Assisted Living In Colorado

With a growing senior population, Colorado’s scenery and outdoor activities make it an attractive state in which to retire. Older adults have a wide selection of communities to choose from in the state – there are assisted living facilities in rural farming communities, mountain towns, and major metropolitan areas.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Colorado

When searching for an assisted facility for yourself or a loved one, finding and comparing accurate, up-to-date information is a significant challenge. Our database of over 400 assisted living communities in Colorado can help you locate and compare information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, and more.

Paying For Assisted Living in Colorado

The Cost of Assisted Living in Colorado

The monthly median cost of assisted living in Colorado is $4,000, which is right at the national average. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Colorado is average compared to its neighboring states – five nearby states are less expensive and three are more expensive.

 

Average costs vary significantly between the different regions of Colorado, with a difference of over $1,500. The least expensive average in the state is in Grand Junction at $3,350, while Boulder’s average monthly cost is the most expensive in the state at $5,000.

 

The state median cost of assisted living is less expensive than most other types of long-term care except independent living, which doesn’t offer much assistance with activities of daily living. Nursing home care is the most expensive at almost $8,000 a month for a semi-private room, and independent living is the cheapest at $2,570.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Colorado

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Colorado

The Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver

The Medicaid state plan for Colorado is called Health First Colorado (HFC). HFC does not directly cover costs for assisted living facilities. However, it does offer a waiver program that can help cover expenses at state-licensed assisted living communities (called Alternative Care Facilities in Colorado). It’s important to note that the Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) Waiver is not an entitlement program, so even if you qualify you may not be accepted into the program.

Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for the EBD waiver you must fall under these criteria:

• Must be 65 +
• Must require long-term support and a nursing home level of care
• Income must be less than $2,205
• Must have countable resources less than $2,000 (single) or less than $3,000 (couple)

Those who don’t meet the financial requirements may become eligible using the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program.

How to Apply

If you or your loved one is currently enrolled in Health First Colorado you can contact your local Single Entry Point (SEP) to start the application process for the Elder, Blind and Disabled waiver. If you or your loved one is not enrolled in Health First Colorado you must first apply and be accepted before applying for the EBD waiver.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Colorado

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Colorado has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program that assists with:

• Visiting each nursing home in their area once per month and residences once per quarter
• Investigating complaints by the residents, family members, and others
• Assisting families with locating an assisted living facility
• Providing guidance to residents and their families

If you have a complaint or concern or would like to get more information, each assisted living facility has a poster with their assigned ombudsman’s name and contact information or you can call (303) 480-6734.

Colorado Old Age Pension Program

The Colorado Old Age Pension (OAP) program helps to financially assist and maintain a minimum monthly income for low-income residents 60 years or older. This program offers to help make up the difference between what the resident brings in and what the state determines to be a minimum income for that year.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the OAP Program an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Must be between 60-64 years old
• Must be a Colorado resident
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant
• Must have countable resources less than $2,000 (single) or less than $3,000 (couple)
• Must not have a monthly income that exceeds $788
• Must not qualify for Health First Colorado

How to Apply

To apply or learn more about OAP you can contact your local County Department of Social Services.

Colorado Home Care Allowance Program (HCA)

The Colorado Home Care Allowance Program is set up to financially assist elderly, low-income adults or the disabled. The intention of this program is to avoid placing an individual in a nursing home by helping to pay for home care services.

This program is very flexible, which means that the funds may be used for assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, eating, basic mobility, and chore services. It also means that the applicant can choose any provider including a family member that is over the age of 18.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the Colorado Home Care Allowance Program one must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a Colorado resident
• Must be eligible for and receive Supplemental Security Income or enrolled in the Colorado Aid to the Needy Disabled program
• Must have countable resources less than $2,000 (single) or less than $3,000 (couple)
• Must not receive any assistance from the Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver or the Adult Foster Care Program.

In addition to the above, an assessment will be made to evaluate the frequency and level of assistance that the applicant requires.

How to Apply

To apply and learn more about the HCA program you can contact your local County Department of Social Services Office.

Area Agencies on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across America that provide federally funded services to adults over 60 in their local areas. Colorado has many Area Agencies on Aging that offer information on various kinds of programs and community support for seniors.

Veterans Affairs

Colorado has VA centers that can help veterans and their loved ones understand and take advantage of benefits that can help pay for assisted living. Find the closest VA center to you by using the table below.

Social Security Offices

Among other services, Social Security offices offer assistance with understanding and applying for social security and other related programs. By contacting or visiting one of the offices listed below, you can get a better understanding of what social security benefits may be available to help pay for assisted living.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Colorado

Assisted Living Care Plan

When establishing residency at an assisted living facility, the resident will work with staff and other family members to develop a care plan that will include:

• A plan for medication assistance indicating whether assistance is needed
• Any physical or mental limitations
• Special instructions and needs (such as dietary requirements or restrictions)

The care plan may be modified by the resident at any given time, and they are to be reassessed yearly or if there are any significant changes in their physical, behavioral, or cognitive functions. If the resident is receiving any outside care the facility will document that and help to coordinate the services received with services provided by the facility.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Residents may be admitted into an assisted living facility in the state of Colorado if the facility is able to meet the needs of the resident according to their pre-admission assessment. Residents who cannot be admitted into assisted living facilities in Colorado include those that:

• Are consistently incontinent
• Are bedridden
• Need around-the-clock nursing services
• Need restraints
• Have a disease or infection that is transferable
• Have a substance abuse problem

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Some of the services provided by assisted living facilities in the state of Colorado include:

• A safe and sanitary environment
• Protective oversight
• Help with activities of daily living (such as meals, bathing, and moving around)
• Social and recreational services within and outside of the facility

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

The State of Colorado doesn’t directly cover the cost of assisted living through its Medicaid program. However, residents may receive financial assistance via the Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) Waiver. Contact Colorado’s Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, for more information.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

In Colorado, apartment-style units are not required. Each bedroom in an assisted living facility must have one window and storage space, and no more than 2 occupants per room are allowed. There must be at least one full bathroom for every six residents.

Medication Management Regulations

Residents may administer their own medications if a licensed medical professional has deemed it appropriate. If needed, a qualified medication administration person (QMAP) may administer prescribed and non-prescribed medications to the resident but cannot administer medications via syringe.

QMAPs must pass an approved medication training course given by a licensed nurse, physician, or physician’s assistant, and they must pass an approved competency test. Additionally, they must complete an evaluation of competency every 5 years. The Department has a list of current persons certified as QMAPs and facilities must keep a copy of that list.

Staffing Requirements

All assisted living facilities (ALFs) require full-time administrators and sufficient staff, as well as a plan to determine how many staff members need to be on-duty and awake 24 hours a day. While there are no minimum staff-to-patient ratios, facilities must have enough staff to provide the services required to provide for all residents’ needs according to their care plans. A qualified medication administrator and at least one staff member with current certification in adult first-aid must be on site at all times.

Staff Training Requirements

Administrators must be 21 years of age or older and complete a 30-hour training program. 15 of those hours must cover:

• Residents’ rights
• Environment and fire safety
• Emergency Procedures and first-aid
• Assessment skills (identifying and addressing difficult situations and behaviors)
• Nutrition

The other 15 hours of training must include meeting the personal, social, and emotional needs of the residents. This can include instruction regarding the management of residents’ medication, finances, end of life care, etc.

All staff must be given on-the-job training or have experience in the job field before they can give care to the residents. Within 1 month of hire the facility is to provide training on:

• Assessment skills
• Infection control
• Identifying and dealing with difficult situations and behavior
• Health emergency response
• Residents’ rights
• First aid and injury response
• The facility’s medication administration program
• Specific needs of the population served
• Procedures for providing care to current residents

Background Checks for Assisted Living

A criminal background check is required for all staff, volunteers, and contract staff. The owners and administrators of the ALFs are also to undergo a state fingerprint check that will notify criminal justice agencies of any future arrests.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

If you believe that a facility is not functioning properly or violating Colorado law, you can file a complaint anonymously at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Colorado COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/7/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Rules in Colorado
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit?	No
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities?	Yes
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community?	Yes
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?	Yes
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes

Sources: covid19.colorado.gov www.cdc.gov

*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.