MorningStar

If you are considering assisted living, and like many older adults suffer from a chronic health condition, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is designed to help you better manage it.  We define health and well-being holistically, and as such, offer a range of services and programming that supports the whole person – body, mind and spirt.  Both our Enrichment team and our Wellness Care team play an important role in making our community one of the best assisted living facilities Colorado Springs has to offer.  We are pleased to offer assisted living residents the many benefits provided by our centralized, mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.  This ensures an accurate record of assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records). The EHR system not only allows us to maintain accurate, legible and complete demographic and medical information on residents, but enhances pr...

Just as we encourage young children to make friends and engage in social activities, we should do the same for our senior loved ones as loneliness and isolation can be harmful to their health.  Research shows older adults who report feeling “lonely” are at greater risk of getting dementia or suffering from depression.  It also indicates lonely people die sooner than those with more robust social networks.  One particular study from the UCLA School of Medicine's geriatrics division appears to confirm the power of social connections on seniors’ health.  After evaluating people in their 70s over a seven-year period, the study’s author, Teresa Seeman, PhD, reports that “participants with satisfying social relationships remained more mentally alert over the course of the study.”  She found they had less age-related mental decline than more isolated participants.  The National Institute on Aging cites study results that indicate social well-being may ...

Since most assisted living facilities Colorado Springs offers have access to 24-hour personal care, along with nutrition and wellness services targeted specifically for the needs of older adults, they may present healthier, safer options for some seniors.  Residents are able to enjoy healthy social connect ions as well as peace of mind knowing the support they need to help maintain their independence is available 24/7.  In fact new research suggests that the support services and programs provided by assisted living communities help seniors to avoid many of the mishaps and problems that are commonplace in the elderly.  One such problem way too common in seniors is failing to take medication as prescribed.  Skipped doses or too much medication can result in deadly consequences.  The Department of Health and Human Services reports that up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” with their prescription drugs orders, and many are hospitalized each...

Studies show that socialization is a key component to a senior’s overall health and can help to reduce stress and anxiety and maintain cognitive health as well as improve longevity.  Conversely older adults who are isolated have been found to be more at risk for a range of health problems including cardiovascular disease and depression.   Researchers also found that the more social a person is the more likely they are to exercise on a regular basis.  This is important as older adults are susceptible to a number of health conditions, including osteoporosis, heart trouble, cancer and chronic illnesses that can benefit from exercise. In addition daily exercise can prevent muscles and bones from deteriorating in old age.  A good way for older adults to exercise is at a community class designed for seniors as you have the opportunity to socialize and to stay motivated.  Offering the best in Colorado Springs senior living , MorningStar Assisted Living and M...

As we grow older, we not only experience changes in our bodies but changes that occur as we transition from the workplace to retirement , to children leaving home, the loss of loved ones, and even the loss of our own independence.  However research suggests that the more adept we are at coping with the various challenges we encounter along the road to old age, the better our chances are for a healthier and happier life.  According to experts, we can make a positive difference in our own aging process .      One example is the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which began in the 1930s, and followed 800 men and women from adolescent to old age.  The goal was to try and determine what factors and behaviors translated into “happy and healthy longevity.”  Along the way, researchers discovered that some of our long-held assumptions regarding aging did not match their results.    Instead they were surprised to see things like choleste...

While we have all heard a lot about Alzheimer’s and may even know someone suffering from the disease, we may not be aware of the common signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s.  Many people think that forgetting things is a sign of Alzheimer’s, while others too readily accept certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s as just getting older. The Alzheimer’s Association has a website full of useful information and resources for families dealing with the disease and publishes a list of the 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's.  One of the first signs they say is a symptom of Alzheimer’s is not occasional forgetfulness but forgetfulness that disrupts daily life.  For example the person is having problems retaining recently learned information and trouble remembering important dates or events, or they are asking the same questions over and over again.    People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may have more difficulty doing things they used to do e...

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek is proud to provide the finest assisted living Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer.  Our beautiful community has 56 private assisted living suites as well as 29 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  For residents in assisted living , your monthly fee is based on the size of the suite, location within the building and view, and your level of care (we offer 5 levels) as determined by a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director.  The fee for memory care residents is all-inclusive (suite and care) and is one packaged price.  To help families find ways to make assisted living more affordable, we provide information on a variety of innovative financial options and other often under-used benefits.  One such example is to make veterans aware of the “Aid & Attendance” pension benefit.  We refer them to the U...