What’s Included In Assisted Living 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.
If you are looking at a number of assisted living facilities in Denver, it’s important to know what level of care is provided, what’s included in the monthly fee, and what services can be added on as “a la carte” choices.
The larger assisted living facilities tend to include more services, amenities, and social activities, but they also tend to cost more than the smaller residential care facilities.
In general, here’s what may be included in an assisted living facility or home in the Denver area:
Choice Of Units Or Floor Plans In Assisted Living
In the larger assisted living complexes in the Denver area, apartments are available that have full bathrooms, as well as small kitchens or kitchenettes. The assisted living apartments are typically available in studio, 1-bedroom, and/or 2-bedroom floor plans. The apartments might also include private balconies and views of the grounds, mountains, or downtown Denver.
In some larger assisted living facilities, there aren’t any apartment choices – just private rooms or shared rooms.
Most of the residential assisted living homes throughout the Denver metro area offer choices of large or small rooms, which are private or semi-private. Some rooms include private bathrooms, while others require sharing a bathroom with other residents. These room might have windows that overlook the backyard, side yard, or front yard, and rooms can vary significantly in size (from less than 100 square feet to 300+ square feet).
Meals In Assisted Living
Meal plans vary at the assisted living facilities in Denver, but usually include 2-3 meals per day, as well as snacks. If the meal plan that’s included in the monthly cost is limited, residents can buy more meals. Even if you’re living in an assisted living unit that has a small kitchen or kitchenette, it’s nice to have the option of going to the community dining room for meals. When comparing meal options at different assisted living complexes, be sure to ask if all of the food is prepared on-site, how many meal choices are available each day, and if special dietary needs can be accommodated. You might also want to find out if you have the option of ordering off a menu and eating in your apartment.
Personal Care In Assisted Living
Personal care is one of the hallmarks of assisted living. For residents who need it, staff members can provide assistance with dressing, grooming, and bathing. Laundry and housekeeping are usually included in the monthly fee.
Assistance With Medications At Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities provide assistance with medications, but it’s not always included in the monthly cost (or if it is included, it may be limited to a certain number of medications). This is one of the primary reasons that many seniors (or their families) choose to make the move to assisted living – because it’s so important to take medications on time, at the proper doses.
Transportation In Assisted Living
Most of the larger assisted living facilities in the Denver metro area provide individual transportation (scheduled in advance) to nearby medical appointments. They also have small buses or vans that take residents on group activities, such as shopping, outings, and events.
In the residential care facilities, individual and group transportation aren’t usually provided.
Amenities In Assisted Living
The amenities in assisted living facilities throughout Denver vary dramatically. Some assisted living complexes (even the larger ones) have virtually no amenities. Others have amenities that would rival those found in resorts.
Below are some of the amenities that might be included in the larger assisted living facilities:
- landscaped grounds and/or courtyards
- fitness centers
- on-site beauty salons
- libraries
- billiards rooms
- great rooms with fireplaces
- activities rooms
- movie theaters or media rooms (with computers)
- swimming pools
- outdoor BBQ areas
- outdoor firepits
- parking garages or covered parking
Please make note that the residential care assisted living facilities rarely have amenities, other than beautiful yards.
Activities In Assisted Living
Most of the large assisted living facilities offer at least one group activity per day, and some offer as many as 10-15 activities to choose from every day. These activities can include on-site activities and events, as well as group outings for shopping and entertainment.
If the complex offers independent living as well as assisted living, there are generally more activities scheduled throughout the month.
Some of the more common activities in assisted living include:
- outings to shopping, restaurants, and events
- exercise classes and/or walking clubs
- happy hours
- live entertainment
- movies
- educational classes
- cards
- arts and crafts
- pet visits
- cooking classes
- religious services
- pet visits
Please make note that the activities in residential care assisted living facilities tend to be limited, particularly when compared to the larger assisted living complexes.
Incontinence Care In Assisted Living
As many seniors age and/or experience healthcare challenges, incontinence (bladder and/or bowel) can become an issue. Some assisted living facilities (large facilities and residential care homes) offer incontinence care as part of the monthly fee. Others include incontinence care, but require the senior or family to provide Depends and other supplies. And some assisted living facilities charge an additional fee, depending on the level of incontinence care provided.
Memory Care In Assisted Living
Some assisted living facilities will provide a low-level of memory care support, either included in the monthly fee or for an additional charge. Typically, this is just “Level 1” care, for seniors who are experiencing mild cognitive issues, not designed for residents with Alzheimer’s or advanced dementia.
Nursing Care In Assisted Living
Most assisted living facilities – large and small – don’t provide any type of nursing care, but they will allow residents to bring in a home health agency to assist with wound care, diabetes management, and other needs.
Healthcare Support Services In Assisted Living
Many assisted living facilities (large and small) have doctors, dentists, podiatrists, and other healthcare providers who come in to care for residents on a regular basis. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists might also visit, and some of the larger assisted living facilities have PT, OT, and ST specialists on staff and/or a dedicated room for these services.
Pet Options In Assisted Living
More and more, assisted living facilities are allowing seniors to have pets (most commonly dogs, cats, and birds), as long as the residents can care for the pets on their own. Dogs are often restricted by weight (e.g. 35 pounds or less). Some assisted living facilities have a resident dog, and a large number of assisted living facilities have pet visits as part of their regularly scheduled activities.
Contact A Senior Advisor For Help In Finding The Right Community Or Facility
If you would like help finding the right community or facility for yourself or a loved one, please 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.
If you’re interested in other senior living options in the Denver metro area, see also:
What’s Included In Independent Living In Denver
What’s Included In Memory Care In Denver
What’s Included In Residential Care Facilities In Denver
What’s Included In Multi-Level Care Communities In Denver
What’s Included In Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) In Denver