Serenity House V

Serenity House V sits in Denver, Colorado, and is part of a group of 17 residential care homes across Denver, Englewood, Centennial, Lakewood, and Littleton, with more than 135 beds overall, but this one has 8 licensed beds and keeps things pretty small and homey, so folks can get the help they need without feeling lost in the crowd, and you'll notice right away that they offer both assisted living and memory care, including help with things like bathing, getting dressed, moving around, medicines, meals cooked and served any time, laundry, and cleaning, and they'll even keep an eye on special diets like gluten-free, low salt, or vegan if that's what someone needs. They have got a team that's friendly, well-trained, and there all day and all night, including caregivers, nurses on call, a doctor on call, activity director full-time, and even visiting therapists and dentists, and they make sure residents can see a podiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist right at home if needed. The property has safety features for both mobility and memory issues, like wheelchair accessible showers, secured entry and exit points, and a wander alert system for those who might try to leave unsafely, and folks who might shout or act out or have trouble with behaviors sometimes can still live here because the staff are prepared for it. Pet lovers can keep a cat or dog with them, which helps make things feel more like home, and there are private and shared rooms that are safe and comfortable, with private baths and Wi-Fi available, plus plenty of modern comforts like common areas inside and out, gardens, patios, computers, cable tv, and streaming. They've got lots of things to do, from art classes, games, crafts, music, cooking, and gardening, to stretching, yoga, and Tai Chi, as well as outings for shopping or wine tasting, trips, and even intergenerational or community service programs, plus worship services and spiritual resources according to each resident's beliefs, and folks can join in reading, trivia, and lifelong learning. Residents can eat with others in a family-style dining room and have a say in what they're served, and snacks are always available, even cookies from a jar. The home has won a State Health Department 'Best Practice' award and stays licensed and Medicaid certified according to state standards, and rent is about $5,000 a month for a one-bedroom memory care unit or a studio, $4,500 for semi-private, with some possible extra fees and discounts, but they don't take Medicare unless certified. Transportation is available, both complimentary and for a fee, and there's parking for residents who still drive, plus easy access to bus lines. They're set up for people with different care needs, whether it's a lot of help or just a little, and the staff can manage most activities of daily living and even some complex nursing requirements. Michael Zislis, a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years in rehabilitation, runs the place, and the whole setup is made to help seniors keep up their daily routines, build friendships, join in with activities, and stay as independent as possible, all in a warm and steady environment that doesn't feel like a big institution.