Today's Elderly Have Seen a Lot in Their Lifetime

Many of us are lucky to have family or friends that are well into their 90s or even a 100 + years old. They are not alone as in 2014, the CDC reported there were 72,197 Americans aged 100 or older. Also, according to 2017 projections from the Social Security Administration, it reads, “For those who are 65 today, a man has a 3% chance of living to 100, a woman a 5.9% chance, and at least one member of a couple an 8.7%.” 

When we take the time to think about the many changes that have occurred over the last hundred years, it is incredible to think we know someone who has lived through much of it. During the 1920s, most Americans lived in rural settings or in small towns, and all members of the families worked in one form or another including children who had routine duties around the farm or in the house. Imagine the Ford Model T, which was considered to be the first affordable car that our grandparents may have rode in as children and the cars they drive today. In addition, they were old enough to be captivated by the first transatlantic airplane flight made by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. 

Our parents or grandparents have lived through world wars and world depressions, saw airline travel become an everyday convenience and men land on the moon. They saw the start of the computer age and witnessed the impact of the world wide web. Together these are some of the reasons why MorningStar of Boulder believes seniors are heroes—men and women who have exacted out of life all its triumphs and trials. Moreover, it is why we believe if anyone deserves honor and respect, it is our seniors. 

If you are looking for outstanding memory care or assisted living, Boulder Colorado’s MorningStar of Boulder encourages you to contact us or visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community.

MorningStar of Boulder proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “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 the finest memory care and assisted living Boulder Colorado offers.

MorningStar at Jordan's Compassionate Memory Care

Caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia at home can be a difficult job. Moreover for some caregivers whose own health is less than perfect, the stress and worry of providing care for a loved one with dementia can be too much. 

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, our Reflections Neighborhood is a dedicated area that cares for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Staffed by compassionate, dementia care specialists, the entire area is designed to accommodate the needs of our most tender residents. Furthermore, we are equipped to care for seniors from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. 

Our loving team takes a holistic approach to memory care that is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the very different and isolating world of dementia. To fully support residents, we intentionally enter into the “purple world” of dementia and lovingly cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. 

The families of MorningStar’s memory care residents feel comforted knowing that every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood delivers focused care including mealtimes intended to stimulate the often-flagging appetites of residents. In addition, we leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to heal and comfort as well as take into account the uniqueness of each person. And most importantly, we embrace hope. 

MorningStar at Jordan is safely accepting new residents and we are very confident in our enhanced protocols for dealing with COVID-19. To ensure the safety of residents and team members alike, we have temporarily suspended non-essential visitors and vendors from entering our senior living communities, ramped up our cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and more. Please visit our website for additional information.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan 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. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

Does Your Elderly Loved One Love Cats or Dogs?

Have you been searching for something for your elderly mom or dad that would provide some comfort and help ease their feelings of loneliness and isolation? While you may think now is not the best time for them to assume the responsibilities of a new pet, you may want to take a look at one of the many “robotic pets” in the marketplace. 

We know there has been a lot of research that supports the idea pet ownership is beneficial to seniors and a loving pet is a great companion. Now researchers have also discovered that robotic pets may provide the elderly with many of the same benefits live animals do. A 2017 study found that the interaction between older adults and animals, whether real or robotic, helped lower blood pressure, eased anxiety, reduced feeling of loneliness and improved the overall quality of life. 

The advantage of a low-maintenance robot dog or cat is they are easy for seniors with little to no tech savvy to “care for.” The realistic pets do little tricks such as a robotic dog who wags its tail, raises its eyebrow when you pet it, has a heartbeat, and makes a barking noise. For people with dementia, robotic pets have helped ease agitation and anxiety and seem to have a calming influence. 

In fact, New York’s Department for the Aging (DFTA) was so impressed with the pets that they implemented a program to distribute mechanical dogs and cats to a number of seniors with the aim of easing loneliness. The DFTA’s Commissioner, Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez explains, “For the older person, social isolation really has a devastating effect on their health.” 

If you are looking for exceptional assisted living or memory care, MorningStar of Boulder encourages you to contact us or visit our website for more information about our loving community. Along with 48 assisted living suites, MorningStar of Boulder offers 46 secure suites dedicated to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We are now accepting new residents and are confident in our COVID-19 protocols. We continue to stay abreast of COVID-19 developments and evaluate best practices and innovations in our services to seniors.

MorningStar of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Contact us to learn more about our outstanding assisted living and memory care community.

Virtual Healthcare

Lots of changes are going on regarding the way we are leading our day-to-day lives including visits to our healthcare providers. Chances are good that if you have a scheduled visit to your physician, you may be told that it will be a virtual telehealth visit as many physicians have substantially cut back on in-person office visits. 

While the concept may seem new, you may be surprised to learn that the Lancet medical journal first discussed the possibility of using the telephone as a way to lessen unnecessary office or home visits in 1879, three years after Alexander Graham invented the telephone. Now with the outbreak of COVID-19 and telehealth visits quickly gaining popularity, experts offer some guidance on what to expect and tips to make sure you are prepared for your “visit.” 

First, in order to participate in a telemedicine appointment, you need at a minimum a telephone line. Ideally, high-speed internet and video access through a smartphone, tablet or computer allows you to connect visually. Also your provider needs to tell you what app to download before your visit. 

Moreover, just like a regular in-office visit, doctors recommend making a list of topics you wish to go over with your healthcare provider. Dr. Gary LeRoy, an associate professor of family medicine at Wright State University and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, advises patients to ask themselves, “‘why do you need to be seen today; and what's the biggest priority?” He suggests keeping a symptom diary of when the problem first developed and what seems to aggravate or alleviate the symptoms, etc. Also make your call in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted, and have on hand any devices you use including thermometer, blood pressure cuff, glucometer, etc. 

If you need a mammogram, colonoscopy, or other procedures that require in-person care, experts recommend postponing them until we are in a better place in terms of the current health crisis. However, they stress that emergencies are still emergencies including “sudden chest pains, weakness in one side of the face or body, or a sudden thunder-clap headache. These are all red-alert symptoms that could signal a heart attack or stroke,” and require immediate medical attention. 

MorningStar of Boulder proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “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 Boulder Colorado offers.

Source: health.usnews.com/conditions/articles/a-beginners-guide-to-a-virtual-doctors-visit

MorningStar of Boulder Offers Loving Memory Care

MorningStar of Boulder is proud to offer exceptional assisted living and memory care. Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates senior living communities throughout the Western U.S. This means MorningStar of Boulder benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained in their 17 years of operation regarding all facets of senior living, including a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

MorningStar has earned a reputation as trusted dementia care specialists, and we feel it is our calling to provide care to our most special residents. By devoting a separate area to memory care called our Reflections Neighborhood, residents have the independence to safely move about their expansive surroundings. To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure patio and courtyard to allow them to enjoy the outdoors.

Our holistic approach to dementia care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of dementia. Providing loving support for our residents, we enter with insight and intentionality as we step into their “purple world” and cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. We also feel it is our job to help support our residents’ families. Along with education, we show them how to follow our lead and enter into the world of their loved ones.

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. Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual. Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Contact us to learn more about our outstanding assisted living and memory care community.

Looking for Assisted Living or Memory Care in Centennial, CO?

The MorningStar story began with a vision from our Founder/CEO, Ken Jaeger, who wanted to re-create senior housing that was defined by the human touch and felt much like his grandmother’s house – “a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” Out of this loving concept that focuses on the power of relationships, came three mission statements upon which MorningStar was founded: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. 

Following these precepts, MorningStar at Jordan is committed to providing residents with a lifestyle of comfort and wellness with a care team that feels honored to serve seniors. Our beautiful community offers a choice of 55 well-appointed, private assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. 

While the country slowly gets back to normal and continues to reopen, we want you to know that MorningStar at Jordan will still be closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Senior Housing Association and Federal government. This includes prohibiting non-essential visitors and vendors from entering our community. Also all team members who interact with residents must follow strict protocols regarding hygiene and protection, and we will continue the daily screening of staff for symptoms and prevent those who are ill from coming to work. 

Currently we are safely accepting new residents; however it is being done in conjunction with a thorough screening process. New residents move directly into their private suite, where they will remain for a 14-day quarantine period; and staff entering the room will wear full personal protective equipment. 

Remember our first commitment is to the safety of all those in our care. Listen to what one resident’s daughter writes about her experience, “Although it is difficult not being able to visit our loved ones, I am so grateful for the proactive stand you are taking. Our parents could not be in a better place.” 

MorningStar at Jordan offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “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 assisted living and memory care in Centennial, CO.

Sun Safety: You're Never Too Old to Protect Your Skin

If you are an older adult, you may feel like you are past the point of worrying about a few new wrinkles and think you no longer need to protect your skin with sunscreen. The medical profession wants you to know that nothing could be further from the truth as seniors are actually more sensitive to sunlight and of getting sunburnt in a shorter period of time than when they were younger. This is due to a couple of reasons including as we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses it protective fat, and medications commonly taken by seniors including antibiotics, NSAIDs, oral diabetes drugs, and diuretics may increase photosensitivity. 

Doctors recommend that seniors avoid exposure to the sun during peak times (from 10 am to 4 pm) and to remember that the sun’s UV rays are still potent even on cloudy days. Also be sure to wear sunscreen choosing a cream or lotion that is broad spectrum (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays) of SPF 30 every day. If you plan to be at the beach or to play golf, wear SPF of 50 or higher. Be sure to reapply every 1½ to two hours.

You also need to wear a hat and protective clothing. The brim of your hat should be at least 3” and cover your neck and ears, and long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts that are loose and light-weight. Don’t forget to wear good sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. Finally, remember to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. 

MorningStar of Boulder provides all the amenities, wellness programs, and care services residents need for their comfort and wellbeing. Our beautiful community offers 48 bright suites for assisted living in a range of configurations, including studio and one and two-bedroom floor plans, to accommodate residents’ preferences and needs. We have another 46 suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Please see our website for more information including an update from our CEO regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

MorningStar of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Contact us to learn more about our outstanding assisted living and memory care community.

Is it Time for Assisted Living?

If you have become responsible for more and more of the caregiving duties for an elderly parent or another loved one, it may be time to consider a change. Today’s senior living options include assisted living that provides daily help with personal care, and actually helps residents regain their sense of independence. Moreover, senior living communities like MorningStar of Boulder provide much more than just physical care. Along with a wealth of amenities and services, it is designed to feel like a real home. 

Our first priority is to ensure your loved one gets the care they need. This starts with a thorough evaluation of their medical and personal history, followed by a care plan approved by you and your parent. MorningStar’s services also help out our families by providing transportation to doctor appointments as well as offer scheduled physician visits, choice of physicians, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry care. 

Our services also include providing housekeeping to help ensure residents’ homes are tidy and clean. By taking care of meals, we see to it your loved one gets the daily nutrition they need. We also offer assistance with another common problem many seniors experience when living alone, which is forgetting to or improperly taking medications. We solve this by offering medication management services. 

Currently we are safely accepting new residents, and are confident in our protocols and procedures in fighting the coronavirus (COVID-19). As the nation slowly reopens, MorningStar of Boulder is judiciously following Colorado’s guidance in terms of phasing and pacing. We continue to stay abreast of developments and evaluate best practices and innovations in our services to seniors. 

Please visit our website for more information about the finest assisted living Boulder Colorado offers. Our community offers 48 bright suites for assisted living and 46 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. 

MorningStar of Boulder proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “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 assisted living Boulder Colorado has to offer.

Signs Your Loved One May Have Hearing Loss

If you think your spouse or an elderly parent may be suffering from hearing loss (keep in mind it is extremely common in seniors), the AARP has some good tips to help you decide if it is time to convince them to see a doctor. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that approximately 1 in 3 people between 65 and 74 years of age, and nearly half of those older than 75, have trouble hearing. 

While we may think it should be easy for someone to know if they are experiencing hearing loss, the problem is that the loss generally occurs slowly over time. Thus as a person starts having trouble hearing, they self-correct by doing things like turning up the volume on the TV, and is why it is often other people who are the first to suspect a problem. 

Experts say it is important to get help for hearing loss as it is treatable and can lead to social isolation, which is linked to depression, dementia, and even falls. In addition to the volume turned way up on the TV and radio, doctors say other signs include the person constantly asking you to repeat yourself and having difficulty following conversation. The person may start talking louder than a situation calls for or be uncomfortable talking on the phone. They may also be unable to hear an alarm, the phone ringing or the doorbell. 

People can be reluctant to go to a doctor for hearing loss for a variety of reasons including the cost of a hearing aid, the bother of wearing one and being afraid it will make them feel old. Stefanie Wolf, AuD, a clinical audiologist with Audiology of Nassau County in Rockville Centre, New York, says to “remind your loved one that treating hearing loss isn't just about improving their ability to perceive sounds; it can contribute to their overall health and well-being.”

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan 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. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

Source: aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/hearing-loss-common-signs.html

Seniors and Driving

From time to time, we hear news stories about elderly people causing serious car accidents due to negligence. This typically reignites the on-going debate about “when is it time for a senior to stop driving?” Also it is important to keep in mind that seniors are more likely to be injured in an accident as well as more likely to die from their injuries. 

Obviously being told you should no longer drive is a very sensitive topic for an elderly person still driving. To them, it represents more than just getting from one place to another but their independence and a way of life. So before you take away your elderly parent’s driving privileges, there are some things you can do to check that their driving is up to today’s road conditions. 

The first thing you can do is to get in the car and take a ride with them. Experts say some driving issues signal serious problems while others less so. For instance if your loved one is confusing the gas pedal with the brake, this is serious and requires immediate action. Other things to look for are problems with left-hand turns, changing lanes, or driving either too fast or too slow. Once you are out of the car, check for signs of new scrapes and dents. 

Many older adults realize their driving abilities are not what they used to be and make the decision on their own to stop driving at night or on freeways. They also will not drive on icy and snowy roads or in the rain. Some even make other adjustments such as not making left hand turns or avoiding busy roads with lots of lanes and traffic. 

One of the many advantages of senior living is that most communities offer services for transportation. This ensures your loved one will get to their doctor appointments safely and any other errands they need to do. If you would like to learn more about our loving assisted living and memory care community in Centennial, CO, please contact MorningStar at Jordan. We welcome any questions and will be more than happy to speak with you and your family.

MorningStar at Jordan offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “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 assisted living and memory care in Centennial, CO.

Work at One of Denver's Finest Senior Living Communities

If you live in or around Denver, you most likely know there are lots of senior living communities throughout the area; but we want you to know you will not find a better one to work for than our MorningStar homes. These include MorningStar at Jordan, MorningStar at RidgeGate, MorningStar of Littleton, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge and Parker Senior Living by MorningStar. Each one is currently seeking individuals with big hearts who are drawn to the idea of working with seniors. 

As you learn about our history and founding principles, you will gain a better understanding of why our approach to senior housing is so unique. Ken Jaeger, our Founder/CEO had specific ideas on how to foster the ultimate environment for both residents and team members, which starts with the guiding precepts found in our Mission statement. It reads: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve. 

Yes, you read that right, MorningStar’s goal of building a distinguished team of service professionals is so important to us that it is included in our mission statement. Investing in our team’s ability to succeed is not just nice words but something we put into action every day in our communities. This includes a hiring process that starts by seeking individuals with a felt calling to serve, and then providing them, regardless of their position, training in our signature customer service initiative we call Radiance, which celebrates an attitude of selflessness that issues from a deep and sincere place. 

Our open assisted living jobs at Denver’s premiere senior living communities include everything from housekeeping jobs, cooks, dining room servers, dishwashers to care managers, medication care managers, directors and coordinators. Positions are full and part-time as well as evening, night, and weekend shifts. Please visit our website for a chance to make a difference in the lives of our incredible residents. 

At MorningStar Senior Living, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We are committed to a foundation built upon honoring God and valuing all seniors, and are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve seniors. If you have a commitment to service, we encourage you to visit MorningStar’s Career page for information on how to apply for assisted living jobs in Denver CO.

Let Your Senior Loved One Know They are Loved and Missed

If you have an elderly loved one who is living in a senior community that has halted visits due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the AARP offers several things you can do to help them stay socially connected and avoid feeling isolated. Remember one of the most important things we can do is to let them know they are loved and missed. 

The easiest way you can do this is through frequent phone calls, but also don’t forget other ways of communicating such as sending a letter or greeting card through the snail mail reminding them you are thinking of them. Include the kids by having them draw a picture for grandma or grandpa or if they are old enough, have them also write a letter. 

It definitely makes it more personal to stay in touch if your parent has a computer or a smart device that lets you FaceTime or Skype on a regular basis and the AAPR has some ideas of how to use video-calling to keep it fun. One suggestion if your kids are young is to arrange to have grandma or grandpa read books to them over a video-call (if they do not have suitable books, go online and send them some). Or if your child is learning to read, have them read to their grandparents. 

Another thing you can do is schedule a meal to be delivered to them from a local carry out place or from a service such as Grubhub, and settle down and enjoy sharing a meal with them while video chatting. In addition, conversation starters can include watching the same movie or documentary and then spend time talking about it, or setting up a game or chessboard and playing the game together over the phone. 

For the area’s finest assisted living and memory care, Centennial CO area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Jordan. We are still accepting residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols. Please see our website for more information about our community and a message from the CEO with an update on our coronavirus response.

MorningStar at Jordan offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “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 assisted living and memory care in Centennial, CO.

Source:
aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2020/boost-morale-during-coronavirus.html?intcmp=AE-HP-TTN-R4-POS2-REALPOSS-TODAY

MorningStar at Jordan is Safely Accepting New Residents

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan’s goal is to offer the best senior living in Centennial, CO, and we want area families to know we are safely accepting new residents. After a thorough screening new residents are moved directly into their private suite, remaining there for a 14-day quarantine. Team members entering the resident’s room wearing full personal protection equipment during that time. In the entire community, to fight back against the coronavirus outbreak, we have set up protocols that meet, or in some cases even exceed, CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our residents, their families, and team members. 

As a loving son, daughter, or relative of a vulnerable senior, we want you to know that MorningStar at Jordan is working every day to ensure the wellbeing of our residents. This includes providing nutritional meals and keeping residents hydrated as well as access to 24/7 healthcare and basic and protective supplies. Our services also include ordering, delivering, and dispensing residents’ physician prescribed medications. 

Another thing MorningStar at Jordan offers to your mom or dad is loving, social connections. Based on the MorningStar name, our mission, and our ministry, we have a team of extraordinary individuals who know the value of building meaningful relationships with our residents. Just take a look at our Twice the Story video series that showcases the tender relationships between residents and team members throughout our MorningStar communities. These friendships testify to the fact that we need to lean upon and lean into each other—that each might receive a blessing, that each might be served, and that each might come away changed. 

Our community offers a choice of 55 well-appointed, private assisted living suites on three levels in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. Visit our website for more information or contact us for answers to any questions. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan 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. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.