10 Best Independent Living Communities in Aurora, CO

Paying for independent living can take many forms, but most seniors find themselves relying on personal funds to cover the monthly costs. The reason comes down to the simple fact that these communities are similar to traditional apartment communities — just with additional support.

However, other payment options may be available. To get a better understanding of the various methods out there, you’ll find additional details below on private resources, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Independent living communities are similar to residential communities; they just have age restrictions for residents. As such, no licensing requirements exist at this time. If, however, the independent living community offers assisted living or memory care, then it would require an assisted living community license or an alternative care facility (ACF) license. The ACF license would be for any community serving Medicaid-funded residents.

Regulations for independent living communities follow traditional landlord-tenant laws as well as those set by the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Public areas must be well-maintained and kept clean; utilities must be made available; and rental units must come equipped with basic appliances, heating, lighting, ventilation, and so on. Owners or operators cannot discriminate against you or offer less favorable terms and conditions if you are part of a protected class.

Additionally, reasonable accommodations must be made if you have a disability. If the building doesn’t have a ramp, for example, one must be built to provide access. The same would be true for widening doorways for someone who uses a wheelchair, installing grab bars in a bathroom for someone with mobility issues, or even adjusting the rental payment schedule to coincide with someone’s income assistance.

If an independent living community were to offer assisted living or memory care, regulations become more stringent. Standards would be set regarding administrators, staffing, training, oversight, community rules, and even mechanisms to address resident family concerns, as might be the case for any resident with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

All multifamily residential properties are subject to inspection, including independent living communities. Past inspection reports for communities offering assisted living or memory care are made available through the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Enter the name of the facility to review the list of inspections and any citations issued within the past five years. If you’d like to learn more about renter’s rights, you can find additional information on the Housing Authority of the City of Aurora’s website.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

4300 Cherry Creek S. Drive

Denver, CO 80246

Phone: 303-692-2000

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Aurora independent living communities

While Aurora has no specific COVID-19 regulations for independent living, it isn’t uncommon for some communities to establish their own guidelines. Contact a facility to learn more about its precautions or policies.

Seniors choose to move to an independent living community for a number of reasons, and they will vary from one person to the next. For many seniors, it’s all about the amenities and services provided to residents. For others, it’s all about location, and Aurora, Colorado, provides natural splendor in spades. Here’s what to expect from the independent living communities in the Aurora area.

Socializing opportunities aplenty

Socialization opportunities are one of the main perks of moving to an independent living community. If you want to grab a drink with new friends, you can certainly do so at the on-site bar or pub on many of the properties. Pool sharks may be interested to know that they can always catch a pick-up game at many of our partner communities’ billiards lounges. There’s also the option of playing a little cribbage, euchre, or even mahjong if you choose to move to a community with a game room. If not, you can just chat with other residents as you flex your creativity at an on-site arts and craft center. The Aurora Cultural Arts District is also near many communities, offering theaters, art centers, and museums for socialization opportunities away from home.

Keeping active

Independent living is all about remaining independent — a fact not lost on the communities in our partner network. The majority of them (91%) make it easy to keep active with on-site fitness centers that are free to use for any resident.^[02] You can also take advantage of one of the many parks in the Aurora area. The town presents a myriad of outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and skiing.

Aging in place

Another thing to know about our 11 independent living communities in Aurora is that most ensure you or your loved one can “age in place.” Here is a breakdown of the facilities in our partner network:

• 2 stand-alone independent living communities
• 3 independent living and assisted living communities
• 5 combination independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities
• 1 combination independent living and senior apartment community

Many more options are available within a 25-mile radius of Aurora:

• 9 stand-alone independent living facilities
• 5 independent living and assisted living communities
• 15 independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities

Health care for seniors in Aurora

Transportation for seniors in Aurora

Though not as big as Denver or Colorado Springs, Aurora is the third largest city in Colorado. In other words, the area is somewhat car-dependent, earning a transit score of just 35 out of 100.^[07] This isn’t to say that there aren’t walkable neighborhoods. Northwest Aurora, Del Mar Parkway, or Dayton Triangle rank anywhere from 63 to 74 for walkability. Walk Score measures the walkability of cities across the country on a scale of 0 to 100.

Fortunately, all independent living communities in our partner network offer complimentary transportation. They also have parking available if you own a car. If you or a family need to get around town by other means, Aurora does have public transit options. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) runs one light-rail line through the center of the city. It also has various bus routes.

Anyone who is 65 and older can ride at a 50% discount with a Senior Special Discount Card. And for those who can’t use fixed-route public transit, RTD also operates the paratransit ride service, Access-a-Ride. You will need to go through an application process to use this service, but it’s currently subsidized up to $25. So, it may be of benefit to look into this option.

Another option that’s been made available to the senior community is through the Seniors’ Resource Center. Anyone 60 or older can take advantage of this no-cost ride service to run errands within a 10-mile radius of Aurora. Trips are available between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call at least a day in advance to schedule a ride.

PrimeCare Colorado and A1 Medical Transportation are two additional private, nonemergency transportation services available in Aurora. They specialize in providing ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher assistance to cater to diverse mobility needs.

Senior activities in Aurora

The one thing anyone should know about Aurora is that it’s a city rich in culture and outdoor activities. Indigenous culture, in particular, has quite a rich history in the area. You need only look to the Plains Conservation Center for an example of that. The historical site offers visitors the chance to tour replicas of a homestead village and tipi camp.

If you’re thirsting for even more knowledge about the area, then you should definitely make a point of visiting the other free-to-enter historical attractions, including Coal Creek Schoolhouse, Centennial House, John Gully Homestead House, and the Delaney Round Barn. There’s also the Growing Home & Trolley Trailer No. 610 exhibit. The Aurora Museum Foundation spent four years restoring the trailer, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

As far as outdoor activities go, you won’t be disappointed by what Aurora has to offer. For one, you’ll find more than 100 miles of multiuse trails. Cherry Creek State Park alone accounts for roughly a quarter of trails, featuring the Cottonwood Creek Trail, Butterfly Hill Trail, Pipeline Train, and Pope Trail. Plus, the park offers visitors the opportunity to go fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, boating, and more. There’s also the Aurora Reservoir and Quincy Reservoir for biking, fishing, sailing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities.

Art aficionados may want to check out Art in Public Places, a program that has brought more than 300 pieces of art from local and national artists into and all around the city. Check Gateway Park District, Havana District, Murphy Creek District, and Smoky Hill Cornerstar for just a sampling of some of the exhibits. There’s also The People’s Building, which has regular gallery exhibits, as well as the Aurora Cultural Arts District, which has a mix of art galleries and exhibits, live performances, and shopping.

Looking to meet other seniors in the area? Make a point to visit the Aurora Center for Active Adults. Adults 50 and older can take part in fitness classes, crafts, bingo, day trips, line dancing, and a number of seminars. Check the center’s schedule for more information.