The Center at Centennial is an 80 bed senior community. It is located in the West Colorado Springs area of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median family income of ...
Memory Care in Colorado
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Colorado
- Memory Care Directory for Colorado
- Memory Care Costs in Colorado
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Colorado
- Colorado Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in Colorado
Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and in Colorado, with 1,649 deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s statewide in 2018. About 76,000 Colorado residents aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s in 2020, but an estimated 21% increase means this number is expected to grow to 92,000 by 2025. With only 89 geriatricians practicing in Colorado in 2019, the state must see a 225% increase in practitioners to meet the future demands of its escalating Alzheimer’s population.
Memory care focuses on providing a safe, structured environment with secure homelike accommodations for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Caregivers assist memory care residents with meals and personal care tasks and are specially trained to deal with the unique issues Alzheimer’s residents face. Staff members provide 24-hour supervision with frequent resident checks and individualized activities designed to improve cognitive function while engaging residents throughout the stages of the disease. The cost of memory care in Colorado is $5,119 per month, which is slightly higher than the U.S. average of $5,064.
This informative guide provides details on memory care in Colorado, including the average cost of memory care in the state and popular cities, financial assistance programs, governmental regulations and free memory care resources within the state.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Colorado
Colorado’s SeniorScore is 73, which is one point higher than the national score of 72. The SeniorScore is a livability index specifically prepared for seniors based on unbiased data garnered from numerous sources and covering over 100 data points. The overall goal is to identify how well specific locations accommodate the needs of older residents across four categories, including Finances, Recreation & Leisure, Health and Safety and General Quality of Life.
Colorado received a score of 66 in the Health & Safety category, due in large part to ample access to Medicare-registered health care providers and numerous senior living facilities and home health care providers within the state. The state has an average number of hospitals, including the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. This facility was nationally ranked in 2020 for nine adult specialties, including cardiology and heart surgery, neurology, diabetes, pulmonology and orthopedics. Colorado’s life expectancy of 80 is higher than the national average of 78.6, and the state boasts average overall property and violent crime rates. These are all definite pluses for the 14.6% of Colorado’s estimated 5.75 million residents who are aged 65 or older.
The state also received a score of 66 in the General Quality of Life category, which was impacted by its 15.1 inches of rain per year and a low average annual temperature of 45.5 degrees. In the Finances category, Colorado received a score of 65, due to an average overall cost of living that includes significantly lower property taxes and an average sales tax of 6.9%, which is lower than the national average of 6.97%. On the downside, its 4.63% state income tax is significantly higher than the national average of 3.38%, and senior care costs are at or above national averages. Despite plenty of outdoor recreational activities and a high number of municipal parks throughout the state, Colorado received its lowest score of 62 in the Recreation & Leisure category.
Top Memory Care Communities in Colorado
The Center at Lincoln is located at 12230 Lioness Way in Parker, Colorado. It is a 96 unit senior community. With a median per-household income of $99,993, the community is in a mostly upscale area. It has ...
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 ...
Orchard Park Health Care Center is a 133 room nursing care facility situated nearby the Southmoor Park area of Littleton, Colorado. The surrounding area has an average population density, with about 19,000 residents in the zip code of 80121. ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
Summit Rehabilitation and Care Community is a 110 bed skilled nursing facility located within the Sunny Vale neighborhood of Aurora, Colorado. The community is in a primarily low income area, with a median household income of $29,469. With ...
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 ...
Monaco Parkway Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 117 bed nursing home facility. It is situated within the Washington Virginia Vale area of Denver, Colorado. The encompassing area has an average population density, with roughly 18,000 individuals residing ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
Aspen Living Center is a 112 room senior care facility located in the Southeast Colorado Springs neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The facility is in a mostly working class area, with a median household income of $33,375. With ...
Situated within the West Colfax area of Denver, Colorado, Sloan's Lake Rehabilitation Center is a 42 room nursing care facility. The facility is in a generally working class area, with an average per-household income of $32,811. With about ...
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 ...
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 ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Colorado
In Colorado, memory care is provided within assisted living residences, also called alternative care facilities. Due to the specialized staff training and additional resources necessary to provide appropriate support services and enhanced security for residents living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, memory care costs are typically higher than other types of residential care. While there isn’t any authoritative data on memory care costs, these rates are usually about 20-30% more expensive than the cost for standard assisted living. The memory care costs presented below are calculated by adding 25% to the cost of assisted living provided in Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey.
The estimated cost of Memory Care in Colorado is $5,119 per month, which is $55 higher than the national average of $5,064. This rate is higher than some neighboring states and lower than others. To the south, New Mexico's estimated memory care cost of $5,125 is a mere $6 higher than in Colorado, while to the north, seniors in Wyoming pay $4,725, which is nearly $400 lower. Memory care costs in Utah, to the west, are more than $800 lower at $4,250, and to the east, in Kansas, memory is more than $400 higher, at $5,591.
- Colorado: $5,119
- United States: $5,064
- New Mexico: $5,125
- Utah: $4,250
- Wyoming: $4,725
- Kansas: $5,591
The Cost of Memory Care in Colorado’s Top Cities
Seniors seeking to spend less than the state’s average for memory care may want to consider Pueblo in the southern part of Colorado and Fort Collins in the north, where memory care costs are $4,750 and $4,810, respectively. Costs are also slightly lower in Colorado Springs, which has an estimated monthly memory care rate of $5,000. Seniors who prefer the Denver area can expect to pay higher than average costs, with an estimated rate of $5,625 in the Mile High City and surrounding communities. However, costs in Boulder are even higher, at $5,938.
- Pueblo: $4,750
- Fort Collins: $4,810
- Colorado Springs: $5,000
- Denver: $5,625
- Boulder: $5,938
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Colorado
Colorado's memory care cost is estimated to be $5,119, which is $1,024 more than the $4,095 monthly cost of standard assisted living care. It’s also slightly higher than in-home care and home health care, which both average $4,957 per month, but the specialized dementia care provided in memory care facilities still makes it a cost-effective alternative. Memory care is much less expensive than nursing home care, which carries a hefty monthly average of $8,197. While adult day care is the least expensive senior care option at $1,625, this option is only feasible for seniors with mild cognitive impairment who don’t require 24-hour supervision.
- Memory Care: $5,119
- Assisted Living: $4,095
- In-Home Care: $4,957
- Home Health Care: $4,957
- Adult Day Care: $1,625
- Nursing Home Care: $8,197
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Colorado
Elderly, Blind, & Disabled Waiver
Phone Number: (800) 221-3943
Website: colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf/elderly-blind-disabled-waiver-ebd
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Elderly, Blind, or Disabled persons assists individuals aged 65 and older with functional impairments or blindness who require long-term support to remain in a community setting, which includes alternative care facilities that provide memory care. Services include personal care, homemaker services, medication administration and 24-hour oversight, but approved applicants must pay the full cost of room and board and may have to pay part of the cost for services. Applicants can start the waiver process by contacting the closest Single Entry Point Agency.
Colorado Memory Care Rules and Regulations
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for the licensing, rules and regulations of assisted living facilities, including those that provide memory care. Besides the standard rules and regulations for assisted living facilities, those with memory care residents must also provide staff with additional training and education covering the provision of care and services for residents with dementia or cognitive impairment.
Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities with memory care provide all meals, assistance with activities of daily living, medication administration, homemaker services, 24/7 security and supervision, non-pharmacological techniques and engaging activity choices. |
Care Plan Requirements | Colorado’s regulations require a comprehensive assessment prior to admission, which is used to formulate individual care plans. Care plans must address the resident’s functional capability, personal assistance needs, physical and social support requirements, food and dining preferences and restrictions, sleep patterns, bathroom routines and desired outcomes. Care plans for residents with Alzheimer’s must include services, amenities and activities appropriate for their physical and cognitive function. Plans must be clearly worded and made available to the resident, their family or authorized agents upon request. |
Medication Management Requirements | Prescription and nonprescription medications must be ordered by authorized practitioners, clearly labeled with the resident’s name and stored in a secure location on-site. Assisted living residents are entitled to keep, manage and self-administer their medications, but this typically isn’t feasible in memory care due to deteriorating cognitive function. Residents who are unable to self-administer must have medications administered by a nurse or qualified medication administration person. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Prior to hire, the facility must verify a potential employee’s active license or certification from the Department of Regulatory Agencies, if applicable. It must also perform a criminal history record check and preemployment physical evaluations. New hires must also undergo tuberculin skin testing before having any direct contact with residents. |
Staff Training Requirements | All staff must be provided with training related to fall prevention and lift assistance. Facilities with memory care must also provide staff with at least eight hours of training on the care and services for residents with dementia or cognitive impairment. This training must include details on Alzheimer's disease processes, including disease progression, types and stages of memory loss, behavioral symptoms, family dynamics and activities of daily living limitations. It must also cover communication techniques for residents with dementia, non-pharmacological techniques and approaches, recognizing physical symptoms that might cause changes in cognitive impairment, person-centered care planning and positive therapeutic activities. |
Medicaid Coverage | The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Elderly, Blind, or Disabled persons provides some assistance to residents of alternative care facilities, but it does not cover room and board. |
Reporting Abuse | Abuse should be reported to the Colorado long-term care ombudsman at 303-722-0300 and/or the local long-term care ombudsman operating through individual Agency on Aging offices. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Colorado
Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter strives to increase the understanding of dementia and its impact on families and communities by providing information and support to those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and promoting research advancements. Families throughout Colorado have access to support services through its regional offices located in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley and Pueblo. Programs and services include free care consultations, classes for caregivers, online education programs, early-stage programs, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at (800) 272-3900.
University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center
The University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center encompasses over 50 professionals affiliated with the CU Department of Neurology at the UCH Memory Disorders Clinic and the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center research laboratories at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The Center provides free dementia caregiver classes, webinars and support groups. Persons living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can also take part in various studies and clinical trials.
Family Respite Voucher Program
The Colorado Respite Care Program administers the Family Respite Voucher Program, which provides funds for respite care to family caregivers of people of all ages with any special health care needs. This program is open to residents across the state and provides financial assistance to family caregivers with limited access to respite care and other supports. Eligibility isn’t determined by age or income level.
Colorado Agencies
Colorado Department of Human Services
Phone Number: (844) 265-2372
Website: colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/aging-and-disability-resources-colorado
Colorado DHS administers Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado and provides information on long-term services and support options for older adults. ADRC assists individuals with planning for their future long-term service and support needs and provides personalized assistance to help them make informed decisions. It also provides person-centered options counseling and coordinated access to information and assistance. Residents wanting to learn more about the ADRC can contact their local Area of Aging office.
Area Agencies on Aging in Colorado
Colorado’s Area Agencies on Aging consists of 16 regional offices around the state that help seniors aged 60 and older remain independent, healthy and safe. It provides free information, care coordination and referrals, including assistance with options for local memory care and the financial assistance application process. Other services it provides to seniors, their families and caregivers include case management, senior centers, home-delivered meals, transportation and legal services through a network of funded providers.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs operates the Division of Veterans Affairs. Each county in Colorado has a Veterans Service Office that provides free assistance to veterans and their family members with filing applications, claims and appeals to the VA. Its Western Region One Source connects veterans, military service members and their families to resources and service providers that enhance their quality of life. Potential services and assistance include family support, counseling, senior care, disability support and mental and behavioral health, among others. The Colorado VA also provides Alzheimer’s and dementia care at five Veterans Community Living Centers.
Social Security Offices in Colorado
Colorado provides additional funding, called an optional state supplement, for eligible residents in the Supplemental Security Income program. Funds from this program are intended to help pay for personal care services, with eligibility based on income and living arrangements. The Social Security Administration’s online site for the Denver region handles services for all of Colorado, as well as Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Residents can find their local SSA office by searching online by zip code.
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