Frequently Asked Questions

Assisted living is a residential option designed to offer seniors and persons with disabilities supportive services in a community setting, typically including:

• 24-hour protective oversight
• Daily living skills assistance
• Personal care services
• Homemaker services

The goal is to promote independence and personal dignity in a safe, home-like environment. Help with the tasks of daily living — such as dressing, bathing, evening care, and medication monitoring — is personally tailored to each individual's needs and preferences.

In an assisted living residence, residents typically live in a private or semi-private room with the convenience of housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services, and have access to community amenities, dining, and activities.

Assisted living is a wonderful option for seniors who no longer wish to live alone or may need some help, but who don't need or want institutionalized care in a nursing home. It's best suited for seniors who don't require complex medical care but may need additional support with personal care, daily activities, or memory.

Yes — though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there's a real difference.

A nursing home is a 24-hour skilled nursing facility for seniors who need constant medical supervision. It's typically more hospital-like than an assisted living community.

Assisted living, while promoting independence, provides medication supervision and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Staff are there around the clock to provide supervision and assistance — all of this in a more home-like setting.

Health care experts estimate that many elders in nursing homes don't actually need around-the-clock skilled care. Assisted living offers them a place to call home with more cheerful surroundings, privacy, and dignity than a nursing home — and often at a lower cost.

Residents with more complex medical needs who live in an assisted living community can often arrange home health services to provide skilled care as needed, while continuing to live at the assisted living home.

Assisted living communities generally bundle everyday support and services into the monthly rate, which can include things like:

• Meals
• Housekeeping, laundry, and fresh linens
• Safety checks
• Medication management
• In-house activities

Rather than nickel-and-diming families, our aim is to provide care that's personally designed for each resident. What's included in the rate at Madison House — and any items billed separately — is confirmed with your family on a call, so you get an answer that fits your situation. (Specifics to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Typical out-of-pocket expenses are personal items like shampoos, tissues, incontinence supplies, medical equipment, beauty parlor visits, phone service, and medication/pharmacy costs. Exact billing is confirmed with your family before move-in.

Generally, Medicare doesn't finance assisted living. The Medicare program was designed to pay for health care expenses requiring skilled health care professionals. Room-and-board assisted living usually doesn't meet that criteria, so other funding solutions are typically used.

Beyond private pay, there are several options families explore:

• Long-Term Care Insurance policies may cover part or all of the cost of assisted living.
• Aid and Attendance is a Federal benefit that veterans and their spouses may be eligible to receive to help with assisted living fees.
• Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) is the umbrella program under which Health First Colorado (Medicaid) pays for medical care and services for those who can't afford the needed services. The Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) waiver program serves individuals who might need nursing home care but can be cared for more effectively in a community setting.

We encourage you to speak with your financial advisor about which options make sense for your situation. If you need guidance on where to start, the Madison House team is happy to help. (Which payment types Madison House accepts to be confirmed by the team.)

Monthly cost depends on the level of care and the room, so the most reliable way to get a number that fits your family is to reach out for current rate information or arrange a tour. (Rates to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

If you receive assistance from an outside source (HCBS, Aid and Attendance, or a long-term care policy), they'll help determine what your monthly payments are.

Before move-in, our care team will review your current health and medical history to see how we can best meet your needs. We'll discuss your preferences and normal routines to develop a care plan tailored to you. This individualized care plan is updated over time to meet your evolving needs.

Yes. We develop an individualized care plan for each resident that details care needs, preferences, and safety concerns. If falling is a concern, the care plan may include specific precautions our caregivers follow.

Daily activities can include gentle exercise focused on strength and balance, which may help reduce the risk of falling. (Specific interventions to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Most of us know someone diagnosed with dementia and the struggles that come with it. People affected by dementia or Alzheimer's often do best with stable routines and care plans centered around familiar activities, friends, and interests.

Our caregivers work to meet residents' needs as they progress, thanks to consistent care and routines, and receive training to support each individualized care plan. Whether a particular resident's needs can be met is something we talk through honestly with each family.

The key is often establishing the routine early — when you first start to notice changes in memory. Dementia can progress quickly, and the window to firmly establish a routine may be short. Reach out anytime if you'd like guidance on the right time to make a move. (Specific dementia-care capabilities to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Yes. Personal assistance is available around the clock, 7 days a week. Our staff provide regular wellness and safety checks and are ready to respond when a resident needs help.

The specific safety-check routine and how help is summoned are confirmed with your family before move-in. (Details to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Each situation is considered individually by the Madison House team. Where a prospective resident's needs would be better served by a different setting — such as skilled nursing — we'll say so honestly and help point the family in the right direction. Otherwise, we'll do everything in our power to make living with us a pleasant and comfortable experience.

Yes. Our house rules are simple — we just ask that residents let staff know they're leaving or sign in and out. The reason is straightforward: we don't want to be looking for you if there's a building emergency.

You'll have the freedom to come and go as you'd like (doors are secured at night for the safety of all residents).

The Madison House team will work with you and your family to develop a plan for any hospitalization or rehab stay. As long as your furnishings and belongings occupy the room, the room is being held for you. If you're receiving outside payment (long-term care insurance or HCBS/Medicaid), the rules for those services should be verified with the provider. (Specific hold and billing terms to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

In general, residents who continue to drive are asked to keep current vehicle registration, auto insurance, and a valid driver's license, and remain responsible for the maintenance and insurance expenses associated with the vehicle. If a safety concern about driving comes up, we'll discuss it with the resident and family. (Specific vehicle policy to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Meals are prepared on-site, and special preferences and food allergies are accommodated. Residents come together for meals and socialization in the dining room each day. (Menu and dietary specifics to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Your room at Madison House is your home, and visitors are welcome. Overnight-visitor arrangements can be confirmed with the team.

We ask that visitors be respectful of other residents. Any guidance on visiting hours is confirmed with your family so visits work well for everyone.

Yes — please do. This is your home, and we encourage you to arrange your room to feel as comfortable and familiar as possible.

We want residents to feel that Madison House is their home — with private and shared spaces to enjoy throughout — rather than to stay tucked away in a separate apartment.

Residents are welcome to keep snacks in their room, and even a small refrigerator if desired. Our caregivers are glad to remind residents when it's time for meals or snacks, and walk them to the dining room when needed. When a resident needs to eat in their room (illness or otherwise), the meal is brought to them. (Room amenities to be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

Yes — and we love it when they do. Our activities are shaped around the residents who live here and their interests, and we welcome resident input so activities stay meaningful.

Assisted living is typically arranged on a month-to-month basis, with notice required if you decide to move out. The exact agreement terms are confirmed with your family. (To be confirmed by the Madison House team.)

We may also be able to offer respite care (short-term stays) when space is available — helpful if your loved one needs extra care for a while, or if their primary caregiver is unavailable due to travel, work, or time off. Respite residents receive the same care and attention as full-time residents. (Availability to be confirmed.)

The first step is to schedule a tour at Madison House. During your visit, we'll talk about your personal circumstances and how we can meet your individual needs. To set up a tour, call us at (970) 565-2047 or use our online tour request form.

We work with each family to support their needs as best we can — including accommodating urgent move-ins when possible. Residents receive a care assessment before moving in, which helps our team develop their individualized care plan.

Keeping up a house, driving, and living independently means a lot to most seniors — suggesting assisted living can make them feel like you're trying to take that away.

To show otherwise, focus on how much independence they'll enjoy at Madison House: their own room they can decorate, their own routines, the freedom to come and go, visitors welcome — combined with the relief of not having to manage chores, meals, or medications alone.

Plant the seed first. Don't approach them as though you've already made the decision. Just mention there are options that could make life easier and more fun.

Research nearby homes and offer to tour. If they're willing, great. If they resist, drop it and try again later.

Wait for a teachable moment. A close call with a fall, a lonely day, missed medications — these are gentle openings to revisit the conversation.

Ask around. If your loved one knows someone already thriving in an assisted living home, that familiar face can make a huge difference.

Even without a connection, visit casually. Take them to a meal or an activity. Show off the social side. Keep it light. Tour more than one community and ask for their input.

On tours, show interest in privacy and personalization. Ask about bringing furniture from home. Bring a measuring tape. Visualize how their room could be set up. Demonstrate the same level of excitement as a regular move.

Stress the benefits. No yard work. Meals taken care of. Safety. Activities when they want them. Privacy when they need it.

Then wait. Many caregivers must wait for another health scare before their parent is willing to make the decision themselves. That's okay. You're not alone in this.

Expect a "honeymoon period" followed by some adjustment. Moving into assisted living is emotional for everyone. Senior living experts say it typically takes 3 to 6 months to fully adjust.

A few strategies to make the transition easier:

• Give it time. Stay focused on the reasons you made the decision — safety, health, security.
• Visit thoughtfully. Frequent visits can ease anxiety, but too many can prevent your loved one from branching out and making friends.
• Mobilize your village. Ask relatives to visit so your loved one feels "still in the mix."
• Expect setbacks. They'll happen and they'll pass. Don't take individual rough days as a sign of long-term unhappiness.
• Hear them out. When they say they want to "go home," they may mean a childhood home or a feeling — not necessarily their last address. Sit with the discomfort and listen.
• Surround them with familiar belongings. Photos, favorite books, a familiar blanket. Don't downsize the comforts of home — just the inconvenient parts.
• Limit new things. Don't introduce a new phone or TV remote at the same time as a new place to live.
• Be their advocate. Talk to staff about concerns on their behalf if they're hesitant to speak up.
• Build a team with the staff. They want to help your loved one settle in — let them know what's needed.
• Set your own boundaries. Take care of yourself too. You can't pour from an empty cup.

You know your parent best. Trust your instincts.

It's a question we get often. Many residents thrive after moving in — consistent routines, proper nutrition, medications given correctly, changes addressed quickly with physicians, and the socialization — and families wonder if that means they could go home.

There's no universal right or wrong answer. The factors that contribute to their improvement at Madison House often need to continue regardless of where they live. If you're considering this, we'd encourage you to talk with your loved one's physician and the Madison House team. We're happy to offer guidance.