Colorado Senior Care Community Licencing

Assisted living and retirement communities are not regulated by the federal government, so each state has different rules for senior housing. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmental Health Facilities Division divides senior care centers into six categories.

Shorter term senior care facilities are called Adult Day Programs, which take care of seniors health, social, and psychological services. Adult day care can be used as an alternative to long term assisted living. Instead of the patient living on site, they just use the site's facilities and services.

Assisted living residences is the name Colorado gives to assisted living communities that give seniors their own place, with common assistance services like bathing and dressing assistance as well as medication reminders. Colorado Springs retirement communities are often of the assisted living variety. These are popular with seniors because they get independence with help where they need it. Other common services include organizing community activities, a safe environment and food services.

Home care is also defined by the Health Facilities Division. Medicaid waivers may provide for personal home care as an alternative to Colorado Springs retirement communities. The homemaker provides services that the senior cannot do themselves. Like bathing or assistance getting around. These are non-skilled services that do not require a licensed medical practitioner. Colorado does require them to take 20 hours of training, but this is nowhere near the level of care available in Colorado springs retirement communities.

Home health agencies are the home care that comes from medical professionals. It could be to help someone recovering from an illness, or a senior requiring regular medical care. They provide skilled services like therapy.

Hospice is for terminally ill patients. Colorado law requires individuals entered into hospice to be under a doctor's care. The aim of hospice is to provide supportive a palliative care to try and give some symptom relief. Hospice services can be given both in home and in a licensed facility.

The last regulatory definition under Colorado senior care is the Nursing Home. These are for patients requiring continued medical care. They provide long term care as well as short term rehab services. Some nursing care facilities have special departments for those suffering from specific problems like dementia.