MorningStar

Due to much research on the subject, we now know it is not only important to get a good night’s sleep but it is essential to our overall good health and wellbeing. Sleeping balances our active life with the time our body needs to renew and rejuvenate. However, unfortunately with age comes a variety of health conditions that can interfere with getting a good night’s sleep.  Experts explain that the elderly are more likely to “suffer from chronic insomnia characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep than difficulty initiating sleep.” Suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and sleep apnea are more frequently seen in older adults and can result in poor sleep patterns. We also know that bright sunlight helps to regulate melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) and sleep-wake cycles, and many elderly people do not spend enough time out-of-doors.  Not getting an adequate amount of sleep each night can impact vitality an...

Along with assisted living , MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers 19 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of those with memory impairment caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to accommodate the needs of our residents and encourages and supports their independence while keeping them safe.  Our holistic approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of dementia. Providing loving support for our residents, we enter with insight and intentionality as we step into their “purple world” and cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us.  We also embrace the world of dementia , which begins with accepting the diagnosis, as difficult as this can be. Utilizing MorningStar’s extensive experience, we have develo...

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we are staying vigilant in our approach to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. We are still accepting assisted living and memory care residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols. Our highest priority is to the health and safety of our residents, their families and our staff members.  We are doing all we can to achieve this including instituting a policy that temporarily suspends non-essential visitors and vendors from entering our home. MorningStar is also keeping up-to-date and following closely, and in many cases exceeding, guidelines set by the CDC to ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.  Some of these actions include having all assisted living residents dine in their suites with the exception of those with an Individualized Service Plan that require assistance with eating. They will be served in the dining room, widely spaced from one another. Our memory care...

Unfortunately some of us are living with chronic pain caused by a variety of ailments, diseases, or injuries. While it can make getting through the day a struggle, experts stress that it doesn’t mean it has to be an inescapable spiral toward depression and unhappiness as there are things a person can do to help manage the pain.  One of those suggestions is to learn one of the many relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, meditation or mindfulness. Massage therapy, yoga, biofeedback, and music or art therapy have also been found to be beneficial. If you practice one or more of these relaxation techniques, you will reduce stress and help to center yourself in a calmer, more balanced place.  Another way to manage pain is through exercise. However the Mayo Clinic advises anyone 40 or over who has not been physically active to consult with their health care provider before beginning. In addition, they caution that...

Researchers says that even if we are not developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, as we grow older, our memory, decision-making, and ability to learn simply begin to wear down. This process is referred to as “cognitive aging” and doctors now say there are evidence-based steps we can take to improve our cognitive functioning.  The published study from the Institute of Medicine titled “Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action,” detailed three ways we can protect and bolster our aging brain . The study’s authors are Dr. Dan Blazer, chair of the report and professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, and Dr. Valentin Fuster, director of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief at the Mount Sinai Hospital. The report is intended to provide relevant information to both physicians and patients.  According to the study, the first thing we can do to help keep our brain healthy (and other parts of our body) is to...

If you or a loved one is starting to feel less steady on your feet and at risk of falling, a walker, cane or even a wheelchair or scooter is probably advisable. However, before you start using a hand-me-down walker or buy any-old cane; experts warn that one size does not fit all. In the case of a walker, to be an effective and safe mobility aid, it is important to have an expert help you pick out the best type and size for your needs.  As AgingCure.com points out, “The wrong device can negatively affect a senior’s stability, cause posture-related problems and even result in pain. Mobility aids come in all shapes and sizes, so selecting the right equipment and achieving a proper fit usually requires a professional’s assistance and expertise .” To get started determining what your needs are, experts recommend seeing your healthcare provider to discuss any problems you are having with your activities of daily living (ADLs). If they recognize a need for a mobility aid, they m...

Caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be a very stressful job.  If you think it is time to consider other care options, rather than feeling disappointed in yourself, remember the job of a caregiver is tough and it may be in yours as well as your spouse, mom, or dad’s best interest to move them into memory care.      If caring for a loved one requires more effort on your part than you are able to give physically or mentally, please reach out and get the help you need as your own health and wellbeing may be aversively impacted. Also, experts stress that while there is no downside to placing someone in memory care in the earlier stages of the disease there could be drawbacks to waiting too long.  Remember the more advanced stages bring with it a significant decline in everyday functioning. Along with assisted living , MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers 19 secure suites for the care of residents wi...