13 Assisted Living Communities in Grand Junction, Colorado

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,350 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 13 Assisted Living Communities in Grand Junction. The Cost of Senior Care in Grand Junction, CO

• Assisted Living: $3,350
• Nursing Home Care: $7,740
• In-home Care: $4,528
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,408

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey shows that for an average price of $3,350 per month, seniors in Grand Junction enjoy the lowest cost of assisted living in the state. Grand Junction’s assisted living prices are well below the $4,000 national and Colorado state averages, with Greeley ($3,670) and Fort Collins ($3,950) being the next most affordable areas.

At the upper end, seniors in Boulder face the most expensive assisted living prices at $5,000 per month, followed by Colorado Springs ($4,875) and the Denver area ($4,700). 

In Grand Junction, the average cost of assisted living ($3,350) is significantly lower than most other senior care types. The only exception is the $1,408 average monthly price tag of adult day health services, where seniors travel to a part-time care center during the day while still living at home. Seniors in the city pay over $1,000 more per month for home health services than assisted living at average monthly prices of $4,528 for homemaker services and $4,576 for home health aides. Additionally, these prices don’t reflect expenses commonly included with assisted living, such as room and board, maintenance and utilities. At $7,740 per month, around-the-clock skilled nursing home care is the most expensive senior care type in Grand Junction.

 

Colorado’s Medicaid program is called Health First Colorado. This program provides low-income Colorado residents who meet certain financial requirements with comprehensive health care services.

Health First Colorado benefits include:

• Primary care, outpatient care and hospitalization
• Rehabilitative services
• Wellness and preventative services
• Dental services
• Prescription drugs
• Emergency services
• Behavioral health services

Seniors who are aged 65 and older or individuals who are blind or disabled are entitled to receive Health First Colorado benefits if they live at home and their income and assets fall within these limits:

• An individual must earn no more than $771 per month and have no more than $2,000 in countable assets (Medicaid’s definition of assets doesn’t include one’s home, primary vehicle, furnishings or personal items).
• A married couple must earn no more than $1,157 per month and have no more than $3,000 in assets.

For seniors who require a nursing home level of care and wish to live in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the financial limits are slightly higher:

• Individuals can earn up to $2,313 per month and have a maximum of $2,000 in assets.
• Married couples can earn up to $4,626 per month and have up to $3,000 in assets (Couples living in a shared nursing room can have up to $4,000 in assets).

When only one spouse within a married couple is applying in this category, the applicant may keep up to $2,000 in assets and the non-applicant spouse may retain up to $126,420.

Additionally, while care in a nursing home is considered an entitlement, qualified seniors who would like to receive care in an assisted living home must enroll in a waiver program. These individuals may be placed on a wait list before receiving services. 

To apply for Medicaid, Grand Junction seniors should complete the Colorado PEAK online application, visit the Mesa County Human Services office at 510 29-1/2 Road or call (800) 221-3943. Seniors may also fill out a paper application and mail it to:

Mesa – Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 20000
Grand Junction, CO 81502

Elderly, Blind & Disabled Waiver


The EBD waiver exists to help certain seniors enrolled in Health First Colorado remain out of nursing homes and in the community. While they must pay for their own room and board, those who qualify may receive services in an assisted living residence.

To participate in EBD, seniors must be aged 65 or older with significant functional impairments or be under age 65 and have HIV or AIDS, blind or disabled. They must also meet certain financial criteria:

• Earn less than 300% of the federal Supplemental Security Income limit (less than $2,313 per month)
• Have less than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (married couple) in countable assets

Waiver participants may receive regular Health First Colorado benefits along with the following services:

• Personal care
• Home delivered meals
• Respite care
• Transportation
• Medication reminders
• Transition services
• Consumer-directed attendant support services

Community Mental Health Supports Waiver

Through CMHS, Grand Junction residents who have a mental illness and require long-term care may be able to receive personal care and other services in an assisted living residence.

To qualify for this waiver, seniors must be enrolled in Health First Colorado and:

• Require a skilled nursing home level of care
• Need assistance with activities of daily living due to an ongoing, severe mental health need that’s not coexisting with a substance use disorder
• Meet the same financial limits as those required through the above EBD waiver

To apply for the EBD or CMHS waivers, Grand Junction seniors already enrolled in Health First Colorado should contact the Mesa County Department of Human Services at (970) 241-8480. 

Old Age Pension

Mesa County residents aged 60 and older may be eligible to receive certain health care services and financial assistance through Colorado’s OAP program. 

Benefits of this program may include:

• Food stamps

• Telephone bill discounts

• Financial assistance toward heating costs

• Home and community care

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services

• Doctor visits

• Transportation for medical appointments

• Laboratory services

To qualify, applicants must:

• Earn monthly income below 80% of the federal poverty level

• Have assets, such as cash, stocks and bonds of less than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (married couple)

Grand Junction seniors who wish to apply should set up an appointment with the Mesa County Department of Human Services at (970) 241-8480 to complete a written application. They should be prepared to present documents proving their age, residences, citizenship, income and financial resources.

Elderlife Financial Bridge Loan

Seniors in Grand Junction may be interested in applying for an Elderlife Bridge Loan. These are short-term loans of up to 12 months that provide funds to seniors that can be sent directly to assisted living homes to help pay for room and board, move-in fees and other related expenses.

To qualify for these loans, a senior can be any age. They should be able to communicate their plan to pay for care once the loan term ends and must also provide certain financial data, such as income and credit scores. Elderlife accepts multiple co-applicants on loans, so seniors with low personal credit scores may still be able to qualify. 

To apply, seniors can complete the online application or call (888) 228-4500.

Community resources on aging are provided through Grand Junction’s local Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association, which provides support for residents with dementia and their family members. The Area Agency on Aging facilitates an ombudsman program, caregiver education programs and senior information and referral services. Area Agency on Aging
510 29 1/2 Rd. #1112, Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 248-2717 Alzheimer’s Association – Grand Junction Office
2232 N. 7th St., Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 256-1274

Veterans services in Grand Junction are available to assist vets and their family members with claims and benefits applications and increasing disability compensation. The local vet center also provides free individual and group counseling.

Office of Disabled Veterans
2121 North Ave., Room 269, Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-0731 ext 2112

Grand Junction Vet Center
2472 Patterson Rd. #16, Grand Junction, CO 81505
(970) 245-4156

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.