Fun, Engaging Activities All through the Year

The MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder community is specifically designed for seniors who value their independence but need a little assistance.   We provide a “true home” for our residents and strive to create a family-like atmosphere that is supportive and loving.  In addition to our wide range of wellness and fun activities and outings, we host special celebrations and events throughout the year.

Looking at our News & Events page, you will see an assortment of pictures from some of our special events at MorningStar of Boulder.  These activities range from an Eastertide weekend that included Open House festivities for both family members and other visitors to a Halloween party that had both residents as well as staff donning colorful masks and enjoying tasty treats.

Even a beautiful day in Boulder can be the catalyst for a group stroll in the Colorado sun to soak up a little Vitamin D.  Each Sunday morning you will find residents and their families indulging in a leisurely brunch buffet that includes everything from buffalo cakes, an omelet bar to freshly carved roast beef sandwiches.  On Fridays, residents enjoy helping to create a variety of delicious treats in our Demonstration Kitchen. 

Along with events like Casino Night with games of blackjack and roulette, our community also participates in important causes such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Event this last August.  Our group alone raised over $3,000 in donations.  We also honored the memory-impaired in June with our MorningStar-wide Uplifting Day that was an opportunity for thoughtful activities and some fundraising.  Likewise the MorningStar of Boulder’s Independence Day BBQ for residents and their families was another fun-filled day for the community.  We also raised more money for the Alzheimer’s Association with a dollar from each guest’s meal going to the organization. 

Our community has a total of 48 private assisted living suites and 46 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.  Please visit our website to learn more and be sure to set up a tour to experience firsthand the loving atmosphere at MorningStar of Boulder.

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

Our Staff has a Calling to Serve Seniors

At MorningStar of Boulder, we understand that our senior community’s success lies with our caregivers. This is why one of our founding principles is to invest generously in our team members, including providing the necessary development and training required to create leaders with the ability to provide the best life possible for our residents. 

We are proud of the fact that our staff is comprised of people who champion our mission and have a sense of calling to serve seniors.  They are a group of unique individuals who do the right thing when no one is watching and work diligently to perfect the art of anticipating the needs of our residents.  In addition they not only believe that Senior Living, at its best, is love in action but do it every day. 

As a part of our commitment to bringing together an exceptional staff, we offer generous compensation and benefit packages to each employee in an effort to recognize caregiving as a respected career choice.  We have found that our vetting of employees has paid off as we have a staff that works hard to ensure MorningStar of Boulder’s residents feel loved and cared for in every way possible. 

Furthermore, all of our in-coming staff receives Radiance training, which is reiterated every day at our Team Stand-up.  The Radiance program celebrates an attitude of selflessness that comes from a deep and sincere place, like a beam of light and reflects the way we deliver customer service at MorningStar - with warmth, sincerity and depth.  The program provides a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and allows us to take our professionalism to the next level.  We encourage you to schedule a tour of our gorgeous community to experience firsthand all we offer.

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

Dealing with an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone.  It is estimated that 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and one in nine people age 65 years and older has the disease.  As a way to help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services. 

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear.  Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through.  There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated. 

The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing as a way to help you to move forward.  They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.”   

You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through.  One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy.  They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able.  Finally they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.” 

At the MorningStar at Arrowhead’s senior living community, we offer 25 beautiful suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our progressive methods leverage the power of aromatherapy, dance, music, art, and animals to heal and comfort residents, and we are equipped to care for individuals in the early stages right through to the most advanced phases. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Source: alz.org/i-have-alz/i-have-alzheimers-dementia.asp

Signs Indicating Your Parent Needs More Care

Often families are caught unaware when an aging parent has a fall or another event that immediately signals they need more assistance in their daily life.  You many feel like a neglectful son or daughter for not noticing the changes happening before your eyes, but many seniors routinely deny they need help as they fear losing their independence.  However getting the proper care can actually help make them feel more independent as they know they can live their life without worry and help is available when they need it.    

Experts cite several common signs that may indicate your parent needs more assistance including changes in the way they live.  For incidence if your mom was always a good housekeeper, and now her home is looking un-kept, or your dad who always took pride in his appearance, now looks as if he is not bathing regularly.  Signifcant weight loss may also mean a senior is not eating well and/or having trouble preparing meals. 

Watch for signs your parent is having trouble walking or appears unsteady and is having difficulty getting up from a seated position.  Other changes are signs of confusion or uncertainty performing familiar tasks.  A dangerous side effect of poor memory can be seniors forgetting to take medications or not following their doctor’s care plan.  Errands can also be difficult to do as many seniors are uncomfortable driving and many stop driving altogether.  

While assisted living was a relatively new concept when it first began around 25 years ago, today it is the fastest growing care option for seniors who are able to live independently but require a little assistance.  At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder, we provide assistance with “activities of daily living” (ADLs) such as: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and more.  Our community, located on the southeast side of the celebrated mountain town of Boulder, offers a total of 48 private assisted living suites and 46 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. 

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

Having a Good Visit to a Memory Care Community

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Boulder emphatically agrees with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community.  While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name. 

The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory.  They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise.  In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you.  It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss.

Jolene Brackey also shares some tips from her book, Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Disease, to help family members when visiting.  She suggests you begin your visit by introducing yourself, and to use their given name rather than calling them “mom” or “dad” as they may have forgotten that their kids are already grown.  If your loved one has a familiar nickname, you can use that.   

Ms. Brackey also recommends that you visit “one on one” or in small groups, and to bring the conversation around to pleasant memories from their past.  If you do get them talking, give them plenty of time to respond to a question or to follow directions.    

MorningStar of Boulder reminds family members that a new voice is always a welcome change and a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers can lift the spirits of someone struggling with dementia.  Your friendly, loving visit can have a positive effect on your loved one for the rest of the day. 

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

Source:  alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf