Boulder Colorado: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Boulder is a city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in northern Colorado. To the west, the trail-lined Flatirons are craggy rock formations overlooking the city. Downtown’s pedestrian Pearl Street Mall includes art galleries, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. With 300 miles of biking and hiking trails and 45,000 acres of beautiful open space and vast mountain landscape, it’s easy to see why it’s internationally known for outdoor recreation and sports. Widely considered to be one of the best places to live in the US, Boulder real estate seems to always be in high demand. Locals enjoy world-famous outdoor activities, a booming economy, and short commutes to the city of Denver. Colorado Springs and Boulder are among American cities people might want to look into for their retirement living plans.
There are over 500 senior care and living communities and facilities in Colorado, spread throughout the state in the well-known cities like Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Fort Collins, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and many others.
About Skilled Nursing in Boulder
Colorado is home to nearly 850,000 senior residents. The number is expected to grow over the next several years. There are great incentives to retiring and living out the senior years of life in Colorado. Generous tax exemptions and the beautiful mountain ranges, cities known for fine dining and all the sports entertainment. It’s no surprise people are drawn to the state. And some aging adults, over time, may require care. You may hear the name “Nursing home” used to describe all types and levels of senior care. However, there are a variety of options aside from nursing homes. A Skilled Nursing facility is a state-licensed facility that provides a safe, therapeutic environment for individuals who require rehabilitative care. Skilled nursing in Colorado typically helps with the transition between a hospital and more permanent residence, which could be an assisted living or independent living community. Most often, skilled nursing is short-term acute care, but there may be long-term care services as well.
A skilled nursing facility is the building
Skilled nursing facilities offer 24-hour care and medical services, which include intermediate care and rebab and therapeutic care, all provided by licensed nurses and support professionals. Usually, skilled nursing is short-term acute care but may also offer long term care and intermediate care.
SNF, “skilled nursing facility” is the umbrella under which different care levels operate. “Nursing Home” is a common term used when referring to any/all senior living, although the term is a bit outdated.
Skilled nursing: Care that requires the skill of a nurse
Skilled Nursing is for seniors who may have planned surgeries or procedures (knee or hip replacement, etc.) and those individuals with acute or unplanned medical issues (Sepsis, cellulitis, UTI, etc). The oversight of a nurse may be required because care is not predictable and able to be preformed on a set schedule.
Levels of care offered in a skilled nursing facility
It is important to understand the differences between care services.
Rehabilitation and Therapy
- This is treatment for an injury, illness, or pains with the goal restoring function, including nursing and therapy services.
- The rehab plan is ordered by a physician. The services are provided by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists.
Intermediate Care Facility (ICF)
- These are nursing facilities most suited for individuals who need 24-hour medical oversight in a well-structured setting.
- Often times, residents share a room and they are encouraged to bring personal items to create a more home-like environment.
Long-term Care
- Care provided by different caregivers in different settings.
- Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Care is not scheduled or predictable.
Examples of care provided at a Skilled Nursing Facility include:
- Skilled Nursing offers 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical services administered by licensed nurses and support professionals.
- This is the highest level of care provided that is not a hospitalization.
- A physician oversees the care of the individual.
- Trained staff assist with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, feeding, using the bathroom and getting in and out of bed.
- Physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy.
- Regular monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, or blood sugar.
- IV therapy
- Wound and post-surgery care.
- Injected medications.
Considerations when looking for care in Boulder
With a city of 104,175, there are more than 50 skilled nursing facilities to choose from. It is also important to consider the weather in Boulder. January is the coldest month with an average daytime high of 45 degrees. Boulder’s annual snowfall average is 89 inches. The warmest month is July with an average daytime temperature of 87 degrees.
Skilled Nursing Facility Communities near Boulder, Colorado
Wheatridge Manor Care Center
Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80214
Wide Horizon, Inc.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033
Western Hills Health Care Center
Lakewood, Colorado 80214
Westlake Care Community
Lakewood, Colorado 80214
Village Care And Rehabilitation Center, The
Westminster, Colorado 80021
Villas At Sunny Acres, The
Denver, Colorado 80233
Vista View Care Center
Thornton, Colorado 80229
Villa Manor Care Center
Lakewood, Colorado 80226
Uptown Health Care Center
Denver, Colorado 80218
Sierra Rehabilitation And Care Community
Lakewood, Colorado 80214
Cities near Boulder
- Gunbarrel – 8 miles north of Boulder
- Louisville – 9 miles east of Boulder
- Gold Hill – 11 miles west of Boulder
- Eldorado Springs – 8 miles south of Boulder
Pricing and How to Pay for Skilled Nursing
The average cost for a semi-private room in Colorado will likely be around $9,3000 / month. A private room in Colorado skilled nursing is around $10,000 / month.
Average daily costs for skilled nursing:
- The national average cost (according to Genworth) for skilled nursing care per day is $325. This may not include all supplies, medications, therapy or rehab.
- Private rooms are more expensive at $340 per day.
- A shared room averages out to $310 per day.
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.
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.
Medicare -MAYBE:
Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors:
- 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.
- The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more)
- The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital.
- The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility.
- The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF.
- The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition.
- The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.
- You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services.
- People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care.
- The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.
- The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.
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.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
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 ask a skilled nursing facility
- Is the facility licensed?
- Has the facility’s license ever been revoked?
- Is the facility Medicare/Medicaid certified?
- What types of insurance is accepted?
- Are all specific medical needs able to be met?
- What services are offered?
- What is the rate for basic care?
- Are any reviews available to be seen by the public?
- Are protocols in place to ensure healthy, balanced meals?
- What if an individual has specific dietary restrictions, can they be met at the facility?
Additional questions and inquiries to ask skilled nursing facilities
- What should a new resident (patient) bring with them?
- What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
- What happens in case of an emergency?
- Can the family pet visit the resident?
- What is the level of privacy?
- What are the available social activities?
- What is the hours for family visits?
- Can patients request special meals for dietary needs?
- Are skilled nursing facilities connected to hospitals?
- How big are the rooms?
- What are the training requirements of skilled nurses?
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Boulder
UCHealth Boulder Health Center
5495 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
Foothills Hospitals
4747 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
Local Resources and Links – Colorado
Area Agency on Aging Boulder County offers services to adults 60 and over and their adult caregivers. They also provide assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and residents of any age who live in a long-term care facility. Provides information, referral, and options counseling to anyone 18 or older with a disability as well as to older adults through the Aging and Disability Resource for Colorado program. Legal assistance is offered via one of our contractors, not directly.
Denver Regional Council of Governments Provides information and assistance for people 60 and older or 18-plus with a disability, their families, and service providers. Referrals to local resources and services.
Larimer County Office on Aging The Larimer County Office on Aging LCOA provides Information and Referral through the ADRC, Title III services including In Home Services Voucher, Chore Voucher, Respite Voucher, application assistance and options counseling. Additional services include grant management and long term care ombudsman program community education and key member of the Partnership for Age Friendly Communities in Larimer County.
Park County Department of Human Services Adult Protection Services (APS) are provided to at-risk adults age 18 and older who, due to age or disability, are unable to protect themselves and have no one to advocate on their behalf. The Adult Protection program responds to reports of Abuse (physical or sexual), Neglect (caregiver or self), and Financial Exploitation.
Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments PPACG serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Colorado Springs and provides programs and services for older adults and their caregivers. A person must be 60 years of age or older to be eligible for a service provided by the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Disability Law Colorado offers legal representation, information and referrals to people with disabilities, older people, and their families.
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource 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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