If you are planning to visit an aging parent or older loved one over the holidays, it can be a good opportunity to make sure they are living in safe and healthy conditions. While enjoying their company this holiday season, try to take a moment and assess the state of their house or apartment, observe their emotional state and personal care habits, and check for strange or illogical behavior. These 10 signs can help you determine whether it’s time for your parent or loved one to consider assisted living.

1. House in disarray

Is their home or apartment dirty or disorganized? Look for broken fixtures or appliances, extremely dusty surfaces and dishes piled up in the sink.

2. Unkempt clothing or appearance

Have you noticed poor personal hygiene habits? Take a good look at their appearance, clothes and body to gauge whether they have been taking care of themselves.

3. Expired foods

Check for evidence they are keeping their refrigerator stocked and emptying it when food goes bad. If not, there will be a bad smell coming from the refrigerator or pantry.

4. Medication mismanagement

Is your loved one missing doses of their medication or giving themselves the wrong ones? Check that they are sticking to their correct medication schedule.

5. Change in diet, weight loss or gain

Take note of what your loved one is eating. Do you notice new excessive weight loss or weight gain? If so, it may be a sign they are losing track of their meals or overfeeding themselves.

6. Concerns with their driving

Look for evidence that their car or garage have been damaged. Multiple dents are a good indicator that their driving skills are no longer up to par.

7. Change in mobility

Take note of how much your loved one is moving around. Are they having trouble sitting down, walking or standing up?

8. Experiencing confusion

Look for signs of strange or irrational behavior or statements. Does your loved one seem to have a strong grasp on reality?

9. Dangerous behaviors

Check if they regularly put themselves in harm’s way whether out of forgetfulness or due to a cognitive lapse. For example, have they left the stove on or water running?

10. Mail stacking up

Is there a lot of unopened mail or bills on your loved one’s kitchen counter? If you can, check their financial statements to see whether they are still paying their bills on time.

If you’re concerned about your parent or loved one, don’t hesitate to connect with a member of our Jackson Creek care team. We can provide you with community resources, offer you a well-being assessment, arrange a short-term stay while you assess your options, or introduce you to our senior living options, which include independent living, assisted living and memory support. To reach our team, call 719-725-6060 or contact us online.

MONUMENT – Jackson Creek Senior Living, in partnership with the Kiwanis Monument Hill Club and other local organizations, will host a community yard sale on Saturday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway.

The public is invited to browse a wide selection of gently used items (sold as-is), explore “Beyond the Bag” bundle deals, and enjoy a delicious hot dog lunch in Jackson Creek Senior Living’s backyard.

All proceeds will benefit the future Heart of Monument Play Park.

Event sponsors include: A Call to Order, Bloom Healthcare, Brighton Hospice, Clay Martin, Enhabit Hope Health & Hospice, Jackson Creek Senior Living, and Kiwanis Monument Hill Club. Both cash and credit cards will be accepted. Guests are kindly asked to park on the north side of the building.

Item donations for the yard sale will be accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 1 – June 5. Donations may be dropped off at the community’s main entrance.

For more information or donation questions, call 719-725-6060 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com/events.

About Jackson Creek Senior Living
Located at 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, Jackson Creek Senior Living is a Colorado-based retirement community offering independent and assisted living, memory support, respite care, and a day retreat program for seniors aged 62-plus. The community is managed by WellAge Senior Living, a respected senior care management company. For more information, call 719-725-6060.

MONUMENT – Jackson Creek Senior Living is partnering with Never Alone Consulting to host a four-week dementia boot camp every Thursday at 3 p.m. from June 5-26.

Led by Paula Levy, a certified Positive Approach to Care® trainer and dementia-care expert, each session will equip caregivers and family members with valuable insights and hands-on skills. The series will cover practical topics including understanding dementia, coping strategies, managing sensory loss, and preparing for the long-term caregiving journey.

The boot camp is free and open to the public, but space is limited to 15 participants. Sessions will be held at Jackson Creek Senior Living, 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, Monument.

To RSVP, call 719-725-6060 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com/events.

MONUMENT – Jackson Creek Senior Living, a vibrant community offering independent living, assisted living and memory support services in El Paso County, was featured in the April issue of Beacon Senior News.

Writer Lisa Lowdermilk highlighted stories of Jackson Creek’s senior residents and dedicated team members, along with the retirement community’s efforts to give back locally. The article also showcased Jackson Creek’s innovative programs, including the Partners for Parkinson’s initiative with the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, the popular Dementia Boot Camp series with Never Alone Consulting’s Paula Levy, and the introduction of a new Montessori-based memory care support program.

Read the full article … Find your people at Jackson Creek Senior Living in Monument

MONUMENT — Jackson Creek Senior Living, which offers independent living, assisted living and memory support services for seniors 62+, made headlines this spring for its innovative Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT) program. The community was featured twice in The Tribune by reporter William J. Dagendesh, who took part in the VDT experience alongside his wife, Peggy, on March 18, 2025.

Dagendesh’s two-part profile included:

MONUMENT — Jackson Creek Senior Living is pleased to announce that it will host Paula Levy, a dementia-care expert from Never Alone Consulting, to present “Navigating New Holiday Normals” on Friday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.

Holidays are stressful, but caring for a loved one who is experiencing brain changes adds a whole new challenge. In this caregiver roundtable, Levy will share insights to help families navigate the holidays as traditions shift and they learn to let go of the past and embrace the present moment.

Free and open to the public, but space is limited. To RSVP, call 719-725-6060 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com/events.

Jackson Creek is located at 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy, in Monument.

About Jackson Creek Senior Living
Located at 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, Jackson Creek Senior Living is a Colorado-based retirement community offering independent and assisted living, memory support, respite care, and day retreat services for seniors aged 62-plus. The community is managed by WellAge Senior Living, a respected senior care management company.

MONUMENT — Jackson Creek Senior Living is pleased to announce that it will host Rebecca Melpakam, community liaison at ABODE Hospice, for a three-part series highlighting the positive aspects of aging on Fridays, Oct. 25, Nov. 22, and Dec. 27 at 3 p.m.

Members of the public are invited to visit Jackson Creek, located at 16601 Jackson Creek Pkwy, in Monument, to discover how community, connection, and opportunity can enrich one’s golden years, and how home health and hospice services offer valuable support for seniors and their families.

The Golden Experience (Oct. 25)
Explore possibilities of what your next chapter in a community can be.

The Golden Connection (Nov. 22)
Learn how to foster relationships within the community.

The Golden Horizon (Dec. 27)
Expand your mindset and explore various opportunities for support.

This series is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To RSVP, call 719-725-6060 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com/events.

About Jackson Creek Senior Living
Located at 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, Jackson Creek Senior Living is a Colorado-based retirement community offering independent and assisted living, memory support, respite care, and day retreat services for seniors aged 62-plus. The community is managed by WellAge Senior Living, a respected senior care management company.

At Jackson Creek Senior Living, we were pleased to hear the theme for 2024 National Assisted Living Week was “Inspiring Generations,” a topic that is dear to our hearts. Since the retirement community opened in 2018, the leadership and team members have been inspired by the elder generation we support and the families we connect with along the journey. And we make it part of our mission to connect younger generations with older seniors to foster positive memories, boost our resident’s well-being, and help bridge the gap between older and younger generations. As we all know, our elders have a wealth of experiences and knowledge we could benefit from if we took the time to listen and learn.

Why Intergenerational Connections Are So Important

Intergenerational interaction between seniors and youth is important for several reasons, benefiting both groups and society. These interactions enrich both the seniors and the younger generations in so many ways.

Cultural and Knowledge Exchange: Seniors have valuable life experiences and wisdom that can be shared with younger generations. In turn, younger people offer fresh perspectives, ideas, and insights into modern culture and technology.
Mental and Emotional Well-being: For seniors, engaging with younger people can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common in older age. These interactions often provide a sense of purpose and belonging, boosting emotional health.
Bridging the Generation Gap: Intergenerational interactions foster mutual understanding and break down stereotypes. This helps younger people develop empathy and appreciation for older generations, while seniors can learn to appreciate the values and attitudes of youth.
Transfer of Skills: Younger generations can help seniors become more adept with technology, while seniors can pass down practical knowledge, life lessons, and even traditional skills that might otherwise be lost.
Strengthening Communities: Interaction between different age groups fosters social cohesion. Communities benefit from the diversity of experiences, and intergenerational relationships help create a more inclusive society where each person feels valued.
Lifelong Learning: Both groups benefit from the opportunity to learn from each other. Seniors often remain mentally sharper when they engage in stimulating conversations and activities with younger people, and young individuals gain insight into different stages of life.

Jackson Creek Senior Living Activities Support Intergenerational Connections

While we host family friendly activities throughout the year, and we have many community amenities and common areas that support time for intergenerational connections, during National Assisted Living Week this year (celebrated Sept. 8-14), several of our activities and events for the week centered on this mission.

On Sept. 8, we kicked off the week with a Grandparents’ Day celebration, including a visit from a youth group from Renovation Church of Monument. Many thanks to these engaged and caring youth for stopping by.
On Sept. 9, team members modeled various PJ fashions from over the decades to gin up laughs with the residents.
On Sept. 10, team members dressed up as favorite TV characters, bringing smiles and conversation throughout the community.
On the following day, team members again dressed up as “nerds,” and engaged in an activity with residents to share stories and create a mural as part of “Wisdom Wednesday.”
On Sept. 12, team members and residents dressed up in a “Back to the Future” theme as part of “Time Capsule Thursday.” Residents were encouraged to create time capsules for family members.
The next day, the community hosted a music party for residents, with a 1950s theme, milkshakes, fries, and “dirty” Shirley Temple drinks.
And to cap the week off on Sept. 13, team members and residents were encouraged to dress as a Disney character. Families were invited for lunch to share in the fun with their loved ones.

If you would like to learn more about Jackson Creek Senior Living, which offers assisted living, memory support, and independent living on a modern and family friendly campus in Monument, please give us a call at 719-725-6060 or visit us online. We’d be happy to show you around so you can see firsthand the vibrant, caring community we foster.

Approximately 17,000 people in Colorado are living with Parkinson’s disease. This estimate reflects the significant prevalence of Parkinson’s within the state, aligning with the broader trend observed across the United States, where about one million people are affected by this condition. As a result, Jackson Creek Senior Living sought to elevate its understanding of Parkinson’s disease and become a hub for families in the Colorado Springs area affected by this disease. Jackson Creek formally calls this effort Partners for Parkinson’s.

This effort led Jackson Creek to enter a unique partnership with the Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR), Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, and Bloom Healthcare & Hospice to share resources for individuals, families and caregivers affected by Parkinson’s disease in the Tri-Lakes region. This collaboration was launched April 11 on World Parkinson’s Day. Jackson Creek is one of only four organizations in the pilot program in Colorado to partner with PAR. This program offers free resources, including family consults, educational programs, support groups, and exercise classes specifically for those living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

Since April, a lot has happened at Jackson Creek with these trusted experts. The community’s staff has received two training sessions with Jodi Brown, CEO of PAR, and these quarterly training sessions will continue as team members apply these best practices in the care of residents.

Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, which has an office in Colorado Springs, has begun facilitating a quarterly Parkinson’s Support Group at Jackson Creek Senior Living. This support group, free and open to the public with a reservation, has become the most popular support group the community offers in just a few months.

Bloom Healthcare & Hospice, based in Lakewood and Monument, provides direct primary care services tailored to the needs of Jackson Creek residents living with Parkinson’s, enabling them to age in place comfortably. This too has become a popular and valuable resource for residents.

“We are extremely pleased to expand this partnership with these respected organizations to support families in the Tri-Lakes region,” said Lauren Hart, executive director, Jackson Creek Senior Living. “Collaborating with these expert organizations, with Jackson Creek as the hub where services and programs are being delivered, has already exceeded our expectations and the feedback from residents, families and community members has been nothing but positive.”

Call 719-725-6060 to learn more about Jackson Creek Senior Living and the Partners for Parkinson’s program.

MONUMENT — Jackson Creek Senior Living, the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, and Bloom Healthcare are teaming up to share resources for individuals, families and caregivers affected by Parkinson’s disease in the Tri-Lakes region. This announcement comes on the eve of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, marked each April, and World Parkinson’s Day on April 11.

Together, these organizations will collaborate and share expertise to deliver educational talks, host support groups, exercise and wellness programs, and offer resources specifically for individuals living with Parkinson’s.

In partnership with the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, Jackson Creek becomes one of four preferred organizations in Colorado to partner with this respected nonprofit to offer free resources, including family consults, educational programs, support groups, and exercise classes specifically for those living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

Specific initiatives these organizations will offer at Jackson Creek include:

Parkinson Association of the Rockies, based in Denver, is delivering Parkinson-focused training for Jackson Creek staff, which cares for several residents living with Parkinson’s. The association’s CEO, Jodi Brown, has begun quarterly trainings for staff, including the first session on Parkinson’s basics presented recently.
Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, which has an office in Colorado Springs, will facilitate a new Parkinson’s Support Group at Jackson Creek Senior Living. Support groups meet quarterly and are free and open to the public.
Bloom Healthcare, based in Lakewood and Monument, provides direct primary care services tailored to the needs of Jackson Creek residents living with Parkinson’s, enabling them to age in place comfortably. Bloom strives to elevate their quality of life by delivering an increased level of personalized support directly to our residents.
Jackson Creek is offering the space and promotional support to let the local community know these valuable resources are available.

“We are extremely pleased to join this partnership with these respected organizations to support families in the Tri-Lakes region,” said Lauren Hart, executive director, Jackson Creek Senior Living. “Not only do we want to support the residents of our senior community, but we see this as an opportunity to assist others looking for help with this prevalent condition.”

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves. More than 17,000 Coloradoans and an estimated 1 million Americans nationwide are living with Parkinson’s disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

About Jackson Creek Senior Living
Located at 16601 Jackson Creek Parkway, Jackson Creek Senior Living is a Colorado-based retirement community offering independent and assisted living, memory support, respite care, and a day retreat program for seniors aged 62-plus. The community is managed by WellAge Senior Living, a respected senior care management company.

About Parkinson Association of the Rockies
Formed in 1981, the Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease in Colorado and Wyoming. PAR offers educational programs, exercise classes, and support groups to enhance quality of life for individuals and families.

Warm Winter Welcome | Community Fee Waived — Save $3,000