Eubie Blake, who lived to be 102 said, If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. Due in part to advancements in medical care, our population is in fact living longer. In the next 10 years 77 million baby boomers will become senior citizens. A considerable challenge to our health care system is nearly one-third of those seniors, close to 25 million, will experience difficulty with immobility and loss of independence.Providers of assisted living care in Denver exist to offer a distinct, viable option for those needing more help than they may be able to handle on their own, yet still live in a comfortable, residential environment. Since 1982, the Colorado Assisted Living Association (CALA) has been there to provide a unified voice for our members and the residents they serve.Our membership is comprised of facilities ranging in size from those who care for a few individuals to those that care for hundreds. Large, small, for-profit and nonprofit there is a place for every type of assisted living community operated in Colorado. When you join CALA you are joining a professional network of assisted living providers.CALA is experiencing revitalization on the Western Slope. It is our vision than anyone or any organization that is a provider of assisted living or who touches the assisted living community in some way may want to consider involvement and membership in CALA. Associate members include home care and hospice agencies, elder law attorneys, physicians, nursing homes, and senior real estate specialists.Here's how CALA can benefit you: By providing a forum for networking with providers statewide; a unified front to represent the Assisted Living industry in the community, state and local governments; a source of advice and counsel; educational opportunities; updates on legislation, regulations and items of interest regarding the assisted living industry.Editors Note: For more information on CALA, please visit www.cala-co.org, or email CALA at info@cala-co.org, or call 1-800-866-3142. Also, you can contact our local CALA Western Slope Representative, Kent Mulkey, at The Retreat Communities at 970-243-7224, or by email to kemulkey@gmail.com.

When you visit or inquire about a large or small assisted living facility you should ask this question.The Colorado Assisted Living Association (CALA) continuously strives to improve assisted living in Denver and all of Colorado. Homes and facilities that are members of CALA are part of a statewide network seeking excellence through educational programs, informational sessions with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the development and communication of best practices in resident care and operations.CALA offers many resources and opportunities for education to assisted living communities throughout the state of Colorado. CALA has an annual Spring conference for providers that has a full schedule of educational programs on the legal issues facing residents, life safety, nutrition, geriatric care management, managing difficult behaviors, risk management and many other informative and relevant topics. The Fall CALA conference is a detailed and high-powered discussion on compliance with CDPHE regulations.The ultimate goal of CALA is to develop a network of assisted living providers that go beyond just operating a business. Our mission is to Assist providers in managing difficult issues and situations. We also assist our members by providing them resources from our associate (business) member network that ultimately leads to improved resident care. We help to Promote facilities in our network because we know that our member facilities have access to industry education, information and resources more so than other non-member facilities. CALA Informs our members by keeping them up to date with changes in the CDPHE regulations, changes in the industry, and changes in the law at the state and local levels. We Educate our members through robust programs each month and bi-annually at our Spring and Fall conferences. Through best practices we not only improve the care provided to residents, but also to advocate and promote assisted living in Denver and throughout the State of Colorado.Colorado Assisted Living Association is the only association in Colorado devoted Soley to assisted living. We are dedicated to Colorado and its assisted living homes and facilities.Once you find an assisted living facility for your loved one, ask if they are members of the Colorado Assisted Living Association, if not, insist on it! For more information, please visit www.cala-co.org or call (800) 866-3142.

Assisted living in Denver is regulated by the Colorado Department of Health and can include any facility from a three bed residential home to a 150-bed high-rise building. Assisted living is identified as a residential setting that encourages dignity, independence and choice for individuals who need housing and supportive services but who do not require 24-hour nursing supervision. Services provided in assisted living residences usually include, three meals a day served in a common dining area; housekeeping services; transportation; assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking; 24 hour staff availability; emergency alert systems; health promotion, exercise and activities programs; medication management and laundry services.Costs vary with the residence, room size, and the types of services needed by each resident. Across Colorado the daily basic fees range from approximately $80 to $150, generally less than the cost of home health services or nursing home care. A basic assisted living fee may cover all services or there may be additional charges for special services. Most facilities charge month-to-month rates, but a few residences require long-term arrangements. While assisted living is mostly private pay there are some other funding options available. Many long-term care insurance policies reimburse the cost of ALR care. In addition, some residences have financial assistance programs. In Colorado, financial assistance is available through the Medicaid program amount others.Currently, more than a million Americans living in an estimated 30,000+ assisted living residences across the country. These residents can be young or old, affluent or low income, frail or disabled. A typical resident is age 84 or older, is female, and is either widowed or single. To reside in an assisted living facility, a person must meet the standard ALR "residency criteria" which is defined by Colorado regulations and by facility policy. Residents living in ALRs cannot have conditions that require 24-hour nursing supervision. The only exception to this rule is for an existing resident who qualifies for and receives hospice services from a licensed hospice while continuing to reside in an ALR.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Tom Kinrade, President of the Colorado Assisted Living Association (CALA)CALA is an association of ALRs state wide dedicated to improving assisted living in Denver. For more information call (800)-866-3142 or visit our web sit at www.cala-co.org.