I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Lakewood, CO
Situated in age-friendly Jefferson County in the heart of Colorado, Lakewood is a Denver suburb known for its beautiful parks and vibrant downtown district. This large community has about 156,000 residents, 17% of whom are aged 65 and over, supporting access to flexible long-term care solutions. Property taxes in this city are modest, and seniors typically qualify for exemptions. State income tax laws let you claim a large deduction, which can help you maintain a comfortable standard of living throughout your retirement years.
Lakewood supports older residents’ comfort and convenience with a range of amenities, making it a great option for those seeking home care services. Safe, reliable public transportation reduces your need to rely on a private vehicle, and a range of services available through the city and the county can help you remain in your own home. There’s one hospital within the city, St. Anthony Hospital, and nearly 200 doctors per capita practice in the city. Despite Lakewood’s relatively high cost of living, local health care costs are comparatively affordable and may make retirement living in this city financially feasible.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Lakewood, CO
The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, which bases home care rates in Lakewood on care costs in Denver, shows that local home care agencies charge $6,769 per month on average. These agencies provide services such as transportation, companionship and meal preparation. Home health care, which features specialized services such as occupational therapy and medication administration, is a little more expensive at $6,864.
This monthly home care rate is based on 44 hours of weekly care at an hourly rate of $35.50. You may be able to find more affordable care through local nonprofit agencies or by obtaining public or veterans’ benefits.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
In Lakewood, home care costs $6,769, and home health care is about $100 more at $6,864 per month. This is about $400 higher than the state norm of $6,387, and it’s significantly higher than the national average of $4,957 for home care and $5,148 for home health care. In Colorado Springs, rates are $1,000 less than in Lakewood at $5,768, and in Greeley, seniors pay $5,625. In Pueblo, agencies charge $5,268 for home care and lower rates of $5,243 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care services in Lakewood cost $6,769 per month on average. This is cheaper than the cost of home health care, which comes in at $6,864, as well as nursing home care, which starts at $8,669. Assisted living facilities provide the same scope of personal care services as home care agencies and charge cheaper rates of $5,500. Adult day care, the least expensive option in Lakewood, costs $2,275 and may be an affordable alternative for seniors who want to live in their own homes.
III. How to Find Home Care in Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, CO.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Lakewood, CO
Lakewood Older Adult Services
What You Should Know
Lakewood’s Older Adult Services division provides a range of social and recreational activities, helping you maintain social connections and avoid isolation and boredom at home. Throughout the city, you can participate in balance and strengthening classes, art classes and educational seminars, as well as a daily congregate lunch program. The city also operates Lakewood Rides, which provides door-to-door transportation services.
Who Is Eligible?
Recreational programs and services through the city are available to residents aged 55 and over. Some services, including Lakewood Rides, are limited to those aged 60 and over.
How To Get Started
You can learn more about the programs available through the city by calling the Clements Community Center at (303) 987-4820, or you can email the center at [email protected].
Denver Regional Council of Governments
What You Should Know
The Denver Regional Council of Governments is the Area Agency on Aging for Lakewood and the surrounding region. It has a team of experts who can provide you with information on local programs and services, such as transportation options, nutrition services, legal assistance and in-home service providers, as well as referrals for disease-specific resources. The Agency has case managers who conduct in-home needs assessments and develop care plans, and then help you find affordable care options and resources and apply for benefits and supports. It also offers Medicaid Transition Services Options Counseling, a program that can help those living in residential nursing facilities to move back into their homes.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services through the AAA, you must be at least 60 years old and live within the program’s service area, which includes Lakewood. Some programs have additional eligibility requirements related to income or health needs.
How To Get Started
To speak with someone regarding these services, you can call the AAA’s Information and Assistance Options Counseling line at (303) 480-6700. To obtain case management services, call (303) 480-6704, and to learn more about Medicaid Transition Services Options Counseling, call (303) 480-6838. You can also email your questions to [email protected].
Jefferson County Human Services
What You Should Know
The Jefferson County Human Services Department provides services to Lakewood area residents to support financial stability and independence at home. This Department operates Aging and Adult Services, which offers subsidized in-home care and the local Meals on Wheels program and administers the State Old Age Pension for seniors with limited incomes. Human Services provides a supplemental nutrition program and financial assistance for those at risk of disruptions in utility services. It also specializes in helping veterans apply for the benefits they’re entitled to, including help to pay for in-home care.
Who Is Eligible?
Everyone living in Jefferson County, including Lakewood, can access assistance through the Human Services Department. Some programs have eligibility guidelines related to age or income to ensure services are directed toward those who need them most.
How To Get Started
To learn more about specific eligibility requirements or to get help with obtaining services, you can call the Human Services Department at (303) 271-1388.
Senior Property Tax Exemption
What You Should Know
The Senior Property Tax Exemption can reduce what you pay in property taxes, which may help you maintain ownership with a fixed income. Through this program, the first $200,000 of your home’s taxable value is reduced by 50%. This exemption automatically renews annually, so once your application is accepted, you don’t have to reapply. However, if you’re the surviving spouse of someone who benefited from this exemption, you must reapply to keep it.
Who Is Eligible?
The Senior Property Tax Exemption is open to seniors who meet eligibility criteria along with the surviving spouses of those who qualified. Applicants must be at least 65 years old on January 1 of the year they’re applying for, and they must be the owner on record for the property. They must have owned the property and occupied it as their primary residence for at least 10 years.
How To Get Started
To obtain this exemption for the current year, you must submit a completed application form to the county’s Assessor’s Office by July 15. You can direct any questions you have regarding the exemption or the application process to the Senior Property Tax Exemption Department, which you can reach by calling (303) 271-8629.
211 Colorado
What You Should Know
211 Colorado provides free, unbiased information and referral services to Lakewood area residents, helping you find the services you need to remain at home. Through this nonprofit service, you can speak with a trained advisor who listens to your needs and makes recommendations for community-based services. You can locate programs such as benefits counseling, legal assistance, in-home care, home-delivered and congregate meals and transportation services, reducing your reliance on paid in-home care services.
Who Is Eligible?
You’re eligible for information and referral services through 211 Colorado if you live within the state. This service is available to everyone regardless of age, income or health status. However, the programs you locate through this service may have eligibility requirements.
How To Get Started
To speak with a representative, you can dial 2-1-1 from any phone or call the toll-free line at (866) 760-6489. You can also use the live chat on the website or text your zip code to 898-211, or you can navigate the website yourself with the user-friendly search function.