The Best Memory Care Communities in Douglas County, CO

Douglas County is a suburban and rural area midway between Denver and Colorado Springs with sunny weather and grand views of both mesas and mountains. With a growing senior population, it is part of the state's effort to address Alzheimer's and related conditions, which affected 49,000 residents in 2000 and is expected to grow to 110,000 by 2025. 

Currently, Douglas County has a below average percentage of seniors 65 and over by the U.S. Census 2017 estimate but that is quickly changing. It has only 28 memory care facilities, with a total county population of about 335,000. According to the local government, the county's growth in the 60-and-older population is highest in the nation, with one-quarter of county residents expected to meet that criteria by 2030.

• Douglas County's crime ratings are about half the national average, providing a fairly safe area for seniors to live as far as crime is concerned. Seniors' families may want to ask memory care facilities about local security measures in place to protect their residents.
  
• The cost of living in Douglas County is fairly high, ranking at 156.4 relative to a 100 national average. The housing cost score of 256 is a major factor, along with a high transportation cost score. More relevant to memory care residents, the costs of utilities, healthcare and groceries are slightly below average, and miscellaneous personal expenses are a little above average.
  
• The American Lung Association gives the county an "F" for air quality based on ozone and a "B" for particulates, with an annual grade of "Pass." Residents of memory care facilities with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD may benefit from any air quality enhancement their building features.
  
• The Douglas County area is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Centura Health's Littleton Adventist Hospital, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Douglas County start around $5,877 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Douglas County 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.

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

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.

Douglas County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Colorado are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Colorado page for more information about these laws.