10 Best Nursing Homes in Aurora, CO

To pay for any type of senior care, you’ll probably have to use a variety of sources. Some of the most common include private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare. Read on to learn more about each option.

Skilled nursing facilities are regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment at the state level and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the federal level.

Assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and all other types of senior care homes must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment prior to operation. The license will be valid for one year, and then the property will be subject to an inspection to determine whether it will be granted an extension. Extensions can span up to three years.

Past inspection reports are available on the Department of Public Health & Environment website. Just enter a community or facility name into the search bar to bring up details on any previous citations.

The regulations for both assisted living communities and memory care facilities are fairly standard. They cover the following topics:

• Staffing. Facilities must employ a full-time administrator, a qualified medication administration person, and sufficient staff to meet resident care needs. If offering memory care services, the facility should also employ dementia care staff.
• Training. All staff must receive proper training to ensure that the facility meets the personal, social, and emotional needs of residents. If offering memory care services, direct care staff must also go through annual dementia-related training.
• Admissions. A preadmission process must occur to determine the exact needs of residents. In particular, residents requiring memory care must take an assessment to gather any history and patterns of wandering.
• Staff-to-resident ratio. Assisted living communities must employ sufficient staff to meet residents’ personal care needs. If certified as an alternative care facility (i.e., one with a Medicaid contract), then the community must maintain a 1:10 ratio during the day and 1:16 during the evening. With memory care, the ratio drops to 1:6.

As with any residential community, all senior housing must comply with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. No one can discriminate against a potential resident or offer less favorable terms and conditions if they’re part of a protected class. Also, reasonable accommodations must be made for seniors with disabilities.

Colorado Department of Public Health & 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 nursing homes

Currently, Aurora has no specific COVID-19 regulations for assisted living communities or memory care facilities. However, a facility may have its own guidelines.

Senior living communities offer a full range of services, amenities, and activities to ensure that all residents maintain their quality of life. Because each community is unique, it’s important to look at more than just the care services provided. What types of activities does the community offer? Will there be plenty of opportunities to socialize? What sorts of amenities are close by? Since Aurora is home to more than 100 parks, it may be nice to find a community with close access if your loved one enjoys the outdoors.

Continuum of care

A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with nursing homes, but the 35 communities in our partner network offer a continuum of care.

• 2 stand-alone assisted living facilities
• 3 assisted living and independent living facilities
• 4 stand-alone memory care facilities
• 5 assisted living and memory care facilities
• 5 combination assisted living, memory care, and independent living
• 9 memory care and group home facilities
• 7 group homes

Group homes are small assisted living communities that follow the same rules as traditional facilities but cost less and provide a more personal experience. If none of these options suit you, there are 89 additional facilities within a 25-mile radius of downtown Aurora.

No shortage of activities

Aurora is home to numerous community events, festivals, and cultural celebrations, including the Festival of Wreaths, Fall Into Fun, Arapahoe County Fair, Carnival on the Plaza, and Aurora Rhythms. The majority of our partner communities have an activity director so that residents will get a chance to enjoy all that Aurora has to offer.

However, seniors don’t need to go on a day trip to stay busy. Many of the communities regularly schedule art classes, live musical performances, trivia games, and other activities. Active seniors may enjoy yoga, chair yoga, or stretching classes. And if someone wants to socialize, there are plenty of opportunities for that, too. Many of the communities hold barbecues, picnics, holiday parties, and happy hours.^[02]

Health and well-being

Assisted living and memory care facilities provide residents with more than personal care. The communities in our partner network take the health and well-being of their residents seriously. Don’t be surprised if a community offers what’s known as Dakim BrainFitness, which is a cognitive exercise program to improve memory and keep the brain sharp. Many of our partner communities make occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and podiatry available to residents through visiting practitioners. They also have doctors and nurses on call, although more than half of our partner communities provide on-site nursing and full medication management.^[02]

Health care for seniors in Aurora

Transportation for seniors in Aurora

Getting around Aurora and the surrounding area is rarely a problem for seniors living in one of our partner communities. Though the city itself isn’t known for its public transportation, options are made available to residents. Sixty percent of assisted living and memory care facilities provide complimentary transportation. Those that don’t will arrange at-cost transportation should your loved one need to get somewhere.^[02]

If you’re visiting with family, know that the city is somewhat car-dependent.^[07] This isn’t to say the area is void of public transit. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates one light-rail line and various bus routes throughout the city and offers discount rates to seniors if they have a Senior Special Discount Card. RTD also operates Access-a-Ride, a curb-to-curb ride-share service for people unable to use fixed-route transit. Because seniors living in an assisted living community or memory care facility shouldn’t ride alone, aides who accompany a passenger will ride for free.

There are additional private nonemergency transportation services available for your medical appointments, such as PrimeCare Colorado and A1 Medical Transport. These services provide assistance for ambulatory individuals as well as those using wheelchairs or stretchers.

Senior activities in Aurora

Our partner communities in Aurora offer seniors various in-house activities, such as gardening, arts and crafts, and cooking classes. Seniors can socialize with their peers and loved ones through these recreational opportunities. However, as the third largest city in the state of Colorado, Aurora always has something to see or do. The city is home to a thriving arts district, historic sites, unique shopping areas, and lots of open spaces. Plus, the Rocky Mountains and the Eastern Plains are just a short drive away.

If anyone is in the mood to enjoy some tunes, Aurora hosts a number of live music and concert series throughout the year. Vintage Theatre features live concerts as well as musicals, plays, and other events. The same can be said for the Aurora Fox Arts Center, which has a cabaret series, holiday concert, and New Year’s Eve celebration. And with the Red Rocks Amphitheatre no more than 45 minutes away, you can always plan your visit around your loved one’s favorite artist. New and old bands regularly play in the open-air theater.

If you and your loved one enjoy the outdoors, make a point of visiting Cherry Creek State Park. The park totals 4,000 acres, so the views alone will be worth the trip — the Rocky Mountains serve as a lovely backdrop. The park also has many amenities and activities, such as fishing, boating, biking, walking, and more. If you’re looking for a park on the smaller side, there’s also the Aurora Reservoir, Jewell Wetlands, and Appaloosa Park.

History buffs may be interested in one of the many historical sites around the area. The Plains Conservation Center has guided tours and replicas of a homestead village and tipi camp. You and your loved one can also visit the Coal Creek Schoolhouse, Centennial House, John Gully Homestead House, and the DeLaney Round Barn.

If you and your loved one would rather stick closer to home, Art in Public Places is always a fun excursion. Exhibits are scattered throughout the city. Looking for a little excitement? There’s always Bally’s Arapahoe Park, where live horse races are held from June through September. Want to knock down some pins? Head over to Bowlero, which sports 40 bowling lanes, a billiards lounge, an arcade, and a sports bar with plenty of delicious food and local craft beer.

Is wildlife more of an interest? Then, a visit to The Wild Animal Sanctuary is definitely in order. These 720 acres of grassland are now home to nearly 300 animals, including African lions, tigers, bears, camels, coyotes, foxes, emus, alpacas, and more.