Rugged, lively Denver is experiencing massive growth in its senior population. More families each year are flocking to the mountains, luxuries, and conveniences that Denver has to offer. As such, there’s an ever-increasing number of senior living and memory care facilities to accommodate the influx of people. A Place for Mom partners with 49 memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of Denver city center.
Memory care facilities typically offer the same types of services and amenities as assisted living but with additional cutting-edge safety technologies, therapeutic amenities, and layouts designed specifically for people with dementia. These communities also tend to have specialized activities to support the cognitive and physical health of residents. If you’re looking for senior living with memory care in Denver, this guide can help you locate the right fit for your loved one. We’ve included updated information on the types of memory care facilities you’ll find in Denver, their costs, laws and regulations governing these facilities, as well as local resources for seniors.
10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Denver, CO
Rugged, lively Denver is experiencing massive growth in its senior population. More families each year are flocking to the mountains, luxuries, and conveniences that Denver has to offer. As such, there’s an ever-increasing number of senior living and memory care facilities to accommodate the influx of people. A Place for Mom partners with 49 memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of Denver city center.Read more
Memory care facilities typically offer the same types of services and amenities as assisted living but with additional cutting-edge safety technologies, therapeutic amenities, and layouts designed specifically for people with dementia. These communities also tend to have specialized activities to support the cognitive and physical health of residents. If you’re looking for senior living with memory care in Denver, this guide can help you locate the right fit for your loved one. We’ve included updated information on the types of memory care facilities you’ll find in Denver, their costs, laws and regulations governing these facilities, as well as local resources for seniors.
Denver Memory Care Facilities | 1234 Reviews
My mother has lived at Brookdale ParkPlace for over four years and the team is very responsive and diligent in caring for her. This is the perfect residence for my mother.
What our family likes the most about the Garden Plaza of Aurora is the friendliness of the staff members, the overall cleanliness of the community as well as the affordability. Based on the experience we...
It's very nice, friendly staff, very accommodating. We picked this community because of the location. I would recommend to others.
I have only positive feelings about Brookdale Lowry. The staff, and people who are living here, have made my new home very pleasant and welcoming.
My mom has been fighting cancer and with her treatments she has been struggling with getting to appointments and making her own food at night. We decided to get her some help. Montage Hills sales manager...
Everyone is super friendly and the residents themselves are equally helpful and welcoming. The move in process was so easy! I would recommend Five Star Residences of Dayton Place to others.
I have been living at Harvard Square off and on for about 2 years, I love living here. The staff and residents are friendly, helpful, and just good people. We are like a family. We keep up with each other...
They are very responsive to fixing issues with her apartment. She's been afraid to venture out in one of the shopping excursions because she is afraid of not getting back home. I'm sure others fear this as...
Overall, our family has been very pleased with the care my father is getting in the skilled nursing facility. The high-level staff is very responsive and accommodating, from nursing to the social worker to...
The staff is friendly, concerned and diligent. Housekeeping - sweet ladies, very good. Communication with the family has been good. The move in process was easy. The meals are mixed. Some are good and some...
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My loved one is currently a resident at Sunrise of Pinehurst and most everything has been great for her at this facility so far. The staff is very friendly, the facility is very clean and the food is great....
The surrounding and space is nice, everyone there is friendly but like most service industries staff levels of care personnel are less then what they should be. Costs can change easily and there is no...
From the charming front door decorations and fresh flowers, to the lovely lobby to the elegant stairway, the entry was inviting. And the cozy dining room size made it feel like "home". Everyone was welcoming...
The St. Andrew's Village community is already working on improving the restoration of apartments before someone moves in. This might have been bad timing for us , however the staff are now pretty nice.
When it comes to the activities - we are awaiting new Memory Support Director, hoping to see more activities and more varied activities. For the value for cost, expensive, care varies depending on staffing...
Springbrooke Senior Living is a very nice facility. Everyone has been lovely. They have many different apartment sizes available. Also, lots of options for amenities! I would highly recommend Springbrooke...
Very comfortable facility, incredibly friendly, staff, and residents, the activities directors are truly amazing, a community where people look out for each other, it has been a wonderful home for my dad. ...
I visited at least 14 assisted living/memory care options while searching for the right place for my husband. MorningStar Observatory Park took the most interest in personal needs. They adopted cognitive...
The building is a lovely place. It's cheerful. The apartments are spacious, with new kitchens. The maintenance team is very responsive if there are any issues. The people are very friendly. The staff...
Belleview Heights Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care
14500 E Belleview Ave, Aurora, CO 80015
I would say that you need to address such things as mobile healthcare, how to get simple pain management like Tylenol to your loved one, check to ensure how such mundane orders like "as needed" is addressed...
What our family likes the most about Brookdale Meridian Englewood community, is that it is very friendly and it also feels very safe - there are lots of fun different activities planned and just an overall...
Well, it was a little up-and-down for the first few months. They were a little short staffed to begin with, and then some senior nursing management people left for other jobs, but in recent months, they have...
The staff at The Village the Juniper Village is absolutely wonderful and there are several of the employees there that have been there since it started in 24 years ago so that speaks volumes to me. Every...
She needs more people of their staff. They have nice activities, but ny cousin is in her 60ies, but there is nobody less than 70 and they are not easy to let anyone new in. They also don't celebrate all the...
Kavod senior life is a gem to me, it has been my grandparents and my mothers home for over 20 years. Kavod means much more to me than just a senior life apartments. It has provided a good home for my family...
Costs of memory care in the Denver area
In Denver, memory care facilities cost a monthly average of $5,054, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data for 2022-2023. This average includes rent and any other costs associated with typical features and amenities found in Denver memory care facilities:
- Assistance with activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, and more
- 24-hour supervision and emergency monitoring
- Medication management
- Regularly scheduled therapeutic activities proven to support improved cognition and personal reminiscence
- Facilities specifically designed for resident safety and security where memory troubles are a concern
- Nutritious meals
- Transportation
The national median of memory care costs sits at $5,430 monthly. All things considered, the Denver market makes for an excellent value-driven choice in memory care. Our proprietary data for Denver accounts for extra services and desirable add-ons that real families paid in addition to base memory care fees. The following figures show starting costs, before families have chosen amenities and extra care services.
Average cost comparisons near Denver, CO
Average monthly costs
Denver, CO
How people pay for memory care in Denver
Most Denver families use both public and private funding sources to cover the cost of memory care. We cover some of the most commonly used payment methods for memory care below.
Depending on your family’s resources, your private pay options may include any combination of the following:
- Reverse mortgage. Selling a house can be a great way to pay for memory care. However, if you’d rather not sell a home, a reverse mortgage payment option allows you to borrow from your home equity to pay for memory care without selling.
- Health savings accounts. Also known as HSAs, these accounts commonly help families pay for costs associated with their loved one’s stay in memory care.
- Life insurance. Some policies may include cash benefits to be used toward long-term care costs. Double-check your loved one’s specific life insurance policy to see what it will cover.
- Long-term care insurance. These policies are specifically designed to pay for long-term senior living. Again, you’ll want to check your loved one’s specific policies to find out what they will cover.
For Denver veterans or their spouses who need specialized dementia care during their senior years, there are a number of Veterans Affairs (also known as VA) benefits available to help with the costs of memory care. Veterans may qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit if they already receive a pension, are enrolled in VA health care, and meet one of the following conditions:
- Live in a nursing home due to disability
- Experience very limited eyesight
- Require assistance with at least one activity of daily living
- Spend most of the day in bed due to illness
Veterans who qualify for Aid and Attendance receive monthly payments in addition to other pensions or benefits they already receive.
The VA partners with local community memory care facilities to provide 24/7 care to veterans in need. The VA covers care either in part or in full for qualifying veterans in these Denver memory care facilities. To be accepted in these facilities, veterans may first need to enroll for health care with the VA’s Eastern Colorado Geriatrics and Extended Care program. Denver veterans also have access to numerous other health resources through this program, like adult day health care benefits, home-based primary care access, virtual health visits for geriatric patients, and more.
Denver veteran support
Local offices providing support to Denver veterans include the following:
- VA Denver Regional Office provides information and contacts to local resources that help local veterans apply for and access their benefits.
- Denver Human Services employs Veteran Services Officers (VSOs) to help local veterans find housing and public benefits and will assist veterans with filing for benefits at no cost.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organizations help local veterans with disabilities access their eligible disability benefits through advising and advocacy. They also host social and informational events.
- Volunteers of America also offers a Veterans’ Service Center to help local Denver veterans find their eligible benefits as well as advocacy and assistance in applying.
Number of veterans who live in Denver
About 25% percent of Denver veterans are 75+
Additional resources for Denver veterans
Veterans Affairs (VA) Denver Regional Office
Denver Veterans Service Organizations
155 Van Gordon St.
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Denver Human Services
Denver Veteran Services
Volunteers of America Bill Daniels Veteran Services Center
1247 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-944-3500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Denver Chapters
DAV Denver Chapter 7
DAV Denver Chapter 11
DAV Denver Chapter 21
8720 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80220
Phone: 303-914-5570
Volunteers of America
Denver Veterans’ Services Center
Veterans Affairs (VA)
VA Eastern Colorado Geriatrics and Extended Care program
Phone: 720-723-6373
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
A Place for Mom Veterans Benefits Guide
Read or download the A Place for Mom Veterans Benefits Guide PDF
Colorado’s Medicaid program, Health First Colorado (also known as HFC), provides health care plans to local, low-income Denver residents. It can help with care costs for your loved one with memory care needs. Be sure to speak with an HFC advisor with Denver Human Services regarding any income or asset limitation concerns. You can review an overview of income and asset limits on the American Council on Aging’s website.
Seniors needing help with activities of daily living or memory care can use one of Colorado’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers to help cover costs. HCBS waivers may cover a variety of person-centered care provided in the home or veteran community. One particularly helpful type of HCBS waiver for retired veterans is the Health First Colorado’s Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver. EBD covers skilled nursing within an assisted living setting. As such, seniors in memory care with acute illnesses or injuries requiring skilled nursing can use this waiver to pay for those costs. In order to have your care covered, the care services must be approved by Medicaid. In addition to EBD, your loved one may qualify for a number of other benefits. Be sure to review their waiver comparison chart or speak with an HFC advisor regarding waiver eligibility.
Additional Medicaid resources
Health First Colorado
Health First Colorado website
1570 Grant St.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 800-221-3943
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Colorado Home and Community-Based (HCBS) Services
Home and Community-Based Services Waivers
Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver
Choosing an HCBS Waiver
Denver Human Services Offices
2929 W. 10th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-944-4347
815 Steele St.
Denver, CO 80205
4685 Peoria St.
Denver, CO 80239
While Medicare does not offer coverage for memory care services, it may help cover some of the medical costs associated with memory care. Medicare-covered expenses may include hospital stays, medical equipment, or prescription medications. You might be eligible for one of the Medicare savings programs:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program for help with copayments, prescription drugs, premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance
- Qualifying Individual Program for help with Part B premiums
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program for help with Part B premiums
In Colorado specifically, you might be eligible for location-specific Medicare assistance programs, such as the Colorado State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP helps seniors with the process of enrolling in Medicare as well as choosing the right program and benefits to fit their needs.
Additionally, if you are a Colorado resident living with HIV or AIDS, you may receive help with pharmaceutical drug costs by enrolling in one of Colorado Medicare’s pharmaceutical assistance programs. Before applying online to a specific Medicare program, be sure to review the criteria and resource limits associated with that program. Medicare states that you may still qualify for some programs even if your income or resources are higher than the given limit. That said, knowing current limitations will help you enter the application process with more defined expectations and a clearer understanding.
If you or your loved one need help navigating the different Medicare options available to you, the Denver Office on Aging or the regional ombudsman program offer assistance to Colorado seniors. Find contact information for these offices in the helpful Medicare resources below.
Denver resident Medicare resources
Denver Regional Council of Governments’ (DRCOG)Ombudsman program website
Options counseling: 303-480-6700
Long-term care ombudsman: 303-480-6734
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Colorado regional SHIP location
Phone: 888-696-7213
Medicare Savings Programs
Determine eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs
Social Security Administration
Social Security Medicare benefits
Medicare application
Find your local SSA office
Denver Human Rights and Community Partnerships
Denver Office on Aging
201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 1102
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-866-2800
Understand Denver laws and regulations for memory care facilities
Locally, long-term care facilities in Colorado are required to be licensed and regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (or CDPHE). If a memory care facility receives payments from Medicaid and Medicare, those facilities are more regulated. These facilities would be required to follow both state and federal regulations for nursing homes. Alternately, a private assisted living or memory care facility that does not accept Medicare or Medicaid is required to follow state standards only.
For more information about who designs and enforces licenses, you’ll want to explore resources from the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division of the CDPHE. This division also holds yearly inspections to check whether memory care homes in Colorado meet state and federal standards. Unannounced visits occur at these facilities every nine to 15 months. If there are reports or complaints of noncompliance, those concerns get investigated immediately by the CDPHE. Colorado assisted living and memory care requirements are thorough and include provisions for the following:
- Staff required to complete regular memory care training
- Resident care and quality of life
- Accident prevention
- Care planning
- Medical and nursing care
If you’re curious about a particular facility, the Colorado Department of Health allows you to double-check licensure, certification requirements, and how specific memory care facilities performed on their assisted living residences page. You can explore consumer resources on specific assisted living or memory care facilities, or you can contact the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division for more information.
Colorado Department of Health contact information
200 W. 14th Ave., #2732
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-913-1311
COVID-19 regulations for Denver memory care facilities
Denver memory care facilities must remain compliant with the following:
- The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for COVID-19 prevention
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines
In keeping up with updated federal guidelines, visitors are allowed in assisted living and memory care facilities. That said, precautions should always be taken to make sure residents stay safe.
Read the current COVID-19 guidance from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Read the CDC’s current COVID-19 guidelines for nursing homes.
These guidelines include the following in Denver:
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations must be made available to all consenting staff and residents, and vaccination is highly encouraged.
Masking. Masks are no longer mandatory, though they are encouraged for both patients and staff if transmission rates are high or if an individual is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
Staff safety. Staff must wear masks when COVID-19 transmission rates are up, and staff must use appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary.
Facility cleanliness. At least one staff member should be assigned to oversee infection prevention control and maintain a supply of hospital-grade disinfectants and alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Get to know memory care in Denver
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What memory care in Denver has to offer
Denver memory care communities are constantly evolving to fit the needs and cognitive well-being of the residents they serve. See the common threads in these facilities below.
Person-centered care
There’s an overarching theme through A Place for Mom’s partnering Denver communities of person-centered care. With dignity, positivity, and humility at the heart of the care they provide, communities extend these values through the training, services, and therapies caregivers offer to residents.
Person-centered care in the modern memory care facility includes training in the following techniques:
- De-escalation, where caregivers school their tone of voice and body language to best serve a patient’s emotional or physical needs
- Redirection, where caregivers work to reduce agitation by gently appealing to a patient’s personal preferences, comfort objects, or unique interests
- Reminiscence therapy, where caregivers skillfully ground patients in bits of their long-term memories through the use of the patients’ five senses
A positive, encouraging approach with emphasis in memory validation is trained into memory care staff at the Denver memory care facilities in our partner network. In these memory care units, collaboration and clear communication with residents’ loved ones and family members is prioritized. Residents throughout these communities appreciate these efforts. Loved ones and residents alike share story after positive story of the “genuine level[s] of care” and connection they experience from staff while living in these communities.[02]
Therapeutic design
Memory care facilities in Denver employ the most cutting-edge therapeutic training and state-of-the-art facilities. Memory care facilities need to ensure that residents who may wander and lose their way stay safe and secure. Additionally, community spaces are designed with features to encourage peace and cognitive well-being. Examples of such features may include the following amenities or practices:
- Secure indoor and outdoor walking paths
- Assigned dining seating to reduce confusion and agitation
- Cheerful yet calming spaces for group activities
Where downtown facilities don’t allow for secured outdoor walking spaces on-site, several facilities have carved out beautifully curated, sun-bathed indoor walking paths to help stimulate residents’ cognition through exercise.
Some Denver facilities also offer innovative methods and technologies to foster learning and reduce cognitive decline, including:
- light therapies
- pet companions
- gentle dance therapies
- touch screen therapies
- hands-on cooking demonstrations
Any number of routine activities can help residents remember parts of their lives that bring them joy. As such, many care facilities offer a wide breadth of activities catering to residents’ personal cognitive thriving. In the rhythm of daily life at our Denver memory care partners, you’ll find a wealth of gentle mental and physical fitness classes, reminiscence therapy spaces, community games, and more to encourage cognitive wellness.
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Unfamiliar with Denver? Highlights for seniors
86000
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Denver, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Denver population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
58000
Median annual income for Denver seniors 65 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Health care for seniors in Denver
Denver has several nationally recognized hospital systems, some of which are highly rated and skilled in special senior care offerings.
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital ranks first out of all health care systems in Denver. Additionally, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital is nationally ranked in several heart and cancer specialties, according to U.S. News and World Report.
SCL Health St. Joseph Hospital
SCL Health St. Joseph Hospital ranks second in Denver hospitals and third across Colorado as a whole, according to U.S. News and World Report. SCL Health St. Joseph also has high ratings in geriatric services.
Transportation for seniors in Denver
Around 84% of the memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s partner network offer complimentary transportation for residents.[02]
For visiting family or friends navigating the broader city, Denver offers taxis, buses, the 16th Street Mall Ride, and a light rail system. The Mall Ride is a hybrid shuttle bus that runs the length of 16th Street at no cost. The light rail system, called RTD, serves the Denver city center as well as some suburbs and the Denver airport. Fares for seniors over 65 are discounted, and there are additional RTD accessibility services for seniors with mobility issues. Additionally, several private companies offer assistance transporting people with disabilities throughout town:
Seniors in memory care and their loved ones may need some additional help when they step out into the city. A local nonprofit, Seniors’ Resource Center, can help loved ones coordinate transportation throughout the city when needed. It’s worth noting that this nonprofit offers transportation services to Denver seniors with disabilities as well as their caregivers and families.
Senior activities in Denver
From gorgeous mountain vistas to stunning cultural sites, Denver has no shortage of things for seniors to do and see.
Mountain parks and gardens
To take advantage of Colorado’s beautiful weather and scenery, enjoy a day out in one of several Denver Mountain Parks. With lovely waterfalls and serene vistas, Denver’s nearby national parks offer seniors and their families an easy opportunity to enjoy the Rockies. In addition to the mountain views, many of these parks offer the following features:
- picnic areas
- wheelchair-accessible walking trails
- quiet fishing spots
Deeper into the city, the Denver Botanic Gardens also provides calming green space and exotic gardens in the conservatory. Their themed features and meandering pathways offer an afternoon of beauty for the whole family.
Gaming and events
For outings closer to the city, many local senior care facilities coordinate days out on the town. Residents who enjoy the sporting scene might enjoy catching a game at one of the local stadiums. Baseball enthusiasts can cheer on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, while football fans can enjoy a Broncos game from one of Empower Stadium’s ADA-compliant seating arrangements. For those who prefer slot machine gaming, nearby Black Hawk Casinos offer over a dozen casinos where seniors can enjoy a day full of games, events, and fine dining with their friends and family.
Art and science
Denver also features a celebrated cultural scene with stunning museums and thrilling performing arts offerings. Wheelchair-accessible options are all over town. Listed below are some of these accessible attractions:
- The Denver Art Museum features treasured pieces from around the world.
- The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a favorite among seniors who love to delve into the planet’s natural wonders.
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts features eight theaters that regularly host delightful musicals, comedy shows, dramatic performances, and more.
Frequently asked questions
Brookdale Brighton, Legacy Village of Castle Pines and Belleview Heights Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Denver, CO. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Denver is 5217.64 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 71 memory care facilities near you in Denver, Colorado typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Denver, Colorado, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Denver, Colorado, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Denver, Colorado ranges from $879 to $15000. The average Memory Care cost in Denver, Colorado is $5217.64. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Denver, Colorado typically starts at $879. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
References
Colorado Department of Human Services. (2022, August 15). Veterans community living center at Fitzsimons ranked No. 1 by Newsweek.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023, January 13). Best hospitals in Denver, CO.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and older [Data set]. American Community Survey.
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