Our Job is to Enhance Quality of Life for Our Residents

Rather than diminish a senior’s life, assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Billings, help to improve quality of life for residents in a variety of ways.  Along with providing the daily care services residents need to maintain their independence, we provide on-going support to ensure their safety, comfort and continued personal growth.  For our residents’ families, they get peace of mind knowing their loved one is being well-cared for. 

Another benefit of Billings’ assisted living is we offer residents healthy daily meals that allow them to self-manage a variety of dietary restrictions such as low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian or low fat.  Additionally our medication care management services see to it that residents’ medications are ordered, delivered and dispensed in a meticulous, timely fashion.  Services also include light housekeeping, laundry, transportation and more. 

Moreover as the CDC reports that each year 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, residents at MorningStar of Billings feel comforted knowing that help is just the push of a button away as all suites are equipped with a 24-hour Emergency Call System.  In addition all bathrooms are handicap-accessible and equipped with grab bars.   

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Billings offers exceptional independent living as well as memory care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Even now, we are safely accepting new residents and following all of the guideline, in some cases exceeding them, set forth by the CDC, the American Senior Housing Association and the Federal government to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof.  Please visit our website to learn more about our gorgeous, compassionate community and the ways we are keeping our community safe.    

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Please call us for information regarding pricing and availability on the area’s most trusted assisted living. 

Preventing Drug Interactions

Often seniors take multiple medications daily that in some cases have been prescribed by a couple of different doctors for different conditions.  In addition, they may also be taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.  All of this can lead to problems with drug interactions and side effects that range from mild to severe including death.

In a report by the US News & World Report, it cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest each year there are four visits to the ER per 1,000 adults attributed to adverse drug effects.  First published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statistics find that almost 60 percent of Americans take at “least one prescription drug, and nearly 20 percent are taking more than five prescriptions medicines.”  The study also looked at OTC medications and warns that there is a huge potential for “side effects, drug-drug interactions and negative outcomes.”  It also states that for the elderly, the possibility of dangerous drug interactions is even greater.  

One of the most important things that a patient or family member can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to communicate with all of your health care providers about the prescription and OTC medications that you take.   It is a good idea, especially if you take more than one medication, to write down the names of the drugs and the amount you take each day and carry it in your wallet.  You can also take a picture of the list of medications with your cell phone so you always have it handy.  Another tip is to fill your prescriptions at the same drug store and to build a relationship with the pharmacist as he or she can help to spot potential problems involving drug interactions.   

Annually review the need for each medication with your health care provider and discuss how long you will need to take the drug.  Lastly be sure to check each new prescription container for accuracy as pharmacies sometimes do make mistakes.  

If you are looking for assisted living care or memory care in the Fort Collins, CO area, MorningStar of Fort Collins may be your answer.  From healthy daily meals to wellness programs and activities, we have a whole range of services and resort-style amenities to ensure residents’ comfort and wellbeing.  Our care services include care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication care managers.  

Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community.  While you are there, you may read the statement from our CEO which details our coordinated defense in the fight against the coronavirus to ensure the health of both residents and team members during this difficult time.

MorningStar of Fort Collins represents the very best in senior living with a mission “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is one built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting team members with a felt calling to serve.  Please contact us for more information about the finest assisted living home in the area.

Help Your Brain Perform Better

Most of us feel better overall after we exercise even if it is not strenuous.  A nice walk can leave us feeling more clearheaded and studies are proving that it is not just in our minds.

Research has shown that when we exercise, “blood pressure and blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better.”  In fact, the Harvard Men's Health Watch published an article stating that physical exercise helps us to maintain healthy blood pressure and weight, improve energy, lift mood, lower stress and anxiety, and keep the heart healthy - all which in turn benefits the brain. 

The article explains exercise may stimulate brain regions involved in memory function and release a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whose job is to rewire memory circuits to work better.  Dr. Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," explains, “When you exercise and move around, you are using more brain cells," and using more brain cells turns on genes to make more BDNF."

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead knows that wellness includes engaging our mind, body and spirit each day and that continuing to learn and contribute is important to everyone’s wellbeing regardless of age.  We are proud to be a true home and to have created a culture in which residents are seen as heroes and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Our cherished residents and their families have come to know they can trust the compassionate, professional MorningStar team to deliver the finest senior living Glendale has to offer. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 senior living Glendale AZ offers.

Searching for the Area’s Finest Independent Living?

MorningStar of Billings’ various senior living options meet the needs of area seniors with 5-star amenities, wellness programs and activities.  In addition to compassionate assisted living and memory care, we are the area’s top choice for independent living. 

Situated on a beautiful, park-like campus, our 32 stylish patio homes are the perfect solution for active seniors who are more than ready to give up the never-ending maintenance of home ownership. Amenities include a fireplace, one-car garage, kitchen with full appliances, washer/dryer, and a floor plan of over 1,225 square feet of carefree living space.  Your new home not only offers privacy, but also lets you be as much a part of our wider community as you choose to be. 

Independent living also gives you the assurance that you know what your expenses are from month-to-month as our all-inclusive pricing includes rent, utilities and even cable in one monthly payment.  Moreover downsizing from your current home may minimize your monthly output and actually put more money into your pocket.  Along with our patio homes, MorningStar of Billings has 72 independent living suites in a wing in our community building for those who do not require assistance with daily personal care activities.  However please keep in mind that if your care needs heighten and you require more daily assistance, your move to an assisted living suite is given first priority. 

While the MorningStar of Billings’ community is located on the far west side of town and offers residents country-style living with spectaculars views of the Rockies, we are still near shopping centers and medical facilities.  Awarded the #7 ranking by MSN.com in 2015 for “The 10 Best States for Retirement” due to nice weather, low cost of living, reasonable taxes (well below national average), and scenic beauty, Montana is a beautiful place for retirement.  The city of Billings itself has four golf courses and is just miles away from Red Lodge, Montana, home to quaint, historic buildings and a menu of winter and summer adventures. 

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents.  Visit our website learn more about the area’s preeminent independent living.       

We are a Welcoming & Safe Solution for Seniors

MorningStar of Billings offers an array of senior housing options including independent living, assisted living and memory care, and we want area families to know we are safely accepting new residents (all new residents are quarantined for 14 days). In addition we are a welcoming and safe solution for seniors in transition and have immediate openings for month-to-month rentals.  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 of Billings 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 of Billings 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 showcase 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.

MorningStar of Billings offers 32 free-standing cottages, together with 72 bright suites for independent living and 70 for assisted living.  We have another 36 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments.  Visit our website for pricing and availability or for answers to any questions.   

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Please give us a call or visit our website to learn more about trusted assisted living in Billings.      

MorningStar at Arrowhead Offers All-inclusive, Compassionate Memory Care

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we understand the devastation families feel when they get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.  We know the path going forward is unplanned for, and we consider it our privilege – our calling to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their family on their unexpected journey.  Our goal is to provide the best senior living Glendale offers, which includes compassionate memory care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages. 

In addition to our assisted living suites, the Reflections Neighborhood consists of 25 secure memory care suites.  The area is specifically designed to allow residents the freedom to move safely about their spacious surroundings.  Also given the nature of dementia, residents pay one price for their suite and their care regardless of the level of memory loss. 

As dementia care experts, our unique approach and philosophy to caring for those afflicted with the disease is called “Lavender Sky.”  We know the essence of the person remains despite the level of memory loss, and our job is to nurture and support the individual by finding ways to calm or stimulate as the situation demands.  Lavender Sky provides the path for us to enter, embrace, and explore the “purple world” of memory loss, and to cross over the physical, emotional, and relational boundaries that would otherwise separate us.   

Every aspect of our home is designed to provide the comfort, wellness and safety our special residents require including mealtime.  We know those suffering from memory loss can sometimes have compromised abilities at the table.  We address this by providing a selection of finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead invites area families to contact us for more information and availability and pricing.  Also please know that during the coronavirus outbreak, we are staying abreast of any updates and closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and well-being of all those beneath our roof.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 senior living Glendale AZ has to offer.

Gift Ideas for Elderly Parents

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fast approaching, many of us are stumped as to what to buy for an elderly parent.  Experts suggest you keep in mind they most likely do not need a lot of “things” but would appreciate something that helps to make their lives easier and/or more enjoyable. 

As many elderly adults get cold easily, a comfy, soft throw blanket makes for a good gift.  Another thoughtful gift especially for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is a customized photo blanket.  They can be ordered through several large retailers and are not too expensive.  If your parent is a music lover, expand their collection with popular songs from their younger days, and if they don’t already have one, buy them a portable boom box that is easy to use.

Another gift idea is to get them a phone or simplified tablet that will let them facetime, enjoy family photos, and browse the Internet.  Gift baskets filled with favorite foods or new soaps and lotions, non-skid soled slippers or compression socks also are appreciated by seniors.  Other ideas include large-print playing cards, puzzles, and adult coloring books with a new set of markers. 

If the person has a hard time falling asleep or relaxing, calming visual and or audio stimulation may help.  Several companies have all-in-one cubes that offer a range of calming music and visual displays that can turn the ceiling into a beautiful night sky. 

If you are looking for dementia care in the Colorado Springs area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Bear Creek.  Our specially trained staff provides personalized care for residents using progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. The goal of MorningStar’s methods is to affirm dignity and value of each resident and to support choice and independence as much as possible.

MorningStar at Bear Creek embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting.  Please contact us to learn more about our unique approach to dementia care.  

Make a Comfortable Home in Your Assisted Living Suite

We all know that life changes can be fraught with anxiety and fear and moving into assisted living is certainly a major change for many seniors.  However, experts say there are several things families can do to help ease the transition period.  

One of those things is to help your loved one make a comfortable home in their new suite.  Julia Bailey, a senior associate and interior design project manager with Denver-based OZ Architecture, explains that, "Moving into assisted living often can feel like a loss of independence and privacy for your loved one, but thoughtful interior design can go a long way toward improving happiness and well-being for the resident, as well as improving overall functionality of the new living space." 

Ms. Bailey cautions that you need to remember to let your loved one have a say in how their new home will be decorated including the personal mementos and photos they want to bring with them and which ones they want to display.  Trigging happy memories with sentimental items is a big step toward making their new place a real home.  Also accent pillows and pictures are an easy way to add a lot of color and attractiveness to their place. 

Please keep in mind safety concerns when placing furniture and avoid using area rugs that can become trip hazards or overcrowding a room and not leaving enough space to easily navigate.  Install hand rails where needed and make sure there is easily accessible lighting in the bathrooms and hallways if the person is getting up at night.   

Helping your loved stay organized can improve the home’s safety as well as the aesthetic.  Consider any mobility issues the person may have and make sure frequently used items are within easy reach on a shelf.  Chairs and sofas should be firm and stable. 

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we have 60 private bright suites for assisted living and another 25 secure suites for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.    We are committed to provide the best assisted living Glendale offers, and invite you to set up a tour to see our exceptional community. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 Glendale AZ offers.

Source:

health.usnews.com/health-care/best-assisted-living/slideshows/decorating-tips-for-assisted-living

Improve Your Health with a Nutrient-Rich Diet

As people age, many find their appetites have diminished or they suffer from physical or medical conditions that make eating more difficult.  This is why the nutritional value found in the foods they do consume is important, and even today, many seniors have an “inadequate intake of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, folic acid, calcium, and niacin.”  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advise that people over the age of 50 follow the USDA food recommendations, which should help keep older adults feeling more vital, and thus healthier.  They also point out the earlier you start eating a nutrient-rich diet, the more effective it will be later down the road.  Recommendations include a daily diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy.  It also includes eating foods with healthy fats such as olives, nuts, and avocados.

Along with all of the other amenities and care services we provide, MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead is proud to offer our residents daily meals that are chocked full of the freshest ingredients.  We get much of our produce from home-grown or local high-quality producers. 

Our delicious meals are prepared largely from scratch, and take into account seniors’ dietary restrictions.  We offer a range of choices including low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat that allows our residents to self-manage.  MorningStar’s food service is overseen by our own Executive Chef, who welcomes resident feedback and often tailors our menus per their suggestions. 

If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Glendale’s MorningStar at Arrowhead may be your answer.  We invite you to set up a tour, and while you are here, plan to share lunch with us to experience for yourself our culinary treats.  Please visit our website’s community page or give us a call for pricing and availability or to set up your tour.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 senior living Glendale AZ has to offer.

Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/seniors-nutritional-needs/

MorningStar at Bear Creek Offers Loving Dementia Care

MorningStar at Bear Creek is proud to offer exceptional specialized, loving dementia care in Colorado Springs.  Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates 25+ senior living communities throughout the U.S.  This means MorningStar at Bear Creek benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained over their 16 years of operation regarding all facets of senior living, including a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek is equipped to care for your family member at the onset of the disease as well as in the most advanced stages.  Our community is designed to enhance our residents’ freedom including secure courtyards, patios and strolling paths. Rather than long sterile hallways, our spacious building was built in full consideration of the dispositions and behaviors of those with dementia-related memory impairment. Our figure-eight floor plan allows residents to explore yet find their way back to an open, inviting area.

We provide assistance in whatever way a resident needs us including eating and daily personal care activities.  We know those suffering from memory loss can sometimes have compromised abilities at the table.  We address this by providing a selection of finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look.

Our care techniques include a variety of multi-sensory cues designed to calm and awaken memories as well as to support the person’s capabilities and affirm their dignity and value.  We strive to make each day as special as possible for our residents and we have a wonderful team of caregivers that put their hearts and souls into helping us achieve that goal.

We invite area families to contact us for more information and availability and pricing.  We consider it an honor to walk alongside the memory-impaired (and their families) on this unexpected journey.

MorningStar at Bear Creek embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting.  Please set up a tour to see for yourself our unique approach to dementia care.  

Learn More About MorningStar of Billings

For the area’s finest senior independent living, assisted living and memory care, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Billings. At our all-inclusive community, we strive to meet seniors’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs within a comfortable, secure setting.  We are proud to have a care team who feels called to serve seniors and help us to create a true home for our residents.

Independent living is designed for seniors without the need of any care services.  If you are looking for stress-free living and a refreshing change of lifestyle, MorningStar can provide you with carefree, comfortable retirement years.  Independent living provides seniors with a range of benefits including predictable monthly budgeting, activities and programming, and tasty meals you longer need to cook as well as built-in companionship.  Also, we take care of all the maintenance, both inside and out, and offer housekeeping, which allows our residents plenty of time to pursue their interests.

Assisted living is an excellent solution for older adults who are finding it increasingly difficult to live alone. MorningStar offer various levels of assistance with daily living activities which are tailored to meet individual needs.  Our Wellness Director carefully assesses each person and then creates a care plan in agreement with the senior and their family.  Also, as we offer 24/7 care, you know you or your loved one will get the attention they need.    

Memory care is another term for dementia care and is intended for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia-related diseases.  MorningStar’s memory care is delivered with the utmost professionalism and respect for the individual.  We use alternative natural therapies whenever possible, and try to replace medications with patience, attention and love.  

MorningStar of Billings offers seniors a safe place to socialize and make new friends as well as a place to learn new things or just have fun with our variety of meaningful activities.  In addition, if you are someone who values their privacy, you will have that at MorningStar as our spacious cottages and suites are designed to give you your privacy while offering the comfort of knowing people are around.   

Our community offers 32 free standing cottages and 72 well-appointed independent living suites in a variety of floorplans.  In addition, we have 70 assisted living suites and 36 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.  To experience MorningStar of Billings up close, contact us to schedule a visit. 

MorningStar of Billings offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  We encourage you to contact us for more information regarding unparalleled senior independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Are You Having Trouble Hearing?

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those 75 and older have some difficultly hearing.  This can cause seniors to experience difficulty understanding and following doctor's orders, responding to warnings, and hearing doorbells and alarms.”  Hearing loss can leave people feeling isolated as they have problems following and engaging in conversations with family and friends.  

The medical term for hearing loss is presbycusis; and typically starts gradually by affecting the ability to hear higher pitched sounds.  A person may feel like the volume is loud enough on the TV but the dialogue is mumbled.   Experts explain this is caused by the loss of nerve hair cells in the Cochlea or the deterioration of other parts of the inner ear or auditory nerves.   Generally age-related hearing loss affect both ears equally. 

High blood pressure and diabetes, both common health conditions in older adults, can also affect the hearing as does some types of chemotherapy drugs.  Furthermore, people of all ages are at risk of hearing loss with long-term exposure to loud noise such as on a jobsite. 

If you or a loved one seems to be having trouble hearing, NIDCD has a checklist of questions to answer.  For example, do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them?  Do you have difficulty hearing when someone speaks in a whisper? Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?   If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, discuss the problem with your health care provider.  They will refer you to an otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and neck.  If a problem is found, you will be referred to an audiologist who will determine the type and degree of hearing loss.   From there you may be fitted for a hearing aid.

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 at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best assisted living for dementia patients in Colorado Springs.

Are You Overwhelmed with Caregiving Duties?

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.  Also once your loved one is getting the proper care they need, it allows you to get back to just enjoying the time you spend together.  Moreover, senior living communities like MorningStar at Arrowhead provide much more than just physical care.  Along with a wealth of amenities, activities 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.  Residents have the opportunity for plenty of socializing and are encouraged to participant in a range of activities and wellness programs.  While this is not a substitute for the time your loved one spends with family, you may find your parent is not always available to take your call as they are busy having fun with other residents and staff. 

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.  Moreover, meals are served restaurant-style in our charming dining room as we believe breaking bread together provides far more than physical nutrients but bonds us as family and friends.  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. 

Please visit our website for more information regarding the area’s finest assisted living Glendale offers.  Our community offers 60 bright suites for assisted living and 25 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Our team looks forward to hearing from you. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 Glendale AZ has to offer.

Maintaining Healthy Hydration Levels

Now that the warmer months are here it is especially important for seniors not to wait until they feel thirsty before they reach for a drink of water.  Experts explain that by the time older adults feel thirsty; they may have already lost two or more cups of their total body’s water.  One of the first sign of dehydration can be a headachy feeling at the end of the day. 

As we age, our body’s ability to conserve water is diminished, and as such, we are more susceptible to water and electrolyte imbalances.  Seniors also have a diminished sense of thirst, which means they may forget to drink enough fluids and become dehydrated.  In addition, many medications commonly taken by the elderly have side effects that can cause dehydration such as blood pressure medications, heart disease medications, antihistamines, laxatives, and diuretics.  Diuretics, also known as water pills, are often taken by seniors with high blood pressure or heart problems as a way to reduce the amount of fluid in the blood vessels and ease the pressure on the walls. 

There are useful tips that can help seniors to remember to drink enough fluids and to maintain healthy hydration levels.  To make it easy to stay hydrated, keep water in an easy-to-use water bottle.  To add more electrolytes to your water and to give it some extra flavor, add a slice of lemon or lime to your water.  It is recommended you drink moderate-size portions spread out through the day rather than drinking it all at once.  Add ice to keep it cold, and to make drinking water a habit, try to drink it at the same times throughout the day.

MorningStar at Bear Creek provides loving, individualized care for those with memory impairment.  We understand the need for seniors to take extra care during the warmer months and our excellent food service is comprised of lots of fresh foods and healthy, refreshing beverages.  Our dementia care is based on our extensive knowledge and experience with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases and we support residents from the early onset of the disease through the final stages.  Please visit our website to learn more. 

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 at Bear Creek embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting.  Please set up a tour to see for yourself our unique approach to dementia care.  

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Billings

MorningStar of Billings offers 70 private assisted living suites in a variety of configurations and floor plans.  MorningStar provides various levels of assistance with daily living activities as determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with the senior and their extended family.  For the family, they rest easy knowing that a trained, caring staff is available to help whenever a loved one needs it.  

Our community is committed to providing all of the amenities, programming and services to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit.  Our wide scope of resident care helps to extend the stay of our residents even if their health changes and they require more care.   We have experience in finding creative solutions that yield a higher quality of care for our residents at a lower cost to their families.  

Moreover we are pleased to give residents the benefit of our centralized, mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.  EHR helps to ensure quick access to health records and offers more coordinated, efficient care.  It is used for assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care and more as well as to provide enhanced privacy and security of resident data.  

Our clinical services include a licensed nurse onsite and on call, 24-hour Care Managers, a CPR-trained staff member on every shift, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers.  We also offer services such as mechanical lift assistance, weights and vital monitoring, diabetic management, oxygen administration, and palliative/hospice care.  Residents are offered pharmacy services, transportation to medical appointments, scheduled physician visits, onsite dental and podiatry services and much more. 

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Billings offers exceptional independent living and memory care.   Please visit our website to learn more about our assisted living as well as the many resort-style amenities and services we provide to all residents. 

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Are You Worried About Your Parent Living Alone?

Many older adults cling to the idea of living in their own home and stubbornly refuse to accept the fact that their declining medical conditions may be putting their very safety at risk in their present living situation.  This is when family members need to step in and help make some decisions.

In the best scenario, we typically want to make changes in things as important as our living situation with careful thought, but unfortunately, many older adults do not have such plans in place.  This reluctance to plan ahead means lots of families are unaware of today’s various senior living options, which include assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing facilities, family group homes, memory care, and continuing care communities. 

As you sort through the best care options for your parent, start by honestly assessing their medical conditions, their mobility, and care requirements.  In addition, experts say to try and determine what the future holds for your loved one as you do not want to get them settled into a home and quickly realize it is not equipped to provide the care they now need.

One senior living option is assisted living, which is designed to provide your parent with their ADLs (activities of daily living) in order to allow them to live as independently as possible.  Most assisted living communities have tiered levels of care, which means as your parent’s needs increase the community will be able to address them.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead is committed to provide the best assisted living Glendale has to offer, and we work hard to create a true “home” for our residents.  We define health and well-being holistically and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Also please know that during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are staying well-informed of any updates and closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and well-being of residents and staff alike.

Please visit our website for information regarding our various care services and amenities as well as pricing and availability. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 Glendale AZ offers.

Dining at MorningStar of Bear Creek

MorningStar at Bear Creek is proud to offer individualized, loving memory care in Colorado Springs.  As dementia care experts, every aspect of our community including our dining service is tailored to our special residents.  Mealtimes at Bear Creek are as much about Community as they are about Nutrition, with residents and team members eating together.

Family style meals allow team members to encourage residents’ appetites as well as to provide any needed assistance with eating.  Many of our meals include offering dishes from serving bowls and platters as a way to help residents connect to memories of family meals they have eaten or prepared throughout their lives.  In addition, much of our food is modified out of respect for some of our residents’ compromised eating abilities and include finger foods, texture-modified diets and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look.

All of these dishes are prepared with finesse, and many visitors are surprised to discover how good they taste and how elegant they look.  At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we strongly believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is also one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed in community. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek offers 48 secure suites, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans.  We are also equipped to provide compassionate dementia care from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar and all of the amenities and services we provide to residents and their families alike.    

MorningStar at Bear Creek embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting.  Please set up a tour to see for yourself our unique approach to dementia care.  

Are You Worried About Mom or Dad Driving?

From time to time, there have been serious accidents involving elderly drivers that reach the nation’s attention and reopens the debate regarding the age that elderly adults should stop driving.  While some states have implemented stricter rules for seniors renewing their driver’s license, many states have met resistance or have had a hard time coming to a consensus.  It is hard to assess a senior’s fitness for driving as each person is different and health problems vary immensely.  One good thing is that many seniors start to self-regulate their driving habits once they notice problems.

Experts say if you have become concerned over your parent’s fitness to drive, you need to start a conversation with them.  If you think they can still handle limited driving with some restrictions, talk to them about setting up rules such as avoiding major highways and rush hour, driving only in daylight and during good weather.  Remind them that this will help keep them safe as well as others who share the road with them.  If they have had fender benders and are having trouble following traffic signals, it may be time for them to stop driving altogether before they hurt themselves or others.  However if this is the case, be sure to have some plans in place for alternative transportation. 

At MorningStar of Billings, a senior independent living, assisted living and memory care community, we provide residents the services and amenities required for their comfort, wellbeing and safety.  This includes scheduled transportation to doctor visits as well as shopping trips to area stores.  We routinely take trips to local restaurants and other places of interest.  Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional senior living, and while you are there, use our links to ask about availability and pricing. 

MorningStar of Billings offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  We encourage you to contact us for more information regarding unparalleled senior independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Learn More About MorningStar Senior Living

MorningStar at Bear Creek is dedicated to providing the Colorado Springs area exceptional assisted living for dementia patients.  Along with offering compassionate, loving memory care, our company also believes in taking part in philanthropic work both locally and globally.

MorningStar at Bear Creek is proud to host and participate in fun and inspiring activities sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and other senior-focused not-for-profit organizations.  As our other MorningStar Senior Living communities do, we encourage our staff, residents and families to join us in whatever capacity they can in the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” event.  The 5K Walk is the world’s largest event and raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. 

Also every year our communities across the Western U.S. host celebrations for the “The Longest Day” event on June 21, which again is intended to raise funds and awareness for treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.  Among our many communities, each one hosts their own activities, and each year we look forward to planning MorningStar at Bear Creek’s own unique celebrations.   

In addition, MorningStar Senior Living also feels a responsibility to serving and investing in charitable projects around the world.  One such project is helping to build and support an orphanage in Nicaragua. Another is partnering with Lifewater, an organization whose mission is to bring clean water, and therefore improved health, to families living in extreme poverty around the world. 

The more you know about MorningStar at Bear Creek, the more you will understand it is unlike other memory care communities.   Our mission includes hiring a team of caregivers with a felt calling to serve to ensure our residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.  Visit our website for more information.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best assisted living for dementia patients in Colorado Springs.

People with Dementia Benefit from Animal Interactions

Research has shown that people with dementia benefit physically, emotionally, socially and mentally from a connection between humans and animals.  Whether they are a furry, feathery or scaly friend, it appears that animals have the ability to help those with dementia in a number of ways.  In numerous studies, therapeutic animals have drastically improved dementia symptoms and helped to elevate mood, decrease behavioral problems, improve nutrition, increase social interaction, and provide a calming effect. 

Many people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia lose the ability to initiate and maintain social relationships as the disease progresses.  Dr. Mara Baun has extensively studied the psychological benefits pets provide to those with Alzheimer's disease.  Her research found therapy animals “help decrease the symptoms of aggression and help increase socialization. The presence of a therapy pet helped decreased symptoms of "sundowning" in Alzheimer's patients.”

Dr Baun's sundowning study found that a therapy dog can provide “missed physical contact to a patient with Alzheimer's disease. It matters little to the pet if the person's body has deteriorated or if the stories are repeated over and over.”  The animal’s complete acceptance and non-verbal communication can be soothing for patients.   In addition, animals offer unconditional love and endless forgiveness.   

At MorningStar of Billings, we strongly believe in the power of animals’ unconditional love and we are happy to be a pet-friendly community whose family includes the adorable Golden Doodle, Grace. Our community has 32 cottages and 72 suites for independent living, 70 suites for assisted living, and 36 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Sources: verywellhealth.com/how-does-pet-therapy-benefit-people-with-dementia-98677

chron.com/homes/senior_living-/article/Pets-increase-quality-of-life-for-Alzheimer-s-5759679.php