What Is Assisted Living ~ Options In Denver, Colorado

To schedule a free consultation with a Senior Advisor, call Marnie Biln, (303) 222-5281 or e-mail marnie@seniorgevity.com. The consultation is free to seniors and their families, and the senior advisement and placement services are also free.

Click here for a list of assisted living facilities in the Denver metro area.

Assisted living facilities do just that: assist seniors. There are smaller, specialized assisted living facilities, known as “board and cares” that are located in residential homes, and there are also assisted living facilities designed specifically for memory care.

What Are Assisted Living Facilities
The larger assisted living complexes in the Denver metro area offer apartment living with private bathrooms and kitchens. They also have shared dining rooms (where you can choose a meal plan) and common areas. The assisted living communities will often have amenities on-site (such as a hair salon) and will provide group activities and transportation.

In the majority of cases, the assisted living accommodations are part of a larger care community that includes independent living, memory care, and/or nursing home care.

Levels Of Care In Assisted Living In Denver
The levels of care in residential care facilities are regulated by each state, not at a federal level. In Colorado, there are three levels of care, and assisted living facilities can be licensed for Level One, Level Two, and/or Level Three. Facilities that are licensed for Level Two and Level Three care can also accept Level One patients. Each resident’s level of care requirements are assessed on a regular basis by the facility and/or a physician.

Below are typical levels of care in residential facilities in Colorado.
Level One Care: Residents live independently for the most part, only requiring occasional reminders, supervision, or assistance with activities.
Level Two Care: Residents require significant support with some daily living activities, but minimal assistance with others.
Level Three Care: Residents need comprehensive, ongoing assistance with daily living activities.

Assisted living facilities often charge a different monthly rate, based on the level of care that’s provided. Or, the facilities charge a base rate, with an “a la carte” menu of other services that can be provided.

Typically, as a resident’s needs increase, the monthly cost can increase and/or the resident may ultimately need to move to another care setting, such as a nursing home.

Assisted Living Facility Services In Denver
In assisted living facilities, assistance with many aspects of daily living can be provided, including the following:

• administration of medications
• assistance with dressing
• assistance with bathing
• assistance with using the toilet and/or incontinence care
• assistance with memory issues

How To Compare Assisted Living Facilities In Denver
When choosing an assisted living facility (for yourself or someone you love), here are some of the criteria you can compare:

• cost
• private pay or Medicaid
• level of care (Level One, Level Two, or Level Three)
• staff to resident ratio
• size and layout of apartments
• features of apartments (including bathrooms and kitchens)
• dining plans and meal options
• outdoor spaces
• types of activities for residents
• services that are brought in for residents (e.g. physicians, podiatrists, hairdressers, etc.)
• transportation (group and/or individual)
• pet policies
• smoking policies
• types of residents (e.g. all women, all men, people younger than age 60, etc.)
• location in the Denver metro area (general area and neighborhood)
• annual health surveys by the state health department and reports of occurrences and complaints

Assisted Living Facilities vs Independent Living In Denver
Independent living communities can cost significantly less than assisted living facilities, but they also provide less services. Seniors with ongoing daily living and/or medical needs won’t be eligible for most independent living communities, unless the complex specifically offers assisted living units or services. For seniors who need more help – or anticipate that they will in the near future – assistant living is a more appropriate choice than independent living.

Assisted Living Facilities vs Residential Care Facilities In Denver
Traditional assisted living facilities, which have more residents, tend to offer more amenities, activities, and services. They also might offer different levels of care, which makes it more likely that seniors can “age in place,” without having to choose another care facility as their needs change. Residential care facilities, on the other hand, can typically provide more customized care because there are only 4-10 residents living in each home.

Contact A Senior Advisor For Help In Finding The Right Community Or Facility
If you would like help finding the right community or facility for yourself or a loved one, contact Senior Advisor, Marnie Biln, (303) 222-5281. Her senior advisement and placement services are free.

Marnie helps seniors and their families find communities and facilities in the Denver metro area and Front Range, including: Denver, Aurora, Littleton, Englewood, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Denver Tech Center, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Thornton, Northglenn, Brighton, Commerce City, Westminster, Louisville, Longmont, Lafayette, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

Click for more about the top 10 reasons to move into assisted living.

Other Resources For Senior Living In Denver
Below are resources that describe other senior living options:
What Is Independent Living
What Are Residential Care Facilities
What Are Nursing Homes
What Is Memory Care
What Are Multi-Level Care Communities
What Are Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
What Is Hospice Care
What Are In-Home Care Agencies
What Are Senior Advisors