Canterbury Gardens Independent and Assisted Living sits on three acres in Aurora, Colorado, with pretty grounds and a large Koi pond, and folks can enjoy walking paths, raised gardening beds, a courtyard, and lots of quiet spaces for sitting or visiting, and the inside is comfortable too, with fireplaces in common areas, a bistro with tables, a spacious dining room, a library and computer room, game rooms with billiards and cards, a meeting room for gatherings, and even a fitness and health room with a jacuzzi and sauna, which is nice on cold days. Residents have a choice between independent or assisted living apartments, with studios, one- and two-bedroom units, most with kitchenettes and private baths, and there are assisted living units with refrigerators too. The dining room serves home-cooked, restaurant-style meals three times a day, and there's a chef on staff, snacks between meals, guest meals if family visits, and special diets for diabetes or high blood pressure if a doctor asks for it.
Staff can help with things like bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and even getting to meals or activities, and residents can get help with medication, incontinence, or hairdressing without leaving the building. There's regular housekeeping, laundry, and even grocery shopping help, plus a general store for small items, and folks who want to bring a cat or dog under 20 pounds can do so with a pet fee as long as the pet's approved. Canterbury Gardens is known to be welcoming, and the staff gets praise for being helpful and kind, which means new folks often settle in quickly. There's an emergency call system throughout the property, with pull cords and neck pendants, and nurses and aides are on duty with a staff ratio of about 1 to every 7 or 8 people in assisted living.
Residents can take part in daily community events, with a busy calendar that includes things like movie nights, bingo, art and crafts, music, fitness, religious services from various faiths, and outings to shop or see the town, and there are weekly visits from a doctor and dentist. Transportation can be arranged for appointments or shopping, and there's parking for those who still drive. Canterbury Gardens accepts Medicaid and is Medicaid certified, but it doesn't take Medicare for care services, and folks needing extra care for wounds or insulin need to set that up with a home health agency. There's no secure unit on-site for advanced memory care, but the community brings in hospice and palliative services as needed. Lease terms are month-to-month, and apartments are refreshed as needed, since the building dates back to the early 1970s. There's no age restriction, and the aim always stays the same: give seniors somewhere safe, friendly, and supportive, with plenty to do and help as needed, so they can enjoy their days and get the care they want.
