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Assisted Living

Morningstar at Applewood

Families consistently rate this highly — reviewers highlight compassionate and attentive care staff. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.

2800 Youngfield St, Lakewood, CO 80215133 bedsLicensed & Active
Source: CO CDPHE — view official record
Google rating
4.0/5

based on 73 Google reviews

5
4
3
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1

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What this means for your family

MorningStar at Applewood is highly regarded for its compassionate care staff and beautiful environment, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing quality of life. However, families should have a clear, written understanding of the facility's financial policies regarding Medicaid and long-term residency, as several families were distressed by sudden move-out requirements when funds were exhausted.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

73 reviews on Google
MorningStar at Applewood generally receives high praise for its compassionate, attentive care staff and beautiful, well-maintained facilities. While many families express deep gratitude for the support provided to their loved ones, some reviewers have raised significant concerns regarding high staff turnover, inconsistent communication, and financial policies, particularly regarding Medicaid eligibility and sudden moves.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food8.0Staff8.0Clean9.0Activities8.0Meds5.0Memory9.0Comms6.0Value4.0

Strengths

  • Compassionate and attentive care staff
  • Beautiful, clean, and well-maintained facility
  • Strong leadership team
  • Supportive memory care environment

Concerns

  • High staff turnover and inconsistent care quality (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
  • Financial policies regarding Medicaid and sudden move-outs (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Inconsistent communication and responsiveness from management (mentioned by 3 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'14(6)'18(2)'20(1)'22(6)'24(20)'26(3)

Distribution · 69 analyzed

5
49
4
4
3
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2
1
1
14

How They Respond to Reviews

100%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed your team is very active in responding to feedback online; how does that commitment to communication translate into how you keep families updated on their loved one's daily well-being?
  • 2With a community of 133 residents, what steps are you taking to ensure consistency in care and build strong, long-term relationships between the staff and the residents?
  • 3Could you walk me through your financial policies regarding long-term planning, particularly if a resident's needs change or if there are transitions in their care level?
  • 4What does a typical day look like for residents here, and how do you tailor activities to keep everyone engaged and connected within the community?
  • 5How is your medical team structured to handle urgent health needs or emergencies, especially during evenings and weekends?
  • 6Given how well-maintained the facility is, how do you ensure that the environment remains both beautiful and safe for residents as they navigate their daily routines?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

My wife was a resident of Morning Star until her passing on July 1st... We both agree that my wife was well taken care of. Your staff treated her with kindness and compassion. They were attentive

Long-term resident's family · 2025★★★★★

My wife had early onset Alzheimer’s and moved into Applewood in September 2022. She died there in May 2024. While there was a turnover of care staff during her time there, all the caregivers were kind, loving, gentle and attentive.

Long-term resident's family · 2024★★★★★

The team Cell at Morningstar specifically Magen, Tyler, and Andrea have gone above and beyond to make this a manageable experience for me and my family. Having a loved one go to Memory Care is probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and they showed up at every single turn with compassion, empathy, encouragement, and love.

Memory care family member · 2024★★★★★
Source: 73 Google reviews

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: CO Dept. of Public Health & Environment

10total
8deficiencies
Dec 30, 2024Complaint
N/A0000 & 9999

A relicensure and complaint revisit was completed on 12/30/24 for all previous deficiencies cited on 8/22/23. The residence is in compliance with all regulations surveyed. Citation coded "0000" or "9999" are initial and final comments of an inspection for informational purposes, this field may also have been left blank intentionally

Dec 30, 2024Complaint
CleanReport

No deficiencies found during this inspection.

Mar 6, 2024Complaint
N/A0000 & 9999

A revisit survey was completed on 3/6/24 for all previous deficiencies cited on 10/19/23. The facility is in compliance with all deficiencies that were cited. Citation coded "0000" or "9999" are initial and final comments of an inspection for informational purposes, this field may also have been left blank intentionally

Oct 19, 2023Complaint
N/A0000, 0680, 1316 and 2 more

A licensure complaint, prompted by #CO33838, was completed on 10/19/23. Deficiencies were cited. Based on observation and interview, the residence failed to make weekly menus readily available for residents and public viewing no less than 24 hours prior to serving, affecting 81 current residents. Findings include:On 10/19/23 at 11:44 a.m. to 11:54 a.m., observations throughout the residence revealed there were no menus readily available for resident and public viewing anywhere in the residence.On 10/19/23 at 11:29 a.m. Resident #42 stated there were other menus than the one they put out for the day but staff did not mention the other menus to the residents.On 10/19/23 at 4:29 p.m. the administrator stated the weekly menus were not posted for residents to view. She added that she was aware that the menus should be posted 24 hours prior to serving for residents to view. Based on record review and interview, the residence failed to ensure residents received the maximum degree of benefit from services made available by the residence, affecting one of four sample residents (#39).Findings include:1. Residence Policiesa. The residence' s Resident Rights Policy, dated July 2021, read, in part, "Residents are treated in a manner that preserves their dignity, autonomy, self-esteem, rights and involvement in their own care ... When providing care and services, staff will respect each resident' s individuality, as well as honor and value their input."b. The residence' s resident agreement, dated January 2020, read, in part, "Resident Rights Colorado ... Consistent with Colorado law, the resident shall have the following rights ... The right to choice and personal involvement regarding .. Based on record review and interview, the residence failed to ensure that before a personal care worker independently performed personal services for a resident, the supervisor designated by the residence documented that the worker had demonstrated his or her ability to completely perform every personal task assigned, affecting two of two sample staff (#33, #34). Findings include:1. ReferencesRegulations governing assisted living residences, part 2.33, defines "Personal care worker" as an individual who: (A) Provides personal services for any resident.Regulations governing assisted living residences, part 7.12, requires that each personnel file shall include, but not be limited to, written documentation regarding the following items:(C) Orientation and training, including first aid and CPR certific.. THIS PORTION OF THE REPORT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. No response is necessary. The residence was advised it must review and maintain the following processes in accordance with existing program regulations found at 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 7.11.5 The assisted living residence shall review its resident agreements annually and update or amend them as necessary. Amendments to the resident agreement shall also be signed and dated by both parties.(A) When a change of ownership occurs, the new owner shall either acknowledge and agree to the terms of each existing resident agreement or establish a new agreement with each resident.

Aug 31, 2023Other
CleanReport

No deficiencies found during this inspection.

Aug 21, 2023Complaint
N/A0000, 0736, 1130 and 8 more

A relicensure survey with complaints #CO32479, #CO32605, #CO33103, #CO33116, was completed on 8/22/23. Deficiencies were cited. Based on interview and record review, the residence failed to contact the resident' s practitioner when the resident had physical signs of possible infection (open sores, etc.), affecting one former resident (#15).Findings include:1. References and Residence PolicyChapter VII regulations governing assisted living residences, part 2.21, defines "Exter.. Based on observation and interview, the residence failed to ensure all bathtubs/shower floors had proper safety features to prevent slips and falls, affecting eight of 12 sample residents (#17, #18, #23-#26, #28, #29).Findings include: On 8/22/23 from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., an environmental tour of Resident #17, #18, #23-#.. Based on observation and interview, the residence failed to ensure resident rooms occupied by smokers had fire resistant wastebaskets, affecting two of three sample residents (#34, #35) who smoked cigarettes.Findings include:A list of residents who smoked was provided by the residence. Resident #34 and #35 were identified as residents who s.. Based on observation, interview and record review, the residence failed to update the comprehensive assessment when the resident' s condition changed from baseline status, affecting one sample resident (#30) who experienced a change in their baseline status. Findings include:1. References and Residence Policya. Chapter VII regulations governi.. Based on observation, record review and interview, the residence failed to ensure qualified medication administration persons (QMAPs) followed national recognized protocols for basic infection control and prevention when preparing and administering medications, affecting five of five sample residents (#27, #28, #31-#33) during medication administrati.. Based on observation, record review, and interviews, the residence failed to place in a visible location a list of all staff who had current certification in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), affecting 84 current residents. Findings include: The residence' s cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) response policy and procedure, dated July 202.. Based on record review and interview, the residence failed to ensure residents in a secure environment had an enhanced care plan that contained the required information, affecting one of three sample residents (#11) who resided in the secure environment.Findings include:1. References and Residence Policya. Chapter VII regulations gov.. Based on record review and interview, the residence failed to ensure that only medication ordered by an authorized practitioner was prepared for or administered to residents, affecting two of eleven sample residents (#11, #23). (Cross-reference Q1514)Findings include:1. Resident #11 was admitted to the residence on 8/11/21.The August 2023 .. Based on record review and interview, the residence failed to ensure the administrator and the qualified medication administration supervisor (QMAP) audited, on a quarterly basis, the accuracy and completeness of the medication administration records, controlled substance lists, medication error reports, and medication disposal records, affecti.. THIS PORTION OF THE REPORT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.No response is necessary.The residence was advised it must review and maintain the following processes in accordance with existing program regulations found at 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 7.17.14 Staff who assist feeding a resident shall be trained in the proper techniques for suppo..

Mar 13, 2023Complaint
N/A0000, 0246, 1316 and 1 more

A licensure revisit was completed on 3/14/23 for all previous deficiencies cited on 6/15/22. Deficiencies were cited. Based on interview and record review, the residence failed to ensure each qualified medication administration person (QMAP) accurately documented each medication administration event at the time the event was completed for each resident, affecting four of seven sample residents (#11, #14, #15, #17)Findings include:1. Residence policyThe residence' s Medication Administration policy, dated July 2021, read in part, staff were required to document on the medication administration record when medications were administered to residents.2. Resident #17 was admitted to the residence on 4/17/18 with diagnoses including fibromyalgia.A written practitioner' s order, dated 1/18/23, directed the residence to administer calmoseptine ointment three times a day. However, the February and March 2023 medication administration record (MAR) read blanks on the evening of 2/1, 2/3, 2/6-2/8, 2/13, 2/15, 2/16, and 3/2/23, for a total of nine doses.On 3/14/23 at 9:50 a.m., the administrator stated he was aware there were medica.. Based on observation, record review and interview, the residence failed to comply with conditions imposed by the department on the license, affecting 95 current residents. Findings include:1. RecordsDepartment records read the residence was currently required to retain a registered nurse (RN) consultant for six months. Following the completion of Event YBWY11 on 6/15/22, a complaint investigation, the department imposed a nurse consultant for six months to address the cited deficiencies and to also ensure compliance with all other pertinent regulations. The intermediate condition read the nurse consultant was required to complete, during the first month of the contract period:- Review each of the cited deficiencies identified in the Deficiency List, for Event YBWY11 and dated June 15, 2022, with the Administrator, and evaluate the Residence' s current compliance with corresponding regulations as outlined in 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapters 2, 7, and 24, where applicable.The nurse consultant was required to complete the following, during .. Based upon observations, interviews and record review, the residence failed to ensure residents received the cooperation in achieving the maximum degree of benefit from those services made available by the residence, affecting 95 current residents. This deficiency was cited previously during a licensure complaint survey on 6/15/22. Although the residence corrected the deficiency, based on the findings below, the residence has not maintained compliance with this regulatory requirement.1. Referencesa. Chapter VII regulations governing assisted living residences, part 16.24, requires potentially hazardous foods that are stored hot shall be held at or above 135°F. Assisted living residences can achieve this by keeping soups, sauce, and other hot foods warm on a stove burner, in the oven, or on a warming plate at a temperature above 135°F until they are served, stored, or discarded.b. Chapter VII regulations governing assisted living residences, part 16.25, requires when potentially hazardous foods are being pre..

Mar 13, 2023Complaint
N/A0000, 0246, 1312 and 2 more

A licensure revisit was completed on 3/14/23 for all previous deficiencies cited on 3/31/22. Deficiencies were cited. Based on observation, interview and record review, the residence failed to ensure residents had the right to be treated with dignity and respect, affecting four of six sample residents (#15-#18) who resided in the secure environment. Findings include:1. Residence policyThe residence' s undated Resident Rights policy read, in part, residents had the right to be treated with respect and dignity.2. ObservationsOn 3/13/23 from 7:19 a.m. to 7:37 a.m., the following was observed in the secure environment:Staff #19 said to Resident #16: "Hi sweetheart"Staff #19 said to Resident #15: "The food will be here soon sweetie"Staff #19 said to Resident #18: "Okay sweetie"Staff #19 said to Resident #17: "Okay sweetie" and "You' re so cute. Okay sweets?"3. InterviewsOn 3/13/23 at 7:45 a.m., Staff #19 state.. Based on observation, record review and interview, the residence failed to comply with conditions imposed by the department on the license, affecting 95 current residents. Findings include:1. RecordsDepartment records read the residence was currently required to retain a registered nurse (RN) consultant for six months. Following the completion of Event YBWY11 on 6/15/22, a complaint investigation, the department imposed a nurse consultant for six months to address the cited deficiencies and to also ensure compliance with all other pertinent regulations. The intermediate condition read the nurse consultant was required to complete, during the first month of the contract period:- Review each of the cited deficiencies identified in the Deficiency List, for Event YBWY11 and dated June 15, 2022, with the .. Based on record review and interview, the residence failed to comply with the authorized practitioner orders associated with medication administration, affecting six of seven sample residents (#11, #12, #14-#17).This deficiency was cited previously during a licensure complaint survey on 3/31/22. Although the residence corrected the deficiency, based on the findings below, the residence has not maintained compliance with this regulatory requirement.1. Residence PolicyThe residence' s Medication and Medication Administration policy, dated July 2021, read in part, "all medication orders will be documented in writing by an authorized prescribing practitioner. Verbal orders for medication will not be valid unless received by a licensed team member who is authorized to receive and transcribe .. Citation coded "0000" or "9999" are initial and final comments of an inspection for informational purposes, this field may also have been left blank intentionally

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References & Resources

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