Little Sisters of the Poor Mullen Home, sitting at 3629 W 29th Ave. in West Highland, has served Denver's elderly poor with care and compassion for over 105 years, and it's run by the Catholic order, Little Sisters of the Poor, who live at the home and are available for residents around the clock, day and night, which means someone is there if help is needed or just for some moral support even in the middle of the night, and the staff includes professional men and women along with a large group of over 100 volunteers, so the place always seems to have folks busy helping, whether it's for health needs or just friendly company. The Mullen Home is a faith-based community, welcoming seniors aged 65 and older, and features 42 nursing care rooms and 17 independent living apartments and, while the home's closing its assisted living services at the end of October because of staffing shortages and a national plan to close some Little Sisters homes, the focus remains on making sure everyone finds another good place to go, with staff helping with the discharge and transition process according to state rules.
The building itself covers about 109,639 square feet on an 8.24-acre lot and has private rooms, activity rooms, and comfortable lounges, with communal dining spaces where residents gather for meals, and there's a full-service dining program that includes prescribed therapeutic diets if the doctor says they're needed. Health needs are taken seriously with on-site medical, dental, and eye care for regular checkups, licensed nurses supervise health care, social services staff help with daily living and rehabilitation needs, and there are occupational and physical therapy programs right at the facility, so residents don't have to travel elsewhere for that kind of help, and there's also memory care for folks with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Daily life at the home includes organized activities that may range from pleasure outings to gardening or hobbies, and with both indoor and outdoor gardens, residents who like to get their hands in the dirt or just take in a bit of sun have the option, plus there's a chapel right on the grounds that's open to everyone, with daily Mass and quiet time for prayer, but it's set up so all religions feel welcome. There's a library, a little coffee shop, and a gift shop residents can use, which gives the place a homey feel, and for those needing to come and go, the facility's long offered community programs like adult day services and non-medical home care, as well as skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health care, and hospice support. Residents have always been encouraged to enjoy social and community life whether it's bingo, music, or small group chats, with volunteers and the Little Sisters creating a warm environment even though the home's a nursing facility with strict state rules to follow.
The property was originally opened as a senior residence in 1918 and saw new apartments and additions go up in the 1970s and 1980s, letting the Little Sisters care for thousands of seniors throughout its history, and though the home's closing, it holds a high rating-4 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and an average score of 9.2 out of 10, ranking as the 6th highest in its city, which all speaks to its long-time reputation for offering serious care with a sense of dignity. The mission is rooted in the sacredness of every life, guided by St. Jeanne Jugan, so there's never a sense people are just being warehoused; everything in the home seems set up to create a home-like, respectful atmosphere where seniors can age in comfort among people who take their welfare seriously, and the current plan is, when the building closes, the property's deed says it'll go to the Archdiocese of Denver for future ministry use. The closure is felt deeply by the Little Sisters like Sister Sarah Skelton, and the community continues to try and do right by every resident, making sure they find support and care as they move to other homes.
