Assisted Living Facilities? Best ones near Lakewood? (Littleton, Wheat Ridge: daycare, homes)

[JrzDefector]

I am wondering if anyone here has personal experience with any of the assisted living facilities in the Lakewood or Wheat Ridge areas. My father is 86 and has dementia - currently he is staying with me while I sort out his financial issues, but I don't know how long that will be practical for.

Currently he can take care of all his personal hygiene and is very mobile, but administrative tasks, driving and prepping meals are out of the question.

We currently have resources out the wazoo in terms of in-home care - respite services, daycare, good doctors. But I'm not sure if he would be doing better in a facility that is better at keeping him engaged during the day. Currently, if I don't send him to daycare or drop him off at the library, he just watches nature documentaries on Netflix all day.

I've seen some nice facilities (like the new one near Kipling and 38th) but don't know where to start shopping around at this point.

[Augie Daugie]

My Great-Aunt lived at The Homestead at Lakewood (The Homestead at Lakewood) until she passed away at 103 years. Nice staff---they let her be as independent as she could handle, which kept her in good spirits. Location and rooms were nice. www.caring.com has some reviews for assisted living.

[MsBall]

Littleton, CO Memory & Dementia Care | Willowbrook Place

I don't have personal experience with Willowbrook; however, one of my former colleagues did extensive research before moving her father there. She was so pleased with the services she recommended it to another colleague. He also chose to move his mother there. Last I heard, he was pleased with the care as well.

[jencam]

Do assisted living facilities actually keep residents engaged much? My gma hated her stint in one because everyone she could interact with was beneath her mental acuity. And they couldn't do most of the things that people on the Independent Living side could do. They were more restricted due to whatever condition landed them there.

[JrzDefector]

Originally Posted by jencam

Do assisted living facilities actually keep residents engaged much? My gma hated her stint in one because everyone she could interact with was beneath her mental acuity. And they couldn't do most of the things that people on the Independent Living side could do. They were more restricted due to whatever condition landed them there.

I think it depends on the facility. My uncle in Jersey says he can't even get into the memory care ward at his ALF - they're completely closed off. I'm looking for something less restricted. My roommate swears that her grandfather's home had him doing all kinds of stuff all day long.

I just want him to be doing something other than watching TV all day. He reads sometimes, but mostly he's just watching nature documentaries. Then he complains that he's not active enough. But I try to take him walking at the mall and he just ends up sitting in the comfy couches - I think formal activities could help.

[jencam]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

I think it depends on the facility. My uncle in Jersey says he can't even get into the memory care ward at his ALF - they're completely closed off. I'm looking for something less restricted. My roommate swears that her grandfather's home had him doing all kinds of stuff all day long.

I just want him to be doing something other than watching TV all day. He reads sometimes, but mostly he's just watching nature documentaries. Then he complains that he's not active enough. But I try to take him walking at the mall and he just ends up sitting in the comfy couches - I think formal activities could help.

I hope so.