Trusted, Holistic Memory Care in Colorado Springs

Along with assisted living, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers individualized care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 secure memory care suites, and we are equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. 

MorningStar’s holistic memory care is personalized and compassionate supported living under what we call Lavender Sky, which is the way we thoughtfully enter, embrace, and explore to find purpose and encouragement in every aspect of daily routine. As dementia care specialists, we deeply understand the disease and know regardless of the extent of memory loss residents deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity. All team members are trained in MorningStar’s brand standards of Lavender Sky and in the pathology of dementia and brain disease. Caregivers provide 24/7 assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and have the tools to calm or stimulate a resident as needed.  

The Reflections Neighborhood was designed to provide a secure setting yet permit residents to explore their spacious surroundings freely and easily. Residents especially enjoy being outdoors in the enclosed courtyard.  We offer a wide selection of meaningful wellness programs as well as purposeful activities including a variety of exercise options, music, life skills, art, and entertainers. 

Mealtimes are as much about Community as they are about Nutrition, with residents and team members eating together.  Family style meals allow team members to encourage residents’ appetites as well as to provide any needed assistance with eating.  In addition, much of our food is modified out of respect for some of our residents’ compromised eating abilities and includes finger foods, texture-modified diets and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. 

If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, we know you want the very best memory care; and we consider it our privilege to walk alongside your family on this challenging journey. Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful home, our team and our company’s philosophy of caring for seniors. 

MorningStar Senior Living’s communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. If you are looking for the finest memory care or assisted living Colorado Springs offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. 

MorningStar Offers Compassionate Memory Care in Wheat Ridge, CO

While there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other dementia-related diseases, it is important to provide the person with the proper level of care.  Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers compassionate memory care. Our Reflections Neighborhood has the amenities and services to ensure the comfort, safety and wellbeing of our most tender residents.  

As dementia care specialists, our approach and philosophy to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.”  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 as well as holistic solutions to challenging behaviors.  

An important aspect of our program is to provide plenty of recreational and purposeful activities such as music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise.  To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure courtyard reserved just for memory care residents.  

Mealtimes in the Reflections Neighborhood are as much about Community as they are about Nutrition, with residents and team members eating together.  Family style meals allow team members to encourage residents’ appetites as well as to provide any needed assistance with eating.  In addition, much of our food is modified out of respect for some of our residents’ compromised eating abilities and includes finger foods, texture-modified diets and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. 

Also, bear in mind that we accept residents in the earliest stage of the disease right through to those in more advanced phases that require the highest level of care.  Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide exceptional assisted living and memory care.

The Top Reasons Family Considers Assisted Living

Coming to the realization that your loved one may need support beyond what you can provide comes with difficult decisions to make regarding assisted living. Caregivers of family members and loved ones that have special needs or require extra help often experience their own hardships. Anxiety, depression, negative eating habits, financial strain and poor health are not rare when it comes to caring for an elderly parent or family member. Children of senior parents may feel shame in assessing senior living and assisted care, but these facilities can lessen that guilt and offer a peace of mind that your loved one is healthy, safe, and happy. 

You know your parent better than anyone and have developed a care routine that allows your parent to be close by or living in similar circumstances of their younger years. Sadly, this may not always be sustainable. Perhaps you have welcomed a new child, taken a new job where you will be around less often, or maybe have decided to move. If you are unable to juggle the care of your parent or loved one while maneuvering a new path in life, assisted living at MorningStar in Des Moines offers reliable, modern care for seniors aged 55 and up. Assisted living should not replace its caregivers but walk beside them and the care you have already developed at home. MorningStar values this belief and offers specialized and individualized care to its senior residents. In this way, your care plan can be transferred seamlessly for your parent and remain unique and familiar to them.

MorningStar senior communities offer support at various levels with the activities of daily living. Our assisted care has around-the-clock Care Managers on site at the ready to ensure you and your loved ones’ comfort and safety regardless of time or occasion. Every one of our facilities has modern and clean housing arrangements, in house salons, and executive chefs that serve three hot meals a day, restaurant style. Our senior living also offers transportation services to help with errands. Transportation can also be organized for activities outside of MorningStar and cultural events at no extra charge. These amenities should not be considered “luxurious,” but the bare minimum to senior living and assisted living in Des Moines, IA. 

Please contact us to learn more about our assisted living at MorningStar at Jordan Creek and the many amenities we offer for senior living in Des Moines, IA. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have regarding assisted living in Des Moines, IA. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Des Moines, IA offers.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Des Moines, IA has to offer.

Finding the Ideal Senior Living Community for a Loved One with Dementia

Retirement options are greater and more widely available than ever before. A simple google search of senior living facilities can quickly become overwhelming. How can you make sure you’re choosing the right one? To find an ideal senior living community for a loved one struggling with dementia, you should identify your loved one’s top needs and evaluate how those needs may change within the next 5-10 years as well as find a community that prides themselves in understanding the full life of your loved one, not just their disease. 

It is important to find a memory care facility that can meet the needs of a loved one with dementia not only at their present capacity, but with how their needs may change in the future. As part of your move-in process at MorningStar of Littleton, our Wellness Director will assess your loved one’s current health and review their medical history to ascertain how we can best meet their needs. At that time, we will also learn your own preferences, as well as normal routines, to develop a care plan customized to your loved one. This plan will always be flexible and can be regularly re-evaluated to coincide with changing needs.

Not only are the future needs of a senior with dementia important to consider when deciding on a senior living community, but your loved one’s past hobbies and interests should be discussed and taken into consideration as well. When working and caring for someone with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it’s important to meet the person as they are, but also as who they once were. Learning their previous passions can give a caregiver the best chance at communication and reaching individualized needs. Before a resident moves in, MorningStar of Littleton interviews family members and goes over medical records to get to know as much as we can about the person that is considering the community, including their unique history, talents, and personal preferences to create an individualized service plan to boost their happiness and familiarity in a new environment.  

At MorningStar of Littleton, we feel it is our privilege as well as our calling to serve those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Using holistic methods such as music, art, dance, aromatherapy, and animals, we thoughtfully “enter, embrace, and explore” the world of dementia. Regardless of the extent of the memory loss, we know the essence of the person remains, and our job is to connect with and nurture that essence as we put our energies toward finding ways to celebrate life.

If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, please contact MorningStar of Littleton to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care or senior living in Littleton, Co. Unlike many memory care communities, our home was designed to promote independence and to give residents the freedom to safely explore their spacious surroundings. Our staff are trained to give loving, experienced care from the onset of the disease to its advanced stages.

MorningStar of Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer.

Amazing Benefits of Art Therapy for Dementia

When an individual starts portraying symptoms of memory loss or Alzheimer’s, often communication is a noticeable change that caretakers and family members first notice. When typical forms of communication diminish, such as speech, people may wonder how their loved one will be able to communicate with the world around them. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia often enjoy and benefit from creative activities like art that give the opportunity for non-verbal expression and communication. Art therapy is a common activity in senior living and Alzheimer’s care as this holistic method of care has been seen to boost mood, stimulate the brain, and help with overall quality of life. 

Art therapy encourages personal passion and helps to activate memory and familiarity. The idea of art therapy is to not overwhelm the individual struggling with dementia, but to encourage their independence and free creativity. Safe art projects that are on an adult level can create a sense of accomplishment and purpose. As is known, there is currently no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s but there are activities to help curb symptoms and enhance happiness. For these reasons, forms of art therapy and other holistic methods of self-exploration are highly utilized at senior living facilities and in Alzheimer’s care, such as at MorningStar of Littleton, Colorado. 

At MorningStar of Littleton, we feel it is our privilege as well as our calling to serve those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our philosophy and approach to care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.”  Using holistic methods such as music, art, dance, aromatherapy, and animals, we thoughtfully “enter, embrace, and explore” the world of dementia.  Regardless of the extent of the memory loss, we know the essence of the person remains, and our job is to connect with and nurture that essence as we put our energies toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life.

If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, please contact MorningStar of Littleton to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care or senior living in Littleton, Co. Unlike many memory care communities, our home was designed to promote independence and to give residents the freedom to safely explore their spacious surroundings. Our staff are trained to give loving, experienced care from the onset of the disease to its advanced stages.

MorningStar of Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer.

MorningStar Helps to Change the Image of Assisted Living

 Older adults may have grown up with a skewed image of what senior living looks like. Media, such as television and movies, often portray assisted living and retirement homes as drab, outdated communities with sterile walls and decoration. There is often a stigma associated with moving to assisted living, but MorningStar at Jordan Creek is changing the narrative and strives to empower future residents with their decision making to live in assisted care and build individualized care plans based on their needs. 

MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s assisted living in Des Moines is modern and lively as we encourage our residents to participate in community involvement and hobby exploration. Residents in assisted living are typically independent but may need help with meal preparation, medication scheduling, personal hygiene assistance, or upkeep with chores and errands. While staying in assisted living at MorningStar, these worries can be handled while you enjoy our resort-style amenities and meaningful skill building programs and activities. While staying in senior living and assistant care, you can benefit from participating in social interactions and activities geared towards your interests and passions without worrying about household upkeep or struggling to complete tasks on your own. 

Assistant care at MorningStar in Des Moines is flexible. Every senior’s needs are different and range in intensity of need as their life changes. Choosing to stay in our assisted living guarantees that your care will be able to change as your needs change, without question or rigidity. While your needs may change over time, you can still maintain your independence. Nursing homes are defined by around the clock care by nurses. In MorningStar’s assisted living, you have the choice of living in modern individual suites and living your life as you normally would but with a helpful hand by your side to make sure you are happy and healthy. 

Please contact us to learn more about our assisted living at MorningStar at Jordan Creek and our modern amenities we offer that host and encourage healthy senior living in Des Moines, IA. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Des Moines, IA offers.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Des Moines, IA has to offer.

How To Better Support Yourself and Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Supporting and caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can be positive and rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges. Guilty feelings, anger, and stress are emotions that children of parents with dementia and caretakers of seniors with Alzheimer’s often experience. MorningStar of Littleton, Co specializes in Alzheimer’s care as well as senior living and offers advice on how you can make sure you're taking care of yourself, as well as the person you're supporting. Here are some situations in which someone might experience guilt when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, along with some advice on managing your feelings to better support your loved one.

Adult children often feel guilt over how they behaved when they were younger towards their parent before they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Petty arguments and growing pains are common in every family. It can be hard to accept an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, especially in strained relationships. However, you didn't know your parent or loved one would experience this disease. Instead of ruminating on what you should have done differently before, try to remain present for the person you are now supporting and acknowledge what you are able to do for them now. 

It is OK to want alone time. It is normal to feel guilty about taking time to yourself as you may be sad about the fact that your parent or loved one cannot experience these things with you anymore. However, taking some time away from the person struggling with memory loss can be beneficial for the both of you. Finding time for yourself allows you to decompress and recharge while your loved one can soothe and have space as well. Navigating communication with an elder struggling with memory loss can be frustrating and difficult. Taking some time to get fresh air can help keep you calm and redirect attention away from arguments, frustration, or anger. 

Looking after a person with Alzheimer’s can be exhausting but carers often feel shame about seeking out help from others. Deciding to move your loved one into a senior living facility who is struggling with Alzheimer’s may feel like betrayal at first. However, this decision is an act of love, selflessness, and self-realization that perhaps there are others that may be better equipped to care for the person you love. Often these people or facilities have studied and specialized in memory loss or Alzheimer’s care and could bring beneficial joy to both you and your loved one. 

If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, please contact MorningStar of Littleton to learn more about our Alzheimer’s care or senior living in Littleton, Co. Unlike many memory care communities, our home was designed to promote independence and to give residents the freedom to safely explore their spacious surroundings. Our staff are trained to give loving, experienced care from the onset of the disease to its advanced stages.

MorningStar of Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer.

Frequent Walks Can Improve Seniors’ Overall Health

Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be beneficial. In fact, regular walks, and the incorporation of extra steps into your daily routine, hosts an array of health benefits both for your body and your mind. Sedimentary living can be one concern when residing in a senior living facility. However, MorningStar’s amenities at Jordan Creek offers intellectual, spiritual, and social engagement with creative ways to stay active and productive as we believe the human capacity to learn and grow is ageless.

Walking is considered low intensity exercise and is just as valuable as running or high intensity workouts when done regularly. Walking every day, even just for 15 minutes, has been found to greatly improve the lives of individuals. Seniors aged 55 and up who exercise regularly are more likely to participate in everyday activities without assistance and be more independent in household chores and upkeep. Daily walks while living in senior living communities encourages healthy lifestyles. This low intensity workout supports your joints and strengthens muscles the more often they are used. Regular walks also improve circulation and blood flow and aids in heart health. 

There are holistic benefits to walking as well. Low intensity workouts, such as walking, have been found to lighten your mood and give individuals a mental boost of vigor, attentiveness, and creativity. One Sandford University study found that walking increases creative thinking by at least 140 percent. Taking a walk, whether outside our facility or indoors in our recreational exercise room, allows for a free flow of thoughts and lets the mind explore new ideas while keeping the body preoccupied. Taking a daily walk can also improve sleep and can be used to help treat insomnia.

Please contact us to learn more about our assisted living at MorningStar at Jordan Creek and our modern amenities we offer that host and encourage healthy senior living in Des Moines, IA. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Des Moines, IA offers.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Des Moines, IA has to offer.

Are the Activities of Daily Living Becoming More Difficult for a Loved One?

For many seniors, there comes a time when they feel they are not living life on their own terms, and routine, day-to-day activities start becoming more difficult. To determine if assisted living is the right choice for a parent or spouse, experts say you need to consider the amount of care they require on a daily basis. If it is more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) with in-home services or in an independent living community, yet they don’t need 24-hour medical care and supervision, assisted living is the ideal option.  

People often confuse assisted living with nursing homes; however, they are not the same thing. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care while assisted living provides help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) to enhance residents’ quality of life within a residential setting.

While some families may experience sticker shock when first learning the cost of assisted living, you need to consider everything it includes. For example, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge’s monthly fee includes property taxes, utilities, security system, and the cost of maintenance inside and out. Daily meals are included in the fee as is housekeeping, scheduled transportation and an array of activities, entertainment and outings. 

At MorningStar, we like to think of assisted living as providing seniors “a little help from friends' ' to enable them to live life as independently as possible. Our community offers assisted living suites in a choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans that range from 323 to 798 square feet. Onsite amenities include a full salon, bistro, fitness room, theater and fireside patio and porches. For seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to meet the needs of our most tender residents. 

Along with assisted living and memory care, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge also offers respite care (short recuperative stays) or trial stays (up to a full month) so you can see if we are a good fit. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about senior living homes.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. If you are looking for exceptional assisted living or memory care, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Wheat Ridge.

Changes in Habits and Lifestyle Can Improve Brain Health

There are many things we can do to improve our overall health and prevent or mitigate our chances of getting certain diseases and scientists say the same is true with our brain health. Doctors report it goes beyond Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions and all of our brains “naturally age with us, leading to effects such as patchy memory and reduced brain mass.”

Over the last several decades, research has discovered a strong connection between heart health and brain health and links damage to the heart and vascular system to damage to the brain. This has led to the American Heart Association to put together a list of seven key factors to look out for when it comes to cardiovascular health. These include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, level of exercise, diet, body weight and smoking status.

Most of these factors can be addressed by changes in our habits and lifestyle and the earlier a person does it the better the outcome is as we age. Dr. Ronald M. Lazar, Ph.D., the Evelyn F. McKnight Endowed Chair for Learning and Memory in Aging and director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, explains, “Many people think of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other risk factors as affecting only heart health, yet these very same risk factors affect our brain health.” Researchers say other critical factors affecting cognitive ability over time include depression, social isolation, alcohol use, sleep disorders, insufficient education, and hearing loss.

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we offer 45 private assisted living suites in a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with resort-style amenities, care services and a range of programs and activities tailored to seniors’ needs.  Visit our website for more information about our beautiful senior living community. 

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-are-the-13-factors-that-shape-brain-health#Prevention-doesnt-start-in-older-age

Did You Eat Breakfast This Morning?

Growing up most of our mothers told us it wasn’t healthy to skip breakfast. While we listened, many of us still went off to school without eating anything. Based on current research, it turns out our mother’s advice was right again, and eating breakfast is good for us for several reasons. 

Registered Dietician Erin Palinski-Wade explains when we eat a healthy breakfast upon rising in the morning; it helps regulate our appetite for the rest of the day. If we break our nightly fast with a good meal, we are less likely to indulge in sugary or fat-laden food later in the morning. A healthy breakfast also helps to prevent blood sugar highs and lows and Palinski-Wade says this is important for diabetics as well as the rest of us. 

While many breakfast foods such as cereal, baked goods, and granola bars are high in sugar and refined grains, experts say we should refuel our body each morning with protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Protein makes us feel fuller and keeps us from snacking later on unhealthy foods. Eggs, yogurt, sausage, and peanut butter spread on whole wheat toast are good sources of protein. Fiber helps our digestive system work well and is found in oatmeal and whole grain cereals. Many meals can be partly prepared the night before to make your morning routine easier.   

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we provide a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. Assisted living residents receive a whole range of services and amenities including beautifully prepared, nutritious meals served restaurant-style in our attractive dining room. Other services include 24/7 care managers, certified medication care managers, scheduled health & wellness evaluations, CPR-trained team members on every shift, access to a licensed nurse and more. We also provide memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about senior living communities. 

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/does-eating-breakfast-help-you-lose-weight

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, Our Goal is to be the Best We Can!

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, our first and foremost priority is to give residents the finest quality of life possible by offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Recognizing seniors as heroes, we acknowledge all of the triumphs and challenges they have faced throughout their lives and consider serving them to be our life’s calling – our privilege. Thus we feel honored to receive praise regarding our home and our care from residents and their families. The following are a few examples.

One daughter of a resident recently wrote in a Google review that she cannot speak more highly of the care her mother is receiving at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge. She adds, “The staff is coordinating continuous care. They are loving and conscientious. They are responsive to my Mom’s needs and requests from our family. MorningStar WR is going far beyond providing care. They are doing whatever it takes to keep Mom safe, comfortable, and happy. Our family is most appreciative.” 

In another Google review, a daughter describes her experience with MorningStar. She writes, “We have had such a positive experience at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge. From the very beginning, the staff has been attentive to my dad's needs, and have kept in touch regarding his care.  The staff is kind and friendly. The community offers many services from in-house medical providers to regular social events for the residents. I have such a peace of mind knowing that my dad is in such good hands.

A son tells his journey with his parents over the last several years in his Google review. He says, “Morningstar of Wheat Ridge is outstanding. I looked at many facilities in the Denver area before we settled on Morningstar of Wheat Ridge for my parents, and I am so happy with our selection. The facility is beautiful, clean, and well maintained. The staff is passionately caring and helpful, the food is great. Chad, the executive director, is very down to earth and practical. He has done a great job in keeping the facility safe and well staffed during the pandemic. My parents moved into assisted living there in early 2019. When they needed memory care the staff moved them to the memory care wing during the pandemic. My parents were both in hospice there at the end and passed away one year apart in their room. I spent many days and nights there with my parents and observed, first hand, the care, dedication, and kindness of the staff. I am very grateful to have found Morningstar of Wheat Ridge and happy to give them a resounding endorsement.”

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is conveniently located in a northern suburb of Denver, and we offer a choice of 45 private assisted living suites with spacious floor plans.  In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment.  Contact us or visit our website to learn what makes our community special and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

What Can You Do to Support Memory Function and Overall Brain Health?

In an article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health.  Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.      

One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain.  An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.”  Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming.  However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider.  

In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health.  This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits.  

Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night.  Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.”

What sets MorningStar at Mountain Shadows apart from other assisted living Colorado Springs offers?  We strive to provide a true “home” for our residents and have a team committed to serving seniors who treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Our loving, around-the-clock care encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of our residents. Please visit our website for more information about assisted living facilities. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provides 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 an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory

MorningStar Offers a Lifestyle of Comfort, Wellness and Community

Some people think a move to an assisted living community signals an end to their independence but nothing could be further from the truth. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we respect the fact that seniors have spent a lifetime living independently, raising families, working jobs, and making their own decisions, and consider it our job to continue to help them lead full, purposeful lives. 

We know many of the challenges that come all too often with aging. Worsening medical conditions, failing eyesight, hearing impairments and mobility problems as well as the death of a spouse or friends can make it tough for seniors to live on their own. Isolation and loneliness can bring on feelings of hopelessness and depression; have a negative impact on mental health, and even affect quality of life.

As one of MorningStar’s assisted living residents, you will receive the personal daily care you need to help maintain your independence. Our services include help with the ADLs (activities of daily senior living) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, eating and more. Our trained care managers are there to help navigate any changes in your health and ensure you get the proper level of care you need. Along with extensive care services, MorningStar offers a broad range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social connectivity. 

MorningStar’s scheduled transportation services, medication management, and pharmacy services make it easy to safely get to important doctor visits, and keep prescriptions filled and dispensed as needed. Residents also enjoy the built-in companionship and numerous perks of community living, including all day dining with healthy and delicious meals served restaurant style.  Amenities include a fireside patio, bistro, library, chapel, theatre, and private dining room for intimate dinners. 

Located in beautiful Colorado Springs, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers 45 private assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 19 memory care suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.  

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs.

Are You Concerned About a Loved One’s Forgetfulness?

As we grow older, many of us find ourselves becoming forgetful and worry it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Researchers say it is true that the older we get we are more forgetful as the following reports: “At least half of those over age 65 say that they are more forgetful than they were when they were younger, experiencing ‘senior moments’ about things like where they put things or recalling somebody’s name.”

The question then becomes when what is the difference between “normal” age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies find the brain shows warning signs of Alzheimer’s approximately fifteen years before someone experiences symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and quite a while before the first real signs of dementia start.

Concerning signs of memory loss include not just forgetting an appointment or someone’s name, but repeatedly forgetting it. Another sign that something more serious is going on is if family members start to notice a loved one’s forgetfulness or confusion. Constantly repeating questions, forgetting the word for something or getting lost in a familiar neighborhood are other signs of a bigger problem. Judgement and planning may also be impaired, and tasks the person used to be good at like balancing a checkbook or following a recipe can become frustrating and difficult. 

To know for sure what is happening, you need to make an appointment with their doctor. They can do a complete medical work-up including looking at the medications the person is taking, and checking for signs of depression and other environmental issues, which could account for symptoms. If the person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, there are therapies designed to improve quality of life.  

Along with assisted living, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provides compassionate, individualized care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  As dementia care specialists, we provide support to our residents and their families with an array of services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. Our approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call Lavender Sky and uses a broad range of Montessori-based therapy techniques. Contact us for more information. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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 creating a true home for residents and encourage you to see firsthand the best memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/forgetful-dementia/

How to Help your Parent Maintain Control if They are Struggling with Memory Loss

Bringing up senior living is often met with resistance from our parents and loved ones. From their perspective, they have always been in control and found daily tasks and participation in life easy to navigate. Perhaps you are noticing more unfinished things around your parent's home, maybe they have accidents more regularly, or forget to take their medication. These are all causes for concern, but how can you manage their sense of control over their life while also making sure that they remain safe and healthy as they age and deal with memory difficulties? 

Within  MorningStar’s “Senior Life: How to have the best conversation ever with your elder parent” online guide, it proclaims that there is no shame in aging. Of course, with aging, there is the possibility of losing some memory, as well. It’s important that your parents come to terms with the changing reality that comes with aging and that you reiterate your parents’ importance within the world. 

It’s important to understand that seniors are as driven to accomplish things just as much as we are. Often, the idea of senior living can appear to place hindrances on the things your parents may be wanting to accomplish. In this case, it is important to ask “control-giving questions,” such as asking for their input on a decision, what they think about a topic, or asking whether or not they’d like your help on decisions. These questions are intentional to employ confidence in your parents so that they may be more willing to agree to explore senior living or memory care facilities while behaving less defensively towards you. 

At MorningStar at Littleton, it is our prerogative to help your parents feel safe and comfortable during a transition from home to memory care or senior living. Your parents don't want to feel forced into a transition but want to feel as though it is the right decision for them, as well. Exploring the amenities and touring our floor plans is one of the first steps to see if MorningStar at Littleton is right for you and your parents. Healthy meals, spacious suites, and community rooms, as well as beautifully crafted outdoor trails and gardens, can help your loved one warm up to the idea of being taken care of and kept safe. 

To learn more about our specialization regarding senior living or Alzheimer’s care in Littleton, Co, please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other assisted living facilities in Littleton, Colorado.  

MorningStar at Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer.

Creative Activities Improve the Well-being of a Person with Alzheimer’s

Activities that enrich the mind and encourage playfulness can reduce negative behaviors and symptoms that are associated with Alzheimer’s like wandering, agitation, frustration, sadness, or restlessness. Introducing regularly planned activities helps propel a sense of belonging and a sense of self that may have felt lost previously. Over time, continual practice and participation in an activity can induce feelings of mastery and comfort among individuals struggling with memory loss.

 No two people show symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the same way. ​​The needs of a person living with Alzheimer’s change, sometimes daily and sometimes hourly. In this way, treating every person with Alzheimer's, in the same manner, is not beneficial. Specialized and individualized care must be introduced when handling individuals with memory loss needs. It is important to find the different activities that appeal to each person, and not to assume that everyone enjoys the same things. Getting to know residents, regardless of their communication disabilities, is an important step to learning which creative pursuits will ultimately bring them the most joy. 

At MorningStar in Littleton, Co, our senior living that also specializes in Alzheimer’s care takes the time to understand our residents in a holistic approach that we call “Lavender Sky.” Through this approach, creative activities are introduced that are specialized with each specific resident in mind. While we do offer many group activities such as music or art therapy, we also strive to find the other special things that light up our residents dealing with Alzheimer’s. Usually, these are things that the person participated in throughout their life and is the most familiar to them. Sometimes that includes helping to decorate sweets, participating in daily chores, or completing puzzles together. Doing the activities they find most exciting in regular intervals brings a sense of peace, familiarity, and completion to our residents’ lives. 

To learn more about our specialization regarding Alzheimer’s care and senior living in Littleton, Co, please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other memory care facilities in Littleton, Colorado.  
MorningStar at Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer.

Your Pet is Part of the Family at MorningStar

Have you or a loved one made the decision to move into an assisted care facility but worry about what to do with your furry friend during this transition? Pets are often seen as part of the family and bring us a lot of joy, regardless of our age or stage in life. Not only are our pets companions, but they can also help us maintain healthy lifestyles because we recognize the tremendous ministry animals are to all of us. 

MorningStar in Des Moines, IA is a pet-friendly senior living facility and we enjoy seeing our residents out and about with their beloved pets. In fact, having a companion animal around encourages a healthy routine in seniors. Taking a dog out for a walk each day boosts daily steps which helps overall health while reducing a sedentary lifestyle. Knowing this, MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers a spacious backdoor courtyard where you can play with your dog and participate in wonderful walking paths surrounding the community.

Caring for your pet provides a sense of purpose and something to look forward to. Family members of residents in assisted living often worry about their loved ones becoming lonely or depressed during their transition from their home. Being pet-friendly allows our assisted living residents to create a routine and something to look forward to when caring for their pets. Simple tasks such as daily grooming, feeding, and playtime with a pet add meaning to our lives. Having pets by their side gives our senior living residents in Des Moines, IA an enriched life. 

At MorningStar at Jordan Creek our care services provide a lifestyle of comfort and wellness. Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar or our pet requirements. Some communities have a weight limit on pets, and we need to assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis. There are also some restrictions on breeds. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Des Moines offers.  

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Des Moines, IA has to offer.

It is Important to Incorporate Stretching Exercises Into Your Routine

Health professionals say it is important to incorporate stretching exercises into your routine especially the older we get as our flexibility naturally decreases. As joints become stiff, and tendons and ligaments tighten up, we become more susceptible to injuries as well as chronic pain and poor posture. In fact, studies show men’s flexibility drops sharply at around 70 years of age. 

Stretching exercises are easy to learn, relatively easy to do, and should not take more than five to ten minutes. Urvashi Chogle, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, says the shoulders, hips, knees, and spine lose the most flexibility.  He explains, "This makes many everyday movements more difficult, such as reaching overhead, squatting, twisting, and bending over." 

Of course before you begin any new stretching exercises, you need to consult with your healthcare provider. He or she may have suggestions on how to safely get started or direct you to your local community senior center or other organizations for classes. Additionally, the Internet has a lot of information on how seniors can improve their flexibility with stretching exercises done in a chair, standing up, or if you can, on the floor. Regardless of your level of fitness, these exercises should help improve your range of motion, flexibility and joint stiffness.   

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we offer seniors a carefree lifestyle to safely age in place with a range of care services, luxury amenities, wellness programs and activities. Our programs include a range of exercise classes such as chair yoga, gentle stretching and others to help keep you moving. Our community has 45 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 19 secure memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Source: health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/a-plan-for-easy-stretching

MorningStar’s “Lavender Sky” Teaches How Connection is Still Possible With an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

In our senior living facility within Littleton, Colorado, we see the devastation that comes with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Often, family members and close friends deal with high levels of grief and even anger in regard to this diagnosis of their loved one. It is difficult to watch someone so close to you change and often feel unrecognizable. Through MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care, “Lavender Sky,” it can be seen that the personality of the person that you knew and loved may still be able to maintain a relationship regardless of their memory loss. 

Cassidy Jones, an employee of MorningStar, started out as a server and quickly progressed to a concierge within our facility. Here, she met one of the residents staying in Memory Care, Elsie. Jones felt such a high calling to befriend Elsie and visits her whenever she is working. Watching Jones and Elsie, you can feel the joy radiating between them as they communicate in what looks like gibberish to the outside world. Jones tells us that Elsie began speaking a repetitive statement to her in a foreign language. When translated, Jones discovered that Elsie had been saying “I love you.”

Although Jones may not understand what Elsie is saying at all times, this sweet nugget of communication can be seen as a breakthrough in relationships of individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s and symptoms of memory loss. Jones states that she has fun communicating with Elsie and “jumping into that world is incredible.” 

The jump that Jones describes echoes our mantra within “Lavender Sky” of exploration within a memory loss diagnosis, such as Alzheimer’s. Embracing the diagnosis allows caretakers to expand their knowledge and understanding of what it means to have Alzheimer’s and what we already feel we do understand changes every day. Through a “Lavender Sky,” we can fully “enter, embrace, and explore” the world of dementia, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s together. In doing so, we can connect more with our residents and provide better, personalized care in an extraordinary way.

While Jones’ story is unique, it is not singular. To learn more about “Lavender Sky” and the other specialized care regarding Alzheimer’s and memory loss, please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Littleton, Colorado.  

MorningStar at Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer.