It’s Important to Make Smart, Healthy Food Choices

The appetites of elderly adults typically decrease as they age, which means it is important to make smart, healthy food choices rather than filling up on foods laden with empty calories (save those sugary snacks for occasional treats).  The U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes a website called Choose My Plate that offers ideas and tips to help people create a healthier eating style throughout the various stages of their lives including older adults.

Eating a wholesome diet rich in nutrients can help keep your muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong and to boost your immunity.  If you already have a chronic disease, it can help you manage it better. My Plate explains a healthy diet will give you more energy and encourage a sense of well-being along with providing the nutrients needed by the body such as “potassium, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, minerals, and dietary fiber.  In addition eating well can help you lose or maintain a healthy weight. 

If you are on a low-sodium diet due to health conditions, you should use herbs and spices to flavor your food rather than salt.  Also be wary of processed and packaged foods as many of them are loaded with sodium. In addition to drinking water throughout the day, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture says to drink 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk (substitute yogurt, butter milk, hard cheese or lactose-free foods if you cannot tolerate milk) a day.  Eat cereals fortified with vitamin B12 and include sliced fruits and vegetables with your meals.

MorningStar at Boulder’s mission is to provide the best in senior retirement homes, which is why mealtime is both a social event as well as the opportunity to eat healthy, delicious foods.  We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why food is prepared largely from scratch and features the freshest of ingredients from high-quality producers and/or are locally sourced.  Our meals are served restaurant-style so residents can sit and enjoy the company and a relaxing meal.  

MorningStar of Boulder offers the very best in senior retirement homes with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  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 loving community.

Source: choosemyplate.gov/browse-by-audience/view-all-audiences/adults/older-adults

Learn More About Dementia

Dementia may still be one of the most misunderstood medical conditions of today.  From believing dementia is an inevitable part of aging to thinking any sign of forgetfulness is evidence of dementia, many people hold inaccurate views regarding the term.  The Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as not being a specific disease. Rather they say, “It's an overall term that describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities.” 

Also, it can complicate the matter as the term dementia covers a range of conditions with the most common one being Alzheimer’s disease.  Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and other disorders.   

To determine if your or a loved one’s memory loss is a symptom of dementia, you need to be evaluated by a health care professional.  Simply being forgetful is not enough for a doctor to make the diagnosis of dementia but rather he or she will run a series of tests to determine if there is other evidence of cognition problems.   Other signs of dementia involve a person having difficulty completing sentences or finding the right word to say, difficulty completing tasks, and difficulty recognizing items or people.    

In some cases the person may exhibit signs of poor judgement and have trouble performing common household chores, paying bills, or preparing food.  They may have problems with organizing thoughts, and repeatedly ask the same questions or relate the same stories. A person with dementia can lose their way even in a familiar environment as well as become more agitated and irritable.  

MorningStar of Boulder’s senior retirement living includes 46 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions along with 48 assisted living suites. Please visit our website to learn more about our holistic approach to memory care.   

MorningStar of Boulder offers the very best in senior retirement living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  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 learn more about the best assisted living and memory care in Boulder.

A Job that Fits All of Your Needs!

If you have felt like you have not found the right career for yourself, you may be looking in all the wrong places.  Perhaps you are already in the service industry but still have not found the perfect fit.  Is so, may we recommend taking a look at a job in senior living?  

Today’s vibrant senior living communities require people with a diverse range of talents, experience and in some cases particular educational backgrounds; and MorningStar’s gorgeous Denver area residential homes are some of the best.  Our communities are situated in beautiful, convenient locations that include Arvada, Centennial, Littleton, Lone Tree, Wheat Ridge and Parker. 

In many of our positions, you will have the opportunity to directly interact with our remarkable residents and help to make their day a better one.  Whether you are a care manager assisting residents with daily activities such as grooming, bathing and more, a medication care manager who ensures residents properly receive daily medications, or a food server dishing out meals and smiles, your help contributes to the wellbeing of our residents.  In fact every role in our homes is important for a smooth operation. 

So if you have worked as a wait staff and are tired of feeling under-appreciated, why not consider becoming a food server at one of our loving communities.  Or if cooking is your thing, there are no more appreciative diners than those at a MorningStar home.  The same goes for any of our other assisted living jobs. Current openings include care managers, medication care managers, dining room servers, cooks, maintenance assistances, and various housekeeping jobs.  

While MorningStar was founded on Judeo-Christian traditions, we welcome all faiths and seek loving, compassionate people to come join our team.  Visit our website’s Career page and follow the link to Assisted Living Jobs - Denver, CO for an updated list of 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.  For more information, see MorningStar’s Career page for open positions including our housekeeping jobs in Denver, CO.

MorningStar at Jordan Delivers Care with Respect and Love

MorningStar at Jordan’s mission is to provide the best assisted living and memory care possible.  To ensure we meet our standard of service excellence, each of MorningStar’s team members from caregivers to dining servers or housekeepers go through our proprietary service excellence “Radiance” training.  In addition, its precepts are reiterated during our daily “Huddle.”  Radiance celebrates an attitude of selflessness, which issues from a deep and sincere place as does a beam of light, and is the framework that guides the way we deliver service – with warmth, sincerity and depth.         

As one team member from a MorningStar community writes, “Radiance training is absolutely phenomenal!”  She says she appreciates the fact that it helps team members to be their best at work as well as in their personal lives and creates an environment where residents are treated with the utmost care.  Another team member shares: “People always ask me why I love my job so much. For me it’s not always about money, but the difference you can make in someone’s life. MorningStar has done so much for me in the short time I have been here. Not only am I changing residents’ lives but they are changing mine.”

We believe Radiance is the evidence of our resolve to be a place that is not only distinguished by compassion and care, but by service professionalism as its presence and influence is felt throughout our assisted living home.  Under its teachings, residents are treated as family members, and as such, our priority is to respond to their expressed and unexpressed needs and wishes.

Please contact us for more information about our assisted living and memory care as well as all of the services, amenities and programs we offer residents. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan, “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 learn more about the finest assisted living home in Centennial, CO.

Cold Weather Can be Especially Hard on Seniors

Many seniors are especially susceptible to the cold and end up feeling chilly all winter long.  There are several reasons why cold weather can be hard on the elderly including complications from common diseases and health conditions. 

The American Heart Association explains that seniors with cardiovascular conditions can experience increased side effects from the cold as lower temperatures and cold winds reduce body heat and cause blood vessels to constrict.  This makes it more difficult for oxygen to reach the entire body, and someone with heart disease can have difficulty breathing.  Other health conditions common to the elderly include hypothyroidism (a low thyroid gland output), which can cause the sensation of cold feet and hands.  Also a sedentary lifestyle, problems with circulation from diabetes, and losing weight can cause seniors to be more affected by the cold.    

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) cautions that if an elderly person becomes very chilled, it can be dangerous and result in a condition known as hypothermia and may happen before a person is aware of the problem.  Even residing in a very cold house may result in a body temperature of 95°F or lower, which “can cause many health problems, such as a heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage, or worse.”

Tips to help the elderly stay warm and regulate their body temperatures include eating a nutrient-rich diet and participating in age-appropriate exercises.  The NIA advises seniors not to try and save money by skimping on heating their homes but to keep the temperature at least 68–70°F.  To cut heating costs, close off unused rooms, shuts blinds and make sure your house if well-insulated.  Also wear layers throughout the day and use a small throw to place over your legs or shoulders if you do feel a chill.  Furthermore, at night, wear long underwear under your pajamas and socks as well as a knit cap if you are still cold. 

At MorningStar at Jordan, we specialize in providing seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  We offer 55 suites for assisted living and 29 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment.  Our spacious senior living residences are available in a variety of well-designed floor plans and have details reflective of those found throughout our beautifully appointed community.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand one of the area’s finest senior living residences.

Source: nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults

Area’s Top Senior Living Homes Seek Food Servers, Cooks, and Housekeepers

Do you long to be part of something inspirational, profound, and rewarding?  Would you love to work among others with the same principled standards as you?  Or are you tired of working for a company that sees you as just another employee?  

Now that 2020 is here, and it’s not only a new year but a new decade, perhaps it is time to make a real change in the direction your career is going.  If you live in or around the Denver area, our six MorningStar senior living communities have open positions requiring a diverse range of skills and/or education and experience.  These include housekeeping jobs as well as full and part-time positions for care managers, medication care managers/QMAPs, food servers, cooks and more. 

As one of our MorningStar cooks, you will love serving residents a wide variety of freshly prepared, delicious meals.  Our food service team members work cooperatively with other staff and departments as they create their daily culinary delights.   MorningStar food servers provide residents with an upscale restaurant experience in a sociable and friendly environment.  They are also encouraged to build caring relationships with residents, their families and fellow team members in order to create a loving, family environment.  

However regardless of the position you hold, you will be considered a vital member of our team and encouraged to explore your unique talents; after all our homes could not run smoothly without a team effort.  Career advancement is common as whenever possible, we promote internally, and with MorningStar’s rapid growth, it happens now more than ever. 

All team members receive competitive wages as well as comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and more.  We also offer vacation, sick time and holiday pay as well as a 401(K) plan.   Visit MorningStar’s Career page and follow the link to “Assisted Living Jobs – Denver, CO” for a full description of our various positions and the community where they are needed.

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.  Please visit Morningstar’s Career page and follow our link to Assisted Living Jobs – Denver, CO.

Now that the Assisted Living Decision Has Been Made

Now that the hard decision is over and you or a parent has decided that moving into an assisted living home makes the most sense for your/their needs, you may need to downsize a houseful of furniture and decades of belongings.  While this can seem like an overwhelming task, take a deep breath, try to relax and read some tips from organizing experts.    

Organizing your approach to the task should be your first step and begin by cataloging a list of your furniture and possessions.  Now create lists for the things you want to keep, items you want to give to family or friends, and items to sell.  Anything left over should go on a list to donate. 

Before you get too far ahead of yourself, you will also need to remember that your apartment in the assisted living community may be smaller than your present home.  This means you will not need a whole household full of furniture! 

It may be helpful to measure the size of the suite and create a floor plan to give yourself a realistic idea of how your furnishings will fit in your new place.  If the unit is a studio or a smaller, one bedroom, you do not want to be so crowded you cannot safely move around.  You may even want to buy a smaller couch or coffee table that is better suited to the size of your new home.  Also bins and shelving help keep items organized and easy to get to. 

Furthermore, keep in mind that your new life at a senior living community will be much easier as you will no longer be responsible for preparing meals and maintaining a home.  At MorningStar at Jordan, we cook and serve the meals as well as provide light housekeeping, daily trash removal, and laundry and linen services.

MorningStar at Jordan provides residents with a home that is both beautiful and accommodating. We offer 55 assisted living suites in a variety of configurations including spacious studio, one bedroom, and two bedrooms floor plans.  The Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan, “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 learn more about the finest assisted living home in Centennial, CO.

Explore Your Opportunities with a Fulfilling Career in Senior Living!

MorningStar’s Denver area senior living communities are vibrant, loving homes that provide the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care.  To ensure the best care for each of our residents, we have assembled a team of compassionate, dedicated individuals with a felt calling to serve.  Currently we seek like-minded men and women to fill a variety of assisted living jobs within our MorningStar of Arvada; MorningStar at Jordan; MorningStar of Littleton; MorningStar at RidgeGate; MorningStar of Wheat Ridge; and Parker Senior Living by MorningStar communities.    

Our openings vary from care managers and medication care managers/QMAPs to housekeepers, cooks, food servers and more.  Regardless of your role within our communities, you will enjoy working together as a team with a common goal – to enhance the lives of our cherished residents.  Moreover our “people first” philosophy includes residents, their families, fellow team members, and the wider community.  

Also we want you to know that MorningStar is not a company with typical values.  For one thing, we know that being nice is rarely a job requirement but we think it should be as we know that one act of “kindness” can generate many more.  Our hiring process starts by identifying virtues such as kindness, character, and selflessness as they are the building blocks in creating a culture distinguished by benevolence, empowerment and collaboration.

When you accept a position with us, you will discover the rewards of serving seniors are endless; and while you strive to make a difference in their lives, you will most likely find your own life changing for the better.  For rewarding career opportunities, we invite you to visit the MorningStar website for the complete list of assisted living jobs in Denver, Co.  Be part of something special and join our MorningStar family!

At MorningStar Senior Living, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built upon honoring God and valuing all seniors, we are recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve seniors.  Please visit MorningStar’s Career page for more information on rewarding assisted living jobs in Denver, CO.

A Commitment to Serving Seniors and the World Around Us!

The Denver area’s MorningStar senior living communities are true homes distinguished by compassion, laughter and dignity.  While each is architecturally beautiful and loaded with an array of luxury amenities, we are most proud of the loving, compassionate environment found beneath our roofs.  This is accomplished with the help of our dedicated team who is the very heartbeat of our community and passionately shares our mission, vision and core values.    

MorningStar also considers it our responsibility to invest our time and talents in charitable projects within our own local communities as well as around the world.  Some examples of our broader commitments include participating in the Alzheimer’s Association’s activities such as “The Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” which is held each Fall in various cities including the Denver area.  The 5K Walk is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.    

Our Denver area homes also host uplifting celebrations of the Association’s “The Longest Day,” which fall on summer solstice.  Additionally throughout the year, residents and staff enjoy activities that embrace our giving philosophy - To reflect the character of God; we choose to direct our resources toward elevating the lives of those most in need.   

Right now MorningStar at Jordan Creek, MorningStar of Arvada, MorningStar of Parker, MorningStar at RidgeGate, MorningStar of Littleton, and MorningStar of Wheat Ridge are seeking individuals with a felt calling to serve to fill a variety of assisted living jobs.   Denver’s MorningStar communities are striving to “cast a new light,” which lets others see the light and to feel its warmth.  Apply online or stop by one of our Denver communities.   

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 serve, please visit MorningStar’s website for information on how to apply to open positions including care managers, food servers, and housekeeping jobs in Denver.

MorningStar at Jordan’s Holistic View of Healthcare

MorningStar at Jordan, a Centennial, CO assisted living home, offers residents a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit.   Together MorningStar’s Enrichment team and our Wellness Care team play a large role in why our beautiful community is the best choice for senior living in the area. 

To start with, all assisted living residents are provided with 24/7 care managers who help assist them with Activities of Daily Living (dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, transferring and more).  Also they have access to a licensed nurse onsite throughout the week and on-call around-the-clock; and every shift has an employee who is CPR certified.  We also offer medication management by Certified Med Care Managers.  Moreover, we want to reassure you and your family that we periodically do Care Plan reviews and update residents’ care plan as needed.  

Our centralized, mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) system ensures accurate records of assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records).   The system maintains accurate, legible and complete demographic and medical information on residents as well as enhances privacy and security of the data. 

Other clinical care services provided by MorningStar include mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more.  We provide scheduled physician visits, a choice of physicians, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry services. 

This wide scope of care services is reflective of the full authority of our license through the Department of Health and helps to extend the stay of our residents even when health conditions change.  We also pride ourselves on finding creative solutions that can result in higher quality of care at a lower cost for families.  For a full list of care services, we encourage you to visit our website and take a look at our Care Services page.   

MorningStar at Jordan’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we offer our residents the best assisted living home in the area.

Music May Benefit Those with Dementia

The Mayo Clinic reports on research that suggests listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. They explain the reason may be that “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” Listening to music can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation.

Music can bring back memories to those even in the most advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimers.net quotes neurologist Oliver Sacks, who says, “Music evokes emotion, and emotion can bring with it memory… it brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.” When music is incorporated into the everyday activities of someone with dementia, it can help them to recall memories of that activity and improve cognitive ability over time.

Research has shown that some of the last two abilities in Alzheimer’s patients are musical abilities and the appreciation of it, which is why it is such an effective way to try and reach the essence of the person. It has also been found to help those in the more advanced stages of the disease to express and share emotions with their caregivers through dancing or moving along with the rhythm. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America says, “When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function and coordinate motor movements.”

MorningStar of Boulder is one of the top senior retirement homes in the area offering dedicated memory care. As dementia care specialists, our training and experience has given us a deep understanding of the disease. Our holistic approach includes leveraging the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy to heal and comfort. Please contact us to learn about our assisted living and memory care community.

MorningStar of Boulder offers the very best in senior retirement homes with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 loving community.

Sources:

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/music-and-alzheimers/faq-20058173

alzheimers.net/why-music-boosts-brain-activity-in-dementia-patients/

medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321677.php

MorningStar at Jordan is Designed for Your Safety and Wellbeing

At MorningStar at Jordan, we are committed to provide the best senior living residences in Centennial, CO, and our beautiful community was designed from the ground up to ensure our cherished residents’ safety and wellbeing.  One of the ways we do this is by providing each of our assisted living and memory care residents with around-the-clock care from our compassionate team of care managers.  This includes assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating as well as needed medical assistance.  Each of our care managers is hired for their loving nature and their desire to serve seniors. 

Our medication care managers/QMAPs are another way we help to keep our residents safe.  In fact, a National Institutes of Health study recently found that 40% of seniors aged 65 and older take five or more prescription medications, and 90% take at least one prescription. The same study reports that as many of 55% of seniors take their medications incorrectly.  MorningStar’s med managers will oversee both the ordering and supervised administration of a resident’s medications.  

Each of MorningStar at Jordan’s 55 bright assisted living suites is equipped with a 24-hour Emergency Call System.  In addition, all have handicap-accessible bathrooms as well as wall-to-wall carpeting, 9’-10’ high ceilings, mini-blinds, bay windows (in most units) and lots of lighting.  Of course our entire community is handicap accessible with wide doorways, spacious common areas and hallways. 

Reflections Neighborhood, our memory care area, is designed to encourage our most tender residents to explore their spacious surroundings easily and safely.  We offer 29 secure memory care suites in a range of floor plans.

Please visit our website to learn more about our unsurpassed senior living community.  You will discover we also offer residents a wealth of luxury amenities as well as a wellness program and activities designed to keep you active and productive physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. 

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living residences 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.

Caregivers Get Back Much More than They Give!

At the Metro Denver’s MorningStar senior living communities, our homes are distinguished by compassionate care and service professionalism.  Our team members love the fact that they are making someone else’s life better and feel privileged to serve seniors. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and our homes proudly boast a culturally diverse workforce.  To help our team maintain a good work-life balance, we strive to accommodate shift preferences and offer flexible hours and schedules. While MorningStar was founded on Judeo-Christian values and in our homes we freely speak of God and His protections, blessings and aid, we warmly welcome all faiths among our employees (and residents).

Our team members are often surprised to find that serving seniors can be fun and that they are not only helping to make our residents’ lives better but their own as well.  Many of them say they are amazed to discover how much they have learned from our residents including what is most is important in their lives.  As Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  In other words, there is no better way to find our true selves than by helping others.  

When you join our team as a caregiver, dining room server, cook, coordinator, or working in one of our housekeeping jobs, Denver’s senior living communities are proud to provide each employee competitive wages and comprehensive benefits.  We also offer meaningful training and mentoring as well as promote from within when possible. 

Please visit MorningStar’s Career page for more information regarding a variety of assisted jobs in and around the Denver area.  Our beautiful communities include MorningStar of Arvada in Arvada; Morning Star at Jordan in Centennial; MorningStar of Littleton in Littleton; MorningStar at RidgeGate in Lone Tree; MorningStar of Wheat Ridge in Wheat Ridge; and MorningStar of Parker in Parker.

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 well-paying career with lots of heart, please visit MorningStar’s website for various assisted living jobs in Denver, CO.

At MorningStar of Boulder our goal is to provide one of the best senior retirement homes in the area. We offer 48 modern, private assisted living suites in a variety of floor plans to meet our residents’ preferences and needs. In our Reflections Neighborhood, we provide another 46 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

As you will see from our website, our Gallery photos highlight the exquisite beauty and comfortable, home-like setting of our community. Along with the smart design and safety features found in each suite, MorningStar of Boulder is also pet friendly. We recognize that our residents do not want to leave behind their four-legged family member when they move into assisted living. We also know that animals offer tremendous benefits to seniors’ wellbeing.

Research has found that being around animals is good for seniors as they not only provide loyal companionship and decrease feelings of loneliness but provide health benefits as well. Studies show that dogs are especially good pets for seniors as they require them to be more physically active than their non-pet owning counterparts. Other studies find “having a pet can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as decrease stress.” Moreover, “Pets have proven to increase serotonin levels, which make us feel good, and decrease cortisol levels, which leads to stress.”

If you are interested in joining our MorningStar of Boulder family, we ask that you speak to us regarding our pet policy as we do assert our right to assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis. We do have some restrictions on breeds and also charge a one-time nonrefundable pet fee. Please see our website for contact information.

MorningStar of Boulder offers the very best in senior retirement homes with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 loving community.

Source: seniorliving.org/assisted-living/pets/

FAQs About MorningStar of Boulder

At MorningStar of Boulder, we regularly have questions about our community from area seniors and their family members. FAQs include how our pricing is structured as well as availability. In assisted living, fees are based on the level of care a resident requires. For memory care residents, we offer all-inclusive pricing, which means suite rental and care, whatever the level of need, is one price.

To calculate your level of need in assisted living, you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director and go over your medical history and personal preferences to create an individualized care plan. This sets the basis of your Care Level (we have five) and your monthly fee accounts for the costs and time to provide the needed services. These can include help with daily personal care activities (grooming, bathing, toileting, etc.) and medical assistance.

If you are concerned the cost of assisted living may be too high for your means, we want to remind you that senior housing can be very cost-effective as there are many things you will no longer pay for out-of-pocket. This includes the costs of your monthly utilities. At MorningStar your monthly fee includes cable TV & utilities, laundry facilities, and three daily meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef. In addition, we have scheduled transportation every week for rides to medical appointments as well as transportation to organized activities and cultural events.

Assisted living residents also have access to a full-time licensed nurse and our loving 24-hour care staff. Our wellness programs and activities engage and support our residents’ mental, physical, spiritual and social connections and allow the opportunity to continue to learn and grow.

MorningStar’s mission is to provide the best in senior retirement homes, and the comfort and wellbeing of our residents are the foremost considerations for everything we do. Our dedicated team, the heartbeat of our community, delivers service that represents the mission and philosophy of MorningStar Senior Living - honoring God and valuing seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.

MorningStar of Boulder offers the very best in senior retirement homes with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 loving community.

Protect Your Aging Brain

Researchers says that even if we are not developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, as we grow older, our memory, decision-making, and ability to learn simply begin to wear down.   This process is referred to as “cognitive aging” and doctors now say there are evidence-based steps we can take to improve our cognitive functioning. 

The published study from the Institute of Medicine titled “Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action,” detailed three ways we protect and bolster our aging brain.  The study’s authors are Dr. Dan Blazer, chair of the report and professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, and Dr. Valentin Fuster, director of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief at the Mount Sinai Hospital.  The report is intended to provide relevant information to both physicians and patients.

According to the study, the first thing we can do to help keep our brain healthy (and other parts of our body) is to engage in light exercise every day.  Activities such as walking, gardening, swimming or biking help increase the blood flow to the brain, which helps to maintain and improve its functioning. 

The Cognitive Aging report also found that in order to reduce our risk for or to better manage cardiovascular disease, we need to eliminate unhealthy habits such as smoking and maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.  It recommends that if you do have high cholesterol, you follow your doctor’s instructions and continue to have the necessary blood tests done. 

The third key to improving and maintaining good cognitive functioning is to consult with your doctor to review the list of medications you are currently taking.  Dr. Blazer explains that, “Older adults are sometimes on more medications than they need to be on."  He adds, “Many, if not all of them, can potentially affect your cognitive functioning.”

MorningStar at Jordan, an assisted living home in Centennial, CO, has 24/7 care services including medication care managers/QMAPs, who administer and document regularly prescribed medications per the Medication Administration Record and physician orders.  All of our care services, wellness programs and amenities are designed to support the whole person: body, mind and spirit and make MorningStar the perfect place for successful aging.  

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 Jordan’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we offer our residents the best assisted living home in the area.

Tips to Prevent Falls

We have all heard stories or may have had an older relative take a fall that lead to serious injuries, hospitalization, or in the worst case, a fatality. In fact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the fatal fall rate for people 65 years and older jumped 31 percent from 2007 to 2016, making falls the leading cause of injury-related death among people in this age group. Falls are so common in the elderly that every 11 seconds an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that many falls are preventable and publishes a one-page guide called “Take Control of Your Health: 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall.” Their first tip is to find a balance and exercise class that is specifically designed to help older adults built strength and improve their balance and flexibility.

NCOA also recommends talking to your doctor about your fall threat. Ask if any medications you are taking have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, or other issues that could increase your risk for fall. Moreover be sure to share any recent falls you may have had with your healthcare provider as well as your family.

Fall prevention includes having your vision and hearing tested annually. If you need stronger glasses, get them and be sure to wear them. The next step is to do a survey of your home both inside and out to ensure you do not have unsafe areas that increase the likelihood of a fall. Search the Internet for a checklist of things to look for in your home to improve safety. The NCOA suggests enlisting the aid of your family to help you keep your home safe for everyone.

At MorningStar of Boulder, our senior retirement living is designed to accommodate our residents’ limitations. All of our spacious private suites come with wall-to-wall carpeting, fully handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. We also provide a 24/7 care staff and a full-time licensed nurse. In addition, residents are offered plenty of opportunities to get moving with exercise classes offered every day of the week.

MorningStar of Boulder offers the very best in senior retirement living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 learn more about the best assisted living and memory care in Boulder.

Source: ncoa.org/wp-content/uploads/NCOA-Falls-Free-Infographic-680pixels-0917.pdf

From Housekeepers to Directors – Every Role is Vital!

Do you live in the greater Metro Denver area?  If so, you may be interested to hear that our MorningStar senior living communities are recruiting individuals with “Great Hearts” who would love to make a difference in someone else’s life.  Unlike many jobs, each position at MorningStar is vital to our success whether you become a care manager, food server, coordinator, director, or apply to one of our available housekeeping jobs.  Our Denver communities are proud to foster the ultimate environment for our residents’ wellbeing as well as create a great workplace for our valuable team members.   

As a way to learn and grow in your role at MorningStar (and perhaps advance your career options), we provide purposeful training as well as mentoring and support from directors, supervisors and fellow team members.  This will help you to understand, articulate and contribute to our extraordinary culture we call “Radiance, which is defined less by what we do and more by why we do it.  Radiance infuses the principles of the selfless attitude and will help you become an expert on understanding residents’ unmet needs, reading body language, nurturing connections, and knowing life stories and preference.  In addition you are sure to intuitively develop an understanding for how to surprise and delight our residents as well as to appreciate the intrinsic value of your service and the effect you have on the lives of our beloved seniors.   

Denver’s communities include MorningStar of Arvada - Arvada; MorningStar at Jordan – Centennial; MorningStar of Littleton – Littleton; MorningStar at RidgeGate – Lone Tree; MorningStar of Wheat Ridge – Wheat Ridge; and MorningStar of Parker – Parker.    All of our beautiful residential homes were founded on Judeo-Christian principles (although we  welcomed all religions and beliefs) and hold true to our mission statement to honor God, value all seniors, and invest generously in our team’s ability to serve.   If you feel it is your time to serve others and are drawn to seniors, please visit our website for a complete list of available assisted living jobs in Denver, CO.  “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31.   

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, visit MorningStar’s website for information on assisted living jobs in Denver, CO.

Assisted Living Enriches the Lives of Many Seniors

After making the move into assisted living, many residents are surprised at how full their lives become. And despite their fears about losing their independence by moving into an assisted living community, most are pleased to discover that by getting the assistance they need, they are ready more than ever to lead productive lives.

Along with supplying built-in companionship, assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Boulder strive to enrich the lives of residents with a range of activities that engage the mind, body, and spirit. In addition, it solves the problem of many elderly adults who live alone that find meal prep to be difficult and often resort to frozen meals or fast food. When living at our gorgeous community, you can sit back and enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors while you are served beautifully prepared meals restaurant-style. Moreover, if you are a senior who no longer drives, we take care of that with scheduled transportation to area shopping as well as trips to medical appointments and to run errands.

Our holistic approach to assisted living creates an atmosphere filled with love, care and compassion. We also recognize that it is important for our residents to continue learning and contributing, which is why we offer such a wide range of meaningful wellness programs, activities and entertainment. And if we do not have a program or activities that piques your interest or offer a hobby you would love to explore; we invite you to start a club.

If you are looking for a community with an exceptional care team along with amenities and services unmatched by other assisted living companies, please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar of Boulder.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Boulder, “to honor, to serve, to invest”, sets us apart from other assisted living companies. 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 the best assisted living and memory care in Boulder, Colorado.

Starting Your Search for Senior Living?

Are you and your family beginning the search for senior living residences and trying to determine the services offered at different communities?  If you live in and around Centennial, CO, we want you to know that MorningStar at Jordan is worth a look! 

MorningStar Senior Living was founded in 2003 with the intention of providing senior living defined by the human touch. As Founder/CEO Ken Jaeger explains, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  MorningStar at Jordan is one of ten MorningStar communities in Colorado, and one of more than 30 open or under construction across the country.

We truly believe that the more you get to know about our loving home, the more you will discover just how different we are from other senior living communities.  One of those things is that we view seniors as heroes who have gone through a lifetime of trials and tribulations and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.    MorningStar accomplishes this mission by hiring a team of service professionals who have a felt calling to serve and are drawn to the idea of working with seniors. 

This means our staff treats our residents much like they would their own moms and dads by greeting residents by their names, learning their preferences, and asking with real interest about their families.  Our loving team is comprised of people who go the extra mile to meet the needs of our residents (even their unexpressed ones), and do the right thing even when no one is watching.  After all, our goal is to create a true home for our residents.  Please visit our website to learn more about unsurpassed assisted living and memory care in Centennial. 

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living residences 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.