Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in Colorado, and in Aurora, local trends reflect this statewide public health crisis. While seniors only account for about 11% of the city’s population of 390,000 people, Alzheimer’s deaths are becoming more prevalent. The CDC shows that there were 211 Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the region in 2014, accounting for a little over 8% of all fatalities in the county that year. In 2018, the number of deaths from Alzheimer’s increased by over 40% to 298 occurrences. That year, over 10% of deaths were linked to this disease.
To help combat this trend, Aurora has several memory care facilities. These residential care facilities provide around-the-clock monitoring and specialized services for those with dementia. Many have open floor plans to reduce confusion and support residents’ independence, and they offer dementia-informed recreational programs to create an engaging environment. In this guide, we provide comprehensive information on what memory care costs in Aurora and how local rates compare to costs statewide. It also highlights financial assistance options and free memory care resources for those in the Aurora area.
Memory Care Facilities in Aurora, CO
14055 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora, CO, 80015
The tour I had of Chelsea Place Memory Care was OK, but there was a situation. When we walked down to the first hall, a lady came running out of her room saying there was someone in her bed; someone e
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The tour I had of Chelsea Place Memory Care was OK, but there was a situation. When we walked down to the first hall, a lady came running out of her room saying there was someone in her bed; someone ended up in the wrong room. When they took her out, she was in a wheelchair. I wonder how if she’s in a wheelchair, she ended up in the wrong room. It concerned me.
They were doing crafts, and they had a table of 5 or 6 people. It appeared that only 2 or 3 of them were participating. The rest were just sitting there.
It also seems like the ratio of staff to residents wasn’t a good fit for me. It seemed like they should have more staff. The staff told me there are 32 residents. There were 2 sides, which are the south side and the north side of the building. Each one was different.
The kitchen was small ,and the craft area was kind of small too. It’s OK, but I wouldn’t take my mom there.
The staff was very nice and thorough on my questions. The thing is, I need to know someone’s going to be there for my mom. The staff to resident ratio is very important to me.
I didn’t see anything wrong with upkeep, and there was a maintenance guy. We were in the hall, so I’m sure he was doing his job and keeping things upright.
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The tour I had of Chelsea Place Memory Care was OK, but there was a situation. When we walked down to the first hall, a lady came running out of her room saying there was someone in her bed; someone e
… (read more)
The tour I had of Chelsea Place Memory Care was OK, but there was a situation. When we walked down to the first hall, a lady came running out of her room saying there was someone in her bed; someone ended up in the wrong room. When they took her out, she was in a wheelchair. I wonder how if she’s in a wheelchair, she ended up in the wrong room. It concerned me.
They were doing crafts, and they had a table of 5 or 6 people. It appeared that only 2 or 3 of them were participating. The rest were just sitting there.
It also seems like the ratio of staff to residents wasn’t a good fit for me. It seemed like they should have more staff. The staff told me there are 32 residents. There were 2 sides, which are the south side and the north side of the building. Each one was different.
The kitchen was small ,and the craft area was kind of small too. It’s OK, but I wouldn’t take my mom there.
The staff was very nice and thorough on my questions. The thing is, I need to know someone’s going to be there for my mom. The staff to resident ratio is very important to me.
I didn’t see anything wrong with upkeep, and there was a maintenance guy. We were in the hall, so I’m sure he was doing his job and keeping things upright.
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11901 East Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80012
I am so extremely satisfied with Juniper Village @ Aurora! My father is very happy to be there dealing with his Alzheimers! The staff and caretakers are very attentive and cater to his every need!
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I am so extremely satisfied with Juniper Village @ Aurora! My father is very happy to be there dealing with his Alzheimers! The staff and caretakers are very attentive and cater to his every need! This is a very scary time for my Dad but Juniper makes him feel safe and content. He loves the food and especially that he is welcome to have his beloved cat with him. Juniper has also been wonderful with me! Jennifer and Tom and the entire staff have my sincere gratitude!! Highly recommend Juniper if you have a loved one dealing with Memory issues.
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I am so extremely satisfied with Juniper Village @ Aurora! My father is very happy to be there dealing with his Alzheimers! The staff and caretakers are very attentive and cater to his every need!
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I am so extremely satisfied with Juniper Village @ Aurora! My father is very happy to be there dealing with his Alzheimers! The staff and caretakers are very attentive and cater to his every need! This is a very scary time for my Dad but Juniper makes him feel safe and content. He loves the food and especially that he is welcome to have his beloved cat with him. Juniper has also been wonderful with me! Jennifer and Tom and the entire staff have my sincere gratitude!! Highly recommend Juniper if you have a loved one dealing with Memory issues.
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14500 Belleview Ave., Aurora, CO, 80015
Belleview Heights is a community specifically designed for people with dementia. They can wander and look at interesting things and be safe. My dad moved in there and it looks like they have a lot of
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Belleview Heights is a community specifically designed for people with dementia. They can wander and look at interesting things and be safe. My dad moved in there and it looks like they have a lot of singing and music activities. They are also invited to cooking, arts, and painting classes. The residents are quite happy. The facilities are clean, well appointed, very attractive, and spacious. It’s impeccable. The staff has been friendly, accommodating, caring, and seem capable. It is an excellent value for the money. It’s very, very comparable to everything for what you’re getting.
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Belleview Heights is a community specifically designed for people with dementia. They can wander and look at interesting things and be safe. My dad moved in there and it looks like they have a lot of
… (read more)
Belleview Heights is a community specifically designed for people with dementia. They can wander and look at interesting things and be safe. My dad moved in there and it looks like they have a lot of singing and music activities. They are also invited to cooking, arts, and painting classes. The residents are quite happy. The facilities are clean, well appointed, very attractive, and spacious. It’s impeccable. The staff has been friendly, accommodating, caring, and seem capable. It is an excellent value for the money. It’s very, very comparable to everything for what you’re getting.
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7475 S Shawnee St, Aurora, CO, 80016
My mother was in Renew Saddle Rock Memory Care before she passed. They were very nice, very accommodating, and talked with me. We had to confer about medications, they were really upfront, but she fel
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My mother was in Renew Saddle Rock Memory Care before she passed. They were very nice, very accommodating, and talked with me. We had to confer about medications, they were really upfront, but she fell, and never made it out of quarantine. The quarantine activities were limited. She was getting a lot of one on one. They said she was getting along with the other person, and she was making the adjustment; I have nothing negative against them. They had a common pod area, a bistro area, little portal sessions within the main thing where they could go into bigger activities, and then work with a small group. It seemed to be clean, accommodating, and they gave them a lot of attention. She was slated to move into the companion suite with another lady.
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My mother was in Renew Saddle Rock Memory Care before she passed. They were very nice, very accommodating, and talked with me. We had to confer about medications, they were really upfront, but she fel
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My mother was in Renew Saddle Rock Memory Care before she passed. They were very nice, very accommodating, and talked with me. We had to confer about medications, they were really upfront, but she fell, and never made it out of quarantine. The quarantine activities were limited. She was getting a lot of one on one. They said she was getting along with the other person, and she was making the adjustment; I have nothing negative against them. They had a common pod area, a bistro area, little portal sessions within the main thing where they could go into bigger activities, and then work with a small group. It seemed to be clean, accommodating, and they gave them a lot of attention. She was slated to move into the companion suite with another lady.
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1820 South Potomac St., Aurora, CO, 80012
I visited Cadence Aurora, and we talked to the person who coordinated things there. She was very informative and determined what my father-in-law’s needs were. She helped direct us to other facilities
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I visited Cadence Aurora, and we talked to the person who coordinated things there. She was very informative and determined what my father-in-law’s needs were. She helped direct us to other facilities that possibly would be able to help us, so I appreciated that.
The room was gorgeous. It was perfect and a good size. The bathroom was ADA compliant, and it had an open-view window, so that will let a lot of light in. It was a very, very nice room.
I don’t think they get too much into activities, but I know they had more one-on-one interaction with the residents. She talked with us about the memory care as far as the security goes and what they offered, and they gave us a tour of the building to show us where the lunch room was and just the place overall.
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I visited Cadence Aurora, and we talked to the person who coordinated things there. She was very informative and determined what my father-in-law’s needs were. She helped direct us to other facilities
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I visited Cadence Aurora, and we talked to the person who coordinated things there. She was very informative and determined what my father-in-law’s needs were. She helped direct us to other facilities that possibly would be able to help us, so I appreciated that.
The room was gorgeous. It was perfect and a good size. The bathroom was ADA compliant, and it had an open-view window, so that will let a lot of light in. It was a very, very nice room.
I don’t think they get too much into activities, but I know they had more one-on-one interaction with the residents. She talked with us about the memory care as far as the security goes and what they offered, and they gave us a tour of the building to show us where the lunch room was and just the place overall.
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4056 S Carson Way, Aurora, CO, 80014
I visited Ashley Manor Memory Care in Aurora. They said they did not really go by level of care. They went to assess my mom, and that’s when they got the call that she had COVID. We had to put everyth
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I visited Ashley Manor Memory Care in Aurora. They said they did not really go by level of care. They went to assess my mom, and that’s when they got the call that she had COVID. We had to put everything on hold for a week. They only do memory care. They specialize in that, and that’s why I chose them for her.
The staff was very friendly. The one resident I met was very friendly, too. I just considered my mom getting along with everyone there.
The rooms are on the smaller side, but the home was big. The living area, the kitchen, and the dining area were big. Although it seemed small, the room was cozy.
It looked like a newer home. The courtyard in the back is well fenced-in, and it’s a big yard.
The staff was very nice. I really only met one person; the one that gave me the tour.
I like the living area and the large TV because my mother is very used to a large TV and a large couch.
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I visited Ashley Manor Memory Care in Aurora. They said they did not really go by level of care. They went to assess my mom, and that’s when they got the call that she had COVID. We had to put everyth
… (read more)
I visited Ashley Manor Memory Care in Aurora. They said they did not really go by level of care. They went to assess my mom, and that’s when they got the call that she had COVID. We had to put everything on hold for a week. They only do memory care. They specialize in that, and that’s why I chose them for her.
The staff was very friendly. The one resident I met was very friendly, too. I just considered my mom getting along with everyone there.
The rooms are on the smaller side, but the home was big. The living area, the kitchen, and the dining area were big. Although it seemed small, the room was cozy.
It looked like a newer home. The courtyard in the back is well fenced-in, and it’s a big yard.
The staff was very nice. I really only met one person; the one that gave me the tour.
I like the living area and the large TV because my mother is very used to a large TV and a large couch.
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1950 South Dayton Street, Aurora, CO, 80247
150 Quebec Street, Denver, CO, 80230
Situated in one of Denver’s most lively neighborhoods is the Brookdale Lowry senior living facility. This exclusive community offers access to restaurants, banking facilities, physician’s offices and
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Situated in one of Denver’s most lively neighborhoods is the Brookdale Lowry senior living facility. This exclusive community offers access to restaurants, banking facilities, physician’s offices and shopping for a convenient, independent lifestyle. The library, VA hospital and a major grocery store are all within walking distance. The community features a fitness center, theater, beauty salon, arts and crafts studio, its own café and Wi-Fi access throughout the community. Planned daily activities include Wii bowling, Happy Hour and art classes. Residents are treated to lunch outings, shopping trips, movie night and local summer concerts in the park.
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Situated in one of Denver’s most lively neighborhoods is the Brookdale Lowry senior living facility. This exclusive community offers access to restaurants, banking facilities, physician’s offices and
… (read more)
Situated in one of Denver’s most lively neighborhoods is the Brookdale Lowry senior living facility. This exclusive community offers access to restaurants, banking facilities, physician’s offices and shopping for a convenient, independent lifestyle. The library, VA hospital and a major grocery store are all within walking distance. The community features a fitness center, theater, beauty salon, arts and crafts studio, its own café and Wi-Fi access throughout the community. Planned daily activities include Wii bowling, Happy Hour and art classes. Residents are treated to lunch outings, shopping trips, movie night and local summer concerts in the park.
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10200 East Harvard Avenue, Denver, CO, 80231
Harvard Square Retirement and Senior Living did not have that many amenities. As far as memory care goes, it would probably be for somebody that was a little bit more self-sufficient. The staff did an
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Harvard Square Retirement and Senior Living did not have that many amenities. As far as memory care goes, it would probably be for somebody that was a little bit more self-sufficient. The staff did an excellent job and was attentive. We came after lunch, so we got a little snack that they were having, and it was good. They have courtyard spaces.
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Harvard Square Retirement and Senior Living did not have that many amenities. As far as memory care goes, it would probably be for somebody that was a little bit more self-sufficient. The staff did an
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Harvard Square Retirement and Senior Living did not have that many amenities. As far as memory care goes, it would probably be for somebody that was a little bit more self-sufficient. The staff did an excellent job and was attentive. We came after lunch, so we got a little snack that they were having, and it was good. They have courtyard spaces.
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3455 South Corona Street, Englewood, CO, 80113
Brookdale Meridian Englewood is very good and they are nice. But their doctors are a little too laid back; they’re a little too relaxed. The doctor decided all of a sudden that my husband needed thera
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Brookdale Meridian Englewood is very good and they are nice. But their doctors are a little too laid back; they’re a little too relaxed. The doctor decided all of a sudden that my husband needed therapy, and I’m not happy about that. My husband has been in the memory care there for over a month, and now that I want to move him, the doctor decides that he needs therapy. So he finally just started rehab today. They do exercise, they have music for them, they have a few games, they paint, and they do all kinds of stuff. The staff is very good. Not that I asked for it, but they gave me soup, and it tasted very good. They have music, and they do all kinds of paintings. I was impressed with how good they are. The value for the money is a little high.
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Brookdale Meridian Englewood is very good and they are nice. But their doctors are a little too laid back; they’re a little too relaxed. The doctor decided all of a sudden that my husband needed thera
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Brookdale Meridian Englewood is very good and they are nice. But their doctors are a little too laid back; they’re a little too relaxed. The doctor decided all of a sudden that my husband needed therapy, and I’m not happy about that. My husband has been in the memory care there for over a month, and now that I want to move him, the doctor decides that he needs therapy. So he finally just started rehab today. They do exercise, they have music for them, they have a few games, they paint, and they do all kinds of stuff. The staff is very good. Not that I asked for it, but they gave me soup, and it tasted very good. They have music, and they do all kinds of paintings. I was impressed with how good they are. The value for the money is a little high.
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5975 South Holly Street, Littleton, CO, 80121
Sunrise at Orchard is located in Littleton, Colorado, near Heritage Place Shopping Center and Koelbel Library. Visitors praise the assisted living facility’s well-maintained grounds, and note that res
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Sunrise at Orchard is located in Littleton, Colorado, near Heritage Place Shopping Center and Koelbel Library. Visitors praise the assisted living facility’s well-maintained grounds, and note that residents can enjoy the view from the large wrap-around porch. Visitors are also impressed by the pet-friendly, well-decorated private rooms. Sunrise at Orchard receives consistent praise for its staff, who visitors say are friendly and welcoming. Relatives of residents say the facility maintains a full activity calendar, which includes exercise classes and group trips. It even arranges one-on-one activities for less outgoing residents.
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Sunrise at Orchard is located in Littleton, Colorado, near Heritage Place Shopping Center and Koelbel Library. Visitors praise the assisted living facility’s well-maintained grounds, and note that res
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Sunrise at Orchard is located in Littleton, Colorado, near Heritage Place Shopping Center and Koelbel Library. Visitors praise the assisted living facility’s well-maintained grounds, and note that residents can enjoy the view from the large wrap-around porch. Visitors are also impressed by the pet-friendly, well-decorated private rooms. Sunrise at Orchard receives consistent praise for its staff, who visitors say are friendly and welcoming. Relatives of residents say the facility maintains a full activity calendar, which includes exercise classes and group trips. It even arranges one-on-one activities for less outgoing residents.
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2500 South Roslyn Street, Denver, CO, 80231
6450 South Boston St., Greenwood Village, CO, 80111
My mother-in-law is in Brookdale Greenwood Village. So far, they seem to be doing a good job. It’s a little dated. It could be a little spruced up, but I think their care is fine. Currently, she’s in
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My mother-in-law is in Brookdale Greenwood Village. So far, they seem to be doing a good job. It’s a little dated. It could be a little spruced up, but I think their care is fine. Currently, she’s in memory care. The reason that we chose them was because they have skilled nursing as well; we don’t have to move her again.
Most of the staff members are very friendly. She’s participated in a few activities. They do chair exercises every morning. I know the other day they were doing manicures, and she got her nails done. The food is not the best; they could upgrade. They serve mashed potatoes, gravy, and rice on the same plate for lunch and dinner every day.
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My mother-in-law is in Brookdale Greenwood Village. So far, they seem to be doing a good job. It’s a little dated. It could be a little spruced up, but I think their care is fine. Currently, she’s in
… (read more)
My mother-in-law is in Brookdale Greenwood Village. So far, they seem to be doing a good job. It’s a little dated. It could be a little spruced up, but I think their care is fine. Currently, she’s in memory care. The reason that we chose them was because they have skilled nursing as well; we don’t have to move her again.
Most of the staff members are very friendly. She’s participated in a few activities. They do chair exercises every morning. I know the other day they were doing manicures, and she got her nails done. The food is not the best; they could upgrade. They serve mashed potatoes, gravy, and rice on the same plate for lunch and dinner every day.
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251 S. Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO, 80246
Sunrise at Cherry Creek sits in the heart of the Cherry Creek neighborhood, with close proximity to the Botanical Gardens, Denver Zoo and the downtown area. Visitors are impressed with the well-balanc
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Sunrise at Cherry Creek sits in the heart of the Cherry Creek neighborhood, with close proximity to the Botanical Gardens, Denver Zoo and the downtown area. Visitors are impressed with the well-balanced meals they offer and the way the residents are cared for by the organized and knowledgeable staff. The residents are allowed to decorate their rooms with their own furniture, which relatives find comforting. Sunrise at Cherry Creek gets consistently high review ratings, especially for its cozy, spacious rooms and daily activities such as parties, arts and crafts, games and trips to museums and other off-site venues.
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Sunrise at Cherry Creek sits in the heart of the Cherry Creek neighborhood, with close proximity to the Botanical Gardens, Denver Zoo and the downtown area. Visitors are impressed with the well-balanc
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Sunrise at Cherry Creek sits in the heart of the Cherry Creek neighborhood, with close proximity to the Botanical Gardens, Denver Zoo and the downtown area. Visitors are impressed with the well-balanced meals they offer and the way the residents are cared for by the organized and knowledgeable staff. The residents are allowed to decorate their rooms with their own furniture, which relatives find comforting. Sunrise at Cherry Creek gets consistently high review ratings, especially for its cozy, spacious rooms and daily activities such as parties, arts and crafts, games and trips to museums and other off-site venues.
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111 Emerson St., Denver, CO, 80218
Brookdale Parkplace is located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. The high-rise building consists of a mix of assisted care rooms including memory care and independent living apartments with views of t
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Brookdale Parkplace is located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. The high-rise building consists of a mix of assisted care rooms including memory care and independent living apartments with views of the mountains to the west and south. Some residents have compared Brookdale Parkplace to a high-end hotel thanks to cozy amenities such as a gym, hot tub and restaurant. Guests and residents praise the clean and spacious rooms with hardwood floors and the beautiful garden with patio. Guests have also noted that staff members are friendly, considerate and attentive toward residents.
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Brookdale Parkplace is located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. The high-rise building consists of a mix of assisted care rooms including memory care and independent living apartments with views of t
… (read more)
Brookdale Parkplace is located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. The high-rise building consists of a mix of assisted care rooms including memory care and independent living apartments with views of the mountains to the west and south. Some residents have compared Brookdale Parkplace to a high-end hotel thanks to cozy amenities such as a gym, hot tub and restaurant. Guests and residents praise the clean and spacious rooms with hardwood floors and the beautiful garden with patio. Guests have also noted that staff members are friendly, considerate and attentive toward residents.
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6800 Leetsdale Drive, Denver, CO, 80224
Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living is located in Denver, Colorado, minutes from the Cherry Creek shopping district. Residents of this serene facility enjoy a view of the state’s mountains,
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Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living is located in Denver, Colorado, minutes from the Cherry Creek shopping district. Residents of this serene facility enjoy a view of the state’s mountains, as well as nearby downtown Denver. A variety of amenities and living arrangements, including planned and individual recreation and accessible studio and 1-2 bedroom floor plans, provide residents with numerous options for both their convenience and their leisure. In addition to these features, Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living is staffed by highly trained attendants and is conveniently situated near several medical centers.
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Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living is located in Denver, Colorado, minutes from the Cherry Creek shopping district. Residents of this serene facility enjoy a view of the state’s mountains,
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Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living is located in Denver, Colorado, minutes from the Cherry Creek shopping district. Residents of this serene facility enjoy a view of the state’s mountains, as well as nearby downtown Denver. A variety of amenities and living arrangements, including planned and individual recreation and accessible studio and 1-2 bedroom floor plans, provide residents with numerous options for both their convenience and their leisure. In addition to these features, Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living is staffed by highly trained attendants and is conveniently situated near several medical centers.
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3555 South Clarkson Street, Englewood, CO, 80113
I visited Atria for my spouse who has Alzheimer’s Disease. This is a difficult decision on the family and the staff at Atria made us feel there are others out there to help us and support us through
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I visited Atria for my spouse who has Alzheimer’s Disease. This is a difficult decision on the family and the staff at Atria made us feel there are others out there to help us and support us through this difficult journey. We are so thankful to have found them!
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I visited Atria for my spouse who has Alzheimer’s Disease. This is a difficult decision on the family and the staff at Atria made us feel there are others out there to help us and support us through
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I visited Atria for my spouse who has Alzheimer’s Disease. This is a difficult decision on the family and the staff at Atria made us feel there are others out there to help us and support us through this difficult journey. We are so thankful to have found them!
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8352 E. Hunters Hill Drive, Centennial, CO, 80112
My mom is in Serenity House Assisted Living. They also do memory care, which is what my mom is receiving.
I like the one-on-one care that she gets. She broke her back at another facility and they jus
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My mom is in Serenity House Assisted Living. They also do memory care, which is what my mom is receiving.
I like the one-on-one care that she gets. She broke her back at another facility and they just weren’t caring for her. In here, they were very careful to make sure that they attended to her, with that back and her walker. What I really like is that they were pretty adamant about the medications, and they had to clarify everything with her doctor to make sure that the doses were correct, because even that wasn’t taken care of previously at another facility; I really like that, I like that they really took that into consideration. Everything is on track now with her, with her diabetes, and her warfarin for her heart, and everything else.
When I first got her in there, they really wanted to look at her medications, make sure that the doses were correct with her physician first, and set up a plan. That was really important, that the medications were done carefully, and the one-on-one care that they give her. She has three meals a day. They know that she’s diabetic, so they’re not giving her all these carb and fruit juices that they gave her without a really careful diet. I noticed that they give her a good diet of fruits and vegetables and proteins. I really am pretty satisfied with the care that she’s getting there.
I looked at their website when I initially was thinking about them, and they’ve gotten a lot of awards, and it was very impressive. I have to agree that they take really good care of the patients. My mom got a little out of hand, I think it was just the change in environment. She got a little combative, which is unusual for her.
The director of operations really tried to help me find a way, because Kaiser is so complicated to get any help, because it’s so hard to get a phone call from anybody and get through the lines. She advised me to go to homebound care so that the Kaiser doctors can go there to see her, which is really, really a better idea. I couldn’t get any results from her regular doctor, so I changed doctors, and we got her on some kind of medication that’s calming her down. I got some good reports that it did calm her down. She really likes it there. She’s told me that she really likes being there, so that’s a plus in itself right there.
It’s all in one and it’s a house. It’s a whole different philosophy of assisted living. It’s a house, and they only have eight individuals in the house. They have two to three workers or caregivers in the house, and they attend to eight people, which is really, really a much better ratio, I think. In these big corporations, the way I see it, I had some of the big corporations call me back when my name was sent out, and to me, I think my mom would have gotten lost in there because that’s where she came from. She was at another facility, and it’s so big that they just don’t pay attention. When my mom broke her back, they just put her in the bed and they didn’t even go around to check on her. She had to go potty and she’d get out of bed with that broken back and fall down again. Here, you’re actually watched constantly. They also keep them as a group, and they all get to know each other and do activities together.
I went to go see her, and we went out to sit on the beautiful patio that they have. She said, "Oh, they had this beautiful barbecue for us out here on the patio, and they cooked out here, and we got to play games," and she was really happy. I also feel like she’s improved so much just from the activities and the care that they give them. They keep them clean, you don’t smell urine. It’s an all-ladies facility and you don’t smell anything other than good home-cooking that they cook for them. They cook them right there in the kitchen.
It’s a different philosophy of how they handle it. I don’t know how many of these are out there. I know that this gentleman, Mike, has seventeen of these homes out there. He’s got them in different areas of the metropolitan area. I kind of like that philosophy because it’s one-on-one care. It is so much better and they really do keep an eye on them all. They even have hospice care there, so it’s all-in-one right there.
I think that the staff is really caring. They call me when they need to, like to let me know when my mom was combative, and everything else. They were concerned. I got really stressed with that because I thought that they were going to kick her out, but that’s not what their intention was. They just wanted to let me know that she was hard to handle and they wanted me to maybe get in touch with her doctor. They don’t believe in sedatives but she really needed something to calm her down; not a very high dose of it.
She likes to be busy, even with dementia she used to love the garden and do a lot of that stuff. We’ve talked about how she likes to do things in the house, so she asked to help with the dishes and they said, "Sure!" It makes her happy, so that’s a good thing, too.
The director of operations is very articulate and a little assertive. She’s on the ball, she understands things, and she knows what works. I wasn’t really happy with her initially, but now I understand where she’s coming from.
My mom’s room was very clean. Her bathroom was very clean. My mom even mentioned the fact that they constantly clean in there, and they spray down everything to make sure there are no germs and stuff. They keep her clean as well, her bed is made, her clothes are well-organized in her closet and her drawers, because I checked all of her drawers and everything. The living room is very clean. The kitchen is very clean. They put a lot of dishes in their dishwasher to make sure that everything is disinfected. All the other areas are very, very clean. They have a TV room and another room where you can relax and just put the chair back. Every piece of that house, I think, is very clean and well dusted. They’ve got a big, long table where they all eat, and it’s very nice.
This place is a lot cheaper than the last place I had my mom, which was a bigger corporation type, and they charged me an arm and a leg. For what they’re charging me here, I’m getting a heck of a deal, a lot better than what I got at the other place.
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My mom is in Serenity House Assisted Living. They also do memory care, which is what my mom is receiving.
I like the one-on-one care that she gets. She broke her back at another facility and they jus
… (read more)
My mom is in Serenity House Assisted Living. They also do memory care, which is what my mom is receiving.
I like the one-on-one care that she gets. She broke her back at another facility and they just weren’t caring for her. In here, they were very careful to make sure that they attended to her, with that back and her walker. What I really like is that they were pretty adamant about the medications, and they had to clarify everything with her doctor to make sure that the doses were correct, because even that wasn’t taken care of previously at another facility; I really like that, I like that they really took that into consideration. Everything is on track now with her, with her diabetes, and her warfarin for her heart, and everything else.
When I first got her in there, they really wanted to look at her medications, make sure that the doses were correct with her physician first, and set up a plan. That was really important, that the medications were done carefully, and the one-on-one care that they give her. She has three meals a day. They know that she’s diabetic, so they’re not giving her all these carb and fruit juices that they gave her without a really careful diet. I noticed that they give her a good diet of fruits and vegetables and proteins. I really am pretty satisfied with the care that she’s getting there.
I looked at their website when I initially was thinking about them, and they’ve gotten a lot of awards, and it was very impressive. I have to agree that they take really good care of the patients. My mom got a little out of hand, I think it was just the change in environment. She got a little combative, which is unusual for her.
The director of operations really tried to help me find a way, because Kaiser is so complicated to get any help, because it’s so hard to get a phone call from anybody and get through the lines. She advised me to go to homebound care so that the Kaiser doctors can go there to see her, which is really, really a better idea. I couldn’t get any results from her regular doctor, so I changed doctors, and we got her on some kind of medication that’s calming her down. I got some good reports that it did calm her down. She really likes it there. She’s told me that she really likes being there, so that’s a plus in itself right there.
It’s all in one and it’s a house. It’s a whole different philosophy of assisted living. It’s a house, and they only have eight individuals in the house. They have two to three workers or caregivers in the house, and they attend to eight people, which is really, really a much better ratio, I think. In these big corporations, the way I see it, I had some of the big corporations call me back when my name was sent out, and to me, I think my mom would have gotten lost in there because that’s where she came from. She was at another facility, and it’s so big that they just don’t pay attention. When my mom broke her back, they just put her in the bed and they didn’t even go around to check on her. She had to go potty and she’d get out of bed with that broken back and fall down again. Here, you’re actually watched constantly. They also keep them as a group, and they all get to know each other and do activities together.
I went to go see her, and we went out to sit on the beautiful patio that they have. She said, "Oh, they had this beautiful barbecue for us out here on the patio, and they cooked out here, and we got to play games," and she was really happy. I also feel like she’s improved so much just from the activities and the care that they give them. They keep them clean, you don’t smell urine. It’s an all-ladies facility and you don’t smell anything other than good home-cooking that they cook for them. They cook them right there in the kitchen.
It’s a different philosophy of how they handle it. I don’t know how many of these are out there. I know that this gentleman, Mike, has seventeen of these homes out there. He’s got them in different areas of the metropolitan area. I kind of like that philosophy because it’s one-on-one care. It is so much better and they really do keep an eye on them all. They even have hospice care there, so it’s all-in-one right there.
I think that the staff is really caring. They call me when they need to, like to let me know when my mom was combative, and everything else. They were concerned. I got really stressed with that because I thought that they were going to kick her out, but that’s not what their intention was. They just wanted to let me know that she was hard to handle and they wanted me to maybe get in touch with her doctor. They don’t believe in sedatives but she really needed something to calm her down; not a very high dose of it.
She likes to be busy, even with dementia she used to love the garden and do a lot of that stuff. We’ve talked about how she likes to do things in the house, so she asked to help with the dishes and they said, "Sure!" It makes her happy, so that’s a good thing, too.
The director of operations is very articulate and a little assertive. She’s on the ball, she understands things, and she knows what works. I wasn’t really happy with her initially, but now I understand where she’s coming from.
My mom’s room was very clean. Her bathroom was very clean. My mom even mentioned the fact that they constantly clean in there, and they spray down everything to make sure there are no germs and stuff. They keep her clean as well, her bed is made, her clothes are well-organized in her closet and her drawers, because I checked all of her drawers and everything. The living room is very clean. The kitchen is very clean. They put a lot of dishes in their dishwasher to make sure that everything is disinfected. All the other areas are very, very clean. They have a TV room and another room where you can relax and just put the chair back. Every piece of that house, I think, is very clean and well dusted. They’ve got a big, long table where they all eat, and it’s very nice.
This place is a lot cheaper than the last place I had my mom, which was a bigger corporation type, and they charged me an arm and a leg. For what they’re charging me here, I’m getting a heck of a deal, a lot better than what I got at the other place.
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2337 South Forest Drive, Denver, CO, 80222
3068 S. Kearney Street, Denver, CO, 80222
My mother is in Serenity House. It’s a home in a regular residential neighborhood, which was modified to meet state requirements for physical safety, like sprinkler systems, alarm systems, etc. They h
… (read more)
My mother is in Serenity House. It’s a home in a regular residential neighborhood, which was modified to meet state requirements for physical safety, like sprinkler systems, alarm systems, etc. They have a tight staff to resident ratio. They never had more than a dozen residents, and it’s full-time care. It’s quite homey with good care. The staff is well monitored by the business owners. It’s physically comfortable and the food quality is good. It’s easy for visiting doctors, physician’s assistants, visiting nurses, therapists of all kind, and activity directors to come in and do what they need to do. It’s tightly controlled physically preventing a resident, who tends to wander, from being able to get out of the house. It’s well run, and the staff is very good, caring, consistent, and attentive. The food is nutritious, but because of a limited time available to make it, they have a greater reliance on pre-made food. The place is well set up, and it’s got all the safety features that I would want. The bathrooms are well designed and work well. It’s good value for money. They provide everything; you don’t have to bring in any furniture at all.
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My mother is in Serenity House. It’s a home in a regular residential neighborhood, which was modified to meet state requirements for physical safety, like sprinkler systems, alarm systems, etc. They h
… (read more)
My mother is in Serenity House. It’s a home in a regular residential neighborhood, which was modified to meet state requirements for physical safety, like sprinkler systems, alarm systems, etc. They have a tight staff to resident ratio. They never had more than a dozen residents, and it’s full-time care. It’s quite homey with good care. The staff is well monitored by the business owners. It’s physically comfortable and the food quality is good. It’s easy for visiting doctors, physician’s assistants, visiting nurses, therapists of all kind, and activity directors to come in and do what they need to do. It’s tightly controlled physically preventing a resident, who tends to wander, from being able to get out of the house. It’s well run, and the staff is very good, caring, consistent, and attentive. The food is nutritious, but because of a limited time available to make it, they have a greater reliance on pre-made food. The place is well set up, and it’s got all the safety features that I would want. The bathrooms are well designed and work well. It’s good value for money. They provide everything; you don’t have to bring in any furniture at all.
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COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Aurora
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in Colorado. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Aurora
In Aurora and the rest of the state, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment oversees memory care facilities, which are licensed as assisted living residences. This department also publishes resources for consumers, including a list of regulations facilities comply with, inspection and occurrence findings and steps for filing concerns and complaints.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Aurora
- There are approximately 267 doctors per 100,000 people in Aurora compared to the national rate of 210, and the region is home to high-performing hospitals such as UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Local health care costs are slightly lower than the national average, which may leave more money in the budget for long-term care services.
- On a 10-point comfort index, Aurora’s weather is rated 8.9 versus the national score of 7.8, indicating a generally comfortable climate throughout the year. Summers are warm, with temperatures in the upper-80s during the hottest months, and winters are chilly with nighttime temperatures around 18 degrees. Many memory care facilities have individual climate controls in residents’ rooms to ensure year-round comfort.
- Crime is slightly more common in Aurora than in the typical U.S. city, which may make memory care a good alternative to living alone for those with mild-to-moderate dementia. On a scale that rates crime frequency with a score of 1-100, with a higher score indicating more crime, Aurora’s violent crime is rated 29.6 compared to 22.7 nationally, and property crime is about seven points higher than the national average at 43.5.
- The cost of living in Aurora is about 17% higher than the U.S. median but 4% lower than the statewide average, which may make it an affordable option for those with strict long-term care budgets. Transportation and housing costs are high, but seniors with dementia may be able to minimize these expenses by living in a memory care facility.
- Colorado provides a large tax deduction on retirement income, and groceries and medications are tax-exempt. This may help seniors put more money toward residential care costs.
Paying for Memory Care in Aurora
Seniors in Aurora obtain residential dementia services in assisted living facilities that meet additional requirements for care planning, staff training and safety. On average, memory care costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living. Because there are no reliable memory care cost databases, we estimated the following rates by adding 25% to assisted living fees in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Nationally, memory care communities charge $5,625 per month for services, and in Colorado, rates are a little higher at $5,938. Aurora seniors pay $6,875, while Pueblo has the state’s cheapest care costs at $4,750 per month. In Grand Junction, fees average $5,313, and Boulder is the most expensive surveyed city with average fees of $7,844.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
At $2,275, adult day health care is the cheapest senior care option in Aurora. Assisted living costs $5,500 per month, and older adults pay $6,769 for home care and $6,864 for home health care. Residential memory services cost roughly the same at $6,875. Nursing homes provide the highest level of care and have the highest rates. Residents in shared rooms pay $8,669 and those in private rooms pay $10,053.
Nursing Home (semiprivate)
Note: Data for Aurora was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Denver, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Aurora
In Ashland, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in Colorado page.
More Ways to Pay for Memory Care
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Colorado page.
Free Memory Care Resources in Aurora
In Aurora, seniors and families affected by dementia can connect with a range of local organizations and programs that provide free and low-cost services and supports. The following resource table lists local agencies and organizations that offer dementia-informed financial and legal counseling, access to support groups and long-term care options counseling.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit organization that provides free informational and educational resources, support and guidance for seniors and families. Through the Colorado chapter, families can find support groups in the Aurora region, as well as in-person and virtual workshops and seminars and early-stage engagement programs.
The University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center conducts research and provides clinical services and support for seniors with dementia. It hosts events for the public, including the Rocky Mountain Conference on Dementia, dementia caregiver classes and support groups. It also operates the Neurobehavior and Memory Disorders Clinic, which has a multidisciplinary team and provides the latest dementia treatments. Through this clinic, seniors can participate in clinical trials and observational studies.
The local Area Agency on Aging has information and referral specialists who help seniors and families connect with dementia resources in their communities including support groups, early-stage engagement programs and memory cafes. The agency also has health insurance options counselors who help seniors and families understand Medicare benefits, available private Medicare options that may cover memory care expenses and eligibility requirements for Medicaid.
Colorado Legal Services is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers free civil legal assistance to those aged 60 and over. Through the local office, seniors and families can get help with drafting wills and assigning guardianship for those with dementia. The office can also help families understand memory care contracts and access public benefits that may help pay for their loved ones’ care.
The state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for those in memory care facilities. Families can contact the ombudsman for help with researching local facilities and determining options for paying for long-term care. The ombudsman can also investigate concerns regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation in memory care communities.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Aurora
Ashland Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Oregon are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Colorado page for more information about these laws.