Sometimes a senior has a fall or another medical emergency that precipitates the need for a change in their living circumstances such as a move into an assisted living community. Other times, the situation is not so clear-cut and is more a case of a senior slowly losing the ability to attend to their daily care needs. We know it is upsetting for families to see their loved one decline, which is why experts offer advice to help determine if an assisted living setting would be an improvement in their lifestyle.
One way to decide if assisted living is right for your parent or another loved one is to take an inventory of the things they are having trouble doing for themselves and if assistance would improve their quality of life. For instance, are they having a hard time preparing and cooking meals or need help bathing, toileting, and dressing? Have they stopped driving and spend a lot of time alone? Is your normally tidy parent now letting the household tasks go and/or mail is stacking up unopened and bills not getting paid? Other factors that indicate the need for more help includes recent falls or burns from using water that is too hot or from cooking. Warning signs also include a history of medication mismanagement or worsening chronic health problems, which could all benefit from the care received in an assisted living community. At MorningStar of Littleton, we offer 65 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood has 20 secure memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We make it easy for 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. MorningStar of Littleton offers the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 learn more about the finest senior living Littleton, CO has to offer.
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Along with the finest assisted living Des Moines–West Des Moines has to offer; MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure suites devoted to caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The Reflections Neighborhood is specifically designed to allow our most tender residents the freedom to explore their surroundings safely and easily. Within the safe haven of our “Neighborhood,” we have created an environment that encourages and supports residents’ independence whenever possible. We accept residents in the earliest stage of the disease right through to those in more advanced phases that require the highest level of care. As dementia care specialists, we understand how devastating it is when a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another memory loss disease, and we want you to know we are here to help. We are honored to offer care and support 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. We are staffed by experienced and compassionate caregivers who truly understand the disease. Our holistic approach to memory care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes. MorningStar leverages the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy in order to heal and comfort, and provides meaningful wellness programs and activities that engage our residents. Also, as many adverse behaviors are often side effects from antipsychotic drugs, our goal is to have as few as possible of our residents on such drugs. Please contact us to learn more about our community and the philosophy that guides our care. We know you will be gratified to discover a staff that is committed to providing compassionate, loving care and treats residents with the utmost dignity and respect they deserve. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other assisted living Des Moines - West Des Moines offers. 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, MorningStar at Jordan Creek provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. In a recent article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health. Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.
One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain. An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.” Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming. However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider. In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health. This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits. Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night. Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.” What sets MorningStar at Jordan Creek apart from other assisted living Des Moines or West Des Moines offers? We strive to provide a true “home” for our residents and have a team committed to serving seniors who treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our loving, around-the-clock care encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of our residents. Please visit our website for more information. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other assisted living Des Moines - West Des Moines offers. 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, MorningStar at Jordan Creek provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory While there is no cure or medical treatment to prevent Alzheimer’s disease there is some encouraging news on how we can slow down the risk of the disease in our own life, even if we have a higher genetic risk. Researchers say that several studies indicate that by following a combination of healthy lifestyle habits we lower our risk of cognitive decline, and the more of them we adopt, the better it is for us.
The main health habits linked to slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s include regular exercise, cognitive stimulation, a brain-healthy diet, light to moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking. In fact in one study, researchers from Rush University in Chicago found that participants who “followed four out of five lifestyle behaviors over a six-year period had a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia when compared to people who practiced only one or none of these habits.” Another study from the University of California San Francisco reports that people who smoked had twice the risk of developing cognitive impairment as compared to non-smokers or to someone who had kicked the habit. Also, a study out of the UK found that even those with an increased risk for cognitive decline who followed a healthier lifestyle had a 32% lower risk. So isn’t it time we all make an effort for better cognitive health as well as improve our overall health? At MorningStar, we understand that a healthy lifestyle is important and we do our best to help our residents enjoy a life of comfort and wellness. We are also blessed to have a team of individuals working for us who are guided by big hearts and feel privileged to serve seniors. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about our assisted living and memory care community. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care. Source: nbcnews.com/health/aging/can-alzheimer-s-be-stopped-five-lifestyle-behaviors-are-key-n1029441 At MorningStar, our goal is to provide the best senior living Littleton, CO has to offer, which includes compassionate and loving care for those with memory impairment. Our Reflections Neighborhood is unique from many other senior communities as it is specifically designed to cater to the specialized needs of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Starting with our physical design, which enhances residents’ freedom to explore our expansive surroundings safely and easily, we look for creative ways to connect with and nurture each individual, regardless of the level of memory loss.
To aid us in this endeavor, we are staffed by a dedicated team that feels it is their calling, their privilege, to serve our tender residents and to provide a level of care that affirms their dignity and value. Each team member is trained in Radiance, our Service Excellence Program, which is an attitude of the heart and is the way we deliver service – with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. Our team also goes out of their way to get to know our residents, to really listen to their stories, and in many cases, treat them like they would their own moms and dads. We encourage you to take a look at our touching Twice the Story video series that showcases these special relationships that develop between residents and our team members. At MorningStar, we believe these friendships testify to the fact that we need to support one another, and through these special connections, we come away changed for the better. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Littleton offers 20 secure memory care suites in a variety of floor plans. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s most trusted memory care as well as to inquire about availability and pricing. While major disruptions like COVID-19 cause many hardships and sorrows, often they give rise to innovation. While the MorningStar senior living communities have always been purpose-built to protect our residents and team members, we have stepped up our rigorous protocols with Electrostatic Disinfecting Technology. This emergent weapon in our fight to protect is harmless but it is deadly against infectious disease. MorningStar of Littleton offers the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 a true “home” for residents. Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Littleton, CO offers. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge 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 of Wheat Ridge is also guided by our company’s founding principles that include:
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 of Wheat Ridge 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. Please see our website to learn more about senior living committed to creating a true home for our remarkable seniors. 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. Along with 45 assisted living suites, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has another 19 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Starting with the actual physical design right through to our holistic, compassionate care, every aspect of our memory care is designed to provide the best for our most tender residents including our food service.
Many individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have trouble using a fork and knife to eat with, which is why many memory care homes resort to serving finger foods like chicken nuggets, fish sticks, french fries and purees. The problem with this is while the food may be easy to eat; it is not very nutritional and lacks variety. This is why the MorningStar communities have modified our memory care food service to one that avoids overly processed meals, and is both tasty and nutritional. Our menus consist of foods like pastas and other edible items wrapped in puff pastry sheets, egg roll wrappers and turnovers that are easy for residents to pick up and eat. Our Chef also utilizes techniques such as mixing and molding soft, pureed food to resemble its pre-blended form. For example, residents might be served something that looks like blueberry French toast but is really a French toast puree that has been shaped and molded with binding agents. Also in normal times, we routinely welcome families to come and join us for a meal, and hopefully will be able to resume this tradition soon. We want you to know that our entire team is honored to walk alongside the memory-impaired (and their families) on this unexpected journey. As dementia specialists, we recognize that the essence of the person still exists – our job is to find ways to connect with that essence regardless of the level of memory loss. Please contact us or visit our website for more information. 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 the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers. Now may be the time to consider moving your parent into assisted living as a way to ensure they get the daily support they need in a safe, comfortable environment. Assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provide all of the comforts and care residents need to thrive!
Assisted living also provides peace of mind if your mom or dad has poor balance or failing eyesight, which can increase the likelihood of a fall, and not having help close at hand can be dangerous. In addition, if a parent no longer drives, it may be difficult for them to get groceries and other necessary supplies including prescription medications or to see a doctor. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge provides assisted living residents help with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) to help maintain their independence. Residents and their families take comfort knowing our trained care managers are there to help them navigate through any changes in their health condition. And if you wondered, couples can live together in their own suites, surrounded by their own treasured possessions, or a suite can be shared by friends who enjoy one another’s company. Another thing you will no longer have to worry about is whether mom or dad is getting enough good, healthy food to eat. MorningStar’s daily meals feature the freshest ingredients and are prepared using the highest quality produce, often homegrown and locally sourced as we know there is nothing like fresh foods to stimulate the senses and the appetite. Finally, MorningStar wants you to know that during this time of the coronavirus outbreak, our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents, their families and our staff; and we could not be more vigilant in our defensive approach. We are staying abreast of its real time status and closely following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof. Please see our website for more information. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about loving assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO. Most of us have heard the CDC and other health professionals stress the importance of everyone getting a flu shot this year. However, you may not have heard about another important vaccine recommended for anyone over the age of 50. Shingrix is a vaccine designed to prevent shingles and was introduced to the public in 2017. The CDC reports Shingrix is the preferred shingles vaccine as it offers more than a 90 percent success in preventing shingles. However, for the last couple of years, there have been shortages of the vaccine and it was not available to many older adults.
While you should always check with your healthcare provider before getting any vaccine including the shingles’ vaccine, as of July 2020, a company’s spokesman said GSK's Shingrix is no longer on the CDC's shortages list, and there is now a supply “available to meet demand across all distribution channels.” They still suggest you check with your drugstore or doctor to make sure they have the vaccine available. The CDC says the reason so many older adults are eager to get the vaccine is that “nearly one in three people in the U.S. develops shingles at some point.” They add that symptoms include pain, rash, itching, and first fluid-filled, then eventually crusting blisters that can lead to permanent scarring. It is recommended that anyone over the age of 50 gets the Shingrix vaccine even if they are uncertain whether they have had chickenpox in the past or have a history of shingles. The CDC also says you should get the Shingrix vaccine even if you got the Zostavax vaccine in the past. Zostavax is a live vaccine and is only about 51 percent effective toward preventing shingles. Medical experts explain that the Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant vaccine. “This means vaccine manufacturers created it by altering and purifying DNA that codes for an antigen to produce an immune response to fight the virus.” Shingrix requires two shots taken at least two to six months apart. Common side effects from the vaccine include pain, swelling, itching and soreness at the site of the shot, and a small number of people report headaches. The CDC says to consult your healthcare provider to learn whether a Shingrix vaccine is the right treatment option for you. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about loving assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO. Source: healthline.com/health/shingles-vaccine-side-effects#who-should-get-it The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that every 40 seconds a person has a stroke and every four minutes someone dies from one. While that is alarming, the AHA says that almost 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
Did you know that one of the leading causes of strokes is high blood pressure, also called hypertension, and is the most prevalent health condition facing Americans? Statistics show one in four US adults have hypertension, and as people age, their blood pressure goes up. Experts now believe as many as 80% of people 65 years and older have hypertension and should take steps to reduce it. If you fall into that age group or at risk for HBP, start by regularly monitoring your blood pressure. If high, work with your doctor to find ways to lower it including getting more exercise and eating a healthy diet. Another way to help prevent strokes is to quit smoking. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and forces the heart to work harder, which in turn, increases the likelihood of blood clots. Also if you are diabetic, you need to manage the disease. The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetics are two to four times more likely to have a stroke than someone without the disease. Exercise is another way to lower your risk. Doctors say 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week, like a brisk walk, yoga or dancing are beneficial. Moreover, if you are overweight, try to lose weight as obesity puts you at risk for any number of health issues including stroke. And don’t forget to get your cholesterol checked. The AHA recommends everyone 20 years of age and over should have it done at least every 5 years. Check with your healthcare provider regarding other risks for stroke. At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we approach senior living holistically to provide our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community. We offer 45 well-designed suites for assisted living and another 19 secure suites devoted to the individualized care for residents suffering with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Visit our website to learn more. 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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