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Seniors looking to retire in a state with breathtaking scenery, boundless opportunities for outdoor activities and ample urban amenities may find that Colorado is the ideal choice. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, seniors aged 65 and older comprise 14.2% of Colorado's approximately 5.7 million residents. The State Demography Office reports that Colorado has seen a 61% increase in this segment of the population between 2010 and 2020. Although this growth is expected to slow over the next 20 years, the office forecasts that more than 1.4 million senior citizens will call the Centennial State home by 2040.
Research by the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that in 20 years, 70% of U.S. seniors will need long-term care and support, such as the services provided by assisted living residences. Colorado seniors currently pay an average of $4,095 per month for assisted living, according to Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey, which is almost on par with the national monthly median of $4,051.
This guide offers information about the cost of assisted living in Colorado, along with cost comparisons with surrounding states and other types of senior care. It also provides options for financial assistance, an overview of state regulations governing assisted living residences and free care-related resources for seniors and their families.
The SeniorScore draws on more than 100 data points across four categories — recreation and leisure, health and safety, finances and overall quality of life — to provide a rating on how a city or state meets the lifestyle needs of older adults. Colorado's score is 73, which is one point above the national median of 72.
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
Colorado received identical scores of 66 in the health and safety and general quality of life categories. The high health and safety rating is due to the state's plentiful Medicare-registered health care providers and home health care services, plus an average life expectancy 1.4 years beyond the U.S. norm. Average property and violent crimes rates also contribute to the safety metric.
Key factors that influenced the general quality of life rating are the state's average annual temperature range and amount of rainfall and its fairly low population density. Colorado's high-quality public schools and high graduation rate also helped boost this score.
Colorado's lower property and sales tax rates compared to elsewhere in the country contributed to the score of 65 earned in the finances category. Additionally, median household and per capita incomes in the state are notably higher than the U.S. averages. A high state income tax rate and senior care costs at or above national averages had a negative impact on the score.
Various factors impacted Colorado's score of 62 for recreation and leisure, including the many municipal parks and golf courses found across the state, as well as the 1,586 churches where residents can gather to practice their faith.
Manorcare Health Services - Boulder is a 150 unit nursing care facility located in the Winding Trail Village neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado. With approximately 24,000 residents in the 80301 zip code, the encompassing area is densely populated. It ...
Brookdale Greenwood Village is a 90 bed senior care facility for residents 55 and over located near the Hampden South neighborhood of Greenwood Village, Colorado. The facility is in a generally wealthier area, with an average per-household income of ...
University Park Care Center is located at 945 Desert Flower Blvd in Pueblo, Colorado. It is a 180 unit senior housing community. With a median family income of $33,151, the facility is in a largely lower income area. ...
Parkview Medical Center Skilled Nursing Facility ECF is a 20 unit nursing home facility located in Pueblo, Colorado. The surrounding area has an average population density, with about 16,000 people residing in the zip code of 81003. With ...
Villa Manor Care Center is a 240 unit senior housing community located around the Mar Lee area of Lakewood, Colorado. The facility is in a largely middle income area, with a median household income of $51,554. With around ...
Garden Terrace of Aurora is a 120 room senior housing facility located in the SableRidge neighborhood of Aurora, Colorado. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with an average per-household income of $39,442. It is densely ...
Littleton Care and Rehabilitation Center is a 35 room nursing facility. It is located near by the Fort Logan neighborhood of Littleton, Colorado. The community is in a generally middle income area, with an average per-household income of ...
Life Care Center of Aurora is a 166 bed senior care facility. It is located in the Southeast Crossing area of Aurora, Colorado. With an average per-household income of $48,192, the community is in a largely middle class ...
Parkmoor Village Healthcare Center is situated in the East Colorado Springs area of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a 147 bed nursing facility. The surrounding area is densely populated, with around 30,000 individuals residing in the zip code ...
The Villas at Sunny Acres is a 160 room senior care community. It is located at 2501 E 104th Ave in Thornton, Colorado. With a median family income of $61,280, the community is in a mostly middle class ...
Located at 5555 South Elati St in Littleton, Colorado, Cherrelyn Healthcare Center is a 190 room skilled nursing facility. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with about 29,000 residents in the 80120 zip code. It is a predominantly ...
Manorcare Health Services - Denver is situated in the Hilltop neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. It is a 160 unit nursing facility. With an average family income of $43,989, the community is in a largely middle income area. ...
Located at 1500 West Mineral Ave in Littleton, Colorado, Life Care Center of Littleton is a 120 room senior community. With an average household income of $55,714, the community is in a mostly middle income area. It is ...
Christopher House Rehabilitation and Care Community is situated within the West Highland neighborhood of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. It is a 72 room nursing home facility. The encompassing area is densely populated, with around 25,000 residents in the zip ...
Life Care Center of Greeley is a 124 room senior housing facility. It is located at 4800 25th St in Greeley, Colorado. The neighboring area has a dense population, with around 54,000 individuals living in the zip code ...
Life Care Center of Evergreen is a 120 unit senior community. It is located at 2987 Bergen Peak Dr in Evergreen, Colorado. With about 25,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 80439, the neighboring area has a ...
Lemay Avenue Health and Rehabilitation Facility is located at 4824 South Lemay Ave in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is a 130 room nursing care facility. With about 49,000 individuals living in the 80525 zip code, the neighboring area ...
Cedars Healthcare Center is a 130 bed nursing facility located within the West Colfax neighborhood of Lakewood, Colorado. With around 26,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 80214, the neighboring area has a dense population. It is ...
Brookdale Skyline is a 57 room senior care facility for those 55 and up. It is situated within the Old Colorado City neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colorado. With around 21,000 people residing in the 80904 zip code, the ...
Hallmark Nursing Center is located in the Fort Logan neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. It is a 143 unit skilled nursing facility. With an average per-family income of $47,703, the facility is in a largely middle income area. ...
According to Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey, Colorado residents pay an average of $4,095 per month for assisted living, which is only $44 more than the national average of $4,051. Costs are significantly lower in three out of four neighboring states. In Wyoming, the median is $3,780 per month, while in Nebraska, the average is $3,819. Utah offers the least expensive assisted living, with a monthly average of $3,400. In contrast, seniors in Kansas pay $4,473 per month, which is $378 more than their peers pay in Colorado.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Colorado's Top Cities
Assisted living costs in Colorado cities tend to vary from the statewide median, based on location. Costs are higher in some cities, such as the $4,500 average monthly rate paid in the largest metropolitan area, Denver, and the $4,750 per month average in Boulder. The monthly cost in Colorado Springs falls just below the state average, at $4,000 per month. Assisted living rates are notably lower in other cities. Fort Collins seniors pay $3,848, while those in Pueblo spend $3,800 per month.
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Colorado
The cost of senior care in Colorado differs dramatically based on the setting and type of care needed. The average costs for nonmedical in-home care and skilled home health care services are the same, at $4,957 per month, which is $862 higher than the $4,095 paid for assisted living. Adult day care provided on weekdays in a group setting is almost one-third of the cost, at $1,625 per month, whereas 24/7 skilled care received in a nursing home is more than double the monthly rate for assisted living at $8,197.
Phone Number: (888) 367-6557
Website: colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf/elderly-blind-disabled-waiver-ebd
Colorado's Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, only covers the cost of long-term nursing home care as an entitlement. The state offers the Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver as an alternative for eligible residents who prefer to live in a less restrictive setting, such as an assisted living residence. Approved participants receive coverage for various supportive services, such as personal care assistance, 24-hour oversight, medication administration and housekeeping. Participants must pay the room and board fees charged by the facility, which are not covered by the waiver.
To qualify, applicants must be aged 65 or older and have a significant functional impairment or be between 18 and 64 and blind or disabled. Applicants must meet the financial eligibility criteria for Health First Colorado coverage and be assessed as needing a nursing home level of care. Because the EBD is a waiver rather than a Medicaid entitlement program, participation is capped. As a result, eligible seniors may be placed on a waiting list before receiving services based on the current number of enrollees. To apply, interested individuals can call Health First Colorado at the toll-free number shown above, or contact the single entry point agency in their county.
Phone Number: (303) 866-5700
Website: colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/adult-financial-programs
Seniors and disabled adults residing in Colorado assisted living residences may be eligible for the Personal Needs Allowance Program administered by the Department of Human Services. This program provides a monthly cash stipend that recipients may put toward their personal care and hygiene needs.
U.S. citizens and lawfully present residents may qualify for the program if they are aged 65 or older and have lived in a care facility for at least 30 days or aged 64 and younger and disabled. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for the federal Supplemental Security Income program. To learn more about the program or to apply, seniors can call DHS or visit the DHS office serving their county.
Phone Number: (303) 866-5700
Website: colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/adult-financial-programs
Colorado offers the Old Age Pension Program to ensure that elderly state residents have a minimum amount of income each month to pay for housing and care, such as the services offered by an assisted living residence. The program does not provide recipients with a set monthly benefit. Instead, it supplements their income up to a defined statewide minimum. Applicants who are not eligible for coverage through Health First Colorado may qualify for medical and dental services through the OAP.
Colorado residents must be U.S. citizens, or legal immigrants, and aged 60 and older to receive OAP benefits. Applicants must also meet the state's established limits for income and assets and apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits through the Social Security Administration. To apply for the OAP, seniors can call DHS or visit the DHS office in their county.
Assisted living residences in Colorado are licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division. The division's staff inspects ALRs on an annual basis to ensure compliance with the state's rules and regulations and also investigates filed complaints. The following table provides an overview of the guidelines pertaining to ALRs, which are contained in the Code of Colorado Regulations, Title 6, Chapter 7:
Scope of Care | ALRs are required to provide residents with a safe and sanitary living environment and three nutritionally balanced meals per day plus snacks, as well as physician-prescribed therapeutic diets. ALRs must also provide room and board, around-the-clock protective oversight, personal care services, assistance with activities of daily living and transportation. Social and recreational activities that are based on residents' interests must be offered, both on-site and in the local community. |
Care Plan Requirements | Qualified ALR staff must develop a written care plan for each new resident at move-in and must review it annually or after a notable change in the resident's condition. The plan must be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the resident's health; physical and cognitive limitations; self-care capabilities, including medication administration; dietary and activity restrictions and behavioral and social needs. |
Medication Management Requirements | ALR staff may help residents self-administer as-needed medications if there are written physician instructions for their use. To administer prescription and nonprescription medications, ALR staff members must complete an approved training course and pass a competency test to become a qualified medication administration person. QMAPs are prohibited from preparing, drawing and administering medications by injection into the skin or bloodstream, including insulin delivered via pen devices. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All ALR administrators, in-house and contracted staff and volunteers who come into contact with residents must pass a criminal background check. This is required to determine if an individual has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that may put residents' safety, health or welfare at risk. |
Staff Training Requirements | ALR administrators are required to complete 30 hours of state-approved training covering specific topics. Facility staff must have experience or receive on-the-job training in their assigned role. Facilities must provide adequate training on key topics, including medication administration and the procedures for delivering care, before allowing staff to work directly with residents. Within one month of being hired, direct care staff must receive training on assessment skills, infection control and other stipulated topics. |
Medicaid Coverage | Health First Colorado offers the Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver that pays for services provided in Medicaid-certified ALRs, which are referred to as alternative care facilities. The waiver program does not cover the cost of room and board. |
Reporting Abuse | To report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment of a senior living in a Colorado assisted living residence, concerned individuals may email or call the Colorado Health Facilities Division toll-free at (303) 692-2836. Alternatively, they may complete a complaint intake form online and submit it via the division's website. |
Colorado Legal Services' Senior Citizens Law Center provides free legal advice and representation to low-income elderly residents across the state. The nonprofit center offers assistance with various civil legal concerns, such as creating durable powers of attorney and living wills, issues with long-term care facilities, including assisted living residences, and access to public benefit programs, such as Social Security, Colorado OAP, Medicare and Medicaid.
Contact: Seniors in need of assistance can apply online or contact the CLS office in their area.
Colorado's Aging and Disability Resources Center provides seniors and their families with information and assistance accessing aging-related resources in their local community. One of the many services the center's trained staff offers is helping seniors explore their options for long-term care, including assisted living, which can allow them to make informed decisions about their future care needs.
Contact: For information and assistance, seniors can call the Colorado ADRC at (844) 265-2372.
The Colorado DPHE provides a search tool that allows seniors and their families to check the inspection report history of licensed assisted living residences throughout the state, which can be a valuable resource when choosing a facility.
Contact: Seniors and family members who have questions or concerns can call the DPHE at (303) 692-2836.
Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services
Address: 1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203
Phone Number: (303) 866-2800
Website: colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/older-adults
The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services oversees several state agencies that offer aging-related resources. These include Adult Protective Services, the Colorado Commission on Aging and the State Unit on Aging, which administers and funds programs that benefit seniors seeking or currently receiving assisted living services.
Area Agencies on Aging in Colorado
Colorado's 16 Area Agencies on Aging offer various supportive services to enhance the quality of life of state residents aged 60 and older. Seniors may access care options counseling, help applying for various financial aid programs and assistance addressing concerns about their assisted living residence through the long-term care ombudsman program. Seniors may call (888) 866-4243 or view the AAA map to find the contact details for the agency serving their area.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Colorado
Staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Denver Regional Benefits Office can assist senior veterans in understanding their available benefits and filing applications for pensions and supplemental benefits, such as the Aid and Attendance Program, which can help cover the cost of assisted living services.
Social Security Offices in Colorado
Eligible seniors who need extra funds to pay for assisted living can apply for Social Security retirement benefits or the Supplemental Security Income Program at their local Social Security Administration office. There are 17 SSA office locations throughout Colorado.
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