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Broomfield is a consolidated city and county located close to Denver. It’s the smallest county in Colorado, but it’s still home to more than 70,000 people. Around 13% of residents are aged 65 and older, and the city has an array of attractions you can benefit from as a senior, including theaters, museums and more than 700 acres of parks. Living in Broomfield, you can experience all four seasons, with white winters, warm summers and plenty of sunny days to enjoy the mountain scenery.
It’s not just the attractions that make Broomfield an ideal place to retire. You can also benefit from Colorado’s tax system, which only taxes a portion of retirement income, and offers sales tax exemptions for groceries and prescription medicines. In addition to excellent healthcare facilities in the city, Broomfield’s proximity to Boulder and Denver gives you easy access to some of the best hospitals in the state when specialized care is needed. Broomfield’s commitment to providing supportive programs for seniors also helps make it a great place to age in place with assistance from in-home care services.
According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home care in Broomfield costs $5,625 per month. That cost rises to $5,720 for home health care services. This higher cost reflects the additional medical services that home health aides can offer.
Genworth calculates average home care and home health care costs based on a person receiving 44 hours of care per week. It can be useful to know the average hourly rate for services so you can estimate your costs based on the amount of care you require. In Broomfield, the average hourly rate for home care is $29.50, while the rate for home health care is $30 per hour.
Home care ($5,625) and home health care ($5,720) costs in Broomfield are higher than in most nearby cities. In Fort Collins, seniors pay $5,339 per month for both types of care, while in Greeley the cost is $5,053 for home care and $5,529 for home health care. In Denver, both types of care average $5,720, so seniors in Denver pay more for home care, but they pay the same rate for home health care services as their peers in Broomfield.
Home care and home health care costs in Broomfield fall about midrange when compared to other senior living options. The least affordable option is nursing home care. At $9,049 per month, it’s about $3,300-$3,400 more expensive than home care and home health care. Assisted living in the city is slightly more affordable than home-based care, at $5,100 per month. Adult day care rates are unavailable for Broomfield, however it’s likely the most affordable care option, as the statewide average for Colorado is just $1,625 per month.
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Broomfield, CO.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
What You Should Know
Denver Regional Council of Government (DRCOG) is the Area Agency on Aging for an eight-county region that includes Broomfield County. DRCOG has a range of programs available that are designed to help seniors stay living independently in the community. It offers information and referral services for local resources. Other programs offered by DRCOG include health insurance assistance, in-home services, options counseling, legal assistance and case management. You can also access home-delivered meals and transportation services through DRCOG.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for DRCOG services as a senior, you must be aged 60 or older. You can also qualify if you’re younger but living with a disability. Specific programs may have different eligibility criteria, and some programs or providers may not operate in all counties.
How to Get Started
To learn more, you can contact the AAA by calling (866) 959-3017. The agency’s counselors can direct you to available resources and programs. Alternatively, you can email [email protected].
What You Should Know
Broomfield City and County has an extensive range of services available to help its older residents. The Information and Assistance program can help find local resources to support your independence. Programs run through the Broomfield Community Center help keep you active and include educational programs, fitness classes and outings. Senior Services coordinates meal delivery services such as Meals on Wheels, and Broomfield Pals, which can connect you with volunteers who can provide assistance shoveling snow or doing yard work.
Who Is Eligible?
Programs are open to residents of Broomfield City and County, but specific programs may have different eligibility criteria, such as different age limits. Generally, you can qualify for services if you’re aged 60 or older.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs available through Senior Services, you can call the information line at (303) 464-5526.
What You Should Know
In-Home Support Services offers a range of aging-related services to help seniors continue living independently at home. The program connects you with a case manager who helps you determine the services you need. From there, you work with an agency to select and train your care attendants. The agency also provides backup services and additional supports to help you remain active in the community and has a nurse on staff for supervision. Through the program, you can get assistance with personal care, and homemaker and health maintenance services, among other benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for IHSS services, you must meet the Health First Colorado’s Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver program’s financial and functional guidelines, demonstrate a need for personal care, homemaker or health maintenance services and show that you can direct your own care services or appoint an authorized representative.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the eligibility guidelines or to enroll in IHSS, you can contact Adult Care Management, Inc at (303) 439-7011.
What You Should Know
Cultivate is a non-government organization that helps seniors connect with the local community. It provides a range of services that can help you age in place, including grocery delivery, transportation, home maintenance assistance and assistance with snow shoveling and yard maintenance. Cultivate also has the File of Life program, which provides you with documents about your medical history that first responders can access in case of an emergency. In addition to providing services, Cultivate also offers opportunities to volunteer, so you can give back to your community.
Who Is Eligible?
In general, you must be aged 60 or older and live in the Boulder or Broomfield County areas to qualify for services through Cultivate. Specific programs may have different eligibility criteria.
How to Get Started
If you’re interested in a Cultivate program, you can call (303) 443-1933 or submit the contact form on the agency’s website.
What You Should Know
Access-A-Ride is the Regional Transportation District’s paratransit service. It’s a shared ride service that’s available during the same days and times as RTD’s regular service. All pickups and destinations must be within three-quarters of a mile of the fixed-route bus system, which includes Broomfield County. Both curbside and door-to-door services are available, and fares start at $5 for local trips.
Who Is Eligible?
You can use Access-A-Ride if you have a disability that prevents you from completing a fixed-route journey independently, or if you can’t travel to and from a bus stop or get on and off a fixed-route bus independently.
How to Get Started
To use the Access-A-Ride service, you must complete an application and provide a medical verification form. In addition, you must complete an in-person interview and a transportation assessment prior to using the service. The application form can be found online, or you can contact customer service at (303) 299-2960 for more information.