Who are you searching for?
The mountainous, vibrant city of Denver has a rapidly growing number of seniors, and an expanding number of senior living facilities to accommodate them. If you’re seeking a Denver nursing home or senior care facility for your loved one, this guide can help you find the right fit.
The term “nursing home” is often used as a blanket term to describe all senior living options, including assisted living and memory care. However, nursing homes are technically facilities that provide skilled nursing services to people with debilitating health conditions who require round-the-clock medical care. This guide is designed to help you choose the right care type for your loved one’s specific needs, with top-rated assisted living, memory care, and other senior care facilities in Denver.
A Place for Mom has 71 assisted living and memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of the Denver city center, and seven of those facilities offer skilled nursing on site. The breadth of care options in Denver combined with the senior-friendly environment make the Mile High City an ideal senior living option for your loved one.
Types of care available in Denver, CO
We picked this community, because of the price, straight forward agreement- no extra fees, newness, and it was close to home/convenience. I would tell friends/family that I like that it's new and updated so my loved one doesn't feel like she got stuck in an "old folks home". The agreement/fees are better than most others and the basic staff is fun and friendly. Ownership, and management can improve by being more responsive.
We love the staff and living situation for my 2 elderly parents at Golden Orchard, Finding this lovely group home was a Blessing for us. My Dad and Mom are well taken care of in every way. Such a huge difference in how well my parents are doing in this very caring group home environment!. Food is great, staff is loving and helpful...my parent's feel so loved and cared for here. I highly recommend if you have elderly parent's or loved ones needing one on one special loving care as they go through the challenges of aging....check out Golden Orchard group homes you will be so happy that you did... Thank you for all you do,... [Name removed] (Daughter)
My mother has been on the memory care side since June 2023 and I can't tell you how wonderful the staff and facility is. All the rooms are huge and unique to memory care, there are showers in the rooms. There are also kitchenettes with cabinets and a full-size fridge. I looked at five or six area memory care facilities and none of them had both options. The staff is incredibly caring and really and truly loves each of the residents.
1744 Boston St, Aurora, CO 80010
500 Geneva Street, Aurora, CO 80010
1901 Eudora St, Denver, CO 80220
12150 Andrews Dr, Denver, CO 80239
833 N Jersey Street, Denver, CO 80220
919 Elm St, Denver, CO 80220
656 Dillon Way, Aurora, CO 80011
301 S Harrison St, Denver, CO 80209
525 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80246
HILLTOP RESERVEAt Ascent Senior Living Communities, we are more than Colorado-based. We are 100% Colorado-present. Every community we develop and manage is in the state of Colorado. Our roots go deep. For us, it’s personal. That’s why you’ll regularly find us walking through our communities,...
1535 Park Ave, Denver, CO 80218
2201 Downing St, Denver, CO 80205
9271 E Jewel Circle, Denver, CO 80231
745 E 18th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
555 E 11Th Ave,, Denver, CO 80203
4450 East Jewell Avenue, Denver, CO 80222
4686 E Asbury Cir, Denver, CO 80222
4601 E Asbury Cir, Denver, CO 80222
4660 East Asbury Circle, Denver, CO 80222
6060 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO 80222
6000 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80222
1514 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
2205 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
2801 W 33RD AVE, Denver, CO 80211
2835 W. 32nd Ave. Suite 477, Denver, CO 80211
2875 W 33rd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Nursing homes, also sometimes known as skilled nursing facilities, have an average cost of $8,669 monthly in Denver.[01] This steep cost is due to the high level of round-the-clock medical care these facilities provide.
Seniors who require less medical assistance and only need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) usually opt for a more affordable assisted living community instead. Assisted living facilities average around $4,875 per month in Denver, which includes the cost of rent plus care and any fees.[02] Seniors with dementia or other cognitive issues may require a memory care facility, which is slightly more than assisted living at an average of $4,966 per month, including rent, care, and fees.[02]
8.72 miles from you
Your zip code
12.96 miles from you
There are a number of ways to pay for nursing homes and other forms of senior care, but most families end up using a combination of private and public sources. Here we’ll cover some of the top ways to pay for a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. If your loved one does not need the 24/7 medical care and supervision of a skilled nursing facility, please visit our guide to Denver assisted living or our guide to Denver memory care.
When making a payment plan for senior care in Denver, first consider your private pay options:
In Denver, some medical expenses are tax-deductible on federal tax returns, provided they’re greater than 7.5% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI). If you’re paying for a loved one’s care and want to know more about whether their care costs are tax deductible, check with a certified public accountant or other tax expert.
Standalone nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are required to follow federal regulations put in place by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. At the local level, Colorado nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, like assisted living, are licensed and regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (also known as the CDPHE). Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities that receive reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare are required to follow both state and federal regulations for nursing homes, but private assisted living facilities that do not accept Medicaid or Medicare are only required to adhere to state standards.
The Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division of the CDPHE is responsible for performing inspections to ensure nursing homes in Colorado meet state and federal standards. This division issues operating licenses that must be renewed on an annual basis.
Regulations for Colorado nursing homes are extensive and include provisions for the following:
Regulatory compliance is audited via unannounced visits every nine to 15 months (every 12 months on average), but complaints or reports of noncompliance are investigated when they occur.
Read Colorado’s full regulations for nursing homes
Read Colorado’s full regulations for assisted living facilities
Look up Denver nursing home inspection records
Nursing home resident rights
Colorado Department of Health contact information
200 W. 14th Ave., #2732
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 720-913-1311
Nursing homes in Denver must adhere to both the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for COVID-19 prevention and the guidelines in place from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Read the CDC’s current COVID-19 guidelines for nursing homes.
In keeping up with updated federal guidelines, visitors are allowed in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, but precautions should always be taken to ensure resident safety.
Denver’s guidelines include the following:
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccines are highly encouraged, and vaccinations must be made available to all consenting staff and residents.
Masking. Although masks are no longer mandatory, they are encouraged for both staff and patients if transmission rates are high or if an individual is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
Staff safety. Staff must use appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary and wear masks when COVID-19 transmission rates are high.
Facility cleanliness. At least one staff member should be assigned to oversee infection prevention control, and a supply of hospital-grade disinfectants and alcohol-based hand sanitizers must be maintained.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
In Denver, skilled nursing most often takes place in dedicated nursing facilities, but there are a few Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and assisted living communities that also provide 24/7 skilled nursing on-site.
To qualify for admission to a skilled nursing unit in Denver, a person must be deemed to have a medical condition that requires round-the-clock medical care. This could be due to a chronic medical condition, rehabilitative care after an illness or surgery, or the need for hospice. Skilled nursing facilities in Denver have amenities and services for both short-term and long-term stays.
Skilled nursing in Denver is the most expensive type of care due to the high level of 24/7 medical care provided. However, many seniors in Denver do not require this level of care and instead opt for assisted living communities.
Assisted living communities provide help with activities of daily living (ADLs), daily food service, personalized care, and a variety of other amenities and activities. In Denver, assisted living facilities can range from resort-style luxury communities to budget-friendly, homelike complexes.
The majority of assisted living in Denver is focused on the outskirts of the city and in the broader suburban area. This is partially due to the fact that the downtown area tends to be more expensive and partially because it is difficult to access — and loved ones prefer to be able to reach their senior loved ones easily and quickly, if possible.
For seniors experiencing dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of cognitive decline, they have the choice of entering a standalone memory care facility or an assisted living facility with memory care on-site. Within a 25-mile radius of downtown, there are 106 facilities that have dedicated memory care services. These communities include amenities and services typical to assisted living facilities but also provide specialized dementia care, such as 24/7 oversight, secured entrances, and person-centered therapies designed to reduce agitation and confusion.
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Percentage of the senior Denver population aged 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of Denver seniors 75+ with a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of Denver seniors 75+ who have mobility difficulties, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
A number of outstanding health care providers reside in Denver, some of which are highly rated and skilled in special senior care offerings.
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital ranks No. 1 out of all hospitals in Denver and is nationally ranked in several cancer and heart specialties, according to U.S. News and World Report.
SCL Health St. Joseph Hospital ranks No. 2 out of all hospitals in Denver and No. 3 across the state of Colorado, according to U.S. News and World Report. It also has high ratings in geriatric specialties.
About 70% of A Place for Mom’s senior community partners offer complimentary transportation for residents. There are plenty of other options for navigating Denver, as well.
Most Denver residents choose to get around the city using their own vehicles, but for seniors looking for alternatives, Denver offers taxis, buses, a light rail system, and the 16th Street MallRide — a free hybrid shuttle bus that runs the length of 16th Street.
The light rail system, called RTD, consists of 12 rail lines running 113 miles throughout the city, some suburbs, and the airport. Fares are discounted for seniors 65+, and there are additional services for seniors with mobility issues.
Designated senior transportation services and other support services are also provided by the local nonprofit Seniors’ Resource Center. This nonprofit offers transportation services to Denver seniors with disabilities as well as their families and caregivers.
Denver features gorgeous natural views, exciting activities and landmarks, and unique cultural hubs. And most senior communities plan regular outings, so residents can partake in all that Denver has to offer.
For outdoor recreation, Denver Mountain Parks provide lovely natural settings where seniors can enjoy the great outdoors, with walking trails, picnic areas, fishing sites, and other activities that appeal to seniors of various physical and cognitive abilities.
Outings to restaurants and shopping centers are also common and make for easy day trips. Larger community outings make for special occasions and might consist of a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, a ball game at Coors Field, or any other events of interest to residents.
For seniors who prefer more introspective activities, the Denver Art Museum and Denver Museum of Nature and Science are excellent places to expand the mind — and both are wheelchair accessible. Plus, nearby Black Hawk, Colorado, offers over a dozen casinos for seniors to enjoy a day of drinks, food, and gaming.
Brookdale Longmont, Legacy Village of Castle Pines and Brookdale Greenwood Village are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Denver, CO. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Denver is 5,242 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Colorado Department of Human Services. (2022, August 15). Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons ranked No. 1 by Newsweek.
Elliott, R. (2022, October 11). Personal communication [Zoom interview].
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
Please enter a valid email address.