New Dawn Memory Care - Aurora cares for people with memory loss, including Alzheimer's and dementia, by creating a safe space where folks are grouped by how much help they need, so each cottage feels calm and routines are kept simple, which helps residents feel comfortable and less confused. The community sits in Aurora, Colorado, with secure, state-of-the-art buildings that use technology like bracelet alarms to keep people from wandering off, and 24-hour staff and nurses who know how to help folks with behavior issues, wandering, or even if someone gets aggressive or upset. There are three cottages, each with sixteen private studio apartments, all with their own bathrooms and emergency call pull cords in the bedroom and bathroom, so people can get help day or night, and these cottages each have big windows, family rooms, and social areas for visiting and activities. People can bring their pets, like cats or dogs under 50 pounds with a refundable deposit, and there are plenty of gardens, walking paths, a gazebo, patios, and a place to sit in the shade outside, so residents and their families can enjoy the fresh air or take a quiet walk without worry.
Meals are made fresh every day with special diets easily handled, like gluten-free, low-sodium, or vegan, and people can dine at any time in bright dining rooms with skylights, plus there are private dining rooms for family meals. The staff covers all sorts of things folks need-housekeeping, linen service, maintenance, laundry, help with medications, and keeping up the rooms-so residents never have to do chores or worry about cleaning or cooking. There's also a beauty and barber shop, help getting to appointments, postal services, newspaper delivery, and scheduled transportation. Many group activities take place, including arts and crafts, exercise, yoga, music, brain fitness, intergenerational visits, guest speakers, outings, religious services, and plenty of chances to socialize, sing, or take part in whatever suits a person's interest or energy that day. There's even a library, TV room, exercise room, piano, and family room, with space for quiet, or for games and group activities.
Safety stands out, as New Dawn uses high staffing ratios-sometimes as high as one staff to every four residents in the day-with daily nurse supervision around the clock, on-site nurses, management on site every day, and a medical director overseeing healthcare while having doctors and therapists able to visit as needed, even arranging hospice or skilled services through outside agencies, and providing stabilization when someone's needs suddenly change. Suites come fully furnished, and everything is wheelchair accessible with comfortable private and shared apartments, kitchenettes, cable TV, phone, and internet, plus help with bathing or toileting if someone needs it. People can stay short-term for respite or as a long-term home, with month-to-month rent and no age limits.
Families bring in their own home health agency for wound care, can expect the staff to help with diabetic care when assessed, and bring or buy any supplies needed for things like incontinence care. The community doesn't accept Medicaid but does offer support for those who need help with daily activities, managing medicines, or want aging in place as their needs change. Opened in 2009 and remodeled in 2016, New Dawn Memory Care - Aurora sticks to memory care, aiming to provide a quiet, simple, safe place for those who sometimes struggle to remember, with a full team who know what they're doing, and a calm atmosphere that helps both residents and their families rest easier.
