Denver, Colorado is the tenth best place in the country to retire. This ranking was determined using four criteria: affordability, activities, quality of life, and healthcare.
The city has a population of over 727,000 people, with nearly 12% being 65 and older.
Denver has a number of nursing homes available for seniors who do not require hospital-level care but are unable to care for themselves or be cared for at home. Each state has its own set of criteria for nursing home admission.
Seniors must have a chronic illness and require round-the-clock skilled nursing care in order to be admitted to a nursing home in Colorado. These facilities are not intended for independent older adults who still require some level of assistance.
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Nursing homes in Denver an Overview
Denver, Colorado’s capital city, has some stunning early-nineteenth-century architecture. The city has a population of approximately 727,000 people, with 12% of residents being over the age of 65. Seniors in Denver have access to high-quality medical care at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, which is nationally ranked in nine different procedures and rated as high-performing in geriatrics by US News.
Nursing home care is designed to help seniors who require 24-hour medical care and supervision. Because of the number of qualified staff required, this type of care is frequently the most expensive option available.
Related: What is home nursing?
The average monthly cost of nursing home care in Denver is $9,064 for a semi-private room, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020. If nursing home care is not required, family members may want to consider alternative care options such as assisted living and home care.
This guide examines care costs in Denver and surrounding cities, as well as a list of some nursing homes that may be of interest to Denver seniors.
Denver, CO Nursing Home Costs
The average monthly cost of nursing home care in Denver is $9,064 for a semi-private room and $10,139 for a private room.
When comparing the average monthly cost of nursing home care in American cities, Denver costs approximately $1,300 more per month than the national average. Nursing home care in Denver costs about $500 more per month than the state average of $8,517 in Colorado.
Denver nursing home care costs more than Colorado Springs ($8,289) and Fort Collins ($8,971). It is, however, comparable to neighboring Boulder ($9,049). Costs are lower across the border in Albuquerque, New Mexico ($8,330).
The Price of Other Kinds of Senior Care
If family members are unsure whether nursing home care is the best option for their loved one, they may be interested in the costs of other senior care options in Denver.
Adult daycare is the least expensive senior care option, costing an average of $1,625 per month. Assisted living costs $4,850 per month on average, while homemaker services and home health aide services both cost $5,720 per month.
Nursing home care costs an average of $9,064 per month for a semi-private room and $10,139 per month for a private room.
Financial Aid for Nursing Homes in Denver, Colorado
Many seniors and their families rely on financial assistance to pay for nursing care. Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans’ benefits are the primary options.
These programs can be difficult to understand, especially when it comes to benefit terms. We provide a brief overview of how these programs can be used to pay for skilled nursing care below.
Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of a nursing home stay, as well as a portion of the costs until day 100. Medicare will not cover any portion of the cost of a skilled nursing facility stay after 100 days.
While this is adequate for short-term care, those in need of long-term care must either pay out of pocket or seek financial assistance from another source.
Medicaid: For those who qualify, Medicaid covers the majority of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility. Residents may be charged for extras such as specially prepared food or cosmetic services, but care, room, and board are covered without a time limit. Because Medicaid eligibility criteria are stringent and complex, not all seniors are eligible for benefits.
Veterans Benefits: Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit. Aid and Attendance is a monthly payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for long-term care, such as skilled nursing care.
Are Nursing Homes in Denver Covered by Medicaid?
Medicaid in Denver covers memory care costs in a residential facility. Seniors who have Medicaid or are otherwise eligible may be eligible for the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver (EBD).
This waiver can help seniors with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia cover the costs of residential memory care.
Seniors whose income precludes them from being eligible for the Health First Colorado program may be eligible for the Old Age Pension Health and Medical Care Program (OAP), which provides limited care and may be useful in reducing expenses to income that can be used for other purposes.
How to Get Medicaid in Denver
On the Colorado PEAK website, seniors and their caregivers can apply for Denver Medicaid. Paper applications can be mailed or delivered to the appropriate county Medicaid office or application assistance site. In-person applications with a Medicaid worker are also accepted at these locations.
Call (800) 221-3943 or State Relay: 711 to submit an application over the phone. Telephone service is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You’ll Need This Information
When applying for the medicaid in Denver, you must provide verification. When applying, seniors must provide the following information:
- Identification and Social Security cards are required.
- If you are not a confirmed US citizen, you will need immigration documentation.
- Income verification, which may include tax documentation or employer information
- Supplemental Security Income Verification (SSI)
- All household members’ insurance policies must be documented.
How to Get Assistance When Applying for Medicaid
Contact the Office of Adult, Aging, and Disability Services for assistance in applying for the Health First Medicaid program.
Alternatively, help is available at a local application assistance site. Help is also available on the PEAK website, and seniors can get in touch with the Colorado Division of Aging and Adult Services.
Is Nursing Home Care Covered by Medicare in Denver?
Medicare covers only short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet a number of criteria.
This benefit is available to beneficiaries who have been hospitalized for at least three days, excluding the date of discharge, making it especially beneficial for those recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery.
Once a senior has met the hospitalization requirement, Medicare will cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing care per benefit period.
The first 20 days are completely covered. Beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate beginning on day 21. Seniors are responsible for the entire cost after day 100.
What Does Medicare Pay For?
Medicare covers a variety of services, including:
- Meals
- A semi-private space
- Medications
- Nursing expertise
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Occupational therapy (OT)
- Therapy for speech
- Audiologist services
- Medical equipment
- Social and medical services
- Nutritional advice
- Transportation for ambulances
What Doesn’t Medicare Cover?
Long-term custodial care that addresses seniors’ day-to-day needs is not covered by Medicare. This includes assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and using medical equipment.
List of Nursing homes in Denver
Here she a list of some nursing homes in Denver:
- Amberwood Court Rehabilitation and Care Community
Address: 4686 E Asbury Cir, Denver, CO 80222, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-756-1566
- Autumn Heights Health Care Center
Address: 3131 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80236, United States
Phone: +1 303-761-0260
- Berkley Manor Care Center
Address: 735 S Locust St, Denver, CO 80224, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-320-4377
- Briarwood Health Care Center
Address: 1440 Vine St, Denver, CO 80206, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-399-0350
- Clermont Park
Address: 2479 S Clermont St, Denver, CO 80222, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 720-974-7275
- Crestmoor Health and Rehabilitation Center
Address: 895 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80224, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-321-3110
- Denver North Care Center
Address: 2201 N Downing St, Denver, CO 80205, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-861-4825
- Forest Street Compassionate Care Center
Address: 3345 Forest St, Denver, CO 80207, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-393-7600
- Hallmark Nursing Center
Address: 3701 W Radcliff Ave, Denver, CO 80236, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-794-6484
- Health Center at Franklin Park
Address: 1535 Park Ave, Denver, CO 80218, United States
Phone: +1 303-832-9323
- Highline Rehabilitation and Care Community
Address: 6060 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO 80222, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-759-4221
- Holly Heights Nursing Care Center
Address: 6000 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO 80222, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-757-5441
- Juniper Village – The Spearly Center
Address: 2205 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80211, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-458-1112
- Montage Hills a Generations Community
Address: 2500 S Roslyn St, Denver, CO 80231, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-529-6748
- Mullen Home For the Aged
Address: 3629 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80211, United States
Located in: Little Sisters of the Poor
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-433-7221
- Parkview Care Center
Address: 3105 W Arkansas Ave, Denver, CO 80219, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-936-3497
- ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (Denver)
Address: 290 S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80224, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-355-2525
- Rowan Community, Inc.
Address: 4601 E Asbury Cir, Denver, CO 80222, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-757-1228
- St Paul Health Center
Address: 1667 St Paul St, Denver, CO 80206, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-399-2040
- Uptown Care Center
Address: 745 E 18th Ave, Denver, CO 80203, United States
Website: Click here
Phone: +1 303-860-0500
Conclusion
This guide has explained detailed information to assist older adults and their loved ones in understanding their long-term care options.
It included an overview of nursing home costs, a list of nursing homes in Denver, and an overview of the Denver nursing home regulations. We hope you find it helpful.
