MorningStar at Mountain Shadows Welcomes Pets

June 10, 2019 by Quinn A

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is committed to be one of the best assisted living facilities Colorado Springs offers, and we recognize pets offer seniors great companionship with their limitless affection and unconditional love. In fact multiple studies have found pets to be especially beneficial for the elderly and can even help to “reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase social interaction and physical activity.” Pet ownership can combat feelings of loneliness and offer solace from the loss of a spouse or another loved one.

In an article from AgingCare.com entitled, The Healing Power of Pets for Seniors, several experts weigh-in on the various benefits of pet ownership for seniors including a New Jersey psychotherapist. Dr. Jay P. Granat discusses some of the intangibles pets offer to the elderly such as the fact that “dogs—and other pets—live very much in the here and now.’ He explains that animals do not worry about tomorrow, which can be scary for the elderly and being around an animal with that sense of “now” can rub off on people.

Along with providing companionship to seniors, studies have found that depression is less likely for older adults who own a pet and patients with heart problems can do better when they are responsible for a pet. Psychologist Penny B. Donnenfeld, who brings her golden retriever mix to her New York City office, relates how people with memory loss interact with her dog and access memories from long ago. She explains “having a pet helps the senior focus on something other than physical problems and negative preoccupations about loss or aging."

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows knows it is a big decision for seniors to give up their family home and move into senior living. Furthermore, it would be very painful to be forced to leave a beloved pet behind, which is why we are proud to be a pet friendly community. Please visit our website to learn about the best assisted living and memory care in and around Colorado Springs.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other assisted living facilities Colorado Springs offers. 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 see for yourself our exceptional community.

Source:agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm

WellStar – MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ Signature Wellness Program

June 05, 2019 by Quinn A

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows proudly provides seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Along with lots of amenities and services, excellent food and beautiful surroundings, our residents benefit from WellStar, our signature wellness program.

Every day MorningStar’s Life Enrichment team presents our community with ways to stay active and productive for man’s good and God’s glory. Our programs are designed to enhance your health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage social connections that allow you to continue learning and contributing. The breath and scope of our wellness programs tap into a wide range of various interests, hobbies and talents and provide seniors with the chance to explore a range to topics. Furthermore, if our programs do not address a special interest, residents are invited to start a club themselves.

Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful Colorado Springs senior living community. To get an idea of what goes on around our community, take a look at our “In Touch Newsletter” or “Life Around our House.” You will find our community not only stays engaged with daily activities but supports and raises money for lots of good causes. In Fact, on June 21st our community will be joining the Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day event with a variety of fundraisers. In choosing the longest day of the year to raise awareness for the memory-impaired, the Alzheimer’s Association wants to emphasize the sunrise-to-sunset challenges for families living with dementia.

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers 45 assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood we have 19 suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia.

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Mountain Shadows represents the best in Colorado Springs senior living with a 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. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to visit our exceptional community.

Is a Loved One Having Trouble Managing their Medications?

June 05, 2019 by Quinn A

It is no wonder that some elderly adults get confused with their medications and often miss doses or take too much of a medication. According to 2010 statistics, “medication usage among elderly patients in the US is eye-opening: more than one-third of prescriptions drugs used in the US are taken by elderly patients; the ambulatory elderly fill between 9-13 prescriptions a year (including new prescriptions and refills).” In addition the average elderly patient takes more than five prescription medications; and the average nursing home patient takes seven medications.

If your elderly parent is on several medications, do you know if they are managing dosages appropriately? A quick look in their medicine cabinet or wherever they keep their medications should give you a good idea. If they have outdated bottles of pills mixed in with current prescriptions or un-opened bags from the pharmacy, chances are they are not doing a good job.

Experts warn it can be a sensitive topic to broach with your loved one, but if you start slowly, you should be able to help them get things sorted out and organized. Begin by listing all of the current medications they take including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins. Your list should include medicine they take every day and things they use occasionally.

Now take the list to their pharmacist to see if the combination of what they are taking is safe to do so. Many drugs can poorly interact with one another or be redundant. Check with their doctor to see if they still need to take a particular drug or is it just getting refilled over and over again. If it helps, get a new pillbox that better fits their need. There are many choices including color coded and multiple holders. If medication management continues to be a problem, you may need to look into getting more help for your parent.

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our assisted living Des Moines community is designed to provide the utmost care for our residents. From healthy daily meals to wellness programs and activities, we have a whole range of services and resort-style amenities to ensure their comfort and wellbeing. Our care services include care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication care managers. Please visit our website to learn more and while you are there inquiry about our pricing and availability.

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 schedule a tour to see the finest senior living in the Des Moines area.

Source:

health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/how-to-help-aging-parents-manage-medications?onepage

Signs Your Parent Needs Help with the Activities of Daily Living

June 01, 2019 by Quinn A

We know that seniors value their independence and that many are reluctant to let families and friends know they may need more help. Often older adults fear they may become a burden or worry their family. However, experts advise that even if your parent is not expressing a need for more help, there are signs to look for that indicate they need it.

Michael Perskin, a geriatrician at NYU Langone Health explains that, “Sometimes you’re shocked when you visit.” He adds it is troubling if “you walk into a parent’s house and the bathrooms are dirty or there’s no food in the refrigerator.” Other signs include weight loss and a general decline in their appearance. Often older adults in need of more care can no longer safely bath themselves and their health problems can make dressing difficult.

Driving can also become a problem for seniors and evidence of scrapes and dents on their car may indicate they should not be driving anymore. For other seniors, failing eyesight can make driving at night or in rainy or snowy weather difficult and can result in missed doctor appointments or not able to buy groceries and run errands.

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our expertise is to fill in the gaps and provide the level of care you or your loved needs. Our Life Enrichment and Care Services play an important role in making our community one of the best assisted living facilities Colorado Springs offers. Residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community that includes three daily nutritious meals, the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and wellness programs, and to enjoy ready-made companionship.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our residents, we have 24/7 care managers, a full-time nurse, suites equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. We encourage you to visit our website and use our online form to set up a tour of our gorgeous, loving community.

Source:health.usnews.com/senior-care/caregiving/articles/2018-02-09/what-are-the-signs-your-aging-parents-need-help

When Is the Right Time for Seniors to Stop Driving?

June 01, 2019 by Quinn A

From time to time, there have been serious accidents involving elderly drivers that reach the nation’s attention and reopens the debate regarding the age that elderly adults should stop driving. While some states have implemented stricter rules for seniors renewing their driver’s license, many states have met resistance or have had a hard time coming to a consensus. It is hard to assess a senior’s fitness for driving as each person is different and health problems vary immensely. One good thing is that many seniors start to self-regulate their driving habits once they notice problems.

Experts say if you have become concerned over your parent’s fitness to drive, you need to start a conversation with them. If you think they can still handle limited driving with some restrictions, talk to them about setting up rules such as avoiding major highways and rush hour, driving only in daylight and during good weather. Remind them that this will help keep them safe as well as others who share the road with them. If they have had fender benders and are having trouble following traffic signals, it may be time for them to stop driving altogether before they hurt themselves or others. However if this is the case, be sure to have some plans in place for alternative transportation.

MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers compassionate assisted living for Des Moines seniors; and provides all of the services and amenities required for their comfort, wellbeing and safety. This includes scheduled transportation to doctor visits as well as shopping trip to area stores. We routinely take field trips to local culture events, museums, parks, and more such as this month’s Memorial Day Bus Tour and a drive through Water Works. Please visit our website to learn more about our community, and while you are there, use our links to set up a tour and to ask about availability and pricing.

Independence Day Holds a Special Place in Seniors’ Hearts

May 27, 2019 by Quinn A

Celebrating the birthday of our country is a special day for most seniors. After all much of our older generation experienced the hardships and sacrifices that came from spending months away from loved ones while serving in various branches of our military. In some cases, they made the ultimate sacrifice with the death of a parent, spouse, son, or daughter during combat. Seniors have fought or sent loved ones to defend our American’s values and freedom and feel an ownership and pride in our country, and thanks for all it has given them. Also many seniors who migrated earlier to America have a special affection for their adopted country and feel grateful to have been so warmly welcomed.

Independence Day is a national holiday and our 4th of July celebration is the only holiday that is unique to our country. This year marks our 243rd Independence Day from British rule after our founding fathers finally approved and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. As celebrations became more common, Congress declared it to be a national unpaid holiday for federal employees in 1870 as part of a bill officially recognizing several holidays including Christmas. In 1938 Congress passed a bill to make the 4th of July a paid holiday for federal workers.

The holiday was first observed on 1777 with a thirteen-gun salute in Rhode Island in honor of the thirteen colonies. In Philadelphia an official dinner was held for the Continental Congress that included speeches, music, prayers, parades, 13-gun salutes, and, yes, fireworks. The following year, it was reported that General Washington celebrated the day with a double ration of rum for the soldiers and an artillery salute.

The first recorded public event celebrating Independence Day was held in Salem, North Carolina in 1783 with a challenging music program called The Psalm of Joy. The music was compiled by Johann Friedrich Peter and held at the Salem Moravian Church. It was the church’s way to rejoice in the war’s ending and to celebrate that throughout it all their relationship with God brought the realization of "a life lived in Christ is a Psalm of Joy.” Interesting enough you can get copies of The Psalm of Joy music today. The Moravian Church even held an event of the original program a few years ago.

Today most of us celebrate the 4th with barbeques, picnics, and fireworks and use it as a reason to get outside and enjoy the summer weather. If your senior loved one is in assisted living and has reduced mobility, take the picnic to them. Many senior living communities have beautifully landscaped outside areas perfect for an intimate family party. Or check with the community to see if they have special activities planned. If they do, join the fun.

Despite the sacrifices made by seniors during times of war and the depression, most are very patriotic and love participating in the activities and celebrations that take place during the 4th of July. As a time to gather with friends and loved ones to honor this great country; Independence Day also represents something many seniors cherish and want to hold on to – their own independence!

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 schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest senior living in Des Moines.

Source: wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

You May Have More Control Over How You Age Than You Thought

May 25, 2019 by Quinn A

The longest, most comprehensive study ever done on aging by the Harvard Study of Adult Development has turned up some unexpected results. The study, which began in the 1930s, examined more than 800 men and women from adolescence into old age. The purpose of the research is to find clues to the participants’ behaviors that translate into happy and healthy longevity.

George Vaillant, MD, director of the Harvard study and senior physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, states that, "I had expected that the longevity of your parents, the quality of your childhood, and your cholesterol levels would be very influential. So I was very surprised that these particular variables weren't more important than they were."

Another commonly held belief regarding aging well has typically included avoiding stress. However, the results from the study indicate that stressful events did not predict future health and that some people who have had a lot of stress have age quite well despite it. The important thing seems to be how well you deal with the stress.

The Harvard study also found that genetics may not play as big of a role in how well we age as do things such as not smoking or overeating, maintaining a healthy body weight, and developing good coping skills. Exercising, keeping good social connections, and being a life-long learner are additionally all precursors to a healthy longevity. If fact the overriding conclusion of the study appears to be that we have more control over our longevity that we may have thought in the past.

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is a Colorado Springs senior living community that takes our residents wellbeing very seriously. Our signature wellness program, WellStar, is designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate the brain and encourage social connections. Please visit our website to learn more about our assisted living and memory care community.

Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/secrets-of-aging-well#1

Mother's Day Honors Our Own Mothers & the Maternal Bonds of Motherhood

May 21, 2019 by Quinn A

Mother’s Day is celebrated in one form or another on various days throughout the world but most commonly in March or May. In the U.S., the day celebrates our own mothers as well as honors the glory of motherhood and the loving influence mothers have on our society.

The “mother” of Mother’s Day is Anna Jarvis who held the first ceremony on May 10, 1908 in honor of her own mother, who had died three years earlier, as well as for all mothers. Celebrations were held in Philadelphia where Anna was living at the time and also at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where her mother had attended services. As the site of the first official observance, the Andrews Church was later incorporated as the International Mother's Day Shrine on May 15, 1962.

Ms. Jarvis and her supporters campaigned for a national holiday and Mother’s Day became an officially observed event when President Woodrow Wilson known as the “father” of Mother’s Day, signed the proclamation on May 9, 1914. It declared the second Sunday of May to be “a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”

Historians believe that Anna Jarvis’ inspiration for starting Mother’s Day came from her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis’s closing prayer during one of her Sunday school lessons. It states: “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.” In the mid-19th century, Ann Reeves Jarvis had helped to start the “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” that served to teach the local women of West Virginia on how to properly care for their children.

The ancient Greeks and Romans also celebrated mothers and motherhood by holding festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. In addition early Christians celebrated the fourth Sunday in Lent with a festival they called “Mothering Sunday,” which was the time for folks to return to their main or “mother” church for special services. Through time the festival became more secular and children would give their mothers flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually became a part of our Mother’s Day celebrations during the 1930s and 40s.

Anna Jarvis spend much of her later years upset about the commercialization of the holiday (or perhaps by the fact that she did not financially benefit from it), but to those of us who are daughters, sons and husbands of mothers, it is a special event. It is the time to reflect on the many joys of motherhood and to be thankful to the women who raised us and grateful for their many sacrifices.

We express our love to our mother through visits, cards and phone calls (more phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than on any other day of the year). From enjoying a meal together, or presenting her with flowers and other tokens of our love and appreciation, we want our mothers to know how special they are to us!

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 schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest senior living in Des Moines.

Source:

history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day

time.com/4771354/mothers-day-history-origins/

Learn More About MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ Care Services

May 20, 2019 by Quinn A

As one of the most respected senior living facilities Colorado Springs offers, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers seniors an unparalleled lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our experienced team also understands that when families are considering assisted living for a loved one, they want to know how we meet each resident’s needs to ensure their utmost comfort and safety.

At MorningStar, that process starts as soon as you make the decision to join our community. Each new resident and their family meet with our Wellness Director to allow us to get to know your personal preferences and normal routines. Our Wellness Director will also review your medical history to enable us to create a customized care plan that meets your approval. Furthermore, your care plan will be regularly re-evaluated to address any changing needs.

Various auxiliary services provided by MorningStar include medical and non-medical and are priced a la carte. For example, if you require medication management, it will be administered by a Certified Med Care Manager. Other ways we provide our residents with a higher quality of living are diabetic management, oxygen administration, pharmaceutical services, transportation to medical appointments and much more.

Regardless of the level of care you will be receiving, all residents have access to 24-hour Care Managers and a licensed nurse who is onsite 5-7 days a week and on call 24/7 as well as receive scheduled health and wellness evaluations. In addition we have a CPR-trained staff member on every shift.

In our Reflections Neighborhood, which is devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment, our all-inclusive services (suite and care) are one packaged price. Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar at Mountain Shadows and for contact information to set up tour.

A New Test for Alzheimer’s Disease

May 15, 2019 by Quinn A

Alzheimer's disease is identified by the buildup of toxic plaques of amyloid protein in the brain, and until recently, there was not a medical test to diagnosis the disease; it had to be done post mortem. Now a new type of scan known as amyloid PET imaging has made it possible for researchers to detect Alzheimer’s disease on living people.

The recent study was a nationwide trial with over 11,000 participants who had MCI (mild cognitive impairment) or dementia symptoms and beneficiaries of Medicare insurance. While still evaluating all of the results, researchers report that in “more than 60 percent of participants, amyloid PET scans caused doctors to change their minds about medical management. This was more than twice the number that the investigators had been expecting.”

To do the scan, the person first gets an injection of a chemical tracer that travels to the brain and sticks to any amyloid plaques that may be present. As the scan is performed, the tracer allows the amyloid plaques to be seen. The test is not broadly available as insurance companies are not willing to pay for the expensive procedure but that should change over time.

While some people may be uncomfortable with the idea of taking a test to determine if they have Alzheimer’s, researchers say it can be a good thing for several reasons. If the amyloid PET scan rules out Alzheimer’s, doctors can re-evaluate the person and try to figure out if their symptoms are a result of a medication side effect, depression or something else.

If the scan does indicate Alzheimer’s, the person can be given the proper medication and treatments, and along with their family, have time to prepare for the future. The lead author on the study, Gil D. Rabinovici, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, says that, "We were impressed by the magnitude of these results, which make it clear that amyloid PET imaging can have a major impact on how we diagnose and care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline."

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 schedule a tour to discover the finest assisted living and memory care in the West Des Moines area.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324877.php

Help Your Loved One Transition to an Assisted Living Community

May 15, 2019 by Quinn A

While many older adults wish to live out their senior years at home, for some, it is not a manageable option. Moreover, no matter our age, change can be challenging, and it is no different for seniors when the time comes for them move into an assisted living community.

To ease the transition, experts offer several tips that can help make the move less stressful. One suggestion is to start planning way ahead of the time you anticipate you will need to make the move. So if you can, do not wait until your parent needs to go from a hospital stay into assisted living. The advantage to starting your search in advance of the move is it allows you the time to find a place ideally suited to your loved ones’ needs and personality. Always remember it is a huge life transition and should be treated as such.

If possible, it is recommended to try and pick from one of the senior communities in the area they reside in as it allows them to retain some continuity in their lives including keeping their doctors. They can also continue to visit area friends and companions. If you will be moving the person to another town or state to be closer to family, keep in mind this can be especially difficult and your parent may need even more support. Experts advise in this situation to have more services in place rather than less. If later you find you do not need some of them, you can cancel them.

Another tip is to visit the new community as often as possible before the move. Along with a formal tour of the community, make arrangements for them to have lunch there several times before they move in or participate in an activity or special event. The more familiar they are with their new home the easier the transition will be.

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, a Colorado Springs senior living community, provides both assisted living and memory care. Our wonderful team of caregivers is committed to providing our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Please visit our website for pricing and availability.

Best Care Practices for Memory Care Residents

May 14, 2019 by Quinn A

Over the last several decades, there has been an increased awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Along with efforts to develop medications to treat or to cure the disease, there has also been a move to advance best care practices for those suffering from the disease.

In a publication from the Alzheimer’s Association titled the “Dementia Care Practice Recommendations for Assisted Living Residences and Nursing Homes,” they explore ways that professional caregiving can be more effective. Their first recommendation is to make sure a resident is receiving proper food and fluid consumption. They note that “Inadequate consumption or inappropriate food and fluid choices can contribute directly to a decline in a resident’s health and well-being.”

The next point they discuss is pain management. They cite the fact that many times people with dementia have trouble communicating pain so it is often overlooked and not treated. However, the problem with not managing pain appropriately is that it can “result in behavioral symptoms and lead to unnecessary use of psychotropic medications.”

Another important practice recommendation from the report is that assisted living communities provide social engagement and meaningful activities for memory care residents. By engaging in activities, it helps residents to retain their functional abilities and thus provides a better quality of life. These interactions should be designed to do with residents, not to or for them.

If you are a family member searching for quality memory care for your loved one, we encourage you to consider the Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge. We have 19 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Set within a gentle, loving environment, our care takes a resident-directed approach that utilizes multi-sensory cues to calm and to awaken memories, to support capabilities and, above all, to affirm dignity and value.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 see for yourself the finest assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge.

Source: alz.org/national/documents/brochure_DCPRphases1n2.pdf

Looking for Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day?

May 11, 2019 by Quinn A

Now that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are almost here, many of us are having a hard time coming up with fresh gift ideas for elderly parents. Not only do many older adults live in smaller, paired down apartments with not much room for more “stuff,” but most likely do not need much. This is why the most appreciated gifts are often practical ones that improve their quality of life or are meaningful.

Memory-making presents are usually a hit and the marketplace has lots of options to choose from. One example is a Memory Journal, which provides a series of questions to get people thinking about the things they would like to share about their life. Other books are designed to make it easy to put together a scrapbook full of memories.

If your parent has a hard time getting to sleep at night, you may want to consider a sound machine. Most of them have timers that can be set for as little as 15 minutes or up to an hour. Another useful gift is a humidifier. Kathrin Nicolacakis, MD of the Cleveland Clinic say “dry air can wreak havoc on your nose and lungs and make existing conditions worse.” A humidifier helps to relieve a variety of respiratory symptoms such as sinus congestion, asthma and allergies, and nose bleeds.

Something a hearing-impaired adult as well as everyone else around them may appreciate is a wireless headphone set designed to clarify dialogue from a TV. The device allows the TV to be set at mute or the volume at a level comfortable for other listeners.

Other practical gifts include things like a lighted magnifying glass, a big-button phone, or a “reacher” for someone with mobility or dexterity problems. Entertaining gifts include jigsaw puzzles, oversized playing cards, or adult coloring books and markers.

At MorningStar of Littleton our goal is to provide the best senior living Littleton offers, and we consider the care, comfort and wellbeing of our residents to be of the utmost importance. Our compassionate caregivers are the type of people who consider seniors to be heroes and feel privileged to serve them. Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful, loving assisted living and memory care community.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Littleton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living Littleton CO has to offer.

Sources: health.clevelandclinic.org/how-you-can-tell-if-you-need-a-humidifier/

seniors.lovetoknow.com/Gift_Ideas_for_the_Elderly

Dementia Care Specialists at MorningStar at Mountain Shadows

May 10, 2019 by Quinn A

Looking for one of the best assisted living facilities Colorado Springs has to offer that provides memory care? We invite you learn more about MorningStar at Mountain Shadows.

Our community is proud to offer 19 secure suites devoted to the care of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, in addition to our 45 private assisted living suites. Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to encourage and support residents’ independence as much as possible, while providing individualized memory care that stimulates or calms as the situation requires.

At MorningStar our approach to memory care is designed around our comprehensive program we call “Lavender Sky.” Our reimagined philosophy encourages us to walk alongside a resident as we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the world of dementia. With insight and intentionality, we enter into our memory-impaired residents’ “purple world” to cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. We also educate the families of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s on how to follow our lead and enter too.

Another important aspect of our unique methodology is to accept the diagnosis of dementia and embrace the fact (we know it is difficult) that this is the path we must take together. By embracing a deep understanding of the disease, it allows us to embrace the necessary changes in our own communication style as well as physically embrace residents with the power of touch. And most importantly we embrace hope.

Finally, Lavender Sky explores a boundless variety of resourceful and individualized solutions for we recognize that what works today may not work tomorrow. When memory care residents come to MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we explore the person’s life including their background, interest and preferences to create a specialized care plan. We also explore ways to engage and involve their family members.

As you can see, our memory care springs from a deep understanding of the disease and is offered with the utmost love and compassion. Please see our website for more information.

Celebrating Our One-Year Anniversary

May 05, 2019 by Quinn A

It is hard to believe that MorningStar at Jordan Creek has been open to residents for more than a year now. We are happy to report that things could not better and residents are proud to call MorningStar home. Over the last year, we have had the privilege to get to know our residents, and together they and our dedicated team have become a loving family.

As a thank you for the warm welcome the West Des Moines community has given to us from the moment we opened our doors, we are offering area seniors the chance to join our community for only $1 for the first month’s rent and $1 for our community fee. It doesn’t get any better than that!

If you are interested in learning more about our assisted living and memory care community we encourage you to start by browsing our website. We have lots of information and pictures to give you a good idea of all we offer in terms of amenities, apartment choices and our wide array of care services. As you will see, our goal is to provide residents with all of the comforts and services they need to lead productive, meaningful and independent lives. Once you do that, use our online link and set up a tour because nothing beats seeing our community in person.

Throughout the last year, our MorningStar family has created lots of great memories. We take every chance we can to gather and enjoy life’s special moments from holidays to birthdays and are always ready to celebrate. Please visit our website or give us a call to learn about MorningStar at Jordan Creek compassionate assisted living and memory care community. Don’t forget to ask about our special $1 deal! We look forward to having you join our family.

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 schedule a tour to discover the finest assisted living and memory care in the West Des Moines area.

Help Prevent Falls with Exercise

May 05, 2019 by Quinn A

If you are a senior, having good balance can help to prevent falls and maintain your independence. Falls are the leading cause of death from injury among people 65 years and older, and the risk of falls increases proportionately with age. By age 80, over half of seniors fall annually.

Some of the reason for this is a decline in seniors’ overall physical fitness as well as chronic diseases, certain medications, and surgeries. One example is diabetes, a common disease in the elderly that can lead to peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage and cause numbness in the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Medications that lower blood pressure may cause faintness or dizziness, and hip replacements and knee surgeries can result in the elderly being unsteady on their feet.

While many exercises help with balance including something as simple as walking, experts recommend that older adults incorporate exercises into their daily routine that are specifically designed to improve balance. Most balance exercises can be done at home without any special equipment and only take a few minutes to do.

The National Institute on Aging offers several balance exercises on their website. One example is to put the heel of one foot in front of the toes of the other foot. Your heel and toes should touch or almost touch. Focus on a spot ahead of you as this will help to keep you steady as you walk. Now take a step and put your heel just in front of the toes of your other foot. They suggest trying to do 20 steps.

One of the best assisted living facilities Colorado Springs has to offer, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows knows it is important for our residents to stay as active as possible. Our monthly calendar includes a variety of exercises designed to help residents improve their flexibility, balance and muscle strength. We also have other classes and activities designed to enhance residents’ mental, social and spiritual connections. Please visit our website to learn more.

Please check with your health provider before starting any new form of exercise.

Source: go4life.nia.nih.gov/exercise-type/balance

Join the Longest Day 2019 Celebration

May 01, 2019 by Quinn A

Across the globe, thousands of people will participate in The Longest Day 2019 event sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association in an effort to raise awareness and funds to end Alzheimer’s disease. On June 21st, the summer solstice, teams will participate from sunrise to sunset in activities they love such as walking, baking, dancing, golfing, exercising, and more to raise money as well as honor someone with Alzheimer’s. While officially on June 21st, people also use their creativity and passion to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association throughout the year.

If you wish to participate in this worthy cause, there are several ways you can do it. You can simply make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, or if your friends, neighbors, or a business is sponsoring an event, you can donate directly to them. The Alzheimer’s Longest Day webpage makes it easy to search for a particular organization or a friend’s event. If you wish to find an activity to join and help raise funds, you can search on the website for a group near your home.

The other thing you can do is to start your own The Longest Day event and fundraiser. The Alzheimer’s Association just asks that all participants register. Once you do, they will provide you with a fundraising webpage, and their staff and volunteers will be there to encourage and support you each step of the way. Your participant kit will include useful tips and tools to help you turn your activity into a fundraiser and show you effective ways to reach your goal.

One of their tips includes creating a Facebook Fundraiser as a quick and efficient way to reach everyone in your network. You will also be given ideas on how to use posters and fliers to support your fundraising efforts and an email template that you can copy and send to everyone on your contacts list. The kit will also provide ways to connect with other participants in order to share ideas and to get inspiration from one another.

If you are wondering how the Alzheimer’s Association uses the money raised by The Longest Day events, 77% of the funds go toward Alzheimer’s care, support, research, awareness and advocacy. Another 17% is used toward fundraising, and the remaining 6% to administrative costs. This exceeds the rigorous standards set by America’s most experienced charity evaluator, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. The Association also holds a National Charity Seal from the Alliance. It is nice to know that the money you raise really does make a difference in the lives of those facing Alzheimer’s.

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 schedule a tour to discover the finest assisted living and memory care in the West Des Moines area.

Residents of Senior Living Communities Require Less Hospitalization

May 01, 2019 by Quinn A

A Place for Mom recently posted the results of a study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, which was published in the journal, The Gerontologist. The study focused on “vulnerable” seniors, who were defined as older adults with moderate or low incomes who lived alone. The purpose of the study was to “understand how the senior living environment can mitigate the effects of multiple chronic conditions on hospitalizations.”

Hospitalization information from participants in the 2002-2012 Health Retirement Study was compared with the results of the question, ““Is your home part of a retirement community, senior citizens’ housing or another type of housing that offers services for older adults or someone with a disability?” Results showed that older adults with multiple chronic conditions in senior living communities were less likely to experience high levels of hospitalization than those who lived alone. Researchers believe there are positive effects accrued from the various support services available in senior housing environments, which help vulnerable elders to better manage their health conditions.

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, a Colorado Springs senior living community, our primary job is to provide all the services needed to support and enhance our residents’ physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing. As one of the area’s top assisted living communities, residents are provided with 24/7 Care Managers, access to licensed nurses, medication managers, care plan reviews, scheduled health and wellness evaluations, scheduled physician visits, pharmacy services, transportation to doctor appointments and much more. In addition we offer a wide range of wellness programs and activities that are sure to keep you as busy as you like.

Please visit our website to learn more about our “passion to serve seniors.” While you are there, use our convenient online links to inquire about availability and pricing or to set up a tour.

Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/better-health-lower-levels-of-hospitalization-in-senior-living/

MorningStar’s Clinical Services Help Manage Chronic Health Conditions

April 28, 2019 by Quinn A

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 privacy and security of the data.

Some of our services to residents include a licensed nurse on call 24/7 and onsite throughout the week, and CPR-trained team members on each shift. We also offer 24-hour Care Managers and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Our team does routine Care Plan reviews as well as scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations.

In addition, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers care services such as mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more. Residents receive scheduled physician visits (with a choice of physicians), pharmacy services and onsite dental services and podiatry. Please visit our website’s Care Services page to see our entire list of services.

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers 45 bright suites for assisted living and 19 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please visit our website for more information.

Maintaining Social Relationships are Important to Seniors’ Wellbeing

April 27, 2019 by Quinn A

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 be associated with lower levels of interleukin-6 in otherwise healthy people. They explain that “interleukin-6 is an inflammatory factor implicated in age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.” Another study found isolated seniors had more problems doing everyday tasks such as bathing and climbing stairs.

The newest report from the National Poll on Healthy Aging states that one in three seniors say they are lonely. Authors of the study state, “chronic loneliness can impact older adults’ memory, physical well-being, mental health, and life expectancy,” They even warn that chronic loneliness may be worse for a senior’s health than being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle. It may also shorten life expectancy as much as smoking.

Statistics indicate more and more seniors are living alone (28% of people aged 65 and older lived alone at the last U.S. census) and while not everyone who lives alone is lonely, many are. So what do seniors need to do to make sure they are getting enough socialization to stave off feelings of isolation and loneliness? While the answer is not always easy as the person needs to come to terms with what is keeping them from forming social relationships, experts say the best place to start is to engage in meaningful activities.

Learn a new skill or get back into an old hobby. Learning to playing an instrument, taking an art class, or finally learning how to use a computer are all good activities that typically bring you into a wider social network. Taking an exercise class is also a good way to raise your “feel good hormones” as well as helps you get into better shape. Make an effort to spend time with people who are upbeat and make you feel good, and remember strong social connections can help you ward off depression and stay healthier.

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 schedule a tour to discover the finest assisted living and memory care in the West Des Moines area.

Source: time.com/5541166/loneliness-old-age/

webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/secrets-of-aging-well#2

nia.nih.gov/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive