Colorado independent living facilities and homes

Colorado's Independent Living Communities

For adults still able to carry out their normal routine but who find comfort in the ability to receive care as needed, independent living in Colorado remains an attractive long-term care option. With independent living, seniors are encouraged to maintain their unique lifestyles in like-minded communities full of enriching and supportive people and activities. A variety of amenities and housing options are available through Colorado's independent living, so it's definitely worth exploring the option.

Cost Comparison of Colorado’s Independent Living

City	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum	Monthly Median
Arvada	$1,899	$2,680	$2,290
Aurora	$1,375	$1,395	$1,383
Boulder	$2,395	$4,060	$3,068
Colorado Springs	$1,449	$3,300	$2,517
Denver	$1,780	$3,925	$2,434

Colorado has 119 independent living communities with the average cost of $2,286 per month.

Every independent living community offers a unique range of amenities and services. You’ll likely find housekeeping and linen services, transportation, meal plans, and fitness centers anywhere you go. Medical services are available but usually, come at an extra cost. Independent living is about sustainability when it comes to pricing - here you can compare several cities in Colorado to choose the best option!

Recreation & Attractions in Colorado

Attractions of Colorado include Garden of the Gods, Rocky Mountain National Park, Seven Falls, Wild Animal Sanctuary, and much more. Seven Falls is located in Colorado Springs, it has seven waterfalls cascading down a cliff and is considered the grandest mile of scenery. The Garden of the Gods is a collection of sandstone, conglomerate and limestone rocks that originally formed as horizontal, but have since moved vertically causing an impressive formation of nature’s beauty.

Colorado's Climate, Geography & Culture

The average temperature in Colorado is 51 degrees with dry winters and low humidity summers. The high temperature can be 65 degrees and the low temperature can be 36 degrees. Sometimes there is the occasional blizzard and windblown snow, but the winter temperatures stay around the 40-degree range. Spring and fall temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees, and the summer temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees. The rule of thumb is that the higher the elevation, the higher precipitation and a decrease in temperatures. Colorado receives 14.16 inches of rainfall annually and 55 inches of average snowfall per year.

Colorado has long been a state built by the hands of gold miners, ranchers, and those bound for the frontier. Natural wonder and beauty are at the heart of it all in Colorado, with many people devoted to their lives of ski-slopes and backpacking. This love of all things natural has led Colorado to be among the first states to legalize cannabis, an emerging billion-dollar industry that's now part of everyday life. No matter where you go, Colorado will be sure to impress you with its intensely beautiful terrain and kind people.

Colorado Independent Living Regulations and Laws

All rules and regulations of Colorado independent living communities are overseen by the Department of Public Health and Environment. These regulations ensure that all communities meet the appropriate health, safety, and medical conditions. Annual reports are to be made public upon request, detailing any past violations and the steps taken to correct them. Your safety and satisfaction are of utmost importance to your community and fellow residents, so never feel discouraged from airing your grievance if you think a violation has been made.

Crime & Safety in Colorado

Sperling’s Best Places ranked Colorado 43 on a scale of 100 (1 being the lowest crime) for violent crime and 42 for property crime; the United States overall ranked 41 for violent crime and 44 for property crime. Colorado has the Colorado Crime Prevention Association that offers the necessary training for people to prevent crime and be able to stop it. Colorado also has the Colorado Community Crime Prevention, which offers services of security and advice on what type of security someone may need; the officers have been thoroughly trained and make their clients feel very secure. Colorado also has neighborhood watches and police officers that make sure every resident feels protected.

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Buena Vista	0.00	0.37
Eaton	0.8	0.44
Dacono	1.16	0.93

Payment Options for Colorado Independent Living

Medicare does not cover independent living communities costs due to the long-term care required. Usually, Medicare will provide coverage for short-term care, but not care that will be needed for much longer. Veteran’s benefits can be used as a payment for the costs for those who served their country. A single veteran could receive $1,644 monthly, veteran couples could receive $1,949, and the surviving spouse could receive $1,056.

Many seniors use their own funds to pay for their care and treatment, using funds such as their pension, savings, and selling their assets. Seniors may also seek assistance from their families to pay for their senior care. Seniors can purchase long-term care insurance to pay for their independent living costs. The senior would receive money daily in order for them to receive and pay for their care.

Seniors can use the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as a payment option and this option is for those who are blind or have a disability or have children, but must have little income and assets, over 65 years of age, and a current U.S. citizen.

Another option is a senior living line of credit, allowing people to use up to $50,000 of unsecured credit to pay for their care as needed. Funds are sent directly to your community and repayment terms are flexible. Senior living lines of credit allow you to only use what you need with little to no collateral required.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Independent Living in Colorado

Residents of independent living communities in Colorado retain their rights to personal privacy, to file official complaints, and most importantly receive the care they need in a safe, welcoming environment. Generally speaking, all residents reserve the right to remain autonomous when making decisions regarding their medical care and their finances. Just because you enter a senior living community doesn't mean your waive your constitutional rights as a United States citizen! If you believe your rights have been violated in this context, contact a lawyer versed in elder law immediately.

For assistance in learning about and exercising your rights, you can review the Colorado Ombudsman for more details.

CO Independent Living Medical Record Rules & Regulations

State and federal HIPAA laws require all resident records and medical reports of services provided on community grounds are recorded, maintained and available to residents in a timely manner. Your medical records are to remain confidential and you must be informed when they are disclosed to other third parties or entities. After submitting a request to receive and review your own records, a small fee may be required to process the documents, but remember that you still remain in control of this process.