Join Us for Our Longest Day Festival

As a community that provides both assisted living and memory care, MorningStar at Jordan partners with the Alzheimer’s Association throughout the year in support of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Our activities include raising awareness and funds as well as having a good time along the way with our residents and their families and friends. 

This year we will again celebrate the Summer Solstice with a day filled with the “Longest Day” activities on June 21^st.  In fact, we will not be alone as it is expected that thousands of people across the country and even the world will join to raise funds and awareness for care and support that helps advance research for Alzheimer’s. 

This year MorningStar at Jordan will feature a photo booth, commemorative purple flowers which will be planted in our Reflections flower bed, and everyone’s favorite -  Put a Cream Pie in Your Favorite Department Head’s Face! Along with all these fun activities, we will have entertainment and Chef Chris will be preparing some fun brain wise foods. Donations are being accepted through out June, but we are hoping to do most of our fund raising on The Longest Day.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that over 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's, and the team at MorningStar at Jordan feels honored to help care for our most tender residents within our Reflections Neighborhood.  With 29 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, our compassionate team is committed to finding ways to connect with the essence of the person regardless of their level of impairment.  Our community is equipped to provide care from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. 

Our Centennial community also offers 55 assisted living suites, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Please visit our website to learn more, and while you are there, set up a tour or use our email form to find out about pricing and availability. 

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 provide 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 the finest assisted living in Centennial CO.

Comforting Someone Who Has Suffered a Loss

We all feel helpless when someone we care about is going through a tough time.  It is difficult for a person to experience the loss of someone they love and as a friend or family member; it is hard to watch.  There are some things you can do to help a person with the grieving process.

It is important to let the person know that you care about them and want to help out in any way possible.  Do not let your discomfort with the situation allow you to shy away from the situation.  The best thing you can do is to be supportive.  Be prepared to listen (avoid giving advice) and allow the bereaved person to talk or just sit quietly.  Let them know you hear and acknowledge their pain without minimalizing their loss.

Here are some suggestions to use as a guide when trying to comfort someone who is experiencing a loss:

• Acknowledge the situation. Example: "I heard that your_____ died." Use the word "died" That will show that you are more open to talk about how the person really feels.
• Express your concern. Example: "I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you."
• Be genuine in your communication and don't hide your feelings. Example: "I’m not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care."
• Offer your support. Example: "Tell me what I can do for you."
• Ask how he or she feels, and don't assume you know how the bereaved person feels on any given day.
  Source: American Cancer Society
   
  Just keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, nor is there a set time table.  Everyone grieves in their own way but do keep in mind that there are some warning signs that a person is not adjusting to their new situation.  The loss of the ability to function in their day-to-day life, extreme feelings of anger or guilt, withdrawing, and abuse of alcohol or drugs may be a signal that they need professional help. 
  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 the finest assisted living in Centennial CO.
  Source: helpguide.org/articles/grief-loss/supporting-a-grieving-person.htm

Did You Know that Many Older Adults Prefer Senior Living?

Many older adults are attracted to the idea of carefree retirement years and have found that senior living communities offer the opportunity for a very comfortable lifestyle.   Much of that is due to the fact that senior living communities like MorningStar at RidgeGate are designed to meet seniors’ social, physical, spiritual and wellness needs.  Senior living communities include independent living and assisted living as well as memory care that specialize in caring for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.   

The physical upkeep involved in owning a home such as mowing lawns, shoveling snow, and other routine chores become harder as we age.  At a senior living community, someone else does the outdoor and indoor maintenance, and communities like MorningStar at RidgeGate offer housekeeping, laundry and other services.  In other words, senior living residents have the freedom to focus on more fulfilling activities like relaxing and enjoying themselves. 

Senior living is also a perfect solution for older adults who live alone and are feeling lonely.  Their world may have gotten smaller as they retired from careers or suffered the loss of a spouse or close friends.  Some seniors no longer feel comfortable driving, which can lead to more isolation.  Senior living offers you privacy but now you have the comfort of knowing that people are around when you need them.  Also you will have the chance to socialize and meet new friends.  At MorningStar at RidgeGate, we provide scheduled transportation along with outings to places such as entertainment venues, museums, shopping malls, outdoor parks and more.     

If senior living sounds like something you would like to know more about, please visit MorningStar at RidgeGate’s website.  If you like what you see, please schedule a tour to see why our residents are pleased to call us “home!”  Our community offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care.   

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.   

Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/why-seniors-prefer-senior-living-communities/

MorningStar at Jordan’s Memory Care

At MorningStar at Jordan, memory care takes place within our Reflections Neighborhood.  We offer 29 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and can accommodate those in the onset of the disease right through to the more advanced stages. The philosophy motivating our care is based on one of MorningStar’s mission statements that says, “To value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.” From this principle comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences, of each resident. 

We have a deep understanding of the different forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s that helps us to compassionately care for our memory impaired residents and to find the best ways to interact and communicate with them.  MorningStar’s specially trained staff uses an array of multi-sensory activities including art, dance, music, aromatherapy, life skills, exercise and animals to heal and comfort.  

Furthermore, we take the time to get to know a resident through interviews with their family members in order to learn about their history, vocation, talents and preferences.  We then use this knowledge to help us design an individualized care plan for the person.    

In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, scheduled outings and special events, and secure courtyards and strolling paths.  Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home.  Contact us to learn more about our beautiful assisted living and memory care community in historic Centennial Colorado. 

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 the finest assisted living in Centennial CO.

Is Frequent Bruising Indicative of a Bigger Problem?

Most likely not says the Mayo Clinic because as we age people bruise more easily.  The reason for this is older skin is thinner and has lost some of its fatty layers that used to work as a cushion to protect blood vessels from injury.  Also women are more prone to bruising than men.     

The medical term for a bruise is contusion, and is typically caused when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface are ruptured by an impact from an injury or a blow to the area.  This causes blood to start leaking out of the vessels and create the visible black-and-blue mark (ecchymosis) of a bruise.  As the body reabsorbs the blood, the bruise begins to heal.   

The Mayo Clinic says that certain medications can cause bruising such as aspirin and anticoagulants such as Coumadin® that thin the blood and reduces its ability to clot.  This means that “bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out and cause a bruise.”  Dietary supplements like fish oil and ginkgo have a blood thinning effect that can also increase the risk for bruising. 

However bruising can sometimes be a sign of serious medical conditions such as low levels or abnormally functioning platelets.  They can also indicate problems with the proteins that help to clot blood.  The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting your doctor if large bruises appear on your body, if they are painful, or you start bruising after beginning a new medication. Additionally check with your doctor if a bruise increases in size and becomes swollen and hard as it may be a hematoma, a localized collection of blood which becomes clotted or partially clotted.  

To prevent bruising, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family medicine practitioner, suggests removing furniture and other obstacles to create a clear path throughout the home to avoid bumps and falls.  If you or your loved one is unsteady on their feet, install handrails when possible and consider using a walker or cane.     

This blog is for informational purposes only; please consult your healthcare provider regarding any health concerns.

 

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. 

 

Source:

mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762

www.aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/elderly-bruising

Finding a Gift for Residents of an Assisted Living Community

It can be difficult to find the right gift for a parent, grandparent or relative living in an assisted living community.  We recognize that they have had a lifetime of gifts, and as they are no longer running their own household, they not only do not need as much but have a limited amount of space.   

The A Place for Mom website has a few suggestions for gifts that are sure to please.  One suggestion is to give them a blanket or throw as seniors often suffer from the cold.  However if you want to personalize your gift, there are several companies that will create a cozy throw using one of your family photos.  A talking photo album also lets you create memories through family pictures and when it has recorded voices of the grandkids, it is really special.  

Another idea is to give them a lap desk that allows them to easily read a book or to write a letter from the comfort of their chair.  You could add a couple of adult coloring books illustrated with things they enjoy or places they have been along with some colored pencils and markers to complete your gift.   

A personalized gift basket can be filled with all kinds of things such as their favorite soaps, lotions and perfumes or colognes.  You can also fill a basket with special treats including chocolates, cookies and a small plug-in teapot and tea bags, or do one up with slippers, grippy socks, and a couple of pairs of fashionable compression socks.  

Furthermore, tablets and iPads make good gifts as their touch-screen technology and large print options make them easy for seniors to use.  If your loved one is not tech savvy, set up the tablet before you give it to them with their email address, facebook page and other personal items.  It may be fun to pre-load a few games that you think they would enjoy and add some photos of the family.  Include with the gift the offer to be their “tech support” if they have any problems.    

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 the finest assisted living in Centennial CO.

Improve Your Health Regardless of Your Age

It is more important than ever to take care of your health as Americans are living longer and we all want to ensure a healthier old age.  However even if you are already a senior, health care professionals say it is never too late to start improving your health.   

Sian Robinson, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Southampton, recently authored a study on senior nutrition and states that, "Improving the quality of your diet can have a beneficial effect on health, whatever your age."  One recommendation is to eat more foods containing fiber.  Doctors report the addition of more fiber can positively impact your overall health by helping:  your colon work better and avoid constipation; reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer; and lower your blood cholesterol level. 

Another change that can improve your overall health as well as help to make you feel better and increase your level of energy is to add physical activity to your daily life.  This also can strengthen your bones and muscles, which in turn can help to prevent falls.  If you do fall, stronger bones are less likely to break.  Physical active has additionally been found to help your brain as studies show people who exercise regularly make better decisions.   

It is also beneficial for seniors to keep their minds active. Like our muscles, our brains need to be exercised regularly to improve memory loss and cognitive skills.  Activities such as targeted brain exercises and playing word and trivia games can help.  Other habits that can enhance your health include not smoking, having regular checkups and learning how to prevent falls.   

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we provide seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Along with beautiful private suites, we also offer residents resort-style amenities and services as well as a range of activities, wellness programs and nutritional, tasty meals.  Visit our website to learn more. 

Our post is for information purposes and we advise you to consult your health care provider with any medical problems or questions. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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 the Reno/Sparks area.

 

Source:familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html