10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Aurora, CO
As the Gateway to the Rockies, Aurora and its neighboring communities offer memory care residents a peaceful home adjacent to the mountains. Life in Aurora is laid back, with wide-open vistas to truly settle into and relax.
Aurora has a number of memory care facilities to choose from for your loved one. The city is home to 23 memory care facilities, all within a 10-mile radius of the city’s center. Each facility offers a range of amenities and services, including care specific to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related diagnoses. In fact, the majority of our partner facilities have been specifically designed to accommodate memory loss, including specialized memory care training for staff, helping to ensure the environment meets the needs of residents.
Even then, however, the decision to move a loved one to a memory care facility is a challenging one. A Place for Mom wants to make the process a little easier, which is why we’ve put together this guide. In it, you’ll find listings for Aurora memory care facilities, ranked by various categories, as well as details on payment options, local and state laws and regulations, transportation and health care options in the area, and the city itself.
Aurora Memory Care Facilities | 925 Reviews
Both my mother who is almost 98 and my sister who has memory problems are both at Eastern Star. We love the caretakers, the food is good, the facility is lovely and they have many activities and events in...
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Our methodology
How we rank order the Aurora community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Aurora community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of memory care in the Aurora area
- What families are saying about memory care in Aurora
- How people pay for memory care in Aurora
- Understand Colorado laws and regulations for memory care facilities
- What to expect from memory care living in Aurora
- Aurora memory care services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Aurora? Highlights for seniors
Costs of memory care in the Aurora area
In the Aurora area, expect to pay an average of $4,622 per month for one of our partner memory care facilities, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This figure typically includes room, board, associated fees, and service fee add-ons. On average, however, the cost can vary based on location, room size, layout, amenities, and other factors. Always make sure to ask what’s included in the monthly fee.
The following figures represent the average baseline costs for the immediate area and do not include additional fees for ancillary services.
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Aurora, CO vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Aurora, CO vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Aurora vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Memory Care in Aurora, CO by room type
Average cost of Memory Care in Aurora over time
What families are saying about memory care in Aurora
Recent reviews for memory care in Aurora
MorningStar of Wheat Ridge
Golden Orchard III in Wheat Ridge, CO
Lincoln Meadows Senior Living in Parker, CO
Aurora review score based on 190 family reviews
This proprietary review score is based on 190 reviews of 25 Aurora memory care communities. All reviews were submitted in the past two years by verified community residents and family members.Aurora review score compared against nearby cities
Review subcategories for Aurora memory care
When memory care residents and family members submit a review on our site, they rate each community on categories such as cleanliness, activities, meals, and more. The chart below is based on 190 reviews of 25 Aurora memory care communities. This chart helps you compare Aurora resident and family memory care satisfaction rates against national averages. Use it to assess your needs and develop criteria for your own search. If you know that one of these categories is important to you or your loved one, our senior living advisors can help you find communities to match your needs.How people pay for memory care in Aurora
There are a number of ways to pay for memory care for your loved one, so it’s important to know your options. In this section, we will detail some of the more common payment methods, including personal resources, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
It isn’t uncommon for families to use personal resources to cover at least some of the costs associated with memory care. Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement accounts, income generated from investments, and any one of the following are common options:
Number of veterans who live in Aurora
About 19% of Aurora veterans are 75 and older
There are a number of VA benefits available for veterans with dementia. It all depends on the veteran’s needs, service record, and eligibility. For the most part, the VA Pension is often a good starting point. This benefit is a supplement to a qualified veteran’s income and can be used toward living expenses — including memory care.
The Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefit is another option for wartime veterans who require assistance in activities of daily life (i.e., bathing, grooming, eating, etc.). It is a monthly amount added to the VA Pension, and as such, can be used toward anything that improves the veteran’s quality of life. The VA recognizes that Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related diagnoses can be service related, so your loved one could also be eligible for VA Disability Compensation.
The same can be said for a number of other disability benefits, including Special Monthly Compensation. This is paid in addition to the VA Disability Compensation for veterans who require significant help with personal care due to a service-connected disability or conditions made worse from time in the military. The funds could be used toward memory care if it’s determined that the diagnosis is connected to your loved one’s time in the service.
Questions about eligibility or difficulties with the application process are common because the VA benefits system is complicated. Even if you don’t think your loved one is eligible for a certain benefit, it’s worth checking. Seek assistance from a veterans services officer to get your loved one the help they need. These officers can be found at local veterans services organizations (VSOs), such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. The Arapaho County Veterans Service Office, the Lakewood Office of the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can also help.
Resources for Aurora veterans
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs — Lakewood Office
155 Van Gordon St., Suite 201
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: 303-914-5832
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA benefits hotline
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Arapahoe County Veteran Services Office
15400 E. 14th Plaza
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: 303-738-8045
Email: VeteranServices@arapahoegov.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Lisa Rogers, veterans services officer
Contact: Josh Medina, veterans services officer
16070 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80013
Phone: 303-680-6424
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Disabled American Veterans — Aurora Office
14401 E. Exposition Ave.
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-261-5859
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3631
18545 E. Colfax Ave.
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: 303-344-2463
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Medicaid, known as Health First Colorado in Colorado, can sometimes cover the costs of memory care. This will depend largely on the recipient’s age, income, and current assets. It can also depend on the facility. If, for example, the memory care facility has been certified as an alternative care facility, it’s one with a Medicaid contract, which will make the process of using Health First Colorado to cover costs a whole lot easier.
If eligible, seniors must enroll in the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) waiver program, which is one of the state’s home and community based services (HCBS) waiver plans. The EBD waiver can be used toward the cost of personal care services in a community-based setting, as would be the case with an assisted living community that also offers memory care. The waiver can also be used toward adult day services, in-home support services, and transition set-up services, which could include a move from a nursing facility to an assisted living setting.
To access an EBD waiver, seniors or their families must first apply for Health First Colorado. This can be done in a number of ways:
- Apply online through Colorado PEAK.
- Download the application and mail it to the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services at 149 E. Alameda Drive, Aurora, CO 80012.
- Drop off an application or apply in person at the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services.
- Call the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing at 800-221-3943, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Navigating the Medicaid application process and the benefits available to your loved one can be complicated, which is why it’s important to reach out to the support sources available. The Denver Area Agency on Aging can certainly help, as can the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ombudsmen can not only help you understand the eligibility requirements but also ensure that your family member gets access to the long-term care services they need.
Aurora resident Medicaid resources
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
149 E. Alameda Drive
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 303-636-1130
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
1570 Grant St.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-2993
Medicare does not cover custodial costs for memory care, which include room and board. Where it can be of great assistance, however, is in offsetting the costs of medically necessary in-home care needs, as well as in-patient care treatments, physician fees, some medical equipment, prescription medications, and short-term skilled nursing care for up to 100 days.
Once enrolled in Medicare through the Social Security Administration, seniors will have access to a number of other services and resources that can be beneficial:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program. QMB is the first of three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) in Colorado. If eligible, it can help offset the costs of premiums, copayments, deductibles, and prescription drugs.
- Qualifying Individual (QI-1) Program. Another of the state’s MSPs, QI-1 can help in paying Medicare Part B premiums for eligible seniors.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program. The last of the state’s MSPs, SLMB can help in paying Medicare Part B premiums for eligible low-income seniors.
- Colorado State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Colorado SHIP offers one-on-one assistance and counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their families.
- InnovAge Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE offers care coordination, transportation, meals, and other services to seniors, as well as help navigating Medicare.
If you have questions about your loved one’s eligibility or need assistance of any kind, the Denver Area Agency on Aging, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, or the local Social Security Administration Office can help.
Aurora resident Medicare resources
Aurora Social Security Administration Office
14280 E. Jewell Ave., Suite 250
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Colorado State Health Insurance Assistance Program
1560 Broadway, Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 888-696-7213
1001 17th St., Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-455-1000
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Shannon Gimbel
Phone: 303-480-6734
Email: sgimbel@drcog.org
InnovAge Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
3551 N. Chambers Road
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: 720-664-5455
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
1575 Sherman St.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-862-3524
Contact: Arapahoe County Ombudsman Shannon Gimbel
Understand Colorado laws and regulations for memory care facilities
As they are classified as a subset of assisted living, memory care facilities must follow the rules and regulations for assisted living communities — with a few additional provisions directly associated with caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related diagnoses.
Much like any other assisted living community, memory care facilities must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Licensure is valid for one year, and then the facility is subject to an inspection prior to being eligible to extend its license for up to three years. If interested, you can review past inspection reports on the Department of Public Health and Environment website. Just enter the facility’s name and conduct a search to see any previous citations.
As far as regulations go, memory care facilities must meet certain requirements in the facility itself, as well as those related to staffing, training, and services offered. Generally, memory care must take place in a secure environment — or a secure unit of an assisted living community. A secure outdoor area must be provided as well. Because of the secure environment, residents must go through a pre-admission assessment to better understand their history and patterns of wandering. This is meant to ensure the safety of someone with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related diagnosis.
Memory care facilities must staff an administrator, a qualified medication administration person, sufficient staff to meet resident care needs, and dementia care staff. The staff ratio is typically 1:6 in memory care facilities or units, and all staff must go through specific training to meet the personal, social, and emotional needs of residents, including annual dementia-related training.
In addition to the regulations associated with assisted living, memory care facilities are subject to both the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As such, no one can discriminate against your loved one or offer less favorable terms and conditions if they are part of a protected class. In addition, reasonable accommodations must be made for individuals with disabilities. These accommodations have likely already been made in whatever memory care facility you’re looking into, but it’s still important to keep this in mind should a doorway need to be widened to accommodate a wheelchair or grab bars installed for someone with a mobility issue.
Colorado Department of Health contact information
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 memory care facilities
Currently, Aurora has no specific COVID-19 regulations for memory care or assisted living facilities. This, however, doesn’t mean that a facility doesn’t have its own guidelines. Otherwise, Arapahoe County recommends a few best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Vaccinations. Getting vaccinated is encouraged but not required.
Masking. Wearing a mask is encouraged but not required in public spaces.
Facility cleanliness. Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and commonly used items are recommended.
Social distancing. Communities should encourage residents to practice behaviors that reduce the spread of disease.
What to expect from memory care living in Aurora
Memory care is a specialized type of care with the ultimate goal of helping people with Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related diagnosis live fuller lives. The best memory care facilities help people learn to live with the disease. As such, memory care facilities in the Aurora area offer a variety of services and amenities to ensure this happens.
Living with dignity
The majority of our partner communities in Aurora offer specialized memory care training to their staff. That means residents will maintain not only their safety and dignity but also their independence. It also means staff will be empathetic and meet the needs of the residents based on the person and the stage of their disease. Additionally, the majority of the communities staff an activities director to ensure residents stay happy and engaged. A number of the communities also have an on-site arts and crafts center, library, TV lounge, and other amenities to allow people to continue doing what they’ve always loved to do.[01]
Accessing the care needed
Memory care facilities in the Aurora area often offer dementia-related therapies, as well as exit-seeking behavior care, hallucination care, disorientation care, redirection, cueing, and more.[01] But seniors and their families should also expect other health care services to be provided. The majority of the communities in our partner network make occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and podiatry available to residents through visiting practitioners. They also have on-call doctors and nurses available to ensure residents are getting the care they need to stay healthy.[01]
Transitional opportunities
Four of the communities in our partner network offer stand-alone memory care. Others are group homes, which are homes converted into small assisted living communities that follow the same rules as regular assisted living places but cost less and offer a more personalized experience for residents. Most of our partners provide the opportunity for residents to transition to the care they need within the same community, allowing your loved one to age in place, such as:
- 5 combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities.
- 5 combination assisted living and memory care facilities.
- 9 combination group homes and memory care facilities.
A greater number of facilities are located within a 25-mile radius of downtown Aurora, giving you the opportunity to expand your search for the best home for your loved one:
- 15 combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities.
- 23 combination assisted living and memory care facilities.
- 2 combination adult day care, group homes, and memory care facilities.
- 18 combination group homes and memory care facilities.
- 5 stand-alone memory care facilities.
Aurora memory care services and amenities
Availability of select care services in Aurora memory care
Availability of select dementia care services in Aurora memory care
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Aurora memory care
Availability of select dining options in Aurora memory care
Availability of select programs and activities in Aurora memory care
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Unfamiliar with Aurora? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Aurora
Median annual income for Aurora seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in Aurora
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital is an academic hospital, ranked nationally in diabetes and endocrinology; ear, nose, and throat; gastroenterology; pulmonology; and rheumatology. UCHealth is also considered high performing in five specialties and 17 procedures and conditions.
The Medical Center of Aurora
The Medical Center of Aurora (TMCA) is known for its care delivery in a number of areas. This acute care hospital has been ranked as high performing in heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, and chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Kindred Hospital-Aurora
Kindred Hospital-Aurora is an acute, long-term care facility that offers a range of services, such as cardiac care, comprehensive rehabilitation, post-trauma, and stroke care.
Transportation for seniors in Aurora
Getting around Aurora isn’t something any senior or their family members should worry about. Most memory care facilities in our partner network (65%) offer complimentary transportation to residents or transportation at cost (65%).[01] If your loved one is able and needs to run an errand or go to an off-site doctor’s appointment, the community will be sure to make arrangements.
Of course, other transit options are available, though seniors in memory care facilities should not use transit without a caregiver. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates Access-a-Ride, a ride-share service for individuals who no longer can use fixed-route transit. The Seniors’ Resource Center also offers a no-cost ride-share service for anyone 60 or older, but all trips must be within a 10-mile radius of Aurora and made between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
For visiting family members, RTD runs one light-rail line and a number of bus routes throughout the city — and anyone 65 and older can ride for half the price with a Senior Special Discount Card.
Aurora offers a couple of private nonemergency transportation services, should the above options not meet your loved one’s needs: PrimeCare Colorado and A1 Medical Transportation. These companies specialize in meeting a wide range of mobility needs by offering ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher assistance. Again, they should not be used by memory care facility residents without the help of a caregiver.
Senior activities in Aurora
Aurora doesn’t get the same attention as Denver or Colorado Springs, but it’s still a big city with plenty of fun to be had. Like any big city, there’s something for everyone within its borders. Culture, outdoors, shopping, restaurants, and other activities are certain not to disappoint.
When visiting your loved one, shopping can be quite the experience, especially when it comes to the Stanley Marketplace. This converted aviation manufacturing facility is home to a range of locally owned retailers, restaurants, brew pubs, and more. If not there, then Southlands should make the list. On top of shops and restaurants, seniors and their families can enjoy live musical performances, a “wine walk,” and the farmers’ market. The Southlands is wheelchair accessible.
For families and seniors who like to enjoy the outdoors, they have their choice of more than 100 parks. Cherry Creek State Park, in particular, won’t disappoint, with miles upon miles of multi-use trails, fishing, boating, and more — plus, the views are spectacular. The Rocky Mountains serve as the backdrop, and then there’s also the reservoir, rolling hills, prairies, and plenty of birds and wildlife to take in, making it perfect for simply finding a spot to sit, relax, and enjoy the view.
Anyone looking to learn more about the history of Aurora will definitely be interested in the Plains Conservation Center, which offers guided tours of replicas of a homestead village and tipi camp. There’s also an education center on-site. Other historical sites of interest would be the Coal Creek Schoolhouse, Centennial House, John Gully Homestead House, the DeLaney Barn, and the DeLaney Round Barn. Admission is free. Most of the areas are wheelchair accessible, but be sure to contact each location to make sure your loved one will be able to get around easily.
Art in Public Places presents an enticing opportunity for those seeking cultural immersion. This remarkable program has graced the city of Aurora with over 300 captivating artworks contributed by local and national artists. You and your loved one can explore The People’s Building or the Aurora Cultural Arts District, both of which host frequent gallery exhibits, with the latter adding an extra touch of vibrancy through live performances. Moreover, the Aurora Cultural Arts District extends the chance to acquire cherished artworks, allowing visitors to seize the opportunity for a delightful purchase or two.
When in the mood for live theater, Aurora has a number of options. The Vintage Theatre hosts myriad musicals, plays, and other productions throughout the year. If your loved one requires special seating accommodations, make sure to contact the box office at least two hours ahead of time. The Aurora Fox Arts Center is another similar option. Seniors and their families can even attend the center’s cabaret series, holiday concert, and New Year’s Eve celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brookdale Greenwood Village, Brookdale University Park and Brookdale Brighton are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Aurora, CO. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Aurora is $5,065 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). UCHealth University of Colorado.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Medical Center of Aurora.
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