MorningStar of Wheat Ridge Offers Specialized Memory Care

March 21, 2025 by Quinn A in Memory care

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers specialized memory care. Our distinct Reflections Neighborhood has suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.

The Reflections Neighborhood is designed in full consideration of the dispositions and behaviors of those with memory impairment and encourages independence for residents with clear wayfinding; and safe, inviting common areas. Residents receive daily health monitoring and 24/7 care along with access to a licensed nurse and more supportive third-party service providers. All suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicapped-accessible bathrooms. In addition, we offer SafelyYou technology, which can detect and prevent falls for residents with (AI) Artificial Intelligence.

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call Lavender Sky. By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families.

All our employees, regardless of their position, receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our residents. The eight hours of training includes the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.

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

Please contact us for more information about MorningStar’s memory care in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and all the amenities and services we provide. We look forward to hearing from you.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Muscle Loss in Seniors

February 24, 2025 by Quinn A in Memory care

The term sarcopenia refers to age-related muscle loss and is a natural part of growing older. However, it also may occur at a faster pace after prolonged periods of inactivity from injury, illness or the pain of osteoarthritis. Sarcopenia causes muscle atrophy and brings problems such as poor balance and greater weakness, which in turn can result in more inactivity and increased risks for falls.

Seniors with muscle atrophy may have difficulty reaching their arms upward, opening jars, typing on a keyboard or even tying shoes. The Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine reports on a study that found “older men who did eight weeks of strength training lost about 25% of their muscle gains after they stopped training for two weeks.”

Jodi Klein, a physical therapist at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, suggests a few things you can do if you know you have a surgical procedure ahead of you that could cause muscle atrophy. She says if you are currently active, keep it up; if not, use this time to get started. Klein explains, “The better shape you are in going into surgery, the better shape you will be coming out, and the less chance you have of enduring muscle loss.”

Older adults who want to regain muscle strength should talk to their health care provider about the best methods. Experts recommend an exercise routine that builds both upper and lower body strength. This could include weight training with dumbbells and resistance bands in conjunction with walking, swimming, and biking. If it would be helpful, think about turning to an expert to aid you in regaining strength.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Wheat Ridge provides older adults carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Beautifully designed to meet our residents’ every need, MorningStar offers a range of programs and activities to engage and support physical, intellectual, social and spiritual well-being. Please visit our website to learn what sets us apart from other senior living communities and why MorningStar is a great place to call home.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Contact us for more information about the finest memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Source: health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/dont-let-muscle-mass-go-to-waste

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge Offers Experienced Memory Care

December 13, 2024 by Quinn A in Memory care

Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating for the person and their family. All of one’s carefully laid plans are cast aside as their future takes a much different path. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge wants families to know we are here to help.

We are an assisted living and memory care community in a northern suburb of Denver, close to medical facilities, shopping, and other services. Our community is one of MorningStar’s 40+ communities across eleven states, where we have worked hard to become dementia care specialists.

MorningStar’s extensive experience in memory care has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the disease, and we consider it our privilege to serve those with memory loss. We recognize that the person’s essence remains and we are committed to finding ways to connect with and nurture that essence.

We also consider residents’ family members to be part of our MorningStar family as we walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey. Our unique approach to memory care is called Lavender Sky, which is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of memory loss.

Before the resident joins our community, we take the time to get to know them through interviews with their family members to learn about their history, vocation, talents and preferences. We then use this knowledge to help us design an individualized care plan that takes all of this into consideration.

Every aspect of our memory care is designed to address the needs of our residents including 24/7 compassionate Care Mangers, wellness programs and activities that will stimulate and calm as needed. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, scheduled outings and special events.

Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home. For residents’ safety, suites are equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar and our community in Wheat Ridge.

When is it Time for a Memory Care Community?

December 05, 2024 by Quinn A in Memory care

A Place for Mom’s website explains how many people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can live independently with or without the help of in-home caregivers or family members. However, they also stress there may come a time when the disease progresses to a stage where the person’s safety and physical well-being is in jeopardy and more care is needed.

As a person with Alzheimer’s may have good days and bad, it can be hard to tell if they would be better served in a memory care community. Experts say signs include: has their appearance changed? Do they look unkempt and have they lost weight due to forgetting to eat? Do they appear agitated and confused? Are they unable to carry on a conversation?

Your loved one’s healthcare provider can help you decide if it is time for memory care. Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says, “When talking about memory care . . . I’ll center the talk around [the person’s] ability to perform their activities of daily living.”

A Place for Mom says to gauge a senior’s abilities and safety, your doctor may ask if they:

Get lost on routes they take frequently, such as going to the grocery store or taking a walk around the neighborhood
Have trouble remembering to eat or drink
Are forgetting to take their medication appropriately
Are struggling to bathe regularly or get dressed as usual
Had a fall or been to the emergency room recently
Leave the stove on after preparing food

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provides compassionate memory care for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our holistic approach to care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes. Beginning with dedicated caregivers to activities, programs and meals tailored to our residents’ special needs, we bring a deep understanding of the disease to our care. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/is-it-time-for-memory-care