Types Of Assisted Living In Denver

In the Denver metro area, there are hundreds of assisted living options for seniors, of varying sizes, offering different levels of care.

Most assisted living facilities help seniors with day-to-day living, including:

  • meals (2-3 meals per day are typically included in the monthly cost, even though many assisted living apartments also have small kitchens or kitchenettes in them)
  • housekeeping
  • laundry
  • assistance with personal care (dressing and bathing)
  • assistance with medications
  • assistance with incontinence (the level of support and potential additional costs vary by facility)

The larger assisted living facilities also might have on-site services, amenities and support, such as:

  • daily activities and events
  • beauty salons and/or hair care
  • individual transportation to medical appointments
  • group transportation to shopping, outings, and events
  • periodic visits from doctors, podiatrists, dentists and other healthcare professionals

The types of assisted living choices in Denver include:

Multi-Level Care Communities Assisted Living
There are a number of senior living communities in the Denver area that include independent living, assisted living, memory care and sometimes even skilled nursing care, all in one complex. These types of multi-level care communities usually have 100-200+ residents, with lots of amenities and activities. The main advantage to moving into a multi-level care community is that you might be able to start out in independent living, which typically costs significantly less than assisted living. As your needs change, in many of the multi-level communities, you can add “a la carte” assisted living services and still remain in independent living. Or, you can move into an assisted living apartment or floor, but still remain in the same community.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) Assisted Living
Continuing care retirement communities, also known as “life care communities” are similar to multi-level care communities, except that you pay large fee to move in and are then guaranteed care “for life” at a predictable monthly rate. In the Denver metro area, the move-in fee in CCRCs can be upwards of $200,000, with part of it refundable when you die, depending on the policies of the continuing care retirement community. The advantage to CRCCs is that independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care are all available in the same complex or on the same campus. And even though the initial buy-in is expensive, your costs are controlled for the rest of your life – no matter how much care you need.

Residential Care Facilities / Personal Care Boarding Homes Assisted Living
Hundreds of residential care facilities are sprinkled in neighborhoods throughout Denver and the suburbs. Most of these “board and care” homes have 6-10 residents in them, in private or shared rooms (with private or shared bathrooms). The primary advantage to choosing this type of assisted living facility is that you can get more personalized care, because there are not as many residents or rotating caregivers. The monthly cost for assisted living in a residential care facility is also often less than the cost for larger facilities, which usually have more amenities and activities.

Memory Care Assisted Living
Memory care is a subset of assisted living, and there are dozens of options throughout the Denver metro area. Some residential care facilities will accept seniors who have minor dementia or memory lost. Many of the larger assisted living facilities also have some level of memory support and/or have a separate (typically secured) area for memory care. There are also assisted living facilities that exclusively offer memory care, which is often the best choice for seniors with Alzheimer’s or severe dementia. The primary advantage to choosing a facility that only offers memory care is that the environment, staff and activities are all focused on memory care.

Non-Age Restricted Assisted Living
It is hard, but not impossible, to find assisted living options in Denver for people who are under the age of 55. Most assisted living facilities and complexes require that residents be seniors over the age of 55 (or sometimes even 62). There are a handful of large assisted living facilities, however, that accommodate younger residents and there are also select residential care facilities that do not impose age restrictions.

If you’re interested in other senior living options in the Denver metro area, see also:
Types Of Independent Living In Denver
Types Of Residential Care Facilities In Denver
Types Of Memory Care In Denver
Types Of Continuing Care Retirement Communities In Denver
Types Of Multi-Level Care Communities In Denver