Rehabilitation Center At Sandalwood

The Rehabilitation Center at Sandalwood sits at 3835 Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and has served the local community's skilled nursing and long-term care needs since 1958, making it the oldest privately owned and operated skilled nursing community in Jefferson County. The center focuses on nursing care and rehabilitation services, with both short-term and long-term care programs available. Residents can get skilled nursing, medication help, and practical therapy from in-house Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists, and the state-of-the-art Therapy Studio is good for personalized therapy sessions, and then there's a full-sized therapeutic kitchen and bathroom where residents can work on practical skills for daily living. The community's new 15,000 square foot rehab unit offers a modern atmosphere and holds up to 30 short-term rehabilitation guests, spread over 14 private and 8 semi-private rooms, and the facility overall has 103 certified beds with about 82 residents each day. There are more than 35,000 square feet of community space, and staff prepare gourmet meals and nutrition services, with meals sometimes prepared by a 90-year-old chef and Holocaust survivor, which folks say can be a special touch. Residents can join social activities to help them leave their rooms and build community, and the emphasis stays on hospitality, wellness, and healthcare, where staff are friendly, considerate, and attentive to safety, and keep things as clean and odor-free as possible. The center offers all the basics, from skilled nursing to medication management, therapy for rehab, and supports medical and emotional needs for people who need either short-term rehab after a hospital stay or ongoing long-term care, and the staff work to provide care that keeps residents' individuality and pride intact. The community provides both nursing home services and intermediate care for the very frail, with a team aiming for personalized and resident-centered care. Sandalwood runs as a for-profit corporation under Colavria Hospitality, and management changed hands in August 2024 to Colavria Hospitality, Inc., Mark Bedinger, and Ian Chartier. The staff-to-resident ratio averages about 3.55 nurse hours per resident per day, which is a bit below the state average, and recent state inspection reports list deficiencies in areas like administration, infection control, making sure residents have adequate food and fluids, monthly pharmacy reviews, quality of life, and ongoing quality improvement. Despite these issues, the center remains committed to supporting generations of families and offers a virtual tour option for anyone who wants to view the community before visiting in person.