FAQs

Founded in Denver in 2003, MorningStar is not just a family of senior living communities, but of senior loving homes, where residents are seen as heroes.  Here, with full hearts and felt callings, it is our privilege to service, and our pleasure to love all beneath our roof.

The mission of MorningStar resonates at every level, aligning our priorities and defining our behavior (read more under Our Heart). While rooted in Judeo-Christian beliefs, we welcome all faiths among our residents and team members. 

Through Radiance, our brand of service excellence, we intentionally foster a culture where kindness and authenticity are paramount.

Our Founder exhorts us to be a company of servants’ hearts, people of action, motivated to meet the needs of others, and resolved to make a difference across the globe.

 

Independent Living in both apartment suites and private homes; Assisted Living in apartment suites; and Memory Care in apartment suites within secure neighborhoods. Apartments can be privately occupied or shared.  Not all “neighborhoods” are offered within all of our communities.  Check the individual profile page of each to ascertain.

Assisted living communities offer those 62 years and older compassionate assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in a residential setting. Residents and their families gain peace of mind by knowing trained care managers are there to help navigate changes in health condition. Some assisted living communities also offer a secure neighborhood beneath its roof for the memory-impaired (those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia).

In our Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care suites, you must be at least 62 years old. In our Cottages, one member of the couple must be at least 55 years old and able to live independently.

It is common for residents to move into one of our communities without needing any kind of assistance whatsoever.  Rather, these men and women seek a refreshing change of lifestyle with built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, activities and programming, and tasty meals they no longer need to cook.  Under our roof, seniors enjoy stress-free living, a season that extends their independence given the nearness of care, if ever needed.

Please see our Decision Guide for a full answer to this important question.

Again, see our Decision Guide for an answer to that question and many more related to healthy conversations as we age.

MorningStar is pleased to offer Companion Living where two unrelated people of the same sex share a suite, whether in independent living, assisted living or memory care.  The attending benefits of such a living arrangement, including cost effectiveness, are fully explained on our Companion Living page.

Of course! Couples can live together in their own suites, surrounded by their own treasured possessions. Alternatively, suites can be shared by friends who simply enjoy one another’s company.

Yes, based on availability, within a fully furnished suite.  For as long as 30 days, seniors are welcomed into our homes to convalesce after surgery, or to reside while their regular caregiver is on vacation or otherwise indisposed. Respite stays are also a wonderful way to “take senior living—and MorningStar—out for a spin,” and explore what life is like under our roof. Of course, we hope you’ll settle right in and make the arrangement permanent. See our Short-term Stay page.

Yes, based on availability. We encourage you to try any of our neighborhoods for just a week or a full settled-in month. Within Independent Living especially, you can consider it a Retreat Stay, wherein you sample a life free from cooking and household chores, and a bustling calendar of activities.  New friends and adventures are just outside your door. See our Short-term Stay page.

This modest one-time fee (slightly higher for couples) covers the administrative aspects of your move-in, and helps us refurbish the suite after you have vacated the space.

We offer apartment suites (studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom in a variety of sizes). Their monthly rental fee is based on square footage, location within the building and views.

For those in our Assisted Living neighborhood, we offer five levels of care, established through a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director (Licensed Nurse). Various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, are priced a la carte.

Our Memory Care neighborhoods offer all-inclusive services (suite and care) at one packaged price. The Cottages (patio homes) at Dayton Place, in Billings and in Idaho Falls have their own unique pricing. See those specifics under their respective pages.

As part of your move-in process, our Wellness Director will assess your current health, and review your medical history to ascertain how we can best meet your needs. At that time, we will also learn your preferences, as well as normal routines, so as to develop a care plan customized to you, a plan that is regularly re-evaluated to coincide with your changing needs.

Please see a full explanation of these generous benefits on our Veterans page

No.  MorningStar communities are wholly private pay. However, most Long-term Care Insurance policies do cover Assisted Living rent and care. Check with your insurance carrier for coverage options, or ask us for advice about your particular policy. See our Affordability page.

Medicaid is a federal government program that subsidizes the medical expenses (including certain health services and nursing home care) for low-income people of all ages. Medicaid may also pay for some long-term care services at home and in a senior community. Medicaid sets limitations on the amount of assets you may own and the amount of income you may receive each month before you are eligible for benefits. Who is eligible and what services are covered vary from state to state. There also are restrictions on transferring assets to others in order to qualify for Medicaid.

Whereas, Medicare is a federal government program just for those 65 years and old (and for certain ill or disabled persons), regardless of income, designed to help them fund certain health-related expenses, namely hospitalization and rehab. Benefits may be available for home health care, but only if certain conditions are met. Medicare may pay for up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility per benefit period (100% for the first 20 days) after a three-day hospital stay, if skilled care is needed. For days 21–100, Medicare requires a co-payment. To help cover the co-payment, many seniors have a Medicare supplemental insurance policy. In general, once Medicare stops paying for care, the supplemental payment also will end.

While Medicare never pays for assisted living, it will pay for rehab as long as the person’s health is improving. When you’ve plateaued, Medicare stops paying. In other words, Medicare covers only those situations where progress is being made, and where healing and recovery can be marked. It does not, and never has, included coverage for senior living communities.

Medicare Part A covers hospice, regardless of income, including within a senior living community.

MorningStar communities are not licensed as Skilled Nursing Facilities.  Rather we have made the business decision to operate only as an assisted living facility. Were we licensed for skilled nursing, we would have to abide by a more stringent set of regulations which would limit resident choice and restrict many (by their preexisting condition) from living with us.

However, every MorningStar community has at least one full-time licensed nurse available for clinical concerns 24/7.  Please see our Clinical Services page for a description of how widely we can serve under our Assisted Living license through the additional support of third-party providers.

“Directed level of care” is a type of Assisted Living license that permits us to care for residents who, due to compromised cognitive ability, cannot recognize danger and, therefore, cannot respond appropriately and/or cannot express their needs.  MorningStar carries this type of license, enabling our trained staff to care for the memory-impaired within a secure environment.

Unless a resident has a need requiring round-the-clock nursing (including the management of acute pain), MorningStar is honored, with the partnership of a hospice agency, to care for a resident through end-of-life.

Yes, which includes both the ordering and supervised administration of your medications. We have two price points based on the number and type of prescriptions involved.

Certainly, be it a primary care physician or a specialty health care provider, such as an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist. Our communities also have rounding physicians, though our residents are not obligated to use them.

We have scheduled transportation every week for those needing a ride to a medical appointments, with two vehicles to serve you, both of which can accommodate a walker or wheelchair. You will be able to schedule your transportation needs through our Wellness team or Life Enrichment Coordinator. We are also provide transportation to organized activities and cultural events at no charge.

No. You may move out at any time with a 30-day notice in Assisted Living and Memory Care, and a 90-day notice in Independent Living.

Absolutely. We are pet friendly, recognizing the tremendous ministry animals are to all of us. Some communities have a weight limit on pets, and we do need to assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis. There are also some restrictions on breeds. We require a one-time, nonrefundable pet fee.

We offer three hot meals a day, served restaurant-style (sometimes family-style in Memory Care), and prepared by our Executive Chefs. Our menu changes daily in keeping with the season, and includes “Anytime Fare” choices and items denoted as BrainWise (with brain-healthy ingredients), Gluten Free, Sugar Free, No Sugar Added and HomeGrown. Meals are served by our dining team in our well-appointed dining rooms. You will have a server who will ensure your dining experience is prompt, courteous and reflective of the beautiful surroundings you are in. We also will have private dining for those times you wish to have an intimate gathering with loved ones. In every community, you’ll also find a 24-hour bistro, where residents can grab a snack or beverage any day, any time.

Yes. MorningStar uses fully licensed and talented cosmetologists. Typically the Salon is open two to three days a week or as needed. It is a full service Salon, including hair and nail services. We will cater to your need and schedule whenever possible.

Important among the assurances denoted among Resident Rights is the right to refuse participation in any activity or program.  We will do all we can to encourage participation, knowing the joys of Community Life and the friendships they engender.  But we also respect a resident’s right to choose.

Some states in which we operate require care managers to be certified in both CPR and First Aid; of course, we comply. In every state in which we operate, care managers complete orientation (including a three-day shadow), Radiance culture training, 8-hour dementia training, and ongoing training in specific care needs.  Our Med Tech (QMAPs) are additionally trained in medication administration.

To ensure that you are not paying for services you do not need, we staff in accordance with the level of care (acuity) of our given population of residents.  As residents’ individual needs change, so changes the number of care managers on the floor.

Absolutely.  And we can assist you with these arrangements.  Our license does not permit us to extend care ourselves to anyone living in Independent Living.

That’s part of the advantage of having more than one neighborhood under our roof.  Of course, a resident can transfer to Assisted Living or Memory Care, depending on the availability of the desired suite.  If there is any delay, you are welcome to bring in a home care agency in the interim. There is no internal Transfer Fee.