There are a variety of services, facilities and terminology to parse through as seniors age and determine their needs. Here’s what to know about the key terms and definitions related to elder care options.

Independent senior living

This kind of housing is designed for older adults who can live independently but want a simpler lifestyle or senior-focused community. While nearby services are available, these properties typically do not provide medical care or help with daily tasks. 

Silver Spruce Apartments in Kremmling and Grand Senior Living in Granby are both run by the Grand County Housing Authority.

Assisted living

These housing facilities help with daily activities such as meals, bathing, dressing and medication management.

“Also called adult care facilities or residential care facilities, assisted living facilities are for people who can no longer live safely on their own but don’t require 24/7 health care that a nursing home would provide,” according to the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program.

Cliffview Assisted Living Center, operated by Middle Park Health, is located in Grand County. Summit County currently does not have a assisted living facility.

Nursing homes

These operations provide 24-hour medical supervision and rehabilitation for people with significant health needs.

Neither Grand nor Summit County has a traditional nursing home, though Middle Park Health operates an extended-care program in Kremmling.

Memory care

This type of specialty care affects patients with memory-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia and involves a trained staff in a secure environment.

Neither Summit nor Grand County has a dedicated memory care facility, leading most patients to seek treatment on the Front Range.

Primary care

This type of care refers to common medical services and doctor’s visits.

Middle Park Health and CommonSpirit offer senior primary care for day-to-day healthcare needs.

In-home care

These services help older adults remain in their homes, ranging from daily assistance to skilled nursing visits.

Local providers include Lenka’s Loving Care and CommonSpirit’s Bristlecone in-home care in Summit County; Grand County Home Care and Namaste Health serve Grand County.

Hospice care

Hospice refers to end-of-life care focused on comfort, pain management and support for patients and families.

Namaste Health provides in-home hospice in Grand County, while Bristlecone serves Summit County.