Moving into senior living

Moving into independent living, assisted living or a family member’s home changes the plan. The official checks below are about the building and the operator, not the move itself.

Who licenses and who listens

• Licensing. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) licenses and inspects assisted living residences. Start at CDPHE health facilities and ask the residence for its license number, then ask CDPHE for inspection records. Third-party sites repost inspection summaries; treat them as leads and confirm with CDPHE.
• Advocacy. Colorado’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents. It does not issue licenses. DRCOG runs the ombudsman program for the Denver region; see DRCOG ombudsman program.
• Information and referral. DRCOG’s Area Agency on Aging offers Network of Care, a free online directory of community services, and case management for people 60 and older (DRCOG Network of Care).

Before you sign

1. Visit twice, once on a weekday morning and once in the evening or on a weekend.
2. Ask for the residency agreement and take it home. Read the sections on fees, rate increases, discharge conditions and refunds.
3. Ask what services are included and what costs extra, and ask for the price list in writing.
4. Confirm the move-in logistics: elevator reservation, certificate of insurance requirements, which door the truck uses and any move-in hours.

Fitting a life into a smaller space

• Request the floor plan and mark where each large piece goes before moving day.
• Bring familiar bedding, lamps, photos and one favorite chair. They make the first night feel less strange.
• Check which items the building bans, such as extension cords, space heaters or candles.
• Keep medications with the person moving and send the current list to the new nurse or care manager.