MorningStar

An article in the US News & World Report finds moving mom or dad to an assisted living community may be a bargain compared to paying for extensive in-home care. With an average cost of $25 to $27 an hour, in-home care can add up fast. For example, if you want someone with mom or dad while you are at work nine hours a day for five days a week, you are already spending $4,500 or more a month. This still leaves your parents without support on the weekends, and doesn’t include any support for problems which may occur during the evening and overnight. An assisted living community includes room and board and housekeeping services as well as a variety of wellness programs and activities. It also has 24/7 staffing and suites with emergency call systems, handicapped-accessible bathrooms and other modifications. If a family feels assisted living would be the best place for a parent but the cost is holding them back, experts say to thoroughly research all available payment options. This ca...

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...

Your loved one’s retirement years should be a time of relaxation and contentment. Health, mental ability, and physical mobility shouldn’t hinder your retirement. This is why we believe every senior deserves the best options at MorningStar Senior Living Des Moines. Our assisted living community is designed to provide essential care and attention to residents and a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle. Keep ready to see some of the best benefits of assisted living for seniors at MorningStar Senior Living. Safety and Security Our assisted living community thrives on knowing that safety is paramount. Seniors feel safe to engage in a wide variety of clubs, amenities, and daily activities because they know they are in a secure environment. Modern and trusted safety technology is woven throughout the community. Apartments even have fall-prevention technology to help make it easy for one of our 24/7 staff members to assist when necessary. Personalized Care Plans Every resident has unique preferen...

If you’re considering senior living options for an aging loved one or spouse, exploring Morning Star Assisted Living West Des Moines could provide a positive solution that promotes independence, social connection, and well-being for your loved one’s life.  What is Assisted Living? Assisted Living is designed for seniors aged 55 and up who may need help with some daily tasks like chores, preparing meals, managing medication, and maintaining hygiene and health. Your senior care is personalized at MorningStar, meaning every resident receives the right amount of care for them, making it an ideal choice for seniors looking to remain independent. Keep reading if you’re curious to know some of the other reasons why assisted living in West Des Moines is so popular: Enhanced Quality of Life Seniors who struggle to keep up with daily tasks and maintain their health without the help of others may be experiencing a low quality of life at home. Improper care can lead to anxiety, depression, a...

An article in the US News & World Report finds moving mom or dad to an assisted living community may be a bargain compared to paying for extensive in-home care. With an average cost of $25 to $27 an hour, in-home care can add up fast. For example, if you want someone with mom or dad while you are at work nine hours a day for five days a week, you are already spending $4,500 or more a month. This still leaves your parents without support on the weekends, and doesn’t include any support for problems which may occur during the evening and overnight. An assisted living community includes room and board and housekeeping services as well as a variety of social, educational and physical activities. It also has 24/7 staffing and suites with emergency call systems, handicap-accessible bathrooms and other modifications. If a family feels assisted living would be the best place for a parent but the cost is holding them back, experts say to thoroughly research all available payment options....

A US News & World Report article discusses how to determine which assisted living community would be the best fit for you or a loved one. They explain that while there may be similarities between communities, upon closer scrutiny, each one will most likely have its own strengths and weaknesses. It is also a good idea to take into account things like personal preferences and location; and you may find it helpful to take a look at the checklist provided in the article. To begin narrowing down the various communities, visit their websites to get answers to commonly asked questions. From there you can call to inquire about availability and pricing, and if the place sounds good, go ahead and book an in-person tour. While at the community, make the effort to speak to as many people as possible. Try to be there during an activity to see how engaged residents are, and join the group for lunch if you have the opportunity. Furthermore, this is a good time to discuss the range of senior car...

The Alzheimer’s Association explains Alzheimer’s is a disease that not only affects the individual but robs family members of their loved one. As the disease progresses, it takes away more and more of the person and the family begins to mourn the loss. While grief has different phases including denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance in no particular order; universally shared by most families is unease about what the future holds and what to expect next. Hope is a powerful human emotion so denying the disease is a coping mechanism for some as they try to convince themselves their loved one will get better or not reach the level of devastation experienced by many suffering from the disease. Others may refuse to recognize the changed behavior and make excuses for it. Spouses and significant others may experience anger as they feel abandoned by the person and frustrated at their inability to do anything about it. They may also feel resentment and overwhelmed by caregiving duties but ...

If you are looking for exceptional assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge may be your answer. Along with beautiful surroundings, we provide an extensive range of amenities, wellness programs, care services and more. When a loved one needs more care than they can get in their own home, it may be time to start thinking about moving to an assisted living community . If your family is new to the concept of senior living and all it means, please know that MorningStar will work with you every step of the way to help you make informed decisions, and make the eventual move-in process easier. To start with, we understand that for your parent or elderly relative, the move is a major lifestyle transition, which is why we approach each move-in with great sensitivity. One way we do this is to try and nurture a relationship from the start that reinforces the positive aspects of community life and tries to help the person envision the many possibilities of a new adventure. Once your family p...

Over the summer many adult children spend more time visiting with their parents in person rather than on the phone or over a video call. It is also the time when many families discover mom or dad living on their own isn’t working, and they are not actually doing as well as everyone thought. Experts say there are some signs to look for when visiting an elderly parent to determine if they need more help in their day-to-day life. One cause for concern can be if they have had an unintended change in their weight. Experts say weight loss is a common sign of a senior not doing well on their own. The same goes if they appear to have had a change in their balance and mobility such as difficulty getting up from a chair or walking up or down stairs, which could result in a higher risk of a fall. Another component of an older person’s wellbeing includes their emotional state. Do they have opportunities to get out and about and socialize or are they spending a lot of time alone and showing signs o...

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...

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be a precursor to dementia but does not always progress to dementia. Medical professionals report 10% to 40% of MCI cases go on to become dementia, and a good percentage of those become Alzheimer’s disease. On the positive side, research shows as many as 30-40% of people with MCI get better. As with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, there are no drugs to treat MCI but doctors say there are steps we can take to mitigate or minimize its effects. MCI is just as its name suggests. The impairment is mild and does not affect a person’s ability to care for themselves or take away their independence. Steps a person should take to protect their cognitive health include quitting smoking and moderating or eliminating alcohol consumption. If you do have hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol levels or diabetes, it is important to treat these conditions and manage them through medications, diet and healthy lifestyle habits. Other thin...

A recent article in the US News & World Report finds putting mom or dad in an assisted living community may be a better bargain than paying for extensive in-home care. With an average cost of $25 to 27 an hour, in-home care can add up fast. For example, if you want someone with mom or dad while you are at work for 9 nine hours a day for five days a week, you are already spending around $4,500 a month. This still leaves your parents without support on the weekends, and doesn’t include any support for problems which may occur during the night. An assisted living community includes room and board and housekeeping services as well as a variety of social, educational and physical activities. It also has 24/7 staffing and suites with emergency call systems, handicap-accessible bathrooms and other modifications. If a family feels assisted living would be the best place for a parent but the cost is holding them back, experts say to thoroughly research all available payment options. This...

Offering spiritual support to seniors in assisted living is part of a holistic senior health care practice. This means A resident’s whole health and happiness is taken into consideration when providing care plans. Regardless of the religion or spiritual practice, allowing seniors the space to practice their faith is important for many vital reasons. To save you time, we have outlined the top 3 benefits of choosing assisted living for a loved one with spiritual support: Built-in Community Attending events centered around one’s faith is a vital way for individuals to feel part of their community. Assisted living homes with spiritual support offer built-in community and support for seniors who are looking to stay involved in their faith and religion. Being able to openly share beliefs, rituals, and traditions, seniors will find it easier to create meaningful connections within their community senior living home. Adjusting to Life Changes For seniors who feel attached to their spiritualit...

For outstanding assisted living in Colorado Springs, seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, the perfect community to age in place comfortably and safely. By defining health and wellbeing holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Together our Life Enrichment programs and Wellness Care services complement one other to ensure each resident gets the best care. As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health. These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident. We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This centralized mobile stat...

No matter what age we are, moving can be a big deal. Whether as a high schooler changing schools, or a retiree embarking on a new chapter to an assisted living community , moving is a big deal. For older adults, a move to assisted living may include giving up a beloved family home. In this case, they probably have a whole house full of things and will need to downsize. That alone can be tough, as the person will most likely need to give up possessions they have had for years. For more on downsizing, the Internet offers a variety of suggestions to help you get started. The MorningStar of Wheat Ridge team understands every resident’s move is unique and recognizes it for what it is – a major lifestyle transition. This is why we approach each move-in with the utmost sensitivity, and sincerely strive to nurture a good relationship right from the start. We seek to reinforce the positive aspects of community life, and do all we can to help the person embrace their new adventure. Once your fa...

For many families, assisted living is a new concept and they don’t know if it would meet their loved one’s needs. While services may depend on where you live, there are similarities regardless of your zip code. The first thing families should understand is assisted living is not skilled nursing care but rather intended for seniors who require a “helping hand” with daily care activities. Seniors need to understand assisted living does not take away their independence but rather enhances it. Assisted living communities offer an environment to safely age in place while receiving an array of senior care services, companionship and programs to improve quality of life. Residents enjoy not having to worry about home maintenance and yard work as well as preparing meals and driving. Assisted living communities are maintenance-free and provide meals and scheduled transportation to medical appointments or trips to area shopping and restaurants. Another big benefit to assisted living is the res...

Our modern-day lifestyle encourages behaviors that are bad for the health of our brain as well as other parts of our body. Research finds the following four habits are especially dangerous for cognitive health. They are sitting, lack of socializing, inadequate sleep, and chronic stress. The good news is they are habits we can easily change. Many of our workplaces and entertainment pursuits include sitting for long periods of time. In fact, a 2018 study published in the PLOS One reports people aged 45 to 75 sit for an average of 6 1⁄2 hours a day. Researchers found “sitting too much is linked to changes in a section of the brain essential to memory.” Using MRI scans, they looked at the region of the brain known to make new memories called the medial temporal lobe (MTL). Comparing the number of hours a day the person spent sitting, those who sat the most had the thinnest MTL regions, a precursor to cognitive decline and dementia. To help improve the functioning of your MTL, the study’s a...

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 advanta...

Just as the rest of our body ages, so do our eyes. Older adults often complain of dry, teary or tired eyes and may have problems driving at night, experience flashes and floaters or need glasses to read. As we grow older, we are also at a higher risk for serious eye diseases that can impact our vision. One of the most serious eye diseases is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The American Macular Degeneration Foundation reports AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among people aged 60 and older, affecting nearly 20 million Americans. The risk of developing AMD increases with age and if you are 75 or older, your risk is 1 in 3. Age-related macular degeneration causes the macula, a part of the back of the eye near the retina, to deteriorate. Experts say while it doesn’t impact peripheral vision, macular degeneration can affect how well a person sees what’s right in front of them. You are at a higher risk of getting AMD if a relative has had it or you are Caucasian, ...

A garden full of flowers and/or home-grown vegetables is a rewarding pastime for many seniors. Not only does it offer beauty and wholesome, nutritional food for you and those you share your bounty with, but a healthier lifestyle. Experts say going outside to work in the garden is a perfect way to get exercise and enjoy nature as well as to get a dose of vitamin D. They warn to protect your exposed skin with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, wear light, loose clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and don’t overdo it, and avoid working outside during the heat of the day. Gardening is a great way to reduce stress and forget about your problems, at least for a while. Overall, even a few hours a week doing something as enjoyable as gardening can strengthen muscles, improve mobility and increase flexibility. Growing tomatoes and lettuce or starting an herb garden is a great place for beginners to start and are appropriate plants for cont...