The Lodge at Ken Caryl Senior Living Center sits at 7731 Shaffer Parkway in Littleton, Colorado, and was designed as a large community with 138 units in total-86 for assisted living, 36 for memory care, and 16 for independent living, all in a building of about 130,000 square feet. The place is meant to have a range of support for seniors, offering assisted living, memory care for those with Alzheimer's and dementia, skilled nursing for complex health needs, and independent living, with 24-hour supervision and help with daily activities like bathing, medication management, and cooking. Services and amenities like large decks overlooking Deer Creek Golf Course and the Front Range, a fitness center, a sparkling pool, movie theater, spa room, game room, library, arts room, and spacious outdoor areas with walking paths were all included in the plans. Each residence is supposed to have modern appliances, private bathrooms, air conditioning, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and furnished rooms, along with restaurant-style dining, options for special dietary needs, all-day dining, and snacks. There are scheduled activities and programs for social connection, personal growth, and physical well-being, covering both daily and resident-run events. Transportation, laundry, housekeeping, security features, and an emergency alert system are also listed among the services.
The Lodge at Ken Caryl was built to focus on safety, comfort, and dignity, with personalized care plans and programs tailored to different needs, like designated memory care with memory-enhancing activities for those with cognitive issues and respite care for short-term stays. The idea is to help seniors stay active and social while making sure support is in place for their independence.
However, the facility isn't finished yet. Construction began in August 2017 but stopped in late 2019, and since then, there have been several delays, lawsuits for nonpayment to contractors, and financial issues including Chapter 7 bankruptcy and an estimated $9 to $10 million needed just to finish the project, plus reported disputes between the developer Rocky Mountain Senior Housing and general contractor Petra, with about $3.75 million said to be owed. As of now, after more than five years since the groundbreaking, The Lodge at Ken Caryl stays closed and incomplete, with updates posted on Facebook about the opening dates being pushed back again and again. The vision remains for a supportive senior living community in a calm, scenic spot near trails and parks, but as of now, the building isn't open and is still waiting to be finished.
