Medication Management at MorningStar of Littleton

Many families may be unaware of the extensive care services that assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Littleton offer to residents.  One term that is useful to know is Activities of Daily Living (ADL), which describes the various care services found in an assisted living community.  These activities typically include dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, etc.  At MorningStar a resident’s care level is determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director. 

One of the care services we offer is medication management by a Certified Med Care Manager.  The cost for this service is factored into a resident’s level of care and is part of their monthly fee.  Our service includes both the ordering and supervised administration of the medications, and we have two price points based on the number and type of prescriptions involved.

For many elderly people, medication management is a very important service.  Statistics show that “many hospitalizations are due to just a few drugs that should be monitored carefully to prevent problems. Blood thinners (such as warfarin), diabetes medications (such as insulin), seizure medications (such as phenytoin), and opioid analgesics are some examples of these medications.”  

Forgetting to take prescribed medications, not taking the right dosage or not finishing prescriptions is common among seniors and can lead to serious medical problems.  Knowing a certified MorningStar medication manager is in charge of your loved one’s medications can provide a family with peace of mind.  Dominick Bailey, a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatric care reminds his elderly patients that, “Medications only work if you take them.”  He adds, “If they sit on the shelf, they don’t work.”  

Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s extensive care services, wellness programs and resort-style amenities.  With 65 assisted living suites and 20 secure suites devoted to memory care, we offer a range of floor plans including spacious studio and one-and two-bedroom apartments. 

MorningStar of Littleton offers the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Littleton, CO offers.

Sources: cdc.gov/medicationsafety/adult_adversedrugevents.html

khn.org/news/americas-other-drug-problem-copious-prescriptions-for-hospitalized-elderly/

What is an Occupational Therapist?

As we age, we can experience health issues such as a stroke or other disabilities that may benefit from the services of an occupational therapist (OTs).  When asked, many people have no idea what an OT does; while others think they help individuals find work.  Actually, an OT may be an instrumental part of your healthcare team who will work with you to facilitate your best recovery.  If you are wondering what the difference is between a physical therapist (PT) and an OT, a PT focuses on restoring or improving movement, strength, and range of motion; while an OT works on improving the motor skills you need to perform daily tasks. 

If a loved one has suffered from a stroke, they may have lost the ability to perform tasks known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which include bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, grooming, etc.  The job of the OT is to teach the person how to carry out daily, functional activities despite the impairment in order to improve quality of life and maximize independence. 

For instance, if the stroke caused damage to one side of the body, an OT focuses on therapies that promote motor recovery.  One common intervention is to limit or constrain the person’s movement on the unaffected arm, while having them use the affected arm to do repetitive or functional tasks.  OTs may also recommend special equipment to improve their patients’ lives such as a wheelchair, walker, electric can opener or toothbrush, a special keyboard for the computer, or eating aids and then teach the person to use them.   

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Wheat Ridge, we provide a wide range of amenities and services to ensure the comfort, wellbeing and safety of our remarkable residents.  In addition, if one of our residents requires OT, PT or other auxiliary services, we have trusted partners we will recommend.  Please visit our website for further information, and email us regarding pricing and availability.  

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

Studies Show Healthy Habits Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

While there is no cure or medical treatment to prevent Alzheimer’s disease there is some encouraging news on how we can slow down the risk of the disease in our own life, even if we have a higher genetic risk.  Researchers say that several studies indicate that by following a combination of healthy lifestyle habits we lower our risk of cognitive decline, and the more of them we adopt, the better it is for us.  

The main health habits linked to slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s include regular exercise, cognitive stimulation, a brain-healthy diet, light to moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking.  In fact in one study, researchers from Rush University in Chicago found that participants who “followed four out of five lifestyle behaviors over a six-year period had a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia when compared to people who practiced only one or none of these habits.” 

Another study from the University of California San Francisco reports that people who smoked had twice the risk of developing cognitive impairment as compared to non-smokers or to someone who had kicked the habit.  Also, a study out of the UK found that even those with an increased risk for cognitive decline who followed a healthier lifestyle had a 32% lower risk.  

So isn’t it time we all make an effort for better cognitive health as well as improve our overall health?  At MorningStar, we understand that a healthy lifestyle is important and we do our best to help our residents enjoy a life of comfort and wellness.  We are also blessed to have a team of individuals working for us who are guided by big hearts and feel privileged to serve seniors.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information about our assisted living and memory care community.

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

Source: nbcnews.com/health/aging/can-alzheimer-s-be-stopped-five-lifestyle-behaviors-are-key-n1029441

Does Your Parent Need More Care?

If your parent lives alone and you are worried that they need more personal daily care than you can provide, it may be time to look into other options.  One of those is assisted living, which focuses on providing residents the daily care they need to help them retain their independence.       

Especially now, you want to judiciously make the best, safest choice for your mom or dad.  To help you do so, experts offer a few suggestions of things to think about before you begin your search (obviously you want to respect mom or dad’s preferences and wishes).  They recommend that while you take into account your parent’s immediate needs, you also give some thought to their future needs.  So, find out if the home you are considering will allow them to "age in place” and/or if there are limitations in terms of how much care the community provides.  

Your questions should include the level of care services they are licensed for as well as their limitations.  For instance, at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge our licensing provides us with a range of available care services that makes it possible for us to extend the stay of residents even as health conditions change. 

Unless a resident requires round-the-clock nursing (including the management of acute pain), MorningStar is honored, with the partnership of a hospice agency, to care for a resident through end-of-life.  In addition, as a licensed “Directed Level of Care” community, we care for residents within a secure environment (memory care) who, due to compromised cognitive ability, cannot recognize danger and, therefore, cannot respond appropriately and/or cannot express their needs.  

If you are considering assisted living in the Wheat Ridge, Colorado area, we encourage you to contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar of Wheat Ridge.    We are a true home where the residents are heroes who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect; and MorningStar families know they can trust their loved ones to us.

While we know there are worrisome stories in the news about COVID-19 among senior living communities, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge wants potential families to understand that the care of those beneath our roof is our utmost priority.  To that end we are following protocols set forth by the CDC and other organizations in our fight against the virus.  One tool we are using is electrostatic disinfecting technology.  When finely misted over any surface, particles completely surround any 3D object, coating the top, sides and underside from every angle.  The solution is harmless to you, but deadly against infectious disease. 

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

The Special Relationship between Grandparents and Grandkids

While I can’t speak for all seniors, I will say among my circle of friends and acquaintances, talking about our grandchildren is a common topic.  For many of us, our grandchildren add a whole new component to our lives, and we have learned firsthand that the bond between grandparents and grandkids is a very special one.  

This may be because a grandparent’s role is more about enjoying time spent with the grandchildren and a lot less about discipline and rules.  That job we gladly leave to mom and dad.  Right from the beginning, we are the fresh pair of hands that walks a fretful grandbaby until they fall asleep.  As they grow older, many grandparents delight in taking the grandkids on   “adventures” such as trips to the neighborhood park, an animated movie, visits to the dinosaur exhibit, or a meal at their favorite restaurant.  

In addition grandkids are a great excuse to share hobbies that as retirees we now have more time to do from craft projects to baking, dancing, playing a musical instrument, photography, fishing, etc.  Most kids are happy to create a masterpiece from paper, finger paints, or crayons; paste on googly eyes to create a sock puppet; or decorate a box for their treasures.   Baking is another fun activity, and depending on their ages, they love to decorate a batch of homemade cookies, build a gingerbread house, or work alongside grandma to bake a cake or pie.  Having young ones around also helps to make holidays more magical as we see it through their innocent eyes.  Trimming a Christmas tree and decorating the house with holiday cheer is a whole lot more fun with young ones.    

Grandkids also give us the chance to lovingly remember the time we spent raising our own family.  Moreover if we missed out on things with our own children due to a busy career and other obligations that come along with being a parent, we are given an opportunity for a redo.  

Another great thing about hands-on grandparenting is it turns out it is beneficial for seniors.  A recent study from the National Health Service reports that grandparents who babysit their grandchildren had a 37 percent chance of living longer when compared to non-caregiving grandparents and non-grandparents.  It just might be grandchildren are our reward for raising our own children, and while many of us are taking a break from in-person visits with grandkids due to COVID, thankfully we have lots of ways to stay in touch.    

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer.

MorningStar at Jordan Creek's Experienced, Compassionate Memory Care

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we not only provide some of the best assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers, but also experienced memory care.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   MorningStar’s compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.  

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program 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 of our employees receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training includes the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.  

Through Lavender Sky, our caregivers thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the “purple world” of dementia as they crossover the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. By exploring each of our residents’ life stories including their history and preferences, we create an individualized care plan. We also involve and engage family members in how to follow our lead.

Please visit our website for more information regarding experienced, compassionate memory care.  We do not consider serving our memory care residents to be depressing but rather offer hope to families as we strive to find ways to elevate and celebrate each resident’s life.  We look forward to meeting you.

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer.

One of MorningStar at Jordan Creek's Many Care Services

Many families may be unaware of the extensive care services that assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Jordan Creek offer to residents.  One term that is useful to know is Activities of Daily Living (ADL), which describes the various care services found in an assisted living community.  These activities typically include dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, etc.  At MorningStar a resident’s care level is determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director. 

One of the care services we offer is medication management by a Certified Med Care Manager.  The cost for this service is factored into a resident’s level of care and is part of their monthly fee.  Our service includes both the ordering and supervised administration of the medications, and we have two price points based on the number and type of prescriptions involved.

For many elderly people, medication management is a very important service.  Statistics show that “many hospitalizations are due to just a few drugs that should be monitored carefully to prevent problems. Blood thinners (such as warfarin), diabetes medications (such as insulin), seizure medications (such as phenytoin), and opioid analgesics are some examples of these medications.”  

Forgetting to take prescribed medications, not taking the right dosage or not finishing prescriptions is common among seniors and can lead to serious medical problems.  Knowing a certified MorningStar medication manager is in charge of your loved one’s medications can provide a family with peace of mind.  Dominick Bailey, a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatric care reminds his elderly patients that, “Medications only work if you take them.”  He adds, “If they sit on the shelf, they don’t work.”  

Please visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers.  With 56 assisted living suites and 29 secure suites devoted to memory care, we offer a range of floor plans including spacious studios and one-and two-bedroom apartments. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Des Moines and the surrounding area offers.

Sources: cdc.gov/medicationsafety/adult_adversedrugevents.html

khn.org/news/americas-other-drug-problem-copious-prescriptions-for-hospitalized-elderly/

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows' All-inclusive, Loving Memory Care

We understand the devastation families feel when they get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.  We know the path going forward is unplanned for, and we consider it our privilege – our calling to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their family on their unexpected journey. We are equipped to provide care to those in the early onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  

In addition to MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ assisted living option, our Reflections Neighborhood consists of 19 secure memory care suites.  The area is specifically designed to allow residents the freedom to move safely about their spacious surroundings.  Also given the nature of dementia, residents pay one price for their suite and their care regardless of the level of memory loss.  

As dementia care experts, our unique approach and philosophy to caring for those afflicted with the disease is called “Lavender Sky.”  We know the essence of the person remains despite the level of memory loss, and our job is to nurture and support the individual by finding ways to calm or stimulate as the situation demands.  Lavender Sky provides the path for us to enter, embrace, and explore the “purple world” of memory loss, and to cross over the physical, emotional, and relational boundaries that would otherwise separate us.    

Every aspect of our home is designed to provide the comfort, wellness and safety our special residents require including mealtime.  We know those suffering from memory loss can sometimes have compromised abilities at the table.  We address this by providing a selection of finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look.   

If you are looking for the best memory care or assisted living Colorado Springs offers, we encourage you to contact us for more information and availability and pricing.  Also please know that during the coronavirus outbreak, we are staying abreast of any updates and closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Senior Housing Association and the Federal government.

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide our residents the best memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer.

Looking for Exceptional Assisted Living in the Des Moines Area?

Offering outstanding assisted living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek has a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit.   Together MorningStar’s Enrichment team and our Wellness Care team play a large role in why our beautiful community is the best choice for assisted living in the area.  

We always suggest that interested families contact us by phone or email, but as a way to get you started; our website contains lots of information about our community as well as more general information.  Among our Family Resources, which include a Decision Guide and information on Affordability and Veterans, we also provide a comprehensive FAQs section.        

Here you will read about our unique brand of “senior loving homes” as well as learn a little something about our mission.  We explain how it is our privilege - our calling, to love all those beneath our roof, which starts by hiring team members with servants’ hearts who are drawn to the idea of working with seniors.  In addition, our service is guided by Radiance, and designed to foster a culture where kindness and authenticity are paramount.  

Within our FAQs, you will also find answers explaining what assisted living is, the type of services we offer, and how your level of care is determined (it is based on a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director).  This information allows us to set up a customized care plan that is reviewed periodically to keep up with any changing health needs.  

Finally, we want you to know we have made many changes in our community to keep both residents and team members safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  As the nation reopens, we are judiciously following Iowa’s guidance in terms of phasing and pacing.   We continue to stay abreast of developments and evaluate best practices and innovations in our services to seniors.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer.

The Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

While many of us have always felt a sense of calmness when working in our backyards or sitting out on our patios, there is now lots of research that proves spending time among nature can improve not only our wellbeing but our health.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) published a report that draws on multiple studies, which show contact with nature improves a variety of conditions and diseases including: depression and anxiety disorders, diabetes, mellitus, cancer, respiratory diseases and more.  It explains that time spent “in and around tree-lined streets, gardens, parks, and forested and agricultural lands is consistently linked to objective, long-term health outcomes.”   Moreover, it found higher risks for morbidity and mortality linked to people in less green surroundings leading researchers to hypothesize that greening neighborhoods with more parks and trees may be an effective, inexpensive intervention for better health.   

Thus, spending time sitting on your deck, walking along a tree-lined street or simply looking out your window at a tree in your backyard, communing with nature benefits our health and wellbeing.  In fact, in the 1980s, renowned biologist E. O. Wilson first introduced the idea that humans have an innate connection to nature.  Around that same time, a professor of architecture at Texas A&M University began studying how surgery patients seemed to be discharged faster and needed fewer painkillers if they had a view of a nature scene outside their hospital window.  Also, more recent studies have shown hospital patients exposed to “natural light, windows, and healing gardens are related to reduced stress, improved healing, and reduced use of pain medicines.”

If you are looking for the finest senior living Des Moines/West Des Moines has to offer, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Jordan Creek.  Our assisted living residents enjoy nature strolling on paths through our beautifully landscaped grounds or getting their hands dirty in our raised garden beds.  Memory care residents are also able to enjoy the outdoors with their own enclosed courtyard.  We are still accepting residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols.  Please see our website for more information about our community and an update from the CEO regarding our coronavirus response.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan Creek offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Des Moines and the surrounding area offers.

Sources: 

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4548093/

jphmpdirect.com/2020/04/30/our-need-for-the-outdoors-the-role-of-nature-during-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=our-need-for-the-outdoors-the-role-of-nature-during-covid-19&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=our-need-for-the-outdoors-the-role-of-nature-during-covid-19

Finding a Good Team of Doctors

If you have reached your 60s, or for some of us, even our 50s, you need to have a great team of doctors on your side.  This should include physicians with experience that has focused on health conditions common to seniors, and who are attuned to the multitude of changes that aging has on our bodies, our minds, and our lifestyle.  

You also want health care providers who actually listen to you and then talk to you.  Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and board member of the American Geriatrics Society's Health in Aging Foundation, stresses that good listening ability is the first personality trait to look for in your doctor.   

If you are shopping for a new physician due to a move or other circumstances, ask friends and neighbors for a reference.  Once you call, find out if they are accepting new patients, and if not, how long is the waitlist.  In addition, before you make your first appointment, ask if they accept your insurance including your various Medicare plans, and if medical help is available when the office is closed.   

Dr. Wasserman also cautions that a conservative approach to treating aging patients may be the best one. He explains, "You need clinicians who show a lot of caution before putting an older person on a medication, before sending him off to a specialist, before doing tests and before putting him into the hospital.”

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our goal is to provide the best assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers, and we understand that the best care comes from the heart.  Our loving home promotes a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community and offers an array of comprehensive care services.  These include transportation to doctor appointments, routine care planning reviews, scheduled health & wellness evaluations and physician visits.  Please see our website for more information about our exceptional community.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/11-things-seniors-should-look-for-in-a-health-provider?slide=6

Positive Thinking Could Help You Live Longer

According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking may provide several benefits including a longer life span.   They base this on lots of studies done regarding the effects of positive thinking and optimism as related to our health.  While researchers are not sure why individuals who routinely take the glass half full approach to life experience measurable benefits, some think it could be that positive thinking helps us better handle stressful situations and we know that stress can have harmful effects on our bodies.   

In fact, the Mayo Clinic reports positive thinkers may not only increase their life span but lower their risk for depression and level of distress, and even have a greater resistance to the common cold.  Positive thinkers also typically enjoy better psychological and physical well-being as well as better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease.  Maintaining a positive attitude during times of stress and hardships helps us to weather the storm easier.  

Experts recommend analyzing your behavior to determine if you are routinely a positive or negative thinker.  Common habits of negative thinkers include: personalizing everything that happens as if it is because of something you did wrong; catastrophizing is another common trait of negativity in which you automatically think the worst; and polarizing, which is where you only see things as either good or bad.   

If you recognize yourself as a negative thinker and would like to turn your life around and live more on the sunny side, start by identifying things about yourself you would like to change.  Think about positive ways to turn around negative thoughts, and make time to see the humor in everyday happenings.  Finally adopt a healthy lifestyle and surround yourself with positive people.  

For the area’s finest memory care or assisted living, Colorado Springs seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows.  Our community was designed from the ground up to be a true home for our residents and offers all of the amenities and services needed for their comfort, wellbeing and safety. Please contact us to learn more. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide our residents the best memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

The Power of Pets in Our Lives

We all know the saying about a dog being man’s best friend, but how about the one coined by Charles Schultz that adds, “Happiness is a warm puppy?” Another enthusiastic dog lover sums it up with, “If you want someone to love you forever, buy a dog, feed it and keep it around.”  

Regarding relationships with four-legged creatures in general, British author, George Elliot wrote, “Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”  Also the Scottish-American Naturalist, John Muir noted, “Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.” 

Considered by most to be loyal companions and steadfast friends, our pets don’t judge, don’t criticize and most importantly love unconditionally.  In fact many pet owners say their dog or cat knows when they are feeling sad or upbeat and are ready and eager to give consoling hugs in the form of a cuddle or an excited, happy to see you “tail wag.”  

Pets are playful and loving and do their best to make sure we never feel lonely.  Moreover as dogs require exercise, the American Heart Association reports that “dog owners are 54% more likely to get the recommended amount of exercise than their non-dog owning counterparts.”

Another benefit of owning a dog is that many of them love making friends.  Just try taking your new pup for a walk and see how many conversations get started.  Also dog parks can be a great place to make like-minded friends for both you and your dog.  Several studies even suggest dog owners may be less prone to depression as they appear to have higher levels of serotonin and dopamine than non-dog owners.  Researchers explain it could be because your dog is a calming, trusted companion that you feel less stress and anxiety.   

However let’s not forget about our less demanding, but ever-loyal cat companions.  While we concede they are not as demonstrative as dogs, many cat owners report their furry friend also has an uncanny ability to know what they are thinking.  Playful, sometimes silly, or haughtily aloof, cats enjoy pets and many will happily curl up in your lap for hours.  Cats offer the advantage that they can be left on their own for hours and don’t require the daily outdoor trips dogs need.  A study from the University of Indiana even found simply by watching cat videos, participant’s energy and positive emotions increased while negative feelings decreased.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer.

Source: 

helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/mood-boosting-power-of-dogs.htm

americanhumane.org/blog/benefits-of-owning-a-dog/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8pH3BRAXEiwA1pvMsVGV5H8b6PO5vYBPaE8YmnZa-W8H1Im6lpTF4v4aknOVxHNWLOgS-BoCGSEQAvD_BwE

Eating Healthy is More Important Than Ever

Right now, we are all looking for ways to help keep our families healthy.  In addition to practicing social distancing and washing our hands, experts remind us that eating healthy is more important than ever as it provides our bodies with the key nutrients that boost our immune systems.  This is important as a strong immune system helps defend us against the viruses that cause illness.  

Foods that are vital to maintaining a healthy immune system include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  One vegetable especially nutrient-rich, readily available, and easy to cook is broccoli. It contains vitamin C and beta-carotene as well as “sulfur compounds that research suggests may boost production of glutathione, an antioxidant compound. In terms of immune support, glutathione works by attacking free radicals to minimize their potential damage.” 

Another good source of vitamin C, which plays a role in keeping our immune system healthy, is fortified orange juice and just one cup gives us 100% of our required daily dose. Fortified OJ also has vitamin D as do eggs, cheese, tofu and mushrooms that help make us more resistant to illnesses.  Beans, nuts, cereal and seafood all contain zinc which research has found may shorten the duration of the common cold.  Other foods high in nutrients include spinach, salmon, lean beef, and yogurt.  

As one of the area’s top senior living communities, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provides a 5-star dining service to our residents that starts with meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients.  We also use ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds known to support brain health and aptly named “Super Foods.”  These include items like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens. 

Our team is dedicated to providing residents a safe, comfortable environment where they can enjoy their well-deserved retirement years.  Also, during the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), MorningStar could not be more vigilant in our defensive approach. We are staying abreast of its real time status and closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to contact us for more information about our loving assisted living and memory care community.

Source: 

allrecipes.com/article/foods-that-boost-immune-system/?utm_medium=browser&utm_source=allrecipes.com&utm_content=20200322&utm_campaign=498042

What is the Sandwich Generation?

If your responsibilities include caring for elderly parents as well as children still living at home, you are not alone and may be a part of Gen X (Americans born between 1965 and 1980).  Psychologist Jonathon Sikorski, director of wellness education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, explains the problem with the following: “You’re balancing the demands of raising and supporting children and worrying about your parents' independence and well-being. It’s tough,”

Researchers report that around half of all U.S. adults in their 40s or 50s have a parent age 65 or older and are raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child.  Also known as the sandwich generation, many of them provide similar care to both their children and senior parents along with transportation to activities and doctor appointments.  

The constant juggling of caregiver duties can be very stressful. Now add in a global pandemic where vulnerable seniors who are most at risk are being asked to stay home and isolate.  This has created a quandary for many who are trying to safely provide support for elderly parents while not bringing illness into their home.  If you have not considered it before, now may be the perfect time to look into assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Wheat Ridge.  We are safely accepting new residents and abiding by guidelines – and in many cases exceeding them – set by the CDC, American Senior Housing Association and Federal government to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof.  

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best assisted living in the Wheat Ridge, CO area, which includes hiring individuals who have a real calling to serve seniors. Our assisted living is ideal for those who need help with daily activities they can no longer completely manage for themselves. We provide nutritional daily meals, socialization, and offer medication management and transportation services.  Please visit our website for more information.     

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about our loving assisted living and memory care community.

Memory Care at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge feels it is our calling, and our privilege, to provide loving, compassionate memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  With 19 memory care suites, we are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  Also, our Reflections Neighborhood is a secure environment, designed to allow residents the independence to move freely and safely about in their expansive surroundings.  

In fact, every aspect of our memory care is tailored to serve the needs of our most tender residents from a team of exceptional caregivers to meals, wellness programs and services.  Once your loved one decides to join the MorningStar community, we meet with your family to learn as much as we can about their personal preferences, medical history and background in order to create an individualized care plan.  Every resident receives 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participates in daily activities.

As dementia care specialists, our approach and philosophy to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.”  Our program is another reflection of our Radiance culture and provides us with an insightful and intentional way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  All team members, regardless of their position, receive Lavender Sky training, which includes a deeper understanding of the disease and communication techniques to use with memory-impaired residents.  It also includes training in environmental safety and security and holistic solutions to challenging behaviors.  

Please contact us or visit our website to learn more about our memory care as well as the many resort-style amenities and services we provide to all residents.  We look forward to hearing from you.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to contact us for more information about our loving assisted living and memory care community.

Are You Caring for a Loved One With Dementia?

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 adversely 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 at Jordan Creek offers 29 secure suites for the care of residents with memory impairment from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a team of individuals who through purposeful training and experience are dementia care specialists.  Our team understands the unique needs of each resident and delivers that care with compassion and thoughtfulness.  Additionally, every aspect of our home has been designed to accommodate those needs.    

Keep in mind as the disease progresses; it becomes very difficult for a family to keep up with the increasing needs as the person requires more and more assistance with daily care activities such as bathing, toileting, and eating.  Other signs of advanced dementia include reduced mobility, wandering, and falling, which may require home modifications.  Professional memory care homes such as ours are equipped to deal with these issues and have 24/7 caregivers available.  So rather than feel like you let your loved down by not caring for them yourself, placing them in a multi-faceted community designed to attend to their changing needs may be the most loving thing you can do.  

Please visit MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s website for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Des Moines and the surrounding area offers.  While you are there, be sure to read the COVID-19 statement from MorningStar’s CEO detailing our coordinated defense in the fight against the coronavirus to keep our communities safe.

MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Visit our website to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Des Moines-West Des Moines has to offer.

Learn More About High Blood Pressure

While many of us understand that high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is dangerous, we may not know how high is too high?  Even if you thought you knew the “numbers,” you may be unaware that the American Heart Association (AHA) lowered the guidelines in November 2017.  Now the threshold for a healthy blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg, and experts say that means more than 100 million Americans, or 46 percent of us, now have high blood pressure.  

However, the good news is doctors say hypertension can be effectively managed and by taking action, we can usually bring our levels down into a normal range.  If you already know your numbers are high or are unaware of what your BP is, medical professionals recommend tracking your BP at home to reduce your risk.  Please remember hypertension is called a “silent killer” for a reason, and most likely you will not know you have it unless along with your medical provider, you track it.  

Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers – systolic over diastolic.  Systolic is the top number and indicates the pressure of the heart pumping blood to the rest of the body.   The lower number, diastolic measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

The AHA states a hypertensive crisis is when blood pressure levels reach 180/120.  The individual may experience symptoms of a headache, shortness of breath, nosebleeds and acute anxiety.   Doctor’s explain a “hypertensive emergency encompasses an elevated blood pressure reading and symptoms of chest or back pain, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking,” and requires immediate medical attention.

There are several things you can do to reduce your BP.  While your doctor will determine if you require medication, simple lifestyle changes include getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moderating your use of alcohol and limiting the amount of salt you consume.  

If you are looking for assisted living or memory care in the Colorado Springs area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows.    Please visit our website to learn more about our loving home.  Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community along with beautifully appointed common spaces and well-designed suites, we are confident you will be impressed. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide our residents exceptional assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs.

Source:health.usnews.com/conditions/heart-disease/high-blood-pressure?int=hp_condition_guide_section_health

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge Offers Extensive Care Services

For the area’s finest senior living, Wheat Ridge area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar, a true destination for successful aging.  By defining health and well-being holistically, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit.   Together our Life Enrichment programs and our Wellness Care services complement one another 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 station ensures accurate, onsite assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records).  In addition, record keeping is not only accurate but legible as well as offers complete demographic and medical information at hand.  It also enhances confidentiality of residents’ data.   

Our broad care services include 5 levels of care for assisted living residents based on a point system and determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director.  Residents have 24-hour care managers; a CPR trained staff member on every shift and access to a licensed nurse either onsite or on-call 24/7.  MorningStar’s services also include medication management by certified med care managers as well as care planning reviews and scheduled health and wellness evaluations.  

To address specific health needs, we offer mechanical lift assistance, oxygen administration, and diabetic management.  Furthermore, we provide transportation to medical appointments as well as pharmacy services, onsite dental and podiatry services and more.    

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge has made many changes to our community in our coordinated defense in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19).  As the nation slowly reopens, MorningStar is carefully following suit with each state’s phasing and pacing where our communities are located. We continue to stay abreast of developments and evaluate best practices and innovations in our services to seniors.  Please visit our website for a virtual tour of our beautiful community and use our email link to inquire about availability and pricing.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to contact us for more information about our loving assisted living and memory care community.

The MorningStar Family

MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, first began forming the idea of starting a company from a desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch.  He says his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  This simple but profound concept has driven the overwhelming success of our MorningStar brand.  Now nearly seventeen years later, MorningStar continues to add communities across the Western U.S., including MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Littleton, in the Greater Denver area.

At MorningStar of Littleton, our goal is to create a true home for our residents - one that feels like a family.  To help us achieve this, our dedicated team strives to live up to our unique mission statement, which includes honoring God in all of our business practices and relationships and valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.  The last part of our mission statement is to invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well, as we know our brand demands committed individuals who will use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve our residents.   

We also aspire to and nurture our core values of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness to help us build our MorningStar family.  As one resident’s family member described MorningStar: “We appreciate you all so much! Each one of you shows respect, kindness and love to our mom on a daily basis. God’s love is flowing through you to touch the life of our mother and the many other residents. Thank you!” 

Finally, MorningStar wants you to know that during the coronavirus outbreak, our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents, their families and our staff; and we could not be more vigilant in our defensive approach. We are still accepting assisted living and memory care residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols.  Please see our website for more information about our community and an update from the CEO detailing our coronavirus response.

At MorningStar of Littleton, we are proud to provide residents a lifestyle unmatched by other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home amid a beautiful, serene setting.  Contact us or visit our website to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Littleton offers.