Memory Care Specialists at MorningStar of Fort Collins

MorningStar of Fort Collins provides 24 secure suites devoted to the care of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, in addition to our 55 private suites for assisted living.  Dedicated to providing the best memory care in Fort Collins, our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to encourage residents’ independence as much as possible, while providing individualized care that stimulates or calms as the situation requires. 

At MorningStar our approach to memory care is designed around our comprehensive program we call “Lavender Sky.”  Our philosophy encourages us to walk alongside a resident as we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the world of dementia.  With insight and intentionality, we enter into our memory-impaired residents’ “purple world” to cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. We also educate the families of those afflicted with dementia on how to follow our lead and enter too.

Another important aspect of our unique methodology is to accept the diagnosis of dementia and embrace the fact (we know it is difficult) that this is the path we must take together.  By embracing a deep understanding of the disease, it allows us to embrace the necessary changes in our own communication style as well as physically embrace residents with the power of touch. And most importantly we embrace hope. 

Finally, Lavender Sky explores a boundless variety of resourceful and individualized solutions for we recognize that what works today may not work tomorrow.  When memory care residents come to MorningStar of Fort Collins, we explore the person’s life including their background, interests and preferences to create a specialized care plan.  We also explore ways to engage and involve their family members.

As you can see, memory care at our senior care community springs from a deep understanding of the disease and is offered with the utmost love and compassion.   Please visit our website to learn more.

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents in a beautiful, serene setting.  Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful senior care community.

Looking for Billing’s Best Senior Living?

If you are searching for the finest senior living in Billings, we would like to introduce you to MorningStar of Billings.  Our campus is in a beautiful, park-like neighborhood with spectaculars views of the Rockies and offers three neighborhoods: 32 free-standing cottages and 72 bright suites for independent living, 70 assisted living suites for seniors who require help with personal daily activities, and 36 memory care suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. 

Our beautiful, vibrant home is designed for carefree retirement years and offers a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  MorningStar’s independent living cottages and suites are available in a variety of floor plans including one and two-bedroom configurations.  Furthermore, if you are looking for a large-sized unit, check out our cottages, which offer a floor plan over 1,225 sq. ft.

Additionally, assisted living residents have a choice of floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, one bath and two-bedroom, two-bath options.  Residents in both our assisted living and memory care are treated to three delicious meals daily.  Also, those in independent and assisted living are sure to enjoy the bistro, billiards and game room, strolling paths, and raised garden beds.  Furthermore, everyone in our community benefits from exceptional wellness programs and activities. 

Most importantly, MorningStar of Billings is proud to have a hospitality and care team who feels called to serve seniors and works to create a true home for all of our residents.  Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s most sought-after senior living.

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.

Learn More About MorningStar at Bear Creek

MorningStar at Bear Creek offers the greater Colorado Springs area compassionate and loving dementia and Alzheimer’s care.  Our community has 48 suites in a variety of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations devoted to caring for seniors with memory impairment.   To ensure the safety and well-being of residents, our community is completely secure, including courtyards and strolling paths. 

The central focus of MorningStar at Bear Creek is to provide care that is resident-directed, supporting choice and independence whenever possible. Our entire community is specifically designed to allow our most tender residents the freedom to explore our expansive surroundings safely and easily. The figure-eight floor plan of our building allows residents to explore yet find their way back to an open, inviting area.

As dementia care specialists, we understand how devastating it is when a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another memory loss disease, and we want you to know we are here to help.  We are staffed by experienced and compassionate caregivers who truly understand the disease.  Our holistic approach to memory care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes.  MorningStar leverages the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy in order to heal and comfort, and provides meaningful wellness programs and activities that engage our residents.  Also as many adverse behaviors are often side effects from antipsychotic drugs, our goal is to have as few as possible of our residents on such drugs.

MorningStar at Bear Creek is proud to have been recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado as an Alzheimer’s Association Leader in Dementia Care. Please contact us to learn more about our community including day programs and respite care.

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 dementia and Alzheimer’s care in Colorado Springs.

Cost of Assisted Living vs. In-home Care

According to a survey conducted by Genworth Financial in 2018 the median monthly cost for an assisted living community is $4000 (costs vary depending on the community) – totaling $48,000 annually.  In comparison, the median cost of long-term care by a home health aide is $4,195 monthly or $50,336 annually. 

The fact that many assisted living communities are actually less expensive than seniors choosing to live in their own home and bring in a team of caregivers to provide the services they need surprises many people.  The reason for this is so many of the services a senior pays separately for to stay at home are included in the cost of assisted living. 

Assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Arrowhead eliminate the cost of such things as property taxes, property insurance, condominium maintenance fees, and 24-hour security. You no longer need to pay for lawn mowing, snow removal, and other repair and replacement costs.  Also, as a resident of MorningStar, you will no longer need to buy groceries and prepare meals as we take care of food prep and serve three daily meals restaurant-style.  Moreover each suite is equipped with a 24-hour emergency call system, and light housekeeping and daily trash removal are part of our services. 

Other features offered by many assisted living communities including MorningStar at Arrowhead are free entertainment and ready-made socializing.  With a wide selection of wellness programs, activities, and special events and outings, residents at our community can stay as busy as they like.   In addition, onsite amenities such as a movie theatre/chapel, fitness room, library with a computer, and more adds to the convenience as well as the value assisted living communities can offer. 

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead has 60 private assisted living suites and 25 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  We are committed to provide the best senior living Peoria and Glendale offers, and encourage you to set up a tour to see our exceptional community.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Arrowhead’s foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, all directed at creating a true home for our residents. Contact us to schedule a tour to fully experience the finest senior living Peoria & Glendale AZ area has to offer.

Source: genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html

UTIs Often Go Undiagnosed in the Elderly

The Senior Living website says that, “One of the many unseen, hard-to-detect dangers that senior citizens face today is urinary tract infections, more often known as UTIs.”  They explain that while the infection is usually easy to treat, the symptoms of UTIs in the elderly can often mimic much more serious conditions including dementia.   

        

The reason why UTIs often are undiagnosed in the elderly is that many of them do not experience the common symptoms associated with the infections such as frequent urination, burning pain, cloudy urine and lower back pain.  As seniors’ immune systems typically do not function at optimal levels, UTI symptoms can manifest in a range of behaviors including confusion, disorientations, agitation, poor motor skills, dizziness, falling and even depression.   They can even cause a sudden onset of urinary incontinence.

Many of these symptoms may be attributed to more serious illnesses or old age; however, once the infection is finally diagnosed, the treatment is relatively straightforward.  A simple urinalysis can confirm the infection and most cases will be cured by antibiotics in a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the infection and the health of the person.  Doctors recommend drinking four to six 8-ounce glasses of water a day to flush the bacteria from the system and to add cranberry juice or cranberry tablets to your diet. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek offers the Colorado Springs area loving assisted living for dementia patients. Along with a whole host of resort-style amenities, wellness programs and activities, we also provide residents with three wholesome, delicious meals each day.  Residents also receive 24-hour care, access to a full-time nurse, and a responsive, caring team that is the very heartbeat of our community. 

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.

Source: seniorliving.org/healthcare/uti/

Compassionate and Loving Memory Care

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our mission is to provide the best senior living Peoria or Glendale has to offer, which includes specialized memory care designed to connect with and nurture the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss.  Furthermore, our unique Reflections Neighborhood was designed to allow residents the freedom to explore their expansive surroundings safely and easily.  

When a family comes to MorningStar at Arrowhead looking for care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, our experienced team is ready to help.  Even before we welcome a new resident to our loving community, we take the time to sit down with them and their family to learn as much as we can about the person including their medical history, background, talents, and personal preferences.  We then use this information to create an individualized care plan that is used to stimulate or calm a resident in response to a particular mood or situation.

Also, we use a reimagined philosophy and approach to memory care we call “Lavender Sky, which we consider to be the next logical step to what MorningStar has always believed and aspired to be as dementia care specialists.  The comprehensive program allows us to introduce a more insightful and intentional way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  Moreover, as it guides every aspect of our dementia care, all team members are asked to attend eight-hours of interactive Lavender Sky training to help give them a better understanding of the disease. 

Along with 25 suites in the Reflections Neighborhood for memory care, MorningStar at Arrowhead has 60 private assisted living suites on two levels, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Arrowhead’s foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, all directed at creating a true home for our residents. Contact us to schedule a tour to fully experience the finest senior living Peoria & Glendale AZ area has to offer.

Finding a Healthcare Provider as a Senior

As we age, our healthcare needs change, which is why seniors should have a primary healthcare provider who understands their special needs.  Experts recommend finding someone that “talks to you” and clearly explains what they are saying; and then most importantly listens to what you have to say.  Also, you do not want a healthcare provider that makes you feel like they only have ten minutes to spend with you.

Many seniors want to have a geriatrician, a physician dedicated to the care of seniors, on their team, but as Dr. Michael Wasserman, himself a geriatrician and board member of the American Geriatrics Society's Health in Aging Foundation, says, “There are 7,000 board-certified geriatricians in the country, and the number's going down every year."  However he explains that even if you do not have access in your area to a geriatrician, there is no reason to worry as a family doctor is able to manage your needs and can refer you to a specialist when appropriate.   

 

One way to find the right healthcare provider is to get a referral from family, friends or neighbors.  When you call the office, ask if they are accepting new patients, and if not, is there a waiting list?  Also check to see if they accept your insurance including various Medicare plans.  Another important thing, especially for seniors, is to find out if they have extended hours and after-hours availability as this can help keep older adults out of the hospital.  Experts further advised that you routinely use a single pharmacy as this can help to avoid dangerous drug interactions.    

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, a senior living community in Glendale AZ, we have created a true home for our residents to ensure their comfort, wellness and safety.  Our assisted living is designed for seniors who require some help with their day-to-day personal care.  Our memory care compassionately provides for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “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 exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/11-things-seniors-should-look-for-in-a-health-provider