Hospice and palliative care are essential services for anyone who is entering the last phase of their life. Many senior caregivers may rightly wonder which hospice and palliative care facilities, companies, and organizations are worth researching and what to consider when looking.
This article will review what makes hospice and palliative care good and list some of Colorado’s highly-rated senior care facilities.
What To Consider When Researching Colorado Hospice and Palliative Care Facilities
There are many things to consider when researching hospice and palliative care facilities. Thankfully, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has a hospice questionnaire people can cross-reference when considering hospice and palliative care options.
A few of the notable questions featured in the NHPCO’s questionnaire are:
- Is the facility for-profit or not-for-profit?
- How many years has it operated?
- Is both palliative and hospice care available?
- Is there an inpatient unit as well as home care?
- Is it Medicare-certified?
To develop this list, I used the above comparison points to determine if the hospice and palliative care facilities were worth considering. (Note that not all providers check all the “boxes.” I didn’t eliminate these providers because I acknowledge a website can only tell you so much. I recommend calling the providers listed to get all the details.) In addition, I only researched places that received a rating between 4-5 stars on Google and checked to see if each provider also appeared on the NHPCO’s provider list. Note that these hospice and palliative care facilities are not rated in any particular order. As always, with lists such as this, I encourage you and your loved one to do unique online research and to ask a trusted doctor, and possibly a social worker, for their thoughts on hospice and palliative care facilities in your area, too. (Another helpful decision-making tool is Medicare.gov’s provider comparison service.)
Top Colorado Hospice And Palliative Care Facilities
1. Fremont Regional Hospice
Established in 2006, Fremont Regional Hospice is an independent, locally-based non-profit hospice that serves five regions (and three cities) in the state. In addition to providing standard hospice care, Fremont Regional also provides palliative care and is part of the We Honor Veterans program. The NHPCO, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, developed the “We Honor Veterans” campaign. This hospice also has a state license, is Medicare-certified, and is “governed by a board of directors” who are “established leaders within the community.” After researching this hospice’s website, I’ve determined that it serves patients where they live rather than providing care at a standalone facility.
2. Pathways Hospice
Pathways Hospice in Greeley, which received two five-star reviews on Google, has served the state for 40 years. (Note: There also is a location in Fort Collins. It received a cumulative 4.1-star rating with 13 reviews.) This hospice has a license from the Colorado Department of Health, is Medicare-certified, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). Other accolades include recognition by the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado (for being leaders in Dementia Care). In addition to standard hospice care, Pathways also provides:
- Palliative care
- A Grief and Loss Counseling Center
- Support groups
- Pediatric care services
- Veterans’ services
After researching this hospice’s website, I’ve determined that it serves patients where they live rather than providing care at a standalone facility.
3. Sangre De Cristo Hospice-West
Sangre De Cristo Hospice-West serves three areas in Colorado and has multiple locations throughout the state. It has a state license, is Medicare-certified, and is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). Since 1985, Sangre De Cristo has provided palliative care and hospice services. In addition to standard hospice care services, this hospice also offers music therapy and is part of the We Honor Veterans program. Sangre De Cristo’s care occurs within a patient’s home. This hospice also operates a donation-based estate store. All proceeds from the resale boutique go to Sangre De Cristo Community Care’s other programs.
4. The Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center
The Denver Hospice Inpatient Care Center serves five locations in the state. Founded in 1978, it’s non-profit, Medicare-certified, and ACHC accredited. It’s also part of the We Honor Veterans program. In addition to offering standard hospice care services, The Denver Hospice also features a few unique community services:
- An Inpatient Care Center in Denver. (This hospice also provides in-home care.)
- Children’s grief services
- Palliative care services
- Footprints Children’s Services
This hospice also offers a few specialized hospice programs (a veteran’s program and a Jewish hospice program). In addition to offering Jewish-centered care, this hospice also is National Institute For Jewish Hospice Accredited.
5. Lutheran Hospice
Lutheran Hospice, part of SCL Health Lutheran, provides care to eight areas in the state. It’s state-licensed, Medicare-certified, and accredited by The Joint Commission. This hospice has operated for 30 years at serves patients in various locations, including:
- Home hospice
- Inpatient hospice (at Collier Hospice Center)
- Palliative care in the home
6. Porter Hospice at the Johnson Center
Porter Hospice at the Johnson Center, which is part of Centura Health, serves one area in the state. It’s state-licensed, Medicare-certified, and accredited by The Joint Commission. Porter Hospice provides care at different locations, including:
- Porter Hospice Residence
- At a patient’s home, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility
In addition to providing standard hospice care, Porter Hospice also offers palliative care. Centura Health reports that Porter Hospice has provided the Denver Metro with hospice care for “more than 30 years.” I could not determine if this hospice is for or not for profit.
7. Tru Community Care
Tru Community Care, founded as Boulder Hospice in 1976, is a non-profit hospice that serves three areas (and six-plus counties) in the state. It’s state-licensed, Medicare-certified, and accredited by The Joint Commission.
In addition to hospice care (called TRU Hospice), Tru Community Care also offers a few specialty programs, including:
- TRU PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
- TRU Palliative Care
- TRU Grief Services
- Memory Care
- The Conversation Project
TRU Hospice provides care in a patient’s home and at the TRU Hospice Care Center (an inpatient facility).
Tru Community Care also is part of a few programs, including a Veterans Program (it’s part of We Honor Veterans), Pediatric Program, and the Eleventh Hour Program. It’s also a member of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE), and the National PACE Association (NPA).
8. Trail Winds Hospice
Trail Winds Hospice, which is Medicare-certified, and accredited by CHAP, serves several areas in the state. I was unable to determine this hospice’s state license status.
This hospice’s services include:
- Hospice care
- Palliative care and palliative consultation
- Pediatric hospice and palliative care
- Transitional nursing
- Consultation services
- Bereavement and support groups
- Additional services, such as:
- Massage
- Pet therapy
- Reiki therapy
- Energy work
- And more
Trail Winds Hospice also is partnered with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It’s “privately held” and founded in 2017.
9. Brighton Hospice
Brighton Hospice, founded in 2011, has one location in the state, which opened in September 2020, and other locations throughout the U.S.
Although it’s unclear if this hospice is Medicare-certified, its FAQ does discuss how hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other private insurance policies. The hospice also has a page dedicated to comparing its standards with Medicare standards to show how its service raises “the hospice industry standard.” I also was unable to determine this hospice’s state license status or if it’s accredited.
It appears that Brighton Hospice cares for patients wherever they live, per their website description. In addition to standard hospice care, Brighton also provides additional therapies, including:
- Aromatherapy
- Massage therapy
- Music therapy
- Pet therapy
- And more (these therapies are dependent on the hospice’s location).
This hospice also provides four levels of care, including routine home care, continuous care, general inpatient care, and respite care. This hospice is privately held. And it does not appear that this hospice provides palliative care.
10. Elevation Home Health & Hospice of Colorado
Elevation Hospice of Colorado has two locations in the state and one location in Utah. Although I can’t determine if this hospice is Medicare-certified, its landing page notes that “Hospice is 100 [percent] covered by Medicare.” The landing page also notes it provides “the highest level of palliative care to people in Colorado.”
Elevation is accredited by CHAP and appears to serve patients where they live. I was unable to determine if this hospice has a state license. Also of note: This hospice is “privately held.”