How To Choose A Multi-Level Care Community In Denver

To schedule a free consultation with a Senior Advisor, please call Marnie Biln, (303) 222-5281 or e-mail marnie@seniorgevity.com. The consultation is free to seniors and their families, and the senior advisement, and placement services are also free. 

In the Denver metro area, we’re fortunate to have a wide selection of multi-level care communities to choose form, with more seeming to pop up every year.

In a multi-level community, you can potentially “age in place,” with independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing all available in the same building or on the same grounds.

Given that this could potentially be the last move you’ll make, you’ll want to make a good decision.

Below are questions to ask and factors to consider when choosing a multi-level care community in the Denver area.

Levels Of Care Provided
What levels of care are provided in the multi-level care community? Some retirement communities only have independent living and assisted living, while others also include memory care, skilled nursing, and even rehab care.

Cost And Care Provided
The cost per month will vary in a multi-level care community according to what type and size of unit you’re living in, what services are provided, and whether you’re in independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing care. It’s a good idea to check out the costs for all areas, so that as your needs change, you can be sure that you’ll be able to afford the higher levels of care.

Accepts Medicaid
Medicaid never pays for independent living, but it does pay for assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing for low-income seniors with few assets. Find out of the multi-level care community that you’re interested in accepts Medicaid. If it does, ask if there are private-pay, spend-down requirements.

Types Of Units
The types of units, sizes, and floor plans in multi-level care communities can vary wildly, from shared rooms (in skilled nursing) to single-family homes (in independent living). Evaluate your different options, across the different levels of care.

Size Of The Community
Most multi-level care communities tend to be large, with 200 or more residents. The key to better understanding a community is to drill down and find out how many people live in each area of the community. For example, are there 100 independent living units, but only 10 memory care units? Or are there 20 independent living units, but 200 skilled nursing beds. Knowing the numbers will give you a better sense of the makeup of the entire community.

Amenities And Activities
Because of their size, multi-level communities often have nice amenities and a wide range of activities. Take a tour, and you’ll see the amenities. While you’re at it, ask to see a calendar of events for the past few months, so that you can determine if the activities, events, and outings appeal to you.

Meals And Dining Options
Meal options vary wildly at multi-level communities, not only when comparing communities, but also when comparing areas within a specific community. For example, in independent living, there might be meal cards or an allotment included in the monthly fee; assisted living might include two meals per day; and memory care and skilled nursing will include all meals and snacks. Dining options can also vary, from community dining rooms to restaurant-like settings to meals delivered to your apartment or room. Find out what options are available and how much they cost. When you tour the facility, be sure to stay for a meal.

Transportation
Group transportation is almost always available in multi-level care communities, with outings scheduled regularly for shopping, eating out, cultural events, and other activities and events. Individual transportation to medical appointments can also usually be arranged.

Pets Allowed
Pets are often allowed in the independent living and assisted living settings at multi-level care communities, but there are typically restrictions on the types of animals, breeds, and sizes that are allowed.

Smoking Or Non-Smoking Community
Find out whether the community is a smoking or non-smoking community. If smoking’s allowed, find out where the designated smoking areas are.

Location
It would be nice to live near your friends, family, and favorite places. Fortunately, there are multi-level care communities in all reaches of the Denver metro area and Front Range, so you should be able to find one in your favorite part of town.

Department Of Health Ratings
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment conducts annual health surveys and tracks “occurrences” and complaints the assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities inside multi-level care communities. How many deficiencies did the assisted living or skilled nursing facility have in its recent annual surveys, and how many occurrences or complaints were reported in the past three years? Click here to find out the health department ratings for the multi-level communities you’re exploring.

Contact A Senior Advisor For Help In Finding The Right Community Or Facility
If you’d like help finding the right community or facility for yourself or a loved one, contact Senior Advisor, Marnie Biln, (303) 222-5281. Her senior advisement and placement services are free.

Marnie helps seniors and their families find communities and facilities in the Denver metro area and Front Range, including: Denver, Aurora, Littleton, Englewood, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Denver Tech Center, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Thornton, Northglenn, Brighton, Commerce City, Westminster, Louisville, Longmont, Lafayette, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.

Click to see a listing of multi-level care communities in the Denver metro area.

For more information on senior living options in Denver, see these related topics:
How To Choose An Independent Living Community In Denver
How to Choose a Residential Care home in Denver
How To Choose A Memory Care Facility In Denver
How To Choose An Assisted Living Facility In Denver
How To Choose A Continuing Care Retirement Community In Denver
How To Choose A Nursing Home In Denver
How To Choose An In-Home Care Agency In Denver