The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Denver, CO for 2023

Q: How much is the average cost of assisted living in Denver?

The average cost of assisted living in Denver is $3,638 per month, $413 lower than the national average, according to <a href="https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html" target="_blank">Genworth Financial</a>. As you search for a Denver assisted living facility that meets your needs, its good to keep in mind that within the market you’ll find some much higher and much lower prices.

Q: How wealthy is Denver?

Denver is a prosperous city home to multiple universities and industries. One way to quantify its wealth is to look at its home values. In the Denver metro area, the <a href="http://www.metrodenver.org/do-business/demographics/income/">median household income sits at $78,739</a> although the median for the state is just $69,117. Therefore, Dever can be said to be wealthy since its median household income is 13.9% higher than the state average.

Q: Can Social Security pay for Assisted Living?

Social Security income that is based on what seniors paid into Social Security during their working years can always be applied to assisted living costs, but it will never fully cover them. However, Social Security may provide some disabled seniors with supplemental funds that can also be applied to assisted living, and the State of Colorado may supplement those disability funds further. It’s best to contact <a href="https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/assistance-people-disabilities">Colorado's Department of Human Services</a> to learn if you qualify for any supplements to your basic Social Security income. You may also find it helpful to explore your social security benefits more on the <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/">Benefits Planner for Retirement</a>.

Q: Who qualifies for assisted living?

In general, to become a resident at an assisted living facility, seniors must be able to walk or move about in an assistive device and must be able to use the restroom without assistance. Exceptions may be made for those who are incontinent if the facility meets certain staff requirements, however. Those who need 24-hour skilled nursing or hospice care and those with contagious diseases are not qualified for assisted living.

Q: What does assisted living include?

Assisted living varies somewhat from facility to facility, but in Denver, it generally includes housing in a two-person room, private room, or apartment, three meals a day plus snacks, opportunities for social time, transportation help, and help with activities of daily living as needed. Depending on the facility, residents who can safely cook may be allowed some access to a shared kitchen area. Care at a facility that accepts Medicaid will be more strictly regulated than care provided through a facility that does not accept Medicaid.

To help seniors in Denver find the assisted living community that’s right for their family, we’ve researched and compiled in-depth information about the cost of care, how to pay for care, and important local laws and regulations involving senior care and assisted living.

With an average cost of $4,015 in Denver, it’s often difficult to find assisted living communities that provide high-quality care at an affordable price. At Caring.com, our mission is to make this process as smooth and painless as possible, and we’ve helped many families along the way.

This guide provides everything you need to quickly compare communities and narrow your search, including 287 unique reviews from residents and our comprehensive database that gives pricing, amenity information, photos and more on the 54 facilities in Denver.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Denver, Colorado

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Denver

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado, Denver, was home to some of the wildest events in the wild, wild west, a period relived through museums throughout the area. This historic city is home to more than 62,000 seniors, some of whom may require assisted living care. Denver is home to 56 assisted living facilities to support these seniors, with another 42 located in neighboring areas.

In Denver and throughout Colorado, assisted living centers are referred to as Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and Assisted Living Residences (ALRs), both of which are governed by The Department of Public Health and Environment.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Denver

Denver has property crime rates of 30.7 and property crime rates of 50.8, both significantly higher than the national averages of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively. Concerned families may wish to ask facility staff about protocols in place to keep seniors safe.
In Denver, as in the rest of Colorado, seniors are only partially taxed on social security benefits, pensions and retirement savings account income. These tax savings could result in seniors having more money to put toward their facility budgets.
Denver has poor air quality. On a scale where 100 represents the areas with the best air quality, Denver has a rank of 31, significantly lower than the U.S. average of 58. Seniors with asthma or COPD might have a hard time breathing in Denver.
Denver seniors have access to a variety of transportation options, including senior ride programs with discounts, some of which can be paid with Medicaid or other insurance.
Denver has cold winters with temperatures dropping to 19 degrees and significant annual snowfalls of 57 inches, 31 more inches than the national average of 26. This climate may cause problems for seniors who enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors.
The cost of living in Denver is 144.2, more than 44 points higher than the national average of 100. Although the higher cost of living in the area shouldn't directly impact seniors, it may be a factor in facility expenses.

Paying for Assisted Living in Denver

Assisted Living costs in Denver start around $3,640 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of assisted living is $4,000 per month, according to the latest figures from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey.

It’s important to note that assisted living rates in Denver and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Cities in Colorado

Arvada

$4,628

Westminster

$4,511

Lakewood

$4,465

$4,000

Englewood

$3,923

Wheat Ridge

$3,922

Denver

$3,640

Aurora

$3,322

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Denver

Health First Colorado (the state Medicaid program) provides many waiver programs, although most don't apply to assisted living. The Elderly, Blind or Disabled waiver (EBD) may provide benefits to eligible residents. Assisted living facilities must accept Medicaid to qualify for any waiver; these Medicaid facilities are sometimes referred to as Alternative Care Facilities (ACFs). Colorado's PEAK system can also be used to find out which other nonmedical benefits may apply.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Colorado page.

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

Veterans Benefits
Life Insurance Policy
Long-Term Care Insurance
Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Colorado page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Denver

Denver and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free assisted living resources in Denver, please visit our Assisted Living in Colorado page.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Denver

Denver-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Colorado are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Colorado page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Colorado

The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Denver, CO for 2023

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Denver, Colorado