MorningStar

Nursing homes and senior living communities are not as similar as some might think. Memory care communities are focused on holistic treatment and socialization to comfort seniors as they age. Nursing homes tend to focus on a more clinical approach to Dementia management, which may look like more medications and more intense treatment.  While both have their benefits, it’s important to understand the difference between 24-hour nursing facilities and memory care at Senior Living in Littleton, Co.  What level of care can memory care facilities provide? Memory care communities, like MorningStar, provide a high level of care for seniors struggling with memory loss. Since memory care communities are specifically designed to treat and watch over seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, staff tends to be more specialized and undergo different training.  Depending on the level of care a senior requires, 24-hour nursing homes may be better suited to address certain concerns. If a lov...

Assisted Living can be an overwhelming experience for many seniors if they are making the trip alone. However, seniors can enjoy companion living with us at MorningStar Senior Living where close friends or couples can embark on this new journey together.  Companion living for seniors in assisted living is a great option if they need a little extra care and attention from those they trust. Within its communities, MorningStar Senior Living Des Moines offers Assisted Living with support at various levels and Around-the-clock Care Managers who are on-site and at the ready to ensure your comfort and safety. With that in mind, here are the top three reasons why seniors enjoy companion living at MorningStar Assisted Living Des Moines .  Emotional Support- It can be hard to be vulnerable with people you don’t fully know or trust yet. Spousal living, or companion living, provides seniors with added emotional support as they adjust to assisted living care. Since these individuals have l...

When you think of Colorado, many images come to mind, but we bet most, if not all of the images involve some type of adventure. Between the majestic Rocky Mountains and the rich culture found in Colorado’s Wild West motif, adventure is the prevailing theme for the residents of our senior living facility in Colorado Springs . Whether you join a group activity sponsored by MorningStar at Mountain Shadows or take an adventure with your family, let’s take a quick look at the top five things to do in Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak Piercing the upper layers of the atmosphere at more than 14,000 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak is the iconic natural wonder that dominates the Colorado landscape. Although you have four ways to ascend Pikes Peak, joining the “Pikes Peak or Bust'' tour provides you with the most adventurous, up-close encounter with the towering mountain. For a more laid-back approach to viewing the mountain, we recommend taking a ride on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pike's...

Trusting an assisted living community for your elderly parent or loved one can be difficult, especially if they are in need of memory care. Depending on the needs of your loved one, you should consider several factors to find the best memory care .  MorningStar Senior Living Littleton Co has been named “Alzheimer’s Association Leader in Dementia Care." You can find loyal memory care for your family in a community devoted to holistic Alzheimer’s and dementia treatment.  To be designated as a leader in dementia memory care, 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 Association chapter in the country offering this special program. MorningStar of Littleton is proud to have earned this special recognition for our expertise in serving the memory impaired. One aspect that sets M...

If I don’t need any assistance, why should I consider a senior living community ? Retirement homes aren’t what you think they are anymore. Independent senior living offers vibrant communities full of resort-style amenities that allow seniors to retire in style. While many seniors may not require assisted living care yet, you can still appreciate the perks of stress-free retirement.  Our senior living retirement homes in Des Moines, Iowa offer seniors a fresh perspective on life. We want to provide you with the very best understanding of what benefits independent senior living can provide for you.  Newfound Friendships - As we age, it becomes more difficult for seniors to spend time with their friends and family. Senior living communities provide easy accessibility to your neighbors. With weekly activities, group hobbies, and community events, it’s easy to meet like-minded individuals that you feel like you’ve known all your life. While you may not require any senior care, ind...

You may think of assisted living facilities as apartment complexes for seniors in need of intense care and support. While you can find trusted senior care in assisted living complexes , you can also experience short-term respite care. Caretaking is a full-time job. We understand that you may need a break from time to time. Perhaps your loved one has undergone surgery that you are unable to tend to properly. Regardless, MorningStar offers respite care to provide support for families and seniors. What is Respite Care? Respite care offers short-term support for family members or caregivers supporting a senior loved one. We offer Short-term Stays of about 30 days or less, for those times when a senior's regular caregiver is unavailable or unable to provide care for any reason. These seniors in respite care will reside in a fully furnished room within our senior living community. What are the Benefits of Respite Care? Surgery Recovery- Respite stays are also ideal for any seniors who ar...

When you see the words “Winter” and “Colorado” in the same sentence, you probably envision snowy mountains and cold, blustery winds dominating the coldest season of the year. However, winter in Colorado, especially in southern Colorado, can be dominated by a weather phenomenon called chinook winds. These winds blow in from the west and then travel up the front range of the Rockies bringing with them drier and warmer air. Although snow and cold are a part of Colorado winters, you also can enjoy plenty of warm sunshine at our senior living center in Colorado Springs . Winter is typically viewed as the season to stay home and read a good book. With winter here being a bit different than the winters experienced by other Americans, let's look at four winter activities for seniors living at our assisted living facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Swimming We are not talking about the type of swimming that you see on Television when a group of people dive into frigid cold water. No, w...

Traditional memory care options like medication or hospitalization are not always helpful for seniors struggling with Dementia. This path can lead to more anxiety, depression, and loud outbursts throughout the rest of the life.  Senior Living in Littleton Co offers holistic memory care for seniors and their families who are looking for an alternative to traditional dementia care.  Holistic memory care is rooted in the idea that those with Alzheimer’s can still live meaningful and fulfilling lives. A holistic approach to Alzheimer’s treatment is a group effort. If you are looking for effective memory care treatments, look for senior living communities that involve professional caretakers, doctors, family members, and of course, the individual with a memory loss diagnosis.  A holistic approach to dementia care includes providing whole-body health. This means considering the following things to promote overall happiness and well-being:  Environment - A senior’s home pl...

The US News & World Report says approximately 1 in 3 adults are believed to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). They explain the condition causes a person to momentarily stop breathing at intervals throughout the night and interrupting their sleep. Pulmonologist and section head of sleep medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver, Dr. Sheila Tsai, explains, “A person’s airway either partially collapses or completely closes (obstructs) during sleep.” She says episodes can be frequent throughout the sleep cycle and cause drops in oxygenation. While the person may only awake briefly as they struggle to breathe, their sleep is fragmented and non-restorative as it infers with REM, the deep, restful stage of sleep. Common causes of OSA are obesity and age, and The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine estimates as many as 80 percent of people suffering from OSA are undiagnosed. The condition typically causes the person to snore loudly, interrupted with gasps, hesitations and snorts. They ...

For many seniors, there comes a time when they feel they are not living life on their own terms, and routine, day-to-day activities start becoming more difficult. To determine if assisted living is the right choice for a parent or another loved one, experts say you need to consider the amount of care they require daily. If it is more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) with in-home services or in an independent living community, yet they don’t need 24-hour medical care and supervision, assisted living is the ideal option. People often confuse assisted living communities with nursing homes; however, they are not the same thing. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care while assisted living provides help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) to enhance residents’ quality of life within a residential setting. While some families may experience sticker shock when first learning the cost of assisted living , you need to consider everything it includes. For...

Growing older can bring with it a variety of problems including worrying about your ability to remember things or the fact that it now takes you a lot longer to learn something new. While you may be concerned about forgetting where you put your glasses or the date of your next doctor visit, or even forgetting to pay an occasional bill, experts say most likely it is just normal aging. So, what are the differences between normal forgetfulness and signs of a deeper problem? The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says it is about the degree of forgetfulness. While mild forgetfulness may be normal, memory loss that impacts your day-to-day life is a cause for concern and includes things like forgetting how to get home, or problems driving or using your phone. The NIA says this is the time to have an honest discussion with your doctor as he/she can help determine whether it is normal aging or something else that is causing the problem. If indicated, they can do a series of cognitive and medica...

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is devastating news for all. Family members may quickly start experiencing feelings of grief as they recognize their life is about to be changed by the disease and are uneasy about what the future will hold. Most are left with questions about what to expect next. As Alzheimer’s begins to take away the person we know and love, the Alzheimer’s Association explains that, “you'll mourn him or her and may experience the different phases of grieving: denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance.” They remind us that feelings of grief do not come in a specific order but rather we go in and out of the various stages. Feelings of denial include unrealistically hoping the person is not ill or expecting them to get better. Others try to convince themselves their loved one has not changed or try to normalize and make excuses for their behaviors. Anger may include being frustrated with the person or feeling abandoned. You may also...

Every year seniors are hospitalized due to prescribed medications. Statistics show drug-related problems are common in older adults and include drug ineffectiveness, adverse drug effects, over-dosage, under-dosage, inappropriate treatment, inadequate monitoring, nonadherence, and drug interactions. It is important to remember even though medication is prescribed by your healthcare provider, problems can occur. Experts say you must follow directions and take medications as prescribed including on time, in the right dosage, with or without food, and never grinding it into a powder (unless directed by the doctor). They recommend carrying an updated list of all medications and sharing it with your doctors. Additionally, be aware of common interactions between prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications and alcoholic drinks. Before your doctor prescribes a new medication, ask them why you are taking it, for how long and what are the potential side effects. It is important to know what...

Many older adults, especially those in assisted living communities , are no longer as steady on their feet as they used to be. This puts them in danger of a fall, and a walker, cane or even a wheelchair or scooter is probably advisable. However, before you start using a hand-me-down walker or buy any-old cane; experts warn that one size does not fit all. In the case of a walker, to be an effective and safe mobility aid, it is important to have an expert help you pick out the best type and size for your needs. As AgingCure.com points out, “The wrong device can negatively affect a senior’s stability, cause posture-related problems and even result in pain. Mobility aids come in all shapes and sizes, so selecting the right equipment and achieving a proper fit usually requires a professional’s assistance and expertise.” To get started determining what your needs are, experts recommend seeing your healthcare provider to discuss any problems you are having with your activities of daily li...

Are you worried about your elderly parents getting the care they need at home? Assisted living communities are one way to make sure they get the care they need, while giving family members the peace of mind they need. To help ensure the community you choose is a good, all-around fit, experts say the trick is to find one based on your parents’ needs, their lifestyle and budget. A Place for Mom, one of the largest senior living referral websites, says the key to a successful move for mom or dad is to have a frank and open conversation with the family to make sure everyone is on the same page. Be sure your parents have the chance to give their opinion. When you begin the actual search, remember assisted living is not a nursing home or memory care. To determine the best community for them, start by addressing their ADLs’ (activities of daily living) needs. Keep in mind the amount of help they need right now and how much help they will most likely need over the next couple of years. After a...