MorningStar

Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating for the person and their family. All of one’s carefully laid plans are cast aside as their future takes a much different path. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows wants families to know we are here to help. We are an assisted living community in Colorado Springs, convenient to medical facilities, shopping, and other services. MorningStar has senior living communities across eleven states, where we have worked hard to become dementia care specialists. MorningStar’s extensive experience has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the disease, and we consider it our privilege to serve those with memory loss. We recognize that the person’s essence remains and are committed to finding ways to connect with and nurture that essence. We also consider residents’ family members to be part of our MorningStar family as we walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey. Our ...

If mom or dad, or another loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, you want the finest care for them. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is just such a place. As part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, founded in 2003, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is committed to using best-practices including Montessori-based therapy techniques to provide comprehensive, compassionate care for our residents. We understand the challenges a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease presents for the whole family and believe it to be an honor and a calling to help. MorningStar’s philosophy and approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families. All our employees receive training in the program as we understa...

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers 19 memory care suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our care services are extensive, and we provide a wide range of amenities, wellness programs and activities. MorningStar’s memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We start with a physical space designed to enhance residents’ quality of life with safe, inviting common areas encouraging independence. Residents stay active with a gentle flow of activities including art, dance, physical exercise, special events, and scheduled outings. Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we meet with them and their family to get to know as much as we can about them including their history, vocation, talents, and preferences. From there we create a daily routine designed to stimulate or calm as a situation requires. Residents are also treated t...

A Place for Mom’s website explains how many people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can live independently with or without the help of in-home caregivers or family members. However, they also stress there may come a time when the disease progresses to a stage where the person’s safety and physical well-being is in jeopardy and more care is needed. As a person with Alzheimer’s may have good days and bad, it can be hard to tell if they would be better served in a memory care community . Experts say signs include: has their appearance changed? Do they look unkempt and have they lost weight due to forgetting to eat? Do they appear agitated and confused? Are they unable to carry on a conversation? Your loved one’s healthcare provider can help you decide if it is time for memory care. Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says, “When talking about memory care , or some form of a different living arrangement, I’ll cen...

Are you considering a community setting for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? Experts say the first and most important thing to learn about senior living communities offering memory care is whether they are up to the task of caring for your loved one. Do services align with their needs and is the home capable of advanced care down the road? A Place for Mom’s website says by asking the following questions, you should get the answers you need. Before you begin your search, they suggest taking a few minutes to think about the needs of your loved one. Do they have a tendency to wander or exhibit aggressive behaviors? Do they require help with eating and drinking? Are they mobile or use a wheelchair or walker? Other information to relay is if they need help toileting, require 24/7 supervision, or care for medical conditions such as diabetes. Once you establish that a memory care community is equipped to care for your loved one, now ask question...

Multiple studies report on the benefits of using music and art to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Experts explain they help encourage engagement and self-expression even in more advanced stages. Professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients say music seems to decrease agitation and improve behavioral problems common in the middle stages of the disease. Patients in later stages may even be able to sing a song they knew from childhood or tap a foot to the beat even after other forms of communication are difficult. Dancing or gently moving to a rhythm helps coordinate motor movements as well as allows the person to express emotions. Research shows “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” If you wish to use music to calm and soothe, choose peaceful, tranquil pieces. If you want to boost spirits and bring back happy memories, ...

If you are looking for comprehensive, compassionate memory care for a loved one , we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Our unique approach to memory care is all-encompassing and provides an environment in which your loved one is given the support they need to make the most of each day. Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to make individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases feel comforted and safe. To ensure the safety and well-being of residents, the area is completely secure, including the courtyard. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. We know it is devastating when a family receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease and we feel called to help by shouldering some of the burden. Our team is made up of the kind of individuals who recognize it is a privilege to serve and are trained in our signature “Lavender Sky” program...

The transition to a senior living community is difficult for many seniors. Seniors transitioning to memory care face extra difficulties.  A memory loss diagnosis greatly inhibits a senior's ability to communicate in the same ways they once did. Time feels warped and the day-to-day can often feel confusing and unreliable. While memory care is necessary for many seniors, they may still struggle to get comfortable in their new surroundings. The following tips can help create a more familiar environment for seniors in memory care that eases stress and discomfort.  How to Personalize a Memory Care Space Many memory care neighborhoods come mostly unfurnished in the expectation that residents and their families can personalize the rooms to their liking. This means you can bring some furniture, accents and beloved items to help your loved one feel more at home.  Personalizing a memory care space takes some planning. First, you’ll want to considerably downsize your loved one’s po...

Many families will notice an elderly member of the family begins to be more forgetful. Birthdays may be missed or names forgotten, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s.  For those families that have received a memory loss diagnosis, the world seems confusing and dark. You may have families of your own, careers or other life callings that, sadly, make caring for another individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia impossible. Memory care communities give families peace of mind. With the best caretaking staff that specializes in memory loss, along with scientifically-backed therapies and activities, memory care makes memory loss more manageable. What is Memory Care? Who is it For? To define memory care, memory care is specialized caretaking and support for people with memory loss or an Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnosis. Memory care communities provide a safe environment for those struggling with memory loss to be supported and encouraged to partic...

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...

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...

There are numerous factors to consider when looking into memory care for your parent or loved one. Finding the right memory care facility for a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be challenging. It's essential to find a trusted senior living community that can provide the necessary care and support that your loved one needs to be happy and healthy. MorningStar of Littleton is a memory care facility in Colorado that offers compassionate and safe Alzheimer’s care near you which makes MorningStar one of the most trusted memory care communities for seniors in Littleton, Co. By choosing a trusted and reputable memory care facility that offers compassionate care, families can feel confident and secure that their loved one is receiving the highest level of care and support possible. At MorningStar, we believe every resident deserves to live with dignity and respect, and our Lavender Sky philosophy reflects this belief. Lavender Sky is a person-centered approach to memory care...

As times have changed and science has advanced, memory loss and dementia have become less stigmatized and feared. Embracing memory loss, which may seem difficult, actually is one step in the right direction to better understanding memory loss. MorningStar Senior Living of Littleton is a senior care community that specializes in memory care for seniors aged 55 and up. This memory care is individualized for each resident and works to combat memory loss worries by offering compassionate memory care through a holistic approach and philosophy called “Lavender Sky.”  Understanding memory loss and its impact on seniors requires us to embrace the unknown. As your loved one’s behavior toward the world around them will begin to change because of their diagnosis, so too must our communication and care towards them shift and change. Using holistic practices and specialized memory care methods, “Lavender Sky” is MorningStar’s unique approach to senior care that encourages empathy and understa...

Along with assisted living, Colorado Spring’s MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provides compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We understand the heartbreak a diagnosis of dementia brings with it and wish to share the burden. MorningStar's comprehensive memory care supports residents and their families with services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. Our holistic approach is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and uses Montessori-based therapy techniques. As dementia care specialists, we feel it is our privilege – our calling – to walk alongside residents during this unexpected and challenging journey. Once the decision is made to join our MorningStar family, we meet with the individual and their family to learn as much as we can about their background, talents and personal preferences. Aiding us in this process is a tool called “To Know Me is To Lo...

Intergenerational programs bring together seniors and younger generations, such as children or teenagers, to engage in activities and build relationships. These programs can involve storytelling, crafts, gardening, or shared hobbies. Intergenerational interactions provide seniors with a sense of purpose, foster social connections, and offer opportunities for meaningful engagement. At MorningStar of Littleton, we encourage this holistic memory care approach for seniors in Alzheimer’s care by welcoming senior’s family members regularly into our community in order to foster open communication that encourages memory building and recognition. Storytelling and reading programs bring generations together in memory care facilities. These programs bring together seniors and children or teenagers for storytelling sessions or reading activities. Seniors can share their life experiences, personal stories, or favorite books with younger participants. This promotes social interaction, encourages co...

We have all heard about shingles but many of us are confused as to whether it is contagious and what are the chances we will get it. Experts explain shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Moreover, if you had chickenpox as a child, you are at risk of getting shingles sometime in your life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports one in three people develop shingles during their lifetime. While this means many will never get shingles, some people get it more than once and others can develop flare-ups periodically throughout their lives. Dr. Michael Urban, a senior lecturer and director of the doctorate of occupational therapy program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, explains flair-ups can be a full range of symptoms or barely noticeable. Statistics show in recent years younger people are getting shingles but typically the disease occurs in those over 50 years of age and the risk in...

Brain fitness programs are popular Alzheimer’s care therapy in senior living communities. These memory care activities focus on cognitive exercises and puzzles designed to maintain and improve cognitive abilities. These activities may include memory games, puzzles, trivia, and computer-based brain training exercises. Brain fitness programs promote mental agility, enhance memory function, and provide a fun and challenging way to engage seniors. Senior living communities like MorningStar of Littleton incorporate these brain fitness programs for seniors struggling with Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diagnosis.  Brain fitness therapy, also sometimes known as cognitive training, has shown promising benefits for seniors with Alzheimer's disease. This therapy offers a proactive approach to managing Alzheimer's disease by targeting cognitive abilities and providing a range of stimulating activities. It not only enhances cognitive function but also contributes to improved everyday fu...

Are you the adult child or spouse of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Mountain Shadows we understand the anguish and heartache that families go through seeing their beloved mom, dad, or spouse change before their eyes. If the diagnosis is recent, you are most likely wrestling with lots of questions including what the future will bring and who will be there to provide the level of care the person will probably need. We hear you and want you to know our experienced team is here to help with holistic memory care that focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss. MorningStar’s memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We start with a physical space designed to enhance residents’ quality of life with safe, inviting common areas enc...

The Alzheimer’s Association says that six in 10 people with dementia will wander. The danger with this is someone with Alzheimer’s disease may not remember their name, their address or how to get home. Furthermore, the more agitated the person becomes when they feel lost and disorientated, the less able they may be to tell someone something that could help get them safely back home. Experts say anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia that is mobile is at risk for wandering. Even if the person is in the early stages of the disease, they may still get disorientated; but thankfully there are strategies to help keep your loved one safe. It is important to have a plan in place in the event that it should happen to your parents or another loved one. Find out if your area has a “Safe Return Program” and enroll them in it and have them wear a GPS locating device at all times. Also, learn to recognize the warning signs of potential wandering such as: has the ...