Colorado
A brief summary of assisted living in Colorado
What is it called?
- An "Assisted Living Residence" provides care to 3 or more adults
- An “Alternative Care Facility” is an Assisted Living Residence that can accept Medicaid reimbursement
What services are provided?
- All Assisted Living Residences are required to provide:
- Room and Board
- Personal Services, including a safe environment, 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities, recreational activities, and arrangement of transportation
- Protective Oversight, including the monitoring of the changing needs of residents in order to ensure that they receive the necessary services
- Social Care
- Limited assistance with medication
- Who can be admitted?
- Adults needing assistance with daily activities and other intermittent nursing needs
- Residents requiring the administration of oxygen
Who is inappropriate?
- Private Pay Assisted Living Residences:
- Adults who need a level of care or service they facility does not and cannot provide
- Adults with uncontrollable incontinence, unless this incontinence can be kept from being a health hazard
- Bedridden Adults, unless adult becomes bedridden while residing in the facility and a physician determines the facility can meet the resident's health needs
- Adults who need 24 hour nursing services
- Adults who must be restrained
- Adults with communicable diseases or infections
- Adults with substance abuse problems
- Alternative Care Facilities:
- Adults needing more than intermittent skilled services
- Adults with acute, untreatable illnesses
- Adults who cannot or will not meet own hygiene needs
- Adults with ambulatory limitations (unless they can be assisted)
- Adults consistently unwilling to take medication
What training is required for direct care staff?
- Initial Training:
- Needs of the population and resident’s rights
- General First Aid
- Medication administration
- After one month:
- Emergency and fire procedures
- Assessment skills
- Infection control
- Dealing with difficult situations and behaviors
Is nurse staffing required?
- Not specified.
Is there any public payment available?
- Yes. A Medicaid home and community based services waiver covers services in alternative care facilities. Facilities are reimbursed on a flat rate based on residents' income.
For More Information See:
Colorado Long Term Care Ombudsman (303) 866-2800 http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/ | Department of Public Health and Environment (303) 692-2000 http://www.cdphe.state.co.us |