How to Move Into Senior Living in Lakewood
Moving into senior living in Lakewood takes four steps: name the care level, set the budget, tour buildings that already fit both, then finish the nurse assessment and move in. A St Anthony discharge can close in days. A planned Lakewood move usually takes two to four weeks. Our help is free.
What are the steps to move into senior living in Lakewood?
These are the four steps we walk with every Lakewood family, in this order. Skipping the first two is what leads to tours that go nowhere.
- 1
Name the care level
Describe the day honestly: medication help, bathing, transfers, wandering, or a rehab discharge order from St Anthony or Lutheran. That level, not the building tour, decides your real Lakewood options.
- 2
Set the budget, and screen Jeffco benefits
Add income, savings, long term care coverage, and VA Aid and Attendance. Jefferson County's aging network runs benefits screening most Lakewood families never hear about from a community, and it is worth a call before you sign anything.
- 3
Decide how far west you will really go
Staying east of Wadsworth or west of Kipling quietly cuts your list in half. We tour Belmar, Union Boulevard, and Green Mountain with you, and say plainly when the better building is in Golden, Wheat Ridge, or Littleton.
- 4
Assess, sign, and move in with help
The community completes its nurse assessment, you review the agreement and care plan, and we schedule the day. Two of our founders ran Jefferson County buildings, so we read the contract with you line by line.
Want the wider version of this process? See how working with us works and what our move-in support covers.
How long does the move take?
Three timelines cover almost every Lakewood family who calls us. Find yours, and you will know what the next week looks like.
St Anthony or Lutheran discharge, 2 to 5 days
The case manager sets the date. We confirm which Lakewood buildings can take that care level now, tour within 48 hours, and handle the paperwork handoff so nothing waits on a fax.
Care is slipping now, 2 to 4 weeks
Time to compare Belmar, Union Boulevard, Green Mountain, and an Applewood or Golden option, then negotiate the move-in date instead of paying to hold a room.
Planning ahead, 2 to 6 months
The calmest path. You tour without pressure, get on a waitlist at the buildings you actually liked, and sort downsizing while the Jeffco benefits screening runs.
Discharge set for this week? See what we can do in 48 hours.
What does the move cost in Lakewood?
Lakewood prices close to the Denver metro average, so most quotes land near the middle of these statewide ranges. Green Mountain and Applewood run higher, and older West Colfax and Sheridan buildings run lower. Budget for a one time community fee too, usually about one month of rent.
| Room type | Lower end | Higher end |
|---|---|---|
| Independent living | ||
| One bedroom | $3,200 | $4,800 |
| Studio | $2,500 | $4,200 |
| Assisted living | ||
| One bedroom | $5,200 | $7,500 |
| Studio | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| Memory care | ||
| Private room | $6,800 | $9,500 |
| Shared room | $5,800 | $7,800 |
| Skilled nursing and rehab | ||
| Private room | $9,500 | $13,000 |
| Semi-private room | $8,500 | $11,500 |
| Respite care | ||
| Daily rate | $200 | $400 |
Ranges reflect what our advisors see across Colorado communities. Your actual cost depends on care needs and location. Last reviewed September 2026.
What paperwork should you gather first?
Jefferson County communities cannot schedule an assessment without these. Gathering them early is the single biggest thing that shortens a Lakewood move.
- Photo ID, insurance cards, and the Medicare or Medicaid number
- Current medication list from the prescribing provider
- Recent hospital or physician records from St Anthony, Lutheran, or the primary care clinic, plus a TB test if required
- Medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, and any advance directive
- Proof of income and assets if an EBD waiver through Jefferson County is part of the plan
Choosing the care level first? Compare assisted living, memory care, and independent living. For local specifics, see senior living help in Lakewood and every Colorado area we serve.