I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins attracts many retirees due to its laid-back lifestyle and senior-friendly attractions. That’s why it’s been ranked as one of America’s best small cities and one of the best places to retire. Although Colorado State University is one of the city’s main draws, Fort Collins has more than 18,000 residents who are aged 65 and older—about 11% of its total population. By 2030, Colorado’s 65+ population is expected to increase by 77%, bringing even more retirees to the region.

The local senior center offers a comprehensive recreation program for aged 50+ adults. Additionally, retirees who choose to call Fort Collins home can benefit from an overall cost of living that’s slightly lower than the Colorado average and can expect to pay about 3.6 percent less than the national median for health care services.

The city is home to UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center making it easy for senior residents to obtain primary and specialty care. The plentiful local amenities and high-quality health care facilities are among the many reasons Fort Collins is ideal for aging in place and receiving home care.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Fort Collins, CO

Seniors in Fort Collins can expect to pay an average of $6,101 per month for both home care and home health care, according to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey for 2021. Some agencies charge slightly more for home health care because it includes services provided by licensed medical professionals.

Note that this cost estimate is based on 44 hours of care per week. If you need more or less help, you can expect home care to cost an average of $32 per hour. Simply multiply that rate by the number of hours of assistance you expect to need to estimate your average monthly cost for home care in Fort Collins.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Fort Collins has home care costs that are much higher than what seniors pay in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. In Colorado Springs, seniors pay an average of $5,768 per month for both types of care, while seniors in Grand Junction pay an average of $5,434. Denver has average monthly costs of $6,769 for home care and $6,864 for home health care, while Boulder has average monthly costs of $6,769 for both types of care.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

In Fort Collins, home care and home health care are two of the most expensive senior care options at an average monthly cost of $6,101. Seniors pay an average of $4,000 per month for assisted living, which is more than $2,1,00 less than the average amount paid for in-home care services. Adult day care, a nonresidential care option, costs an average of $2,773 per month. Nursing home care is the most expensive, averaging $9,079 per month.

III. How to Find Home Care in Fort Collins, CO

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 Fort Collins, CO.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Fort Collins, CO

Volunteers of America Handyman Program

What You Should Know

The Volunteers of America Handyman Program provides home modifications to help seniors and adults with disabilities stay as safe as possible. Common modifications include building wheelchair ramps, installing grab bars, adding chair risers to furniture and making minor safety-related repairs. Volunteers charge nothing for their time or labor, but program participants must pay for project materials.

Who Is Eligible?

You must be a senior citizen or an adult with some type of disability, reside in Larimer County and need help making safety-related home repairs or modifications. The VoA Handyman Program doesn’t mow lawns, paint houses or do any other type of cosmetic work.

How to Get Started

To learn more about the VoA Handyman Program, contact the Northern Colorado office of Volunteers of America at (970) 472-9630.

Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy Program

What You Should Know

The Colorado Affordable Residential Energy (CARE) program pays for home upgrades needed to increase energy efficiency and reduce a participant’s heating and cooling bills. The program is operated by Energy Outreach Colorado, which conducts an energy assessment of your home and works with contractors to make the necessary upgrades. Depending on the results of your assessment, CARE may cover air sealing, adding new insulation and the installation of energy-efficient lights.

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible for the CARE program if you reside in Colorado and have a household income that falls below 80% of the median income for Larimer County based on your household size. You must also live in the service area of a participating utility.

How to Get Started

To apply for CARE, fill out the English or Spanish application available on the EOC website. If you rent your home, you’ll also need to have your landlord sign an authorization form (English landlord waiver/Spanish landlord waiver). For more information about the program, call (888) 266-3139.

Meals on Wheels Fort Collins

What You Should Know

Meals on Wheels Fort Collins delivers hot meals to eligible residents of Fort Collins, Wellington and Laporte. The aim of the program is to ensure that seniors and adults with disabilities have access to nutritious meals. Meals on Wheels also provides important opportunities for program participants to socialize with volunteers, reducing the risk of isolation.

Each meal costs $5, but seniors with limited financial resources may qualify for reduced fees. Meals come with two trays. One tray contains a hot entree and two vegetables, and the second includes a salad, roll and some type of dessert. All meals are prepared according to DASH diet guidelines, limiting the amount of sodium in each one.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for deliveries from Meals on Wheels, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Reside in Fort Collins, Wellington or Laporte
  • Be over the age of 62
  • Be unable to safely prepare your own meals or shop for ingredients
  • Have no special dietary considerations that can’t be accommodated
  • Be primarily homebound

How to Get Started

Call (970) 484-6325 or fill out the online application to start receiving meals.

Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program

What You Should Know

The Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program aims to keep eligible participants comfortable and help them reduce their heating bills. Qualifying participants may receive a variety of no-cost services to increase energy efficiency and prevent heating loss in their home. These services may include energy audits, attic and wall insulation, furnace repair or replacement, high-efficiency appliances, air infiltration sealing or the installation of LED light bulbs.

Who Is Eligible?

If you receive benefits through the Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program, you may qualify for the Colorado WAP automatically. Residents with incomes below 60% of the state median also qualify for WAP services.

How to Get Started

Call (970) 617-2801 or download the application for residents of Larimer County.

Senior Homeowner Tax Exemption

What You Should Know

If you own your own home, you may qualify for Larimer County’s senior property tax exemption. Colorado’s state government pays the tax due on any exempted property value, reducing your tax bill and leaving you with more money available to cover other expenses. The exemption applies to 50% of the first $200,000 of the home’s value.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the senior homeowner tax exemption, you must be at least 65 years of age before January 1 in the year you plan to apply to the program. You must have also owned your home and used it as your primary residence for a minimum of 10 consecutive years prior to January 1 of the current tax year.

How to Get Started

To learn more, call the Larimer County Assessor at (970) 498-7097. You can also download and complete the short- or long-form application and mail it to Larimer County Assessor, Senior Exemptions Processing, P.O. Box 860, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522.