10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Colorado Springs, CO

In Colorado Springs, families most often use a combination of public and private funding to meet the cost of memory care. We go over some of the most common payment methods for memory care below.

Before we dive into the laws and regulations that govern memory care facilities in Colorado Springs, it’s important to note that memory care falls under the scope of assisted living regulation in Colorado. As such, memory care facilities are subject to the same rules and regulations as assisted living communities.

In Colorado, assisted living and memory care facilities cannot admit seniors whose needs cannot be met by the staffing’s expertise. Because of this, these communities must conduct a pre-admission assessment of potential memory care residents. This assessment seeks to get a picture of a person’s social, physical, and mental needs, their capacity for self-care, their overall health, and more. The community must be able to provide the following to residents:

• A physically safe and sanitary environment
• Room and board
• Protective oversight
• Systems for addressing resident concerns
• Social care and resident engagement
• Nursing services, as long as care needs don’t exceed regular 24-hour medical care^[03]

Additionally, in the state of Colorado, assisted living and memory care residences cannot provide a full kitchen to residents. Instead, lodgings often come equipped with miniature versions comparable to what one might find in a hotel room: kitchenettes with mini-fridges and microwaves.^[01] Note that memory care communities offer three meals each day, and some facilities offer community kitchens where seniors in memory care can participate in the rhythms of their own food preparation, if desired.

Regulation in Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, communities with memory care are licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Additionally, the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division oversees adult care and assisted living facilities — including those offering memory care. They are the department responsible for performing quality and safety inspections. To review any licensed facility, you can view all inspection reports for the past five years on their website.

For a deeper understanding of Colorado regulations and how they affect your loved one’s stay in memory care, you can also review the following information:

• Guide to Colorado regulations
• Overview of Colorado assisted living laws and regulations
• Standards and regulations for assisted living
• Guide of consumer resources

Medicaid and Medicare certification for memory care facilities

In Colorado Springs, some memory care facilities may be eligible for Medicaid and Medicare certification. This allows facilities to bill Medicaid or Medicare for some health care services provided to residents. It also means the memory care community has to participate in regular inspections by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with following stricter health care guidelines. You can find out whether a specific memory care community is additionally regulated on the Colorado Department of Public Health’s inspection reports “find and compare” feature.

Colorado Department of Health contact information

4300 Cherry Creek Drive
South Denver, CO, 80246
Phone: 303-692-2836
Email: cdphe.healthfacilities@state.co.us

COVID-19 regulations for Colorado Springs memory care facilities

In Colorado Springs, memory care facilities are required to adhere to guidelines to keep residents safe from COVID-19, as the coronavirus poses a risk to residents in senior living. In keeping with updated federal guidelines, visitors are allowed.

Guidelines for Colorado Springs memory care facilities include the following:

In Colorado Springs, you’ll find that many memory care facilities are part of broader assisted (and sometimes independent) living communities. Memory care facilities are often sectioned off among these shared senior living spaces to create a cultivated space for familiar, dementia-friendly patterns of living. This helps to reduce confusion and distress for those struggling with memory problems. There’s an increased demand for memory care, particularly in Colorado Springs. Families may experience a two- to three-month wait before a senior can move into a memory care exclusive community.

Even so, Colorado Springs has undergone a series of changes for bettering the experiences of the seniors who live there. Explore efforts from the wider community, as well as within our partner network of memory care communities in the metro area.

Local improvement efforts

In 2016, local governance committed to an Age Friendly Pikes Peak initiative. This initiative targeted improvements in eight stated domains of livability:

• Housing
• Social participation
• Respect and social inclusion
• Civic participation and employment
• Communication and information
• Community support and health services
• Outdoor spaces and buildings
• Transportation^[04]

They’ve addressed several points of this by hosting organizations to help guide these efforts:

• Dementia Friendly Colorado Springs. This organization’s specialized programs and services work to support individuals with dementia. Additionally, they teach businesses, institutions, and community members across the city to accommodate individuals with dementia by recognizing the signs of dementia and interacting supportively.
• Colorado Alzheimer’s Association chapter. This office provides support services and education to those facing the challenges of dementia. Their programming works to reduce the stigma around dementia and raise awareness.

These efforts may improve life in the broader Colorado Springs community, but that isn’t the whole story. Many memory care facilities additionally and continually improve their programming and features to enhance the lives of seniors with dementia. Check out some of those initiatives below.

Personalized physical care

Predictability is proven to ease those suffering from dementia and memory issues. Given that, many memory care facilities work to provide consistent care assignments, meaning staff members work with the same residents to encourage familiarity and person-centered partnerships. Through these partnerships, memory care facilities offer the following services:

• Diabetic care
• Incontinence care
• Ambulatory care
• Medication management

Reviews of these care partnerships are often glowing, indicative of a warm and nurturing attitude from caregivers in these facilities. Families remember how staff are always “bringing out a smile” and are generous with hugs and smiles for their loved ones in memory care.

Sensory-driven details

Therapies guided by sensory activity are also proven to improve the lives of those in memory care. You’ll find thoughtful sensory details throughout our partner facilities in Colorado Springs. For example, in one community, there’s extra thought given to the dining experience that encourages an interest in food, with details that include the following:

• Warm, freshly cleaned and scented hand towels
• Soft music during mealtimes
• Artful centerpieces to engage senses

If desired, residents can have a full schedule of events each day to stimulate the senses and improve brain health. A daily activity schedule for any memory care resident might include these options:

• Painting or fiber arts
• Exercise
• Brain fitness
• Music therapy
• Pet therapy
• A community outing

Health care for seniors in Colorado Springs

The fantastic hospitals in the Colorado Springs metro are one of the major draws in the city, whether you’re moving a senior loved one to the area or seeking employment as a young health care professional. Attracting talent from around the country, two hospital systems in particular stand above the rest for excellent care and specializations in senior health.

Transportation for seniors in Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, about 70% of partnering memory care communities offer complimentary transportation options, as it’s recommended that seniors with dementia travel with a caregiver.^[01] While most caregivers use cars to navigate the city, Colorado Springs has plentiful ADA-compliant options to help seniors in memory care and their caregivers navigate the city.

• Envida serves seniors and people with disabilities throughout Colorado Springs. View their service map on the linked Envida website, or call 719-633-4677 for specific route and service information.
• Mountain Metropolitan ADA Paratransit serves riders with disabilities. Residents with disabilities who cannot safely use the metropolitan bus services can use Mountain Metro’s ADA paratransit service with their caregivers to help ensure safe transportation.
• FindHelp offers numerous resources for contacts in everything from transit to food to care. With access to more than 30 transportation providers serving seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, you’re sure to find options for your loved one on their Colorado Springs transportation page.