Communicating with a Loved One Suffering from Dementia

The Alzheimer’s Association has some effective tips for communicating with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.  As the ability to find the right words or to speak at all is one of the effects of the devastating disease, it is helpful to learn some tips to make the communication process easier.    

Typically, in the early stages of the disease, individuals repeat themselves often and can easily lose their train of thought. They may start to avoid speaking and have trouble following a conversation, and may even use gestures rather than words.  Experts suggest at this stage that you make sure to address the person directly, don’t speak through a caregiver, and allow them plenty of time to answer you back.  

The middle stages of the disease can signal lots of changes and usually lasts the longest.  If you wish to speak with the individual, make sure to do it in a quiet space without any distractions.  Your questions should be short and only require a simple yes or no answer, and again, look directly at the person.  In addition, you can demonstrate the task or give clear, step-by-step instructions.  Also, use a soft voice and calm demeanor, and above all else, be patient and loving.       

In the late stages of the disease, which can last from a few weeks to several years, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests using nonverbal forms of communication.  When entering the person’s presence, always identify yourself and use the sound of your voice to convey the meaning of your words.  Experts recommend using touch, sight, sound, smell and taste to communicate, and as always, treat the individual with respect and dignity.  

Along with assisted living, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers memory care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.  

MorningStar’s compassionate caregivers use gentle, resident-directed methods to calm and awaken memories and to support each resident’s capabilities.  Common techniques include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy as well as a range of meaningful and purposeful activities that incorporate art, dance, music, exercise and life skills. Please see our website for more information about senior living communities.  

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

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications

How to Feel at Home in Assisted Living

An assisted living facility should be dedicated to creating a true home for its residents and providing their community with carefree retirement years and a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and prosperous relationships. The Assisted Living Facility of MorningStar at Jordan Creek is seasoned in serving seniors and knows how to provide residents with a quality of life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. MorningStar’s Assisted Living in Des Moines offers a wide range of services and amenities that are designed with seniors’ best interests at heart.

MorningStar at Jordan Creek is a senior living community that offers 56 bright suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 820 square feet). The Reflections Neighborhood is a secure assisted living development that offers 29 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These suites do not cut corners when it comes to modern luxury and comfort. MorningStar at Jordan Creek is also filled with warm and inviting common areas both inside and out. From our cozy fireside living room to a comfortable dining room and scenic outdoor courtyards, residents are sure to feel right at home.

Within its communities, MorningStar offers Assisted Living with support at various levels depending on each resident’s needs. As part of your move-in process, our Wellness Director will assess your current health, and review your medical history to ascertain how we can best meet your needs. At that time, we will also learn your preferences, as well as normal routines, to develop a care plan customized to you. Around-the-clock Care Managers are also on-site to ensure your comfort and safety as they meet your needs.

MorningStar’s senior living actively looks for holistic techniques and creative activities to promote the well-being of seniors in their community. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers modern retirement homes in Des Moines IA as well as assisted living with resort-style amenities such as providing residents with three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef and served restaurant-style in our dining room. As well as extracurricular activities such as a gym, community rooms for socialization, and a salon. 

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s retirement homes and assisted living options in Des Moines IA. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Iowa.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cataracts are the Main Cause of Vision Loss in People Over 40

Cataracts are cloudy areas that form in the lens, which is normally transparent, and are the main cause of vision loss in people over 40 years of age. It is estimated more than 40 percent of Americans aged 75 years or older have some degree of lens clouding; and over half of people 80 or older have their vision significantly impaired by cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Surgery is generally recommended once vision is impaired to a degree that people have trouble reading, driving and recognizing faces. Today the surgery is a quick, safe procedure, replacing the cloudy lens with a clear plastic one. 

Doctors say there are things people can do to reduce their risk of developing cataracts with quitting smoking at the top of that list. Medical News Today reports on studies linking a 3-fold increase of smoking to cataracts as well as raising the risk of a number of other eye conditions. A healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good quality fats (avocados, olive oil, and omega oils) and lean animal-sourced or plant-sourced proteins additionally reduces the risk of cataracts.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important as obesity increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is a risk factor for cataracts. Other ways to reduce your risk include wearing UV blocking sunglasses when in the sunlight and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night. The risk for cataracts also increases with age, family history, and a history of eye inflammation or injury. 

If you are not ready for surgery yet, doctors say stronger glasses and brighter lights may help. Keep up with regular eye exams and renew your eyeglass prescription as needed. Wear sunglasses in the sun and avoid night driving. As your cataracts continue to develop and eyesight worsens, at some point you will most likely need surgery.  

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, a senior living community in Colorado Springs, we provide a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. We offer stylish assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans along with secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.  We make it easy for your retirement years to be carefree with a full range of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities as well as a staff who feel called to serve seniors. Please see our website for more information about assisted living facilities. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ 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. 

Help Prevent Errors by Speaking Up about Your Health Care Needs

A National Institute of Health survey found patients who were most satisfied with their healthcare were those engaged in self-advocacy. This included a person becoming knowledgeable about their injury and health care needs; and being persistent about speaking up for those needs. The NIH also explains those who felt better about their experience practiced communication skills, were organized, talked to peer mentors and kept a positive attitude. 

Research shows practicing self-advocacy, or when a family member actively advocates on the behalf of a loved one, reduces medical errors in hospital settings, doctors’ offices or at the pharmacy. It is important as the World Health Organization reports “an estimated 10% of patients in high-income countries are harmed while receiving hospital care.” Also, according to a 2021 report in StatPearls, “medical errors result in about 100,000 deaths in hospitals and clinics annually.”  

Most errors are related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines; and misdiagnoses means delayed treatment and taking the wrong medicines. To ensure the best care you need to be honest with your healthcare provider. This includes providing an account of your symptoms and a list of current prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbs, supplements and vitamins you take. Be sure to let them know if you have any drug allergies and provide as complete a medical history as you can including your personal medical record as well as that of your family’s. In addition, let your medical team know if you are a smoker and the amount of alcohol you consume. 

Additionally, remember the time you spend with your doctor is short, so prepare beforehand the things you wish to discuss. The Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore has a QuestionBuilder app available by AHRQ at Google Play or the Apple store to guide you in questions you should ask. 

Experts also say to remember you and your doctor are a team. Being your own health advocate or that of a loved one means helping them follow the medical advice recommended by the doctor regarding diet, rest, exercise, smoking, alcohol use and taking medications as prescribed.  

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we offer assisted living suites in a choice of floor plans as well as memory care suites for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with a wide array of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities. Please contact us or see our website for more information about our beautiful 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. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/aging-health-advocate#1

These Subtle and Vague Signs May be Early Symptoms of Dementia

With age, we become more forgetful and may start to feel scatterbrained. Misplacing items or forgetting to do small errands is not an immediate cause for concern with old age. However, caregivers of an elderly loved one may fail to recognize the other subtle symptoms of forgetfulness that indicates that something is wrong. These symptoms develop gradually and can go unnoticed for a long time until it becomes serious. 

We often misplace our keys and wallet in our day-to-day life, and we don’t usually consider it a serious need for medical attention. Seniors who are in the early stages of dementia may not only lose their keys and wallet but will forget what these items are used for all together. They may forget that they need their keys to get into their home and leave the house without locking the door. Seniors with early symptoms of dementia can become confused as to how to use their keys and will experience frustration and anger. Leaving your senior loved one without the proper safety measures within their home could lead to them becoming lost or put into a dangerous situation. 

It's easy to become annoyed when we get older. The pace of the world stays the same while our bodies slow down, technology and ideas are constantly changing, and world events can become tiring to stay up to date with. A little bit of agitation is understandable. An early symptom a loved one may experience if they are going through the early stages of dementia will be a complete change in personality that is startling or unfamiliar. Maybe they become easily angered over small situations, use more vulgar language, or behave differently towards the people that they love. Keeping an eye on your loved one's form of communication is a good way to gauge when it may be time to see a healthcare professional. 

MorningStar of Littleton’s Assisted Living and Memory Care proudly brings the finest senior living Littleton CO has to offer with modern retirement homes and assisted living that incorporates resort-style amenities such as providing residents with three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef and served restaurant-style in our dining room. MorningStar of Littleton’s Assisted Living and Memory Care offers extracurricular activities such as a gym, community rooms for socialization, and a salon available for all residents to use. 

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s Alzheimer’s Care and Assisted Living options in Littleton CO. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Colorado.  

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 see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Littleton, Colorado.

Get Involved in Your Senior Living Community Through These Clubs

Your retirement community might have everything you’ve been searching for in a senior living facility. The abundance of healthy and exciting food options, group activities and outings, and beautiful surroundings both inside and out certainly make senior living in these environments enjoyable. However, many seniors who have moved into a retirement home will still come to miss their friends and family members. One way to combat this loneliness and build connections with new people in the community is to start or join a club. 

A book club is a fun and enriching way to get involved in your senior living community and keep your mind healthy. Bonding over the discussion of books is an intimate way to get to know others. Plus, the routine of reading a book over a course of time keeps seniors comfortable and encourages a sense of purpose and excitement. 

A gardening club is a fun and active way to get to know people, too. Nurturing plants in a collective garden has been found to give seniors a feeling of calmness and aids in a sense of importance within the community. The group effort of growing and maintaining a living thing such as plants gives seniors in a retirement community the feeling of accomplishment when the long-awaited seed sprouts into fresh blooms. 

For those interested in maintaining or reaching their fitness goals, participating in a workout group is a smart way to stay motivated and hold yourself accountable at the gym. Not only does this help with quality bonding time, but it is a safe way for seniors to keep their bodies healthy. Having others be available in the gym can be there in the case an accident happens, or to deter an accident from occurring. 

MorningStar’s senior living actively looks for holistic techniques and creative activities to promote the well-being of seniors in their community. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers modern retirement homes in Des Moines IA as well as assisted living with resort-style amenities such as a gym, community garden, and an elegant library all free for residents to use. 

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s retirement homes and assisted living options in Des Moines IA. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Iowa.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “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. Contact us today to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Des Moines, Iowa.

Gifts for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

If you want to get something special for mom or dad or another loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, it can be challenging to figure out a good gift. This is where the Internet can lend a hand with a range of items designed to enhance your loved one’s quality of life. 

Dementia care specialists say it can take a little more time and some creativity but there are many great gift ideas. One idea is personalized gifts or memory-filled ones. A photo album filled with pictures of the person surrounded by people important to them, or a picture book from a place they loved to visit. A coffee mug personalized with a photo or a cozy throw filled with favorite family pictures are also good ideas. 

Music from their younger years, show tunes and old movies are sure to make them smile and can be a good way to spend an afternoon together listening to their new gifts. Coloring books filled with pictures of things they love such as animals or flowers, and a set of new markers or crayons, and easy-to-do crafts are also fun to do together.  

Another item targeted to people with Alzheimer’s or dementia is therapy stuffed animals.  Designed to meet their special needs, one example is a teddy bear that comes with a few classic songs but has room to load a person’s favorite tunes (up to a 1,000 songs). Cuddly robotic cat and dog stuffed animals have a calming, soothing effect on people in the middle and later stages of Alzheimer's disease. Research shows they can help the person remember a time in their life when their purpose included caring for others.  

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, our goal is to provide the best senior living in the area, which includes compassionate and loving care to those suffering from memory impairment. The Reflections Neighborhood is meticulously designed to accommodate the needs of memory care residents, allowing them as much independence as possible.   Our specially trained care team understands that the essence of the person still exists despite the memory loss and strives every day to connect with and nurture that essence. 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. 

MorningStar’s Assisted Living in Colorado Springs

If you are looking for assisted living in Colorado Springs, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows.  For seniors who wish to maintain their independence but require assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living), our 45 assisted living suites are equipped with all the modern conveniences and safety features.  Available in a variety of well-designed floor plans, suites have wall-to-wall carpeting, high ceilings, large windows, ceiling lights, and mini blinds. 

In assisted living, we offer various levels of support with the ADLs (we have 5 levels in all), and your care plan is determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director, and in agreement with you and your family. Various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, are priced a la carte.  However, regardless of your level of care, all assisted living residents have access to around-the-clock Care Managers to ensure your safety as they compassionately meet your expressed (and even unexpressed) needs.   

If you are someone who finds that preparing meals has become too difficult due to your health or just not something you enjoy any more, you will be delighted to know we offer three daily meals created by our Executive Chef.  All our delicious meals are served in our beautiful dining room, restaurant-style, and prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients to tempt the most particular taste buds.  

We believe our care to be different from that of other senior living communities because of the type of individuals who make up our team.  When we set out to hire a new staff member, we look for virtues such as character, kindness and selflessness as we believe these are just as important as education or experience.  Moreover, many of our “Great Hearts” come to us for a job as they love the idea of working for a company with core values that include Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness! 

Visit our website for contact information on memory care and to learn more about MorningStar’s commitment to delivering service with sincerity, warmth and depth of purpose.    

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 assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer.

Send a Gift Basket to Brighten Your Favorite Senior’s Day

Do you have an elderly relative living alone or in a senior community who lives too far to visit?  How about sending something special to show your thinking of them even if it’s not their birthday or a holiday.  One idea is to send them a gift basket filled with goodies to eat and drink, gifts to entertain, and items to make their lives a little easier or more pleasant.  

For your coffee drinking parent or grandparent, a bag of gourmet coffee and a nice new mug is one way to start your basket, or add a collection of teas that include decaffeinated and herbal options.  Are they a chocolate lover or prefer salty snacks?  Adjust your selection to include high-end chocolates and other delightful treats or a nice selection of crackers and cheeses.  For a book lover, add a novel you think they would enjoy or a coffee table book on famous gardens, architecture, maps, photography or wherever matches their interest.   A collection of classic movies is also something many seniors would enjoy.  

Now pack the basket with items such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, word-search books, a new coloring book and fresh colored pencils or markers.  If they have low vision, include large-print playing cards and books.  If your loved one is feeling anxious or having a hard time sleeping, give them a weighted blanket.  While they come in many sizes, it is suggested you choose one that is 10% percent of their weight.   For example, if they weigh 150lbs, buy a 15lb blanket, and if they do not have a blanket that exactly matches 10% of their weight, you can go up a couple of pounds.   

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is a graciously appointed senior living community located in beautiful Colorado Springs.  We proudly offer 45 private assisted living suites as well as 19 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing. Be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials.  

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 the finest assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs.

How Senior Living Communities Can Prevent Elder Abuse

If you have been caring for your senior parent or an elderly loved one and find that their needs have progressed past the care that you can supply them, you may be considering other senior living options. A major fear that comes up for families searching for senior care facilities is the worry that their loved ones may experience inadequate care and supervision. This fear is not irrational; elder abuse still occurs in senior care throughout America. However, the Alzheimer’s Association established a program called “Recognized Leaders in Dementia Care” that recognizes outstanding Alzheimer's care facilities that have performed rigorous training for their memory care staff. This training positively impacts the overall happiness of seniors residing in communities that are recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association. 

MorningStar of Littleton enrolls 75% of its staff in an eight-hour training that encompasses brain pathology, communication techniques, and methods of lessening agitation with non-pharmaceuticals. This training is part of MorningStar’s holistic approach to dementia and Alzheimer’s care. “Radiance” describes the work culture at MorningStar senior living in Littleton, Co. Through the principles of “Radiance,” employees and healthcare providers are taught major pillars of exceptional senior care. 

The employees at MorningStar express an attitude of selflessness in their care of residents. They build strong, respectful relationships with seniors and their families and are attentive to their expressed, and unexpressed desires. Under “Radiance,” employees commit to teamwork to meet residents’ needs and understand that they are an integral part of the community. Protecting the privacy and security of residents, especially those in memory care, is another principle that has made MorningStar a recognized leader in dementia care. Appropriately training our staff and having high expectations deters accidents, miscommunication, and even abuse. 

As specialists in memory care, MorningStar’s Senior Living in Littleton, Co is aware of the anxiety and concern that is associated with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases. Regardless of the barrier within your loved ones' memory loss, we continue empathetic communication and techniques with our residents struggling with memory loss. Incorporating holistic methods by properly trained personnel enhances the health and happiness of seniors in Alzheimer's care. 

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Littleton, Colorado. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Colorado.  

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 see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Littleton, Colorado.

Dating Advice for Seniors in Retirement Communities

Companionship is invaluable. Having someone around you that you can trust, have fun with, and explore life with together helps to build an enriching and fulfilling inner world. Dating at an older age may feel daunting. Nowadays people are meeting partners later in life and are still able to create strong and happy experiences. If you’re open to finding new life partners, here are helpful senior dating tips to create fulfilling, meaningful relationships within a senior living community.

Explore your new environment and get social. Senior living communities are an ideal environment for exploring the dating scene. Retirement homes host a wide array of communal activities and amenities that encourage seniors out of their shells. Delving into the activities that your community puts together is a great way to meet people with the same interests as you. MorningStar at Jordan Creek is a Senior Living and Assisted Living facility in Des Moines that support residents with resort-style amenities and best-in-class dining and hospitality. Perhaps you will cross paths with your new partner at a wine tasting evening, at the fitness center, or even reading one of your favorite books in the communal library. 

Remember to always be honest with yourself and your partners. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a serious committed relationship, dating for fun, or building a friendship, make sure your potential partner knows what you want to expect from the start. It’s not uncommon for seniors to have multiple partners while residing in senior living. These partners may fulfill different needs and activities for you. However, be sure you have a conversation about expectations with other partners when dating for fun or becoming intimate. 

Let your family know about your dating life. Some adult children will not be immediately accepting of a widowed parent reentering the dating scene and these seniors may be reluctant to share new dating news. However, your children ultimately want you to be happy and healthy. When introducing new partners to your family, be subtle and emphasize with your loved ones about how your new partner makes you happy.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s senior homes near me and near you, seniors living in West Des Moines, Iowa. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Iowa.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Des Moines, Iowa.

Music Bridges the Gap in Memory Loss

We all have a unique relationship with music; our tastes in music genres, favorite lyrics, and memories specific to us become associated with certain songs. Music is a huge part of our culture; there is an understanding that music is deeply rooted in our conscious and unconscious brains. This makes music, and music therapy, a valuable tool in Alzheimer’s care that helps to better understand and relieve some of the effects of dementia and other types of cognitive loss in the brain. 

Music awakens the brain and a rich supply of memories that are associated with familiar songs or beloved pieces begin to expose themselves. Published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, "objective evidence from brain imaging shows meaningful music is an alternative route for communicating with patients who have Alzheimer's disease."  These findings mark a significant step toward music therapy as a holistic method in communication with dementia care patients. 

It is revolutionary the way music unlocks memories in the brain. Music therapy is also a great way to calm or soothe a patient in memory care. Classical music avoids overstimulation of the brain, and the absence of lyrics helps to not confuse the individual. The best advice with music therapy is to pay attention to your loved one's response to certain songs or compositions. Their nonverbal communication can help you understand their preferences. 

As specialists in memory care, MorningStar’s Senior Living in Littleton, Co is aware of the mental pain and frustration that is associated with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases. Regardless of the barrier within your loved ones' memory loss, they continue empathetic communication with their residents struggling with memory loss and do not shy away from difficulties. Incorporating holistic methods of care and treatment enhances the overall health and happiness of seniors in Alzheimer's care. 

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Beaverton, Oregon. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Oregon.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Beaverton, Oregon.

How Seniors Can Satisfy a Sweet Tooth

Major changes happen to our taste buds as we age, and we may find ourselves unable to taste flavors as intensely as we once could. By the time we surpass 55 years of age, our taste buds begin to reduce. The average young adult has about 15,000 taste buds, whereas seniors, on average, lose over 50% of their taste buds. This frustrating olfactory change may be why our food cravings fluctuate as we get older and may answer why seniors gravitate towards more sugary foods. Try these foods to satiate your sweet tooth while also providing your body with essentially nutrients and minerals. 

Sugar is much easier for our taste buds to detect than savory or salty foods. Not to mention, sugar causes our brains to release dopamine which generates pleasure throughout our bodies. However, large amounts of sugar can greatly impact a senior’s health. MorningStar Senior Living in Des Moines, Iowa, believes that through a proper diet and healthy choices, food is a healing medicine unlike any other. Our executive chefs prioritize the use of ingredients known to support overall health by their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Dark chocolate seems to always be the solution to any pesky sweet tooth. Did you know, dark chocolate with a high cocoa mass (over 70% cocoa), improves concentration and stimulates the production of endorphins for an uplifting mood lift? This makes dark chocolate a heart-healthy, antioxidant treat. Just make sure you’re reaching for dark chocolate that refrains from large amounts of added sugars. 

A fruit smoothie is a great option for seniors. Smoothies are easy to consume and often easy to digest. We suggest creating a smoothie full of dark berries like blue, black, and acai. These “brain berries” contain anti-inflammatory properties and mega antioxidants which inhibit the damaging movement of free radicals in our body and add more sweetness than citrus.

Whatever your food preferences, MorningStar’s executive chefs are sure to prepare you a tempting dish that stimulates the senses. Dining is just one aspect of MorningStar’s signature wellness program, which thoughtfully creates daily opportunities for social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical health, all of which contribute to brain and whole-body vitality.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s retirement homes and senior living in West Des Moines, Iowa. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Iowa.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Des Moines, Iowa.

Healthier Options to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

The U.S. News and World Report published an article on tasty treats designed to satisfy your sweet tooth and provide a healthier alternative to more sugar laden desserts. One suggestion from board-certified oncology dietitian, Kailey Proctor, of the Leonard Cancer Institute at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California, is to grill pineapple, banana, apple or pear slices. Grilling concentrates flavors by reducing the water content, and further sweetens the fruit as natural sugars are caramelized by the heat.  

Dark chocolate is a known powerful source of antioxidants as research shows it can help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and raise HDLs, reducing your risk for heart disease. One healthy, easy-to-make dessert is to melt dark chocolate and spread it over parchment paper. Then sprinkle dried cherries, chopped nuts or sunflower seeds over it; refrigerate for five minutes and cut into small pieces. Another variation is to dip fresh strawberries or other fruit into melted dark chocolate. 

Yogurt parfaits are fun to put-together and can be customized to your taste. Using a parfait dish or small bowl, add granola, strawberries, blueberries, nuts, peanut butter or seeds, layering with yogurt. To cut down on fat, use nonfat or low-fat yogurt as it still provides a good source of protein without the calories. 

How about banana ice cream made from frozen pureed bananas mixed with almond milk? If you like, add in peanut butter and nuts. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top, which is “thought to have anti-inflammatory effects and may help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels.” 

MorningStar of Mountain Shadows, an assisted living and memory care community in Colorado Springs, offers beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities. Our many services include meals designed by our Executive Chef and made largely from scratch with the freshest of ingredients. We also use “BrainWise Foods” known to support brain health with their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Please visit our website for more information about senior living. 

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 the finest assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/fitness/articles/healthy-dessertsand-theyre-tasty-too

A Recognized Leader in Dementia Care

Currently, there is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer's. The absence of medical relief for memory loss leaves families discouraged and anxious about the well-being of their loved ones or elderly parents. Handling this diagnosis alone can also be overwhelming and can lead to periods of depression in the caretaker. If you are trying to find the right care for your loved one with Alzheimer's, the uncharted territory of the disease may have you feeling in over your head. Due to their refusal to give up the quest to find successful dementia care methods, MorningStar's Senior Living in Littleton has been recognized as a leader in dementia care by the Alzheimer’s Association. 

The Alzheimer’s Association established a program called “Recognized Leaders in Dementia Care.” To be considered for this program, a senior living community is required to enroll 75% of its staff in an eight-hour training that encompasses brain pathology, communication techniques, and methods of lessening agitation with non-pharmaceuticals. Colorado is the only Alzheimer's Association chapter in the country offering this program. MorningStar invests strong commitments, moral values, and ethics into their employees to serve residents with the very best senior care. MorningStar's Senior Living in Littleton, Colorado, is proud to have earned this special recognition of expertise in serving the memory impaired.

At MorningStar, embracing dementia and other forms of memory loss starts by customizing and individualizing treatment for each of our residents in memory care. The needs of seniors in memory care will change as time goes on. Ample flexibility and attentiveness to needs allow for comfort and patience during difficult situations. When senior living communities better understand their residents, there is a greater understanding of how Dementia and memory loss portray themselves.

As specialists in memory care, MorningStar’s Senior Living in Littleton, Co is aware of the mental pain and frustration that is associated with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases. Regardless of the barrier within your loved ones' memory loss, they continue the communication and do not shy away from difficulties. Incorporating holistic methods of care enhances the overall health and happiness of seniors in Alzheimers care. 

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care and senior living in Littleton, Colorado. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Colorado.  

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 see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Littleton, Colorado.

Veteran Care Options for Assisted Living

Words fail us when we hear our veterans’ stories of raw courage and self-sacrifice— all in the name of Country and Honor and Duty. At MorningStar Assisted Living in Des Moines, we are privileged to include veterans from all five branches of the military service among our residents in our retirement community. If you, or a spouse, have served in the military, you may be entitled to receive senior benefits because of your status as a Veteran. Understanding how to receive these benefits may help in providing you financial support with health care, housing, and even long-term care options.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides both short-term and long-term care in nursing homes to veterans who aren’t in need of hospitalization but are too disabled or elderly to take care of themselves. Ensuring that veterans have a safe and happy place to live is an important part of MorningStar’s values. The Homebound and Aid and Attendance programs offer some support that can make long-term care within assisted living financially doable for veterans and/or their spouses. The National Care Planning Council estimates that up to 25% of seniors could potentially apply for Aid & Attendance.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the completion process of receiving VA benefits, every state has a Department of Military/Veteran Affairs staffed with Veteran Service Officers (VSOs). Their assistance in completing the complex application is free of charge. To qualify, you or your spouse must demonstrate a regular need for caregiver assistance or the need to live in a protected environment because of physical or mental impairment. We are also pleased to direct veteran seniors to other local resources that can ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance,” through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s retirement homes and senior living in West Des Moines, Iowa. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Iowa.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “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 our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Des Moines, Iowa.

Assisted Living is Designed to Enhance Quality of Life

A Place for Mom’s website, a free service that helps families in their senior care search, reports the various services offered at assisted living communities can make it a healthier, safer living option for many seniors. As services typically involve 24/7 care, nutritional meals and wellness programs, it means residents receive the kind of care required to enhance their quality of life.  

Assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provide the social connections necessary to seniors’ wellbeing as well as intellectual stimulation. The individual and their family get peace of mind knowing help is available when it is needed. Likewise, recent research shows assisted living facilities may help seniors avoid falls as most are equipped with safety features such as handicap-accessible bathrooms and wheelchair accessible doorways. MorningStar’s emergency call systems in each suite also means immediate help is at hand.     

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers seniors assistance with another all-too common problem of medication mismanagement. The JAMA Internal Medicine journal published a study showing “80% of older adults regularly take at least two prescription medications, and 36% regularly take at least five prescription drugs.” The Department of Health and Human Services reports up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” in their medications including skipping doses or failing to take medication as prescribed. Either one can result in hospitalizations or deaths. Our medication management service helps to avoid these problems and includes dispensing as well as ordering prescription drugs.

MorningStar’s comprehensive care starts with residents having an individualized plan created to address their specialized needs. It is frequently reviewed and updated as required. Our day-to-day care is intended to help residents maintain a healthier lifestyle with nutritional meals, exercise classes, and life enrichment programs designed for their needs. For trusted assisted living Colorado Springs area seniors can count on, visit our website or contact us for further information.

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. 

Seniors Benefit from Stretching Exercises

If you are a senior who is having difficulty turning your neck to look behind you when driving, having problems getting up from a low chair or difficulty picking something up from the floor, you may find adding stretches to your routine can really improve these types of motions. Stretching exercises also help seniors improve flexibility and balance, both of which lower a person’s risk of falls and injuries. Experts explain stretching gives seniors a better range of movement in their joints, helps improve posture, increases circulation and releases muscle tension and soreness. 

The Journal of Gerontology reported on the results of a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults. It found “participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also experienced a decrease in pain.” Along with the favorable benefits stretching provides, it can be done anywhere and does not require any special equipment. However, before beginning any new exercise routine, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider regarding your fitness level and the type of stretches most appropriate for you. 

Another thing to remember is it is important to warm up before stretching. Experts say it can be doing something as simple as a walk around the block. Additionally, they warn not to stretch to the point of pain, only to the point of tension. A stretch can typically be held for 30 seconds, but do not bounce when you stretch. 

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is a senior living community in Metro Denver with 45 private assisted living suites in various floor plans.  In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 memory care suites devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our goal is to enhance quality of life for our residents, and we do this through a full range of care and hospitality services, amenities, and a component of wellness programs and activities. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge 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 to learn more about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

Learn More About MorningStar and Our Colorado Springs Community

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is a part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company whose vision is “to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.”  This means right from the start we have made a point to staff our loving home with individuals who feel called to serve and understand that seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  

In addition, we support MorningStar’s mission of serving others here at home and throughout the world including supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and the Casa Bernabé orphanage in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.  We also support MorningStar’s partnership with “Lifewater,” a non-profit organization that focuses on delivering safe water sources to villages across the globe. 

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is also guided by our company’s founding principles that include: 

• Honoring God in our business practices and relationships 

• Valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals 

• Investing generously in our team’s ability to serve well 

Thus our home’s first priority is to create a comfortable, compassionate home while striving to meet residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs.  Also, while our company was founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews, and understand it is our responsibility to honor spiritual preferences as part of caring for the whole person.

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has 45 stylish assisted living suites as well as 19 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Our community is filled with spacious, beautifully appointed common areas both inside and out and include a fireside patio, strolling paths, theatre, bistro and library.  Chef inspired meals are available all day and served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room. Visit our website to see what sets us apart from other senior living communities, and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar at Mountain Shadows represents the very best in assisted living and memory care.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living in Colorado Springs.

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge

Seniors often feel like a move to an assisted living community signals the end of their independence, but this is not the case at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge. Our goal is to provide the best assisted living in the area, with the services and care needed to give residents the best quality of life. Our beautiful community offers 45 private assisted living suites including spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans (some over 700 square feet).

We recommend families schedule a tour to experience our community firsthand, and we make it easy to do using our Virtual Assistant to set up the day and time. We will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm. However, while a tour is important, please browse through our website and watch the Virtual Tour, read the home page, and take a look at the full list of amenities and suite plans for an overview of our community.

Other informative sections on our website can be found under “First Steps.” We suggest you start with FAQs to get a better understanding of MorningStar and what is offered in our senior living communities, various resources and care options. You will also find important information on how we determine a resident’s level of care and reassurances regarding our commitment to regularly re-evaluate care plans to keep up with changing needs.  

Our FAQs also give a quick overview of the training our staff receives, which includes an orientation program (and a three-day shadow), Radiance culture training, and Lavender Sky dementia care training.  Our Medication Managers are trained Qualified Medication Administration Persons (QMAP). 

In addition, if you are looking for a new home for an elderly parent, you will appreciate our Decision Guide (also found under the First Steps tab) offering an in-depth discussion on how to decide when the time is right for senior living. You may also want to download our “Senior Life: How to Have the Best Conversation Ever with Your Elder Parent,” a practical guide to understanding the psychology of advanced aging. 

MorningStar Senior Living 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 the finest assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO.