MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek Wins National Award from LifeLoop for Proactive Wellness
“Communities That Shine” honors senior living communities that uniquely leverage technology to excel in serving residents, families and staff
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (April 28, 2026) — MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek has been named a national winner in the 2025 “Communities That Shine” Awards by LifeLoop, the leading resident and staff experience solution for senior living. Now in its fifth year, the national awards program celebrates an exclusive roster of 12 exceptional communities that harness technology to improve the lives of residents and the team who care for them.
MorningStar at Bear Creek won in the “Brilliance in Proactive Wellness” category for its innovative use of the Colorado Springs/El Paso County Trail-ability program. By using an ATV called the “Terrain Hopper,” individuals with mobility hindrances gain free, guided and independent access to local trails in the area’s nature centers and parks.
MorningStar resident enjoys a Colorado nature trail with Glapion and other team members
Says Gresha Glapion, Life Enrichment Director, “I took residents on dozens of hikes last year using this service, the oldest of whom was 104. One man had run 15 marathons in his life yet had not been on a Colorado trail in four years due to Parkinson’s. Every time I get out the bus, he exclaims, ‘Are we going to go and use the trail?’ Some residents when out on the trail are completely silent as they take in the beauty all around them. It takes us an hour to go a mile because they want to stop and gaze at everything. Seeing their joy is fantastic.”
MorningStar’s vibrant and varied programming for those with memory impairment is highly adaptable, designed to meet residents where they are and evolve with their needs. This flexibility has led to 90% participation rates.
L to R: Marcus Banks (CRO, LifeLoop), Glapion, Allison Eckert (Senior Executive Director, MorningStar), Moriah Bernhardt (VP, Life Enrichment, MorningStar), Jeremy Donaldson (Sr Director of Customer Success, LifeLoop)
“Congratulations to MorningStar at Bear Creek for this well-deserved recognition,” said LifeLoop CEO Rob Fisher. “MorningStar embraces technology to create meaningful experiences for residents, families, and staff, and sets a remarkable standard for the entire industry to follow. We’re proud to partner with a community that exemplifies the core of our mission: to make senior living exceptional for everyone.”
The key at MorningStar is delivering truly personalized experiences. Wellness and life enrichment teams work closely to stay attuned to personal preferences, needs and changes, building meaningful connections through To Know Me Is to Love Me discovery, ensuring each person feels supported, valued and empowered.
Reports Glapion, “Families see a remarkable transformation in their once-withdrawn loved ones. I hope when people are looking into memory care, they don’t focus on limitations but on adaptations—because everything is adaptable.”
She continues, “We are honored to be chosen for this award, recognizing the creativity and dedication we bring every day to provide the best experience possible for MorningStar residents, their families, and our team. The LifeLoop platform has been instrumental in enabling us to deliver these experiences. The result is a vibrant community where residents feel joy and find purpose.”
About MORNINGSTAR SENIOR LIVING: An integrated developer, owner and operator of premier retirement communities, MorningStar’s portfolio encompasses 40 properties under operation or development representing 5,000+ units under management or in development in 11 states in the Midwest and Western United States, employing approximately 3500 team members. Offering independent living, assisted living and memory care, MorningStar is privileged to elevate life for those who taught the rest of us how to live. For more, visit morningstarseniorliving.com.
About LIFELOOP: LifeLoop is powering a new era of aging. Trusted by more than 4,700 communities across North America, LifeLoop embeds proactive engagement and whole-person wellness into the daily life of senior living communities. With LifeLoop, senior living providers deliver personalized experiences that foster purpose and connection—helping older adults live not just longer, but better. Learn more at lifeloop.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lorna Lee, VP of Marketing and Communications
llee@mstarliving.com
720/505.9930
