Assisted Living in Centennial, CO

Assisted Living Costs in Centennial

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, assisted living care costs an average of $4,700 per month in Centennial. This is significantly more expensive than the national average and Colorado state average of $4,000 per month.

Among major metropolitan areas in Colorado, only Boulder ($5,000) and Colorado Springs ($4,875) are more expensive than Centennial. Greeley ($3,670) and Grand Junction ($3,350) assisted living care costs are substantially more affordable than care in Centennial. 

Note: Senior care cost data was not available for Centennial, so data for Denver, the closest major city, was used.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Centennial/Denver area: $4,700
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,000
• Boulder: $5,000
• Colorado Springs: $4,875
• Fort Collins: $3,950
• Grand Junction: $3,350
• Greeley: $3,670
• Pueblo: $4,000

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of senior care services vary depending on the location and the type of service a senior receives. In Centennial, adult day health care costs are approximately one-third the price of assisted living care, and nursing home care, at $8,365 per month, is significantly more expensive.

Homemaker services and home health aides cost a monthly average of $4,767 and $5,243, respectively. Seniors who opt to receive either of these services in their homes may need to pay for other costs, such as rent or utilities, that would be included in assisted living facility fees.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,700
• Homemaker services: $4,767
• Home health aide: $5,243
• Adult day health: $1,625
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,365

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Centennial

Medicaid in Colorado

Medicaid, a government-funded health insurance program, provides eligible low-income Americans with health coverage. These groups may include elderly adults, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities. In Colorado, Medicaid is known as Health First Colorado. Coloradans who participate in this program may receive a variety of medically necessary services, such as doctor visits, hospital visits, emergency care, wellness services and rehabilitative services.

Colorado residents may receive Medicaid coverage if they have an annual pretax household income that’s below the state’s Medicaid income limits, which are $16,146 for individuals or $21,892 for a couple.

Seniors can use the Colorado PEAK portal to check eligibility for Medicaid or apply for coverage. Seniors may apply in person at the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (DHS) office or call (800) 221-3943.

Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver

In Colorado, the Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) waiver, may help eligible seniors pay for the care they receive in assisted living facilities. However, it does not cover the costs of room and board.

To participate in the EBD waiver program, seniors must require the level of care that is provided in nursing homes. They must be able to safely receive their care at home or in an assisted living facility. Seniors’ monthly income must be less than three times the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit. Currently, the federal SSI limit is $772 per month, so seniors must earn less than $2,316 to participate in the waiver program. The waiver program also has a resource limit: $2,000 for single seniors and $3,000 for couples.

Enrollment for the EBD waiver is managed by local Single Entry Point (SEP) agencies. The SEP for Centennial is Colorado Access. Seniors can call (877) 710-9993 to apply through this agency. Those who aren’t yet enrolled in Health First Colorado need to apply for it first.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

PACE

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) covers health care services for seniors who require a nursing home level of care but would prefer to receive care in the community. Seniors can receive a variety of services at their residence or the PACE center, including emergency care, durable medical equipment, meals, social work counseling, recreational therapy, primary care and transportation. This program does not pay for room-and-board costs in assisted living communities.

Seniors must be 55 years of age or older to participate in PACE. They must also live in an area that’s served by a PACE provider. Centennial, as well as the rest of Arapahoe County, is served by Innovage Greater Colorado PACE. Seniors can call this provider at (888) 992-4464 to apply for PACE or to learn more.

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income seniors may be able to receive financial assistance through the Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program. This program provides additional monthly funding to SSI recipients who live in assisted living facilities. Single seniors can receive up to $551 per month from this program, while couples can receive as much as $1,489. The month after moving into an assisted living community, couples are classified as singles by the state.

OSS funding is offered in addition to SSI payments, so seniors must be eligible for SSI to receive this benefit. To learn more about SSI, call (800) 772-1213 to speak with a Social Security Administration representative.

Assisted Living Resources in Centennial

Senior Centers

Centennial seniors can visit one of the area’s senior centers to participate in classes and activities. Programming varies between locations, but may include fitness classes, card games and arts and crafts.

Parker Senior Center 
10675 Longs Way, Parker, CO 80138
(303) 841-5370

Aurora Center for Active Adults 
30 Del Mar Cir, Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 739-7950

Barnum Senior Center 
360 Hooker St, Denver, CO 80219
(720) 865-0350

Community Assistance Agencies

There are several agencies in the Centennial area that provide information and support to seniors. Seniors can visit these agencies to learn more about the programs and services that they may be eligible for.

Arapahoe County Department of Human Services 
5334 S Prince St, Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 795-4400

Aging Well Resource Center 
2255 W Berry Ave, Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 795-3700

Denver Regional Council of Governments 
1001 17th St, Ste 700, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 455-1000
Area Agency on Aging for the Denver area

Resources for Veterans

Seniors who need information and assistance relating to VA benefits can visit the regional benefit office. For medical care, eligible veterans can visit the VA hospital in nearby Aurora.

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center 
1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO 80045
(303) 399-8020

Denver Regional Benefit Office 
155 Van Gordon St, Lakewood, CO 80228
(800) 827-1000