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.
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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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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. |
Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, MorningStar is committed to giving residents a quality of life surpassing that of other senior living communities. To experience firsthand the finest in senior living, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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