MorningStar

As people enter their twilight years, they encounter unchartered territory. Many are faced with losing spouses, family and friends, as well as their strength, health and mobility. They may fear losing their independence; and worry about losing control over life decisions and their dignity. If they do require help running their household or with personal care, family members many not be nearby to lend a hand or are busy raising their families, and/or pursuing their career. As a loved one concerned about their well-being, it may be time to introduce the idea of assisted living as a way for them to maintain their independence and regain control over their life. If your family is new to the concept, the Internet offers resources on the options and how to find the right community for mom or dad’s needs and interests. You can help them discover the benefits of living with a group of their peers, having compassionate daily caregivers, and the freedom and choices community living provides...

Medical professionals stress the importance of women getting the proper screenings to protect their health and discover problems early when they may be more treatable. Screenings are designed for otherwise healthy individuals and recommendations change as we age. An article in the publication US News & World Report, states, “Your doctor can help you tailor the recommendations based on your goals of care, personal and family health history, age and life expectancy.” This post discusses 4 of the 14 screenings in the article. Breast cancer screening with a mammogram is recommended annually for women from age 40-50, every two years for those 50 to 74 and on a case-by-case basis after that. Doctors say mammograms are key to the prevention as well as early detection of breast cancer, when it is most easily treated. Talk to your doctor about testing options if you are under the age of 40 and have a mother or sister who had breast cancer at a young age or have a high-risk genetic marker...

For anyone considering a move to assisted living , choosing the right community is a big decision for families as getting it wrong may mean another move within a couple of months. To help, senior living experts say the first thing to do is to think about the level of care you or a loved one needs to improve quality of life. After you have a good idea of what your needs are, now factor in things like location and affordability. If you want the home to be a convenient drive for easy visiting, concentrate on those communities. If mom or dad no longer drives, look for a community offering transportation for doctor appointments or errands; or if they plan to bring a car, does it offer parking? Does the home offer 24/7 care, medication management and access to licensed nurses? Obviously, affordability is an important consideration, but senior living advocates warn don’t be initially shocked at the price. Rather think about all the living costs such as property taxes, maintenance, utility bil...

Way too often people have misconceptions about senior living communities and specifically assisted living. They think of the nursing facility where their grandparents may have spent their last years and don’t want to put themselves or an older loved one into something like that. After all, haven’t we all earned a happy retirement? Today’s assisted living communities are just that – a community. They provide an engaged lifestyle, safety and the proper support a person needs to help maintain their independence. Many also offer resort-style amenities like all-day, full-service dining; housekeeping, fitness centers, salons, bistros and in-house theatres and chapels to give seniors a vibrant community to safely age in place. Furthermore, many older adults living alone say they feel socially isolated and lonely, which can put them at an increased risk for depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and more. When seniors move to an assisted living community such as MorningStar of Wheat Ridge...

No matter how old we are, change can be challenging. For seniors who have had just that much more time to get used to the way things are, a change in the status quo can be difficult. When faced with a change in lifestyle and residence, a person may mourn what they perceive as a loss of their independence and younger self, and the loss of a home filled with a lifetime of memories. However, regardless of how we long to keep things the same, change is a fact of life; and for many seniors, life could be better with a little daily help. When mom or dad would benefit from the many services offered by an assisted living community , there are a few things families can do to help ease the transition. To start with, senior care specialists recommend making the effort to set up mom or dad’s new suite with familiar, well-loved furnishings and mementos rather than buying all new things. Another important step toward a smooth transition is to give it time. Experts say it generally takes anywhere fro...

If an elderly parent or another loved one is in an assisted living community and has limited mobility, you may feel it is difficult to think of things to talk about or do when you visit. Scrapbooking is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Also, it can be more than just a means to pass the time and preserve memories for older adults but can be beneficial to them as well. By organizing an activity such as scrapbooking, it can help to keep everyone engaged as well as inspire your loved one to start sharing stories about the “good old days.” As you start documenting their life story, it will likely bring back memories they may have forgotten and/or the rest of the family has never heard. Along with exercising the brain with recollections of the past, scrapbooking can boost self-esteem, improve one’s dexterity and increase socialization by introducing new topics of conversation. To get started, visit your local craft store or shop on the Internet for scrapbooking supp...

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we understand the importance of gathering as a community to “break bread” each day. We believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other, and when our residents sit down to a delicious meal served restaurant-style, it creates lasting bonds and fellowship within our “family.” We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why MorningStar meals are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest ingredients from high-quality producers, locally sourced when possible. Menu offerings are designed by our Executive Chef and include daily and weekly specials as well as a la carte items. Dining is available all day which means you can eat when you are hungry and not according to a rigid schedule. As a resident, you will be treated to seasonal menus and special holiday feasts such as those we enjoy at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, our Chef modifies menus and recipes to accommodate residents’ changing ...

Growing older together can make couples feel like they are as familiar with their own needs as they are with their spouse’s. They are used to relying on one another for companionship as well as emotional support, which is why experts say moving into assisted living together can be beneficial on several levels. To start with, it helps make the transition to community life easier. Alyssa M. Lanzi, a research assistant professor in the department of communication sciences and disorders at the University of Delaware in Newark, says, “Assisted living communities can be great for couples that are looking to continue to live together while needing some support for daily activities.” Given the fact many senior living communities offer various levels of care services, even if a couple is on a different health track, their needs can be addressed with separate personalized care plans. It also eliminates the need to fund two homes. Additionally, if one of the partners is in good health, they can ...