Retirement Housing Options in Colorado
In Colorado, the Denver metro area is where more than ½ of the state’s population lives. The Denver Metro area comprises 8 counties. In 2003 1 in 8 persons living in this area were age 60 and above but by 2030 that ratio is projected to change to 1 in 4. The age wave of individuals turning 60 is increasing and with it more people will be looking to live in some type of retirement living setting.
With the ever increasing options in Colorado’s retirement housing a basic primer may be helpful.
Independent Retirement Living. This residential setting is traditionally the first step from living one one’s own to living in a residence which for instance may provide living accommodations in an apartment or patio home. Here, much of the daily responsibility of home upkeep is taken care of by the retirement community so the individual can enjoy a life without building maintenance. This setting usually does not provide medical or custodial services but may provide such diverse services as laundry facilities, the availability of a dining program, housekeeping services and possibly transportation and social recreation. Most communities cater to those age 55 and in some communities, age 62 and target their services to this age category in order to help them age in as independent a manner as possible. Both rental and purchase options exist as well as retirement living settings subsidized by a public entity or a private charitable organization.
Assisted Living. When a person finds taking care of everyday needs such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting and taking medications on a regular and routine basis is beyond their abilities, assisted living may be the next logical residential step. Assisted living is not to be confused with 24 hour nursing care which is provided by long term care facilities (nursing homes). Assisted Living services traditionally are provided in either an apartment setting in an apartment building or living in a residence similar to a boarding house concept where one resides in a private or semi-private bedroom but socializes in public areas of the assisted living residence.
Services provided can included housekeeping, three meals per day with snacks, staffing 24 hours per day (not necessarily by nurses or certified nursing assistants but with resident care associates who have a nurse to call upon for advice/assistance when such licensed staff may not be physically in the building), medication set-up and supervision that residents are being given their prescribed medications, laundry and linen services; assistance in performing tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and getting around the residential setting. The assisted living residence may also provide transportation, social activities and security personnel.
Assisted Living’s costs run more than living in an Independent Retirement Community but usually less than living in a traditional skilled nursing home. Forms of payment include private funding, Long Term Care Insurance policies may cover assisted living costs and in some states if an individual qualifies for state Medicaid coverage, Medicaid may pay for the majority of assisted living costs. Medicare does not pay for assisted living services.
Long-Term Care/Skilled Nursing Facility. This is what is traditionally what is thought of as a nursing home. In this setting 24 hour per day nursing staff as well as the maximum level of personal assistance is offered. Semi private as well as private accommodations are available. In this residential setting one has the availability of personal assistance with all aspects of daily living, bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, incontinence care, prescribed medications administered and nursing evaluation of resident’s status is provided.
Funding for this level of service comes from private funds; state Medicaid or private Long-Term Care Insurance policies owned by residents living at the facility. Medicare and Medicare supplemental policies will cover a portion of skilled nursing facility charges if the person qualifies as a patient undergoing temporary rehabilitation services usually following a hospitalization. Qualifying for Medicare/supplemental Medicare insurance coverage is highly regulated by the federal Medicare program and is time limited based on the need for physical and occupational therapy as well as the need for 24 hour availability of licensed nursing staff. Typically Medicare may cover up to 100 days but generally individual’s qualification for Medicare coverage is considerable less as one must demonstrate progress with physical and occupational therapy.
As can be seen, there are a number of residential settings available and with the age wave upon us there is bound to be increased options in the future to meet the demands of a new aging generation.