Colorado’s capital city of Denver is home to 715,522 people, approximately 11.5% of whom are considered senior citizens. Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can be a significant issue for adults as they enter their later years. In Denver, dementia became a more deadly disease over the course of the 2010s. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, the city’s Alzheimer’s-related death rate jumped by 22.8% between the years of 2014 and 2018, while the city’s overall death rate rose by a comparatively low 7.7%.
Seniors in the early, middle or late stages of dementia may consider moving into a Memory Care community rather than living independently or with an individual caretaker. Memory care communities offer closer supervision than most other types of long-term care arrangements, ensuring that residents can live safely while maintaining independence and social relationships to the greatest extent possible.
This guide to the complexities of seeking memory care in Denver contains cost comparisons with other Colorado cities, a list of useful resources and supports for people living with dementia, and an exploration of some benefits and drawbacks of living in this mile-high location.
Memory Care Facilities in Denver, CO
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
… (read more)
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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2500 South Roslyn Street, Denver, CO, 80231
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
… (read more)
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,
… (read more)
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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5195 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO, 80236
Sunrise of Pinehurst was a nice and large facility, with lots of staff, and it had the look and feel of a large resort. If you don’t need a tight staff to resident ratio and you’re more interested in
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Sunrise of Pinehurst was a nice and large facility, with lots of staff, and it had the look and feel of a large resort. If you don’t need a tight staff to resident ratio and you’re more interested in a great variety of activities, this place is okay. It is the most expensive of all the facilities that we saw because of their ala carte system, and it is based on the management’s assessment of what your loved one needs. The staff was very polite, very professional, warm, and friendly. The facility was well maintained and nicely set up.
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Sunrise of Pinehurst was a nice and large facility, with lots of staff, and it had the look and feel of a large resort. If you don’t need a tight staff to resident ratio and you’re more interested in
… (read more)
Sunrise of Pinehurst was a nice and large facility, with lots of staff, and it had the look and feel of a large resort. If you don’t need a tight staff to resident ratio and you’re more interested in a great variety of activities, this place is okay. It is the most expensive of all the facilities that we saw because of their ala carte system, and it is based on the management’s assessment of what your loved one needs. The staff was very polite, very professional, warm, and friendly. The facility was well maintained and nicely set up.
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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
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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 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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3790 W Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO, 80236
Brookdale had a lockdown facility, but you couldn’t go there for a month to try it out, and they only offer a long-term commitment. It was luxurious, and very nice. The staff in each section was very
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Brookdale had a lockdown facility, but you couldn’t go there for a month to try it out, and they only offer a long-term commitment. It was luxurious, and very nice. The staff in each section was very knowledgeable.
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Brookdale had a lockdown facility, but you couldn’t go there for a month to try it out, and they only offer a long-term commitment. It was luxurious, and very nice. The staff in each section was very
… (read more)
Brookdale had a lockdown facility, but you couldn’t go there for a month to try it out, and they only offer a long-term commitment. It was luxurious, and very nice. The staff in each section was very knowledgeable.
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2440 S Wabash St, Denver, CO, 80231
Long story short, NEVER send ANYONE you care about here!!!
My father was in memory care and they were at less than half capacity, so you’d think they could provide decent, responsible care. Within
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Long story short, NEVER send ANYONE you care about here!!!
My father was in memory care and they were at less than half capacity, so you’d think they could provide decent, responsible care. Within a week his first fall was a mystery. He had serious bruising and a cut wrist, but no one could say exactly when or where or how he got hurt. A few days later, while we were searching for a better option, he fell while standing up in the main living area. He was the only resident there and 2-3 staff members were across the room. Staff watched it happen, and even though he was know to have balance issues and was prone to standing up abruptly, no one thought to position him near a staff. He smashed his head on an end table and died about 10 days later.
The facility is beautiful and they tout the dining options. Several individual caregivers were also excellent. The company culture is just so twisted to place so much emphases on appearances and to value actual care so little. Just stay away from this place.I wish we had this to do over, but I hope your loved one can be spared the horror we experienced.
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Long story short, NEVER send ANYONE you care about here!!!
My father was in memory care and they were at less than half capacity, so you’d think they could provide decent, responsible care. Within
… (read more)
Long story short, NEVER send ANYONE you care about here!!!
My father was in memory care and they were at less than half capacity, so you’d think they could provide decent, responsible care. Within a week his first fall was a mystery. He had serious bruising and a cut wrist, but no one could say exactly when or where or how he got hurt. A few days later, while we were searching for a better option, he fell while standing up in the main living area. He was the only resident there and 2-3 staff members were across the room. Staff watched it happen, and even though he was know to have balance issues and was prone to standing up abruptly, no one thought to position him near a staff. He smashed his head on an end table and died about 10 days later.
The facility is beautiful and they tout the dining options. Several individual caregivers were also excellent. The company culture is just so twisted to place so much emphases on appearances and to value actual care so little. Just stay away from this place.I wish we had this to do over, but I hope your loved one can be spared the horror we experienced.
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3075 Carter Circle, Denver, CO, 80222
2480 South Holly Street, Denver, CO, 80222
2599 W. 90th Ave, Denver, CO, 80260
6383 E. Girard Place, Denver, CO, 80222
HighPointe Senior Living provides assisted living and memory care in Denver, just southeast of the city near the junction of I-25 and Highway 285. Local dining options include Panera Bread, Sushi Trai
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HighPointe Senior Living provides assisted living and memory care in Denver, just southeast of the city near the junction of I-25 and Highway 285. Local dining options include Panera Bread, Sushi Train and Coldstone Creamery, and nearby Regal Cinemas and King Sooper provide entertainment and grocery shopping. Family members of residents tout the facility’s cleanliness, good food and caring staff as prime reasons for their high ratings, and they also appreciate the on-site nurses and doctors. Residents enjoy activities ranging from music therapy, poetry groups and cooking classes, to fitness classes, laughing yoga and gentle dance.
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HighPointe Senior Living provides assisted living and memory care in Denver, just southeast of the city near the junction of I-25 and Highway 285. Local dining options include Panera Bread, Sushi Trai
… (read more)
HighPointe Senior Living provides assisted living and memory care in Denver, just southeast of the city near the junction of I-25 and Highway 285. Local dining options include Panera Bread, Sushi Train and Coldstone Creamery, and nearby Regal Cinemas and King Sooper provide entertainment and grocery shopping. Family members of residents tout the facility’s cleanliness, good food and caring staff as prime reasons for their high ratings, and they also appreciate the on-site nurses and doctors. Residents enjoy activities ranging from music therapy, poetry groups and cooking classes, to fitness classes, laughing yoga and gentle dance.
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2607 S Eudora Pl, Denver, CO, 80222
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525 South Holly Street, Denver, CO, 80246
My friend was at Hilltop Reserve Senior Living. It’s quite new. It’s a beautiful place. She wouldn’t go eat for the first week, so I didn’t get a good sense of what she thought about the food. But the
… (read more)
My friend was at Hilltop Reserve Senior Living. It’s quite new. It’s a beautiful place. She wouldn’t go eat for the first week, so I didn’t get a good sense of what she thought about the food. But the place, if you’ve been fortunate enough to have a very beautiful home that you live in yourself and find you have to go somewhere (and I’m thinking of me), this would probably be one of my top choices. I thought it was very well laid out, it was a very pleasant feeling, and it didn’t feel like what they call an old folks’ home. It was a retirement situation. I thought it was well-designed, I thought its bathrooms were better and larger than I’d seen in other places, and I thought storage for the clothing was better. The courtyard was wonderful for privacy, for people, or as a good area to walk around in and feel free. They had a beautiful swimming pool, and anyone who swam might appreciate that. It was a very well-designed facility, as far as I can say, from a point of view of someone who’s done interior design work. I would recommend it to my peer group. My friend went into the memory care unit. It’s new, fresh, contemporary, and well done.
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My friend was at Hilltop Reserve Senior Living. It’s quite new. It’s a beautiful place. She wouldn’t go eat for the first week, so I didn’t get a good sense of what she thought about the food. But the
… (read more)
My friend was at Hilltop Reserve Senior Living. It’s quite new. It’s a beautiful place. She wouldn’t go eat for the first week, so I didn’t get a good sense of what she thought about the food. But the place, if you’ve been fortunate enough to have a very beautiful home that you live in yourself and find you have to go somewhere (and I’m thinking of me), this would probably be one of my top choices. I thought it was very well laid out, it was a very pleasant feeling, and it didn’t feel like what they call an old folks’ home. It was a retirement situation. I thought it was well-designed, I thought its bathrooms were better and larger than I’d seen in other places, and I thought storage for the clothing was better. The courtyard was wonderful for privacy, for people, or as a good area to walk around in and feel free. They had a beautiful swimming pool, and anyone who swam might appreciate that. It was a very well-designed facility, as far as I can say, from a point of view of someone who’s done interior design work. I would recommend it to my peer group. My friend went into the memory care unit. It’s new, fresh, contemporary, and well done.
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4901 S Monaco St, Denver, CO, 80237
2479 South Clermont Street, Denver, CO, 80222
2445 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO, 80231
COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Denver
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 Denver
Overseeing community care in Denver is the responsibility of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Representatives of the CDPHE license, certify and conduct inspections on Memory Care facilities, adult day care communities, nursing homes and similar group living locations.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Denver
- At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Denver is famously exactly a mile above sea level, but acclimation is fairly quick, rarely taking more than three days. Living at a high altitude can actually have some health benefits for older adults, including a higher survival rate from stroke and cardiovascular disease.
- The city gets considerably more sun than most places in the U.S., with an average of 245 sunny days every year against the national average of 205. With low humidity, summer temperatures consistently in the 80s, and winter highs well above freezing, Denver scores an impressive 8.8 out of 10 on BestPlaces’s year-round comfort index.
- Denver’s overall cost of living is high. On a scale where 100 represents the national average, Denver scores 128.7 and Colorado scores 121.1. However, that number obscures some nuances; Denver’s housing costs are very high at 184.3, but its health costs rate 92.5, significantly below both state and national averages.
- Getting around the city is fairly convenient. Since 2014, Denver has been a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, which works to make towns and cities more walkable and socially welcoming. Denver also has a robust light rail system with 74 stations in and around the area, with seniors receiving a 50 percent discount on all mass transit services.
- Crime in Denver is moderately higher than elsewhere in the country. Violent crime is rated at 30.7 against a U.S. average of 22.7, and property crime is rated 50.8 against a U.S. average of 35.4. However, crime may be less of a concern for people in group living situations such as memory care facilities, which almost always have secure entrances and exits for the safety of their residents.
Paying for Memory Care in Denver
While there’s no authoritative data source that specifically tracks the relative prices of Memory Care nationwide, Memory Care usually costs approximately 20%-30% more than assisted living in a given market. To reflect this, we’ve added 25% to the assisted living costs reported by the Genworth Cost of Care Survey to estimate Memory Care prices below.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
The estimated monthly price for Memory Care in Denver is $6,875, significantly higher than the national average of $5,625 and the Colorado state average of $5,938. Only the city of Boulder is more expensive at $7,844 a month. The other end of the spectrum is represented by Pueblo at $4,750. Meanwhile, at $5,829, Colorado Springs is close to the state average.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Older adults who wish to remain in their homes can employ homemaker services for an average of $6,769 a month. Slightly more intensive home health aide services are available for $6,864. Assisted living falls in a lower price range at $5,500, while adult daycare is the least expensive option at $2,275. The most robust care reaches five digits: a private room in a nursing home costs $10,053 per month, while a semiprivate one can be had for approximately $8,669.
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home (private room)
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Denver
In Denver 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 Denver
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia have access to a variety of memory care resources in Denver, from informational and educational outlets to screening centers and support groups.
DRCOG is the federally mandated Area Agency on Aging for Denver, Denver County and seven other Colorado counties. The organization is responsible for supporting the needs of older adults in the area by helping them remain independent, healthy and socially active in their later years. Programs include nutrition services, case management and insurance assistance. DRCOG also acts as an Aging and Disability Center for the region.
The DRCOG Ombudsman works to ensure that the residents of long-term care facilities are living in adequate conditions. Representatives of this program make in-person visits to such communities to look into complaints regarding neglect or safety, speak to community staff about issues, and otherwise support the rights of residents. Ombudsmen can also help older adults and their families pick an area facility that's well-suited to their particular needs.
This state program provides free legal services to adults 60 and over. Its lawyers can help Denver-area seniors understand their legal rights in regards to age discrimination, long-term care, guardianship issues and more.
DRCOG's short-term case management services are focused on helping Denver seniors transition to new stages in their lives. Case managers perform needs assessments and can assist seniors with coordinating health care options between different providers, as well as with applying for relevant benefits.
This community nonprofit works to support seniors with the resources they need to retain independence for as long as possible. The SRC's adult day center programs provide socialization opportunities designed to be inclusive of adults with dementia and other memory issues.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Denver
Denver Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Colorado are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Colorado page for more information about these laws.
