How We Determine the Cost of Our Assisted Living

MorningStar at RidgeGate offers a variety of senior living options including independent living, assisted living and memory care.  While memory care is all-inclusive, the cost of an assisted living suite is determined by the level of care the resident requires. 

MorningStar’s assisted living has five levels and uses a simple point system, which factors into account the cost and time it takes to provide each service.  Whether it involves help with personal daily care activities such as grooming, bathing and toileting, or medical assistance, we come up with a cumulative score that places you within one of our five levels. 

Before an assisted living resident even joins our community, our Wellness Director meets with them and their family to go over their medical history and discuss their needs.  From there, we create a care plan approved by the resident that ensures their comfort and safety.  In addition, we offer daily health monitoring and periodically review a resident’s care plan to make sure it is still up-to-date.    

For assisted living and memory care, we provide dedicated 24-hour Care Managers, a CPR-trained staff member on every shift, and a full-time nurse onsite and on call 24-7.  We also have Certified Medication Care Managers, pharmacy services and much more.  For your safety, each room of our suites including the bathroom has an emergency call button. 

In all three neighborhoods (independent living, assisted living and memory care), our suites are rented, month-to-month with a 30-day vacate notice in assisted living and 90-day notice in independent living.  Furthermore unique to Lone Tree and the surrounding areas, MorningStar at RidgeGate is not a buy-in community so it does not require a large upfront investment.   Please visit our website to learn more. 

MorningStar at RidgeGate 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 amidst a peaceful setting.  Please contact us to set up a tour of the area’s finest senior living in Lone Tree and convenient to Highlands Ranch.  

What is Prediabetes?

The Mayo Clinic defines prediabetes as the condition where a person’s “blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.”  They go on to say that without intervention, a person is in danger of becoming diabetic in 10 years or less; however, there are steps you can take to help prevent this from happening.   

While it is not known exactly what causes prediabetes, we do know that family history and genetics play a significant role.  The Mayo Clinic explains that the genetic link has been confirmed by research with the discovery of some insulin resistant genes.  In addition studies show that excess fat; especially abdominal fat as well as inactivity are “important factors in the development of prediabetes.”

The job of glucose (sugar) in our bodies is to fuel the cells that make up our muscles and other tissues.  We get glucose from any food we eat that has carbohydrates and not just from sweets.  As our food is digested, glucose enters the bloodstream, and “with the help of insulin, it enters the body's cells where it is utilized as a source of energy.”   For someone who has prediabetes, it means they have stopped processing glucose properly, and it is building up in their bloodstream, no longer providing fuel for their cells.

To help prevent prediabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes, you need to make changes in your lifestyle.  A good way to start trying to normalize your blood sugar levels is to get plenty of physical exercise, make healthier food choices, and lose weight if you carry a lot of excess body fat.   

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStar Assisted Living and 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 set up a tour to see firsthand our exceptional community.

 Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/basics/symptoms/con-20024420 

Seeking Medication Care Managers/QMAP

The Denver area MorningStar Senior Living communities are seeking Medication Care Managers/QMAP to fill several open positions.  Qualified individuals are responsible for meticulously dispensing as well as documenting our residents’ medications.  

Job duties include administering and documenting regularly prescribed medications per the Medication Administration Record, and observing the five rights for safe administering of medications per physicians’ orders.  You will be responsible for ordering meds from the pharmacy as prescribed and as requested by our Wellness Director.  In addition you will reorder medications as stated to ensure residents always have required medications available.  

Along with dispensing meds, you will take and record vital signs prior to the administration of medications, and observe and report to the licensed nurse any reactions and side effects of the medications.  MorningStar Medication Care Managers additionally dispense PRN meds per physician’s orders as well as document the administration of such medications.  For residents receiving oxygen, you will see to it that they have the correct liter flow and that portable and large liquid tanks are filled and turned off when not in use.  Your position requires you to keep the medication cart clean, stocked and locked with medication administration book inside.  

MorningStar Senior Living Denver communities are a loving place and offer individuals the opportunity for a rewarding, professional career.  Moreover as we consider our team to be an integral part of our operations, we promote from within whenever possible.  We are seeking individuals who do the right thing even when no one is watching, who want to perfect the art of anticipating needs, and who recognize that Senior Living, at its best, is love in action.  Please see our website for the full job description of Medication Care Managers/QMAP and all of the other Denver senior living community openings. 

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.  For a rewarding career, please visit MorningStar’s Join Our Team page for details regarding housekeeping jobs in Denver.

Looking for Care Managers for the Area’s Top Assisted Living Communities

The Denver area MorningStar Senior Living communities are seeking exceptional individuals to fill a variety jobs in our assisted living communities including Care Managers.  If you are a dedicated hard-working individual who would feel honored to provide loving care to our incredible residents, we invite you to apply to one of our Care Managers openings.  Positions include full-time, reduced full-time, and part-time, and as we care for residents 24/7, we offer a variety of shifts including weekends and nights.   

As a care manager at one of MorningStar’s extraordinary Denver area communities, you will be encouraged to build strong relationships with our residents as you assist them with their daily activities.  You will also enjoy the satisfaction of working alongside a caring team in a family-like setting. 

Care managers, as with all of our team members, are encouraged to share creative solutions that will help to improve the care we provide residents.  Job duties include passing out room trays and assisting residents with meals.  When needed, you will escort residents to the dining room and make sure all of your “residents” have received their meal.   Other tasks involve assuring the physical comfort, safety and mental well-being of residents as you assist in daily personal care activities including toileting, grooming, bathing, feeding, dressing and more. 

Responsibilities also include assisting in the development and review of residents’ care plans as well as helping to orient new resident care managers.  In addition you will protect residents’ privacy and treat them with the utmost respect.   

If you feel it is a privilege to serve others, please visit our website to read the full job description of Care Managers as well as other open positions.  Our communities include: MorningStar at Dayton Place in Denver; MorningStar at Jordan in Centennial; MorningStar of Littleton in Littleton; MorningStar at RidgeGate in Lone Tree; MorningStar of Wheat Ridge in Wheat Ridge; and Parker Senior Living by MorningStar in Parker.  See our website to learn about more career opportunities. 

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 wish to thrive personally and professionally, please visit MorningStar’s Join Our Team page for more information on rewarding assisted living jobs in Denver.

One Million Americans are Living with Parkinson’s Disease

It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease.  In the U.S. alone, a million people are living with the disease and as many as 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.  While there is not a cure for the disease, there is treatment; however anyone with symptoms needs to have a medical diagnosis in order to rule out other causes.

The Mayo Clinic’s website provides a list of some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s.  The first sign can be a tremor that affects one hand and a person may frequently exhibit a back-and-forth rubbing motion of the thumb and forefinger known as a pill-rolling tremor.  Tremors usually occur while the individual is at rest, and can affect the hands, limbs, and posture.

Another common sign of the disease is slowed movement known as bradykinesia. This can worsen over time and eventually affect a person’s ability to walk well or have trouble getting up out of a chair.  In some cases one foot may drag, making walking even more challenging.

Other symptoms of the disease include rigid muscles and stiffness within any part of the body, and impaired posture and balance that may cause a person to become stooped or lead to falls.  The disease can also cause a loss of automatic movements such as blinking, smiling or swinging your arms as you walk.  In addition many people experience changes in their speech such as speaking in a monotone or more softly, more quickly or with a slur.

Finally many people suffering from Parkinson’s have problems writing.  Often their writing becomes smaller and it is more difficult to do because of the tremors.   

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStar Assisted Living and 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 set up a tour to see firsthand our exceptional community. 

Source:pdf.org/en/parkinson_statistics

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20028488

MorningStar is Hosting a Renowned Dementia Specialist

At MorningStar of Boulder, we strive to provide the finest memory care.  To help us accomplish this, our entire team continues to educate themselves on all facets of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  By gaining a deeper understanding of the disease, we can create more effective ways to care for our most tender residents. 

We are proud to announce the MorningStar communities are hosting “A Day with Teepa Snow,” the international dementia care specialist, on July 24^th at the Valor Center Performance Hall in Highlands Ranch, CO.  This exclusive event is designed for private caregivers, healthcare professionals and families affected by the disease and will consist of a morning and afternoon session.  Families and private caregivers will pay $10 for one session or $15 for both.  For healthcare professionals, the cost is $45 for one session or $60 for both. Reservations are a must and doors will open ½ hour before each session.    

The morning session is from 9:00AM – 12:00PM and covers the following topics:  “Supportive vs Confrontational Communication” and “How Lifelong Personality Traits Affect Behaviors.”  This session slightly favors family members.  In the afternoon, topics include “How to Be an Advocate and Partner” and "Humor and Caregiving.” The session is from 1:00PM – 4:00PM and slightly favors healthcare professionals. 

If you are unfamiliar with Teepa Snow, she is today’s “Voice for Dementia Care,” and is considered one of the world’s leading advocates and educators for those living with dementia as well as for their families and care partners.  Teepa developed the GEMS® classification model and the Positive Approach® to Care training strategies that are based on her extensive education, experience, medical research and caregiving.

Please visit MorningStar of Boulder’s for more information about our special event or to learn about our unique approach to memory care.  Our beautiful community offers 48 assisted living suites and 46 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities.        

A Variety of Floor Plans Designed to Please

MorningStar at RidgeGate, located in Lone Tree, CO and near Highland Ranch, is a 5-story contemporary high-rise with three neighborhoods – independent living, assisted living and memory care.  Among our 124 bright suites for independent living, we offer stylish floorplans including spacious studios, and one and two-bedrooms units with a choice of one, one and a half, or two-baths.  The penthouses, our largest units, are as big as 1,836 sq. ft. 

Each independent living suite is designed for your every comfort and comes equipped with: islands (in most units), high-quality stainless steel appliances, a glass-top stove, garbage disposal, dishwasher, refrigerator, and above-stove microwave and/or hood with vent.  Suites also have premium quartz or granite countertops, stained wood cabinets and high-end wood-laminate plank flooring.  Some apartments have a private patio or balcony, and all are equipped with a washer and dryer.   

For assisted living residents, we offer a choice of floorplans including studio, one-bedroom, one bath and two-bedroom, two-bath options.  Each suite comes equipped with a kitchenette with breakfast bar, granite surfaces and a stainless, full fridge & microwave.   All bathrooms are handicap accessible and some units are wheelchair accessible.

To assure the safety of our residents, assisted living and memory care suites are equipped with a 24-hour emergency call system.  All units have a private heating and air conditioning system and cable TV, phone and Internet jacks.  In addition our suites offer an airy and open feeling with lots of windows and high ceilings (from 9’-4” to 11’8″).  Furthermore all of our suites have wall-to-wall carpeting and mini blinds, and yes, we are pet friendly. 

MorningStar at RidgeGate proudly offers area seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, which is unmatched by other senior living communities.  Please visit our website to learn more about our various suite options and amenities.  

MorningStar at RidgeGate 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 amidst a peaceful setting.  Please contact us to set up a tour of the area’s finest senior living in Lone Tree and convenient to Highlands Ranch.