MorningStar

MorningStar at Jordan Creek senior care community consists of 56 private suites specifically designed for assisted living and offers spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, we have another 29 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the personalized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.   Situated in West Des Moines, our beautiful building offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  If you are a senior who requires help with the activities of daily living, our care team will provide the assistance you need in order to maintain your independence.  Once you decide to move into our community , you and your extended family will sit down with our Wellness Director to create an individualized care plan that meets with your approval and ensures your comfort and safety.  Our assisted living offers five levels of care and the cost of your monthly fee is based on ...

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we understand that looking at assisted living facilities and deciding which community is right for you is a big step for a senior.  This is why we encourage interested families to give us a call to discuss any questions you may have and/or to inquire about availability.  In addition, our website is filled with lots of pertinent information regarding amenities, services, floorplans, enrichment programs and more.  Our website even has a dedicated page for FAQs under our “Family Resources” tab.  Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions such as age requirements (in our assisted living and memory care suites, you must be at least 62 years old).  You will also discover important information on how a resident’s level of care is determined and our pricing structure.  FAQs include practical queries such as, yes, we will help you find a physician if you need one whether it is a primary care doctor or a s...

Many seniors are especially susceptible to the cold and end up feeling chilly all winter long.  There are several reasons why cold weather can be hard on the elderly including complications from common diseases and health conditions.   The American Heart Association explains that seniors with cardiovascular conditions can experience increased side effects from the cold as lower temperatures and cold winds reduce body heat and cause blood vessels to constrict.  This makes it more difficult for oxygen to reach the entire body, and someone with heart disease can have difficulty breathing.  Other health conditions common to the elderly include hypothyroidism (a low thyroid gland output), which can cause the sensation of cold feet and hands.  Also a sedentary lifestyle, problems with circulation from diabetes, and losing weight can cause seniors to be more affected by the cold.    The National Institute on Aging (NIA) cautions that if an elder...

For the area’s finest senior living, Des Moines and West Des Moines area seniors are invited to take a tour of MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s gorgeous community .  We are extremely proud of our community starting with our unpretentious, loving and homey environment.  Outdoors we are surrounded by beautiful landscaping that encourages residents and their families to get out and take daily strolls around the grounds.  Residents also benefit from a whole host of resort-style amenities as well as wellness programs and activities.  Lastly the best part of MorningStar at Jordan Creek is our dedicated team who has a felt calling to serve and see seniors as heroes.   To get the real feel of our lovely community, we encourage you to schedule a tour by visiting our website and follow the “Schedule a Tour” link to our online form.  We will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you let us know your priorities, we will tailor your tour to make sure ...

November ushers in shorter days, colder weather, and the start of the holidays; and many of us spend more time entertaining at home.  Thanksgiving kicks-off the season and is the perfect time to connect with family, friends, and our community.   Since the earliest civilizations, people have given thanks for the annual harvests.  In America the tradition of Thanksgiving began in 1621 in Plymouth Rock with pilgrims giving thanks for their bountiful harvest.  While the majority of us do not live in farming communities any more, Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the U.S.  We gather together with loved ones to honor our country and give thanks for our many blessings.   The holiday is a time to celebrate tradition and to create new, lasting memories.  When surveying older adults , researchers found that lasting memories are typically the most meaningful ones such as getting married, the birth of a child, or taking pride in com...

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us are stumped as to what to buy for an elderly parent and other senior loved ones .  Experts suggest you keep in mind they most likely they do not need a lot of “things” but would appreciate something that helps to make their lives easier and/or more enjoyable.  In fact, do not limit yourself to the idea that gifts have to be something new.  Many seniors enjoy getting out and taking them to an activity they love such as a sport’s game (maybe a game of their grandchild’s), a play, or concert is quality time spent together.  Another idea is to give them a series of gift certificates for a year’s worth of monthly dinners with you or for things like haircuts, manicures, a spa day with massage, or even ride services. As many elderly adults get cold easily, a comfy, soft throw blanket makes for a good gift.  Another thoughtful gift especially for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is a customized photo bl...

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) states that, “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors ’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.”  They report one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each year and account for more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency rooms annually, and result in over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.  However they say falls do not have to be an inevitable result of aging.  Rather with some practical lifestyle adjustments as well as public campaigns on how to reduce the problem from the NCOA and other organizations, the number of yearly falls can be reduced.  The NCOA’s evidence-based Falls Free® National Action Plan was updated in 2015, and includes “goals, strategies and action steps to increase physical mobility, reduce the impact of medications as a falls risk factor, and improve home and environmental safet...