alzheimer’s Care in Des Moines, Iowa provides productive memory care activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s to help ease Alzheimer’s symptoms and increase overall happiness and joy. Being happily engaged in activities reduces frustration, agitation, and depression which are often byproducts of Alzheimer’s. In order to help your elderly loved one feel productive and successful, MorningStar Senior Living incorporates holistic memory care methods that are utilized by our specialty-trained memory care team . Each individual is different. By learning more about a senior with Alzheimer’s, and th...

Consider the most recent immediate connection you had with a close friend, neighbor, or colleague. Often, we make friends with those who share similar backgrounds, interests, and hobbies. Contrary to popular belief, it is no different for someone with dementia or an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and connected to their loved ones and the people around them. At MorningStar Senior Living, we believe that although communication with someone struggling with a memory loss diagnosis may look and feel different, it is still possible. Not only are these connections possible, but with some tips, you can spark a meaningful connection with your loved one again in spite of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In our experience at MorningStar Senior Living and Memory Care , although someone with Alzheimer’s may not remember names or complete aspects of faces, they do remember the emotional experiences they shared with you. Igniting these meaningful collections may mean bringing in p...

In addition to the types of food we eat, dieticians say it is also important to pay attention to portion size when attempting to shed a few pounds as it will help us reach our goal. When trying to diet, sticking to nutrient-dense, relatively low-calorie foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and poultry are your best choices; but no matter how healthy a food is, you still should not over consume. This is where portion control plays a part. Amy Gorin, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant-Based Eats, a collection of curated meal plans, grocery lists and nutrition tip sheets, explains that whole foods like almond butter and dark chocolate are good for us, they should be eaten in moderation and in proper portions. In other words, the bottom-line is a large chocolate bar should not be consumed in one sitting. However, to complicate matters, experts explain that in many cases, strictly following portion sizes suggested on the container would differ fro...

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ goal is to be the best senior living community in Colorado Springs. We attribute our success to God’s grace and to staying true to our mission of servant-leadership. To help us accomplish these lofty goals, we are blessed to have a team of individuals with big hearts and a true love for seniors. Our founding principles are based on “casting a new light” on senior living and treating each resident with the utmost respect and dignity. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and contribute is ageless; and we act upon this truth daily as we care for, inspire and love the residents under our roof. At MorningStar we want seniors to recognize they are never too old to set a goal or to dream a new dream. We take great pride in a reputation for excellence and authenticity in both how we serve and why we serve throughout our MorningStar communities in eleven states. Specializing in compassionate care delivered by our distinguished team and guided by our ...

Especially on birthdays and holidays, many of us wish to brighten the day for a loved one in an assisted living community by letting them know they are very special to us. To help make our visit more meaningful, experts provide some tips to keep in mind when we visit. You may want to plan in advance an activity your loved one would enjoy doing with you during your visit. Examples include bringing along a puzzle to work on, a Scrabble board or a trivia game. You could get prints of current photos of the family made to add to an album or start a new one. If they are a music lover, bring some new music to enjoy together. If they enjoy listening to stories, get an audiobook to listen to or buy a favorite family movie to watch together. If they like sending greeting cards to family and friends, buy a box of cards and help get them ready to mail. If they get pleasure from being pampered, bring along the supplies to give them a manicure. If the weather is cooperative, take advantag...

Let’s be honest, many of us rely on the Internet for medical advice. While it can supply good answers, doctors also caution you have to be careful what sites you trust. There are many websites providing good medical information but there are also sites with misleading or even dangerous advice. Dr. Michael Langan, an internal medicine physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, cautions anyone with a blog can dispense information and advice; and a good way to avoid misinformation is to ask your doctor to recommend the sites they trust. Additionally, the National Institute on Aging recommends using health websites sponsored by Federal Government agencies. They say a good place for reliable, up-to-date information is the National Institutes of Health, but at the same time, remind everyone that the Internet is no substitute for seeing your doctor or other health professional who can give you advice that caters to your specific situation. Other things to look for include name ...

Along with a variety of well-designed floor plans for assisted living, Colorado Springs ’ MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. Our team feels privileged to provide highly specialized, individualized care for seniors in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ resident-directed approach to memory care respects the dignity and value of each person and supports choice and independence as much as possible. All our memory care suites are within our Reflections Neighborhood, which is designed to accommodate the needs of our special residents. Memory care residents can move freely about in a safe and secure environment reserved just for them. We offer three daily meals served in our comfy dining room where residents and staff eat together. In addition, residents are provided 24-hour care with daily health monitoring, medication management and the ex...