Colorado Assisted Living
Long term care services and support in the state of Colorado continues to be ranked among the best in the nation. There are more than 500 licensed Assisted Living Residences that range in size from three beds to 200+ beds. Some are available for private pay, and others (called Alternative Care Facilities) for Medicaid-paid residents. Assisted Living provides protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.
Common terms that differentiate levels and types of senior living:
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)- typically include independent living, assisted living, residential care and skilled nursing services all on one campus.
- Independent Living Communities – provide residents a setting without the burden of home ownership. Residents commonly live in fully equipped private apartments or cottages from a studio to large two-bedroom units.
- Care Home or Adult Family Care Home- are private residences in a home-like setting that provide care services to a smaller more limited number of residents (typically 5-12 residents, depending on each state’s regulations).
- Assisted Living- provides housing and supportive care in a community setting, but the residents do not require 24-hour nursing care.
- Memory Care- a care setting for residents with memory loss or confusion. The community typically has a “secured” entry for residents that may wander. This care can be provided in different care settings depending on the state licensing requirements.
- Skilled Nursing is state licensed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment for people who require rehabilitative care 24 hours a day.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living refers to a level of care that typically includes room and board, assistance with activities of daily living (such as dressing, bathing, laundry, etc.), medication management, and recreational activities. Some of the benefits of living in an assisted living community are that residents have opportunities to socialize, take classes, and engage in health or fitness programs designed specifically for seniors. In Colorado, licensed medical staff at assisted living facilities are routinely on-site, but are not required to be present at all times.
Licensing in Colorado
Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment maintains the licensure for Assisted Living Residences. Upon request, they can provide consumers with facility files, survey results, summaries of reported occurrences and complaint investigations, and information on filing health care complaints.
Licensing and Regulations
Staffing: Staff are licensed and regulated. Regulations are in place to direct the amount of staff required to care for residents.
Documentation: Strict records are maintained for resident care plans, medication assistance if applicable, and any change of condition. In addition, all staff certifications, licenses and additional training are also documented.
Meal services: Typically, one to three meals are provided daily on a schedule basis. Menus must be available to all residents and sometimes need to be available up to one week in advance (state requirements may vary).
Scheduling: The schedule of most care and services should be reliable and predictable.
Grievances: There should be a plan in place for families to voice any grievances or complaints. Communities may have a resident council and family council.
Evacuation procedure:
- In an emergency, a chain of command is initiated. All staff on duty will begin emergency protocols. Members of staff will ensure all residents are out of the units/building while other staff collect all medications and records.
- States differ on the specific requirements for evacuation, level of ambulation and transfer ability needed for each resident.
Who licenses and regulates these care communities?
In the United States, one or more state agencies regulate and oversee assisted living communities. Often, the regulating agency is the Department of Health and Human Services. Licensure and certification bureaus oversee the licensing of these communities.
For example:
- New York: The New York Department of Health licenses and supervises adult care communities.
- Nevada: The Bureau of Licensure and Certification license medical and other health facilities.
- Oregon: The Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Licensing and Regulatory Oversight licenses assisted living communities.
How to File a complaint – All residents have the right to voice grievances to leadership, agencies or other entities that hear grievances – all without discrimination or reprisal. Grievances may include a situations regarding staff behavior or other residents.
Requirements of Community policy regarding grievances:
- Communities must make information on how to file grievances available to residents.
- There must be a grievance policy in place.
- Contact information for grievance officials with whom a grievance can be filed must be made available to all residents.
Each state has their own specific laws and regulations regarding assisted living, memory care, care homes and other senior care communities.
What is the cost of assisted living in Colorado?
On average, the monthly cost of residing in an Assisted Living Facility in Colorado is about $4,000. These costs can vary significantly between different regions of Colorado – the lowest average in the state is in Grand Junction at $3,350, while Boulder’s average monthly cost is the most expensive in the state exceeds $5,000.
Paying for Assisted Living
Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments.
It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Questions to consider when choosing an assisted living community
- Does this residence meet all of the criteria for caring for my needs?
- Would the facility be able to meet my needs should my needed level of care increase?
- Is this residence within my budget, or am I eligible for available waivers or financial assistance?
- Are the bedrooms and bathrooms private or shared?
- Am I or my family involved in my care planning process? How about my doctor?
- Does the facility provide all of the personal services I expect to need help with?
Questions to ask when Looking for Senior Living
Finding an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
Resources and links related to Senior Living and Care
Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
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