By incorporating nature into our memory care community, MorningStar Senior Living strives to improve the physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being of our senior living community in Littleton, Colorado. Nature-based activities, natural light, biophilic design and pet therapy can all help to improve mood, cognitive function, and provide a sense of purpose and well-being to those in memory care.
We have a variety of outdoor spaces for our residents to enjoy at MorningStar of Littleton, including beautifully curated gardens, relaxing walking paths, and luxurious patios. These spaces provide residents with the opportunity to be outside and enjoy the beauty of nature. Fresh air, sunshine, and greenery can help to improve mood and cognitive function of those with Alzheimer’s. We incorporate nature-based activities at MorningStar as often as possible. For example, the gardening club plants and tends to their own flowers or vegetables, or we may take a group walk on one of the many nearby nature trails. These nature based activities provide a sense of purpose to those with Alzheimer’s and can be very therapeutic for our residents. Animals are very loved in the memory care community at MorningStar! Pet therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on mood, cognitive function, and helps to relieve stressors or worry. At MorningStar, our pet therapy program allows residents to interact with therapy animals, such as dogs or cats. Pet therapy for seniors with Alzheimer’s provides an opportunity for memory care residents to socialize. This can be especially beneficial for those who may have difficulty communicating or engaging in social activities with friends or family members. 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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When a loved one is struggling with Alzheimer's, proper communication can be a challenging task. However, it is important to understand that effective communication can greatly enhance the quality of life for the seniors struggling with memory loss and their loved ones. MorningStar Senior Living in Littleton co understands how important it is to understand that nonverbal communication, such as touch, facial expressions, and body language, greatly improves the responsiveness of seniors with Alzheimer’s. When a senior with Alzheimer’s is able to feel comfortable through appropriate communication, their overall health and wellbeing improves drastically.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that individuals with Alzheimer's may have difficulty with verbal communication as the disease progresses. They may struggle with finding the right words, have difficulty following conversations, and may even become agitated or confused. It is essential to remain patient and understanding when communicating with a loved one with Alzheimer's, and to speak in simple, clear language. Avoid using complex words or phrases, and try to maintain eye contact and a calm tone of voice. It is also important to remember that individuals with Alzheimer's may have difficulty with short-term memory, so they may not remember recent events or conversations. It's important to repeat important information and to avoid asking the same question multiple times. This can be frustrating for the person with Alzheimer's and can cause them to become agitated. Another important aspect of communication is to make sure that the person with Alzheimer's is aware of what is happening around them. This means keeping them informed about the time of day, the weather, and any upcoming events or plans. This will help them to feel more connected and in control of their surroundings. Drastic change may overwhelm an individual with Alzheimer’s who is unable to communicate their confusion. 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. Through proper diets and healthy choices, food is a healing medicine unlike any other. It is also one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed in community. With Fall approaching, our appetites are searching for warm, hearty, and familiar meals. For seniors, it’s important to consume foods high in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats throughout the year. Finding foods that can meet all our needs can be difficult, but these fall foods might just offer you that brilliant and beautiful meal that you’ve been searching for.
Butternut squash is a type of winter squash with pale orange skin and a bright orange interior that is often served in the fall and winter months. It is great in soups, pastas, and roasted on its own with some olive oil. Butternut squash is high in potassium, which can help keep your blood pressure in check. Managing your blood pressure can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease. Who doesn’t love pumpkin flavored dishes? Well did you know that pumpkins offer vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and folate, all of which strengthen your immune system? Pumpkin also helps ease inflammation, which keeps your skin and body calmer and happier. It’s best to consume pumpkin without added sugars or unhealthy fats, but a little moderation is fine. It is the holidays, after all. At MorningStar Assisted Living Des Moines, our senior living dining experience is inspired by the belief that diet is the centerpiece of personal wellness. Our trained Executive Chefs design seasonal menus that feature the freshest ingredients from high quality producers, locally sourced when possible. Sometimes even from our own garden! It’s great to bring these fresh fall foods to our tables whenever possible. If you love the sound of built-in companionship, predictable budgeting and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community, MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Des Moines, Iowa takes care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you. Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities 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 retirement facilities in Iowa. We encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in West Des Moines, Iowa. 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. 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. 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. 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. MorningStar’s “Lavender Sky” Teaches How Connection is Still Possible With an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis6/17/2022 In our senior living facility within Littleton, Colorado, we see the devastation that comes with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Often, family members and close friends deal with high levels of grief and even anger in regard to this diagnosis of their loved one. It is difficult to watch someone so close to you change and often feel unrecognizable. Through MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care, “Lavender Sky,” it can be seen that the personality of the person that you knew and loved may still be able to maintain a relationship regardless of their memory loss.
Cassidy Jones, an employee of MorningStar, started out as a server and quickly progressed to a concierge within our facility. Here, she met one of the residents staying in Memory Care, Elsie. Jones felt such a high calling to befriend Elsie and visits her whenever she is working. Watching Jones and Elsie, you can feel the joy radiating between them as they communicate in what looks like gibberish to the outside world. Jones tells us that Elsie began speaking a repetitive statement to her in a foreign language. When translated, Jones discovered that Elsie had been saying “I love you.” Although Jones may not understand what Elsie is saying at all times, this sweet nugget of communication can be seen as a breakthrough in relationships of individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s and symptoms of memory loss. Jones states that she has fun communicating with Elsie and “jumping into that world is incredible.” The jump that Jones describes echoes our mantra within “Lavender Sky” of exploration within a memory loss diagnosis, such as Alzheimer’s. Embracing the diagnosis allows caretakers to expand their knowledge and understanding of what it means to have Alzheimer’s and what we already feel we do understand changes every day. Through a “Lavender Sky,” we can fully “enter, embrace, and explore” the world of dementia, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s together. In doing so, we can connect more with our residents and provide better, personalized care in an extraordinary way. While Jones’ story is unique, it is not singular. To learn more about “Lavender Sky” and the other specialized care regarding Alzheimer’s and memory loss, please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other senior living facilities in Littleton, Colorado. MorningStar at Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors, and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Littleton, Colorado has to offer. Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 19th this year. If your special father figure is in assisted living rather than at home, it may seem difficult to come up with ideas to celebrate him this year. Instead of helping in the usual strenuous yard work, throwing an elaborate barbecue, or planning a fishing trip, show the dad in your life appreciation through spending some much-needed relaxing family time from the ideas below.
Senior living doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Dad the same way you may have been accustomed to. Assisted living facilities, such as MorningStar in Des Moines IA, offer colorful and unique living arrangements and community involvement that keeps your father’s life full and enriched while continuing to keep him safe and healthy. Celebrating Father’s Day at MorningStar is special because family is what makes that day important. If your dad is a bit of a social butterfly, show interest in his life at MorningStar this Father’s Day by visiting with his close-knit community. He will be overly enthusiastic to introduce you to all his friends and neighbors as they have spent much time getting to know each other in the full-service dining room, getting some sun on the patio, or walking in the exercise room. Spend time together listening to his favorite music albums. One thing parents appreciate is reminiscing on their earlier lives. Bringing some of their favorite music to play in their suite is one way to open them up and remind them of happy memories that they can share with you. If you have children, letting them dance with grandpa is sure to spark joy in the whole family. Bring in dinner from their favorite restaurant to share as a family. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers senior living that is in close proximity to great food and shopping which makes it quick and easy to pick up a surprise meal to show just how much you were thinking of your dad this Father’s Day. Taking the time to share this meal as a family is relaxing and a fun way to catch up through treating everyone’s taste buds. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our onsite amenities and care services provide a lifestyle of comfort and wellness. Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Des Moines offers. MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors, and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Des Moines, IA has to offer. |
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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