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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 15 nursing homes in Aurora, CO using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in CO
Avg Overall CMS Rating:3.4/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Aurora, CO. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.3/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Aurora, CO. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.9/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Aurora, CO. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.0/ 5
Compare Nursing Homes around Aurora (Metro Area)
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the CO Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Colorado average is: 63.5% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Advanced Health Care has been serving Aurora since 2001. It’s a community of compassionate care that’s dedicated to helping seniors live a fulfilling life. As a Medicare-certified home, they provide top-notch facilities with private suites that cater to residents’ every need. They believe that elegance is essential to a graceful recovery and overall well-being. They don’t spare any expense in ensuring that every aspect of their care is of the highest quality.
Their rehabilitation services, whether inpatient or outpatient, are second to none. They also offer a fine dining experience that can tantalize taste buds and leave residents feeling satisfied. Their mission is to be an integral part of seniors’ journey towards a more fulfilling life, and they take this responsibility to heart.
A skilled nursing community at 656 Dillon Way in Aurora, Colorado, University Heights Care Center has easy access to local services. It takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, so families have many ways to fund extended care and rehabilitation.
The facility maintains 105 beds and operates at around 86 percent occupancy. Residents stay an average of 537 days, indicating a blend of short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care. Daily nursing support totals about 3 hours and 43 minutes per resident, with registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses providing coordinated care all day. University Heights Care Center specializes in rehabilitation and recovery. It has programs in short-term rehab, chronic disease management, behavioral health, respite care, and hospice and comfort care. This array of services sets the facility as a grounded choice for residents healing from surgery or acute illness, those managing chronic conditions, or families looking for respite support. For residents who need care between hospital discharge and returning home, the facility offers short-term stays. The surrounding neighborhood scores 70 for walkability, meaning visiting family members can do a majority of errands on foot and access nearby amenities with relative ease.
University Heights Care Center’s accessibility can be especially beneficial for families coordinating regular visits and handling appointments.
Conveniently located on East Hampden Avenue, Hampden Hills Post Acute is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Aurora, Colorado. Operating 218 beds and running at about 82 percent occupancy, the community has an average stay duration of 247 days, reflecting a mix of short-term post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing residents. Accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families many pathways to fund care. The location, with a walk score of 53, offers moderate walkability, allowing some nearby errands on foot, while most trips necessitate driving.
Clinically, the home spotlights rehabilitation and recovery, with on-site therapy services and a doctor on staff. Daily nursing support averages 3 hours 1 minute per resident, with registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, and certified nursing aides providing diligent care 24/7. For occupants recovering from surgery, hospitalization, or acute illness, the staffing level supports intensive post-acute management. The 24-hour staffing model means residents have consistent clinical oversight and support for medication management, wound care, and recovery-focused programming. In-house therapy services back the rehabilitation mission. It allows residents to join structured recovery work without needing outside referrals.
Hampden Hills Post Acute offers a clinical setting built to help residents regain function and return home or to a lower care level as their condition improves, up for consideration by families thinking of placement.
Administered by Stephanie Downare, Inglenook at Brighton is an extensive senior care community operated by Inglenook Senior Ventures, LP, in Brighton, Colorado. Set on East Egbert Street, it stands just a short walk from Brighton Professional & Medical Center and serves a really walkable neighborhood where most errands can be done on foot. The 110-bed, two-story facility has 46 years of operating experience. It offers a full care continuum across eight service lines: independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home, skilled nursing, hospice, palliative care, and respite care. This breadth of services allows occupants and families to stay in the same community as care needs evolve, and bolsters active residence and shorter-term stays.
Housing options include studios and one- and two-bedroom units ranging from 270 to 785 square feet, giving residents and families choices in living arrangements and privacy. Inglenook at Brighton welcomes pets and provides transportation services and fitness and recreation programming to bolster an active lifestyle for its occupants. It accepts Medicaid, creating a payment route for families. The facility’s decades-long presence in Brighton denotes deep experience navigating the local care landscape and maintaining consistent operations.
Garden Plaza of Aurora is a continuum-of-care senior living community located at 14221 E Evans Avenue in the Southeast Crossing neighborhood of Aurora, Colorado. Operated by Arapahoe Assisted Living Investors, LLC under administrator Alicia Murray, the three-story community is pet-friendly and has served local seniors for 25 years in proximity to the Jewell VA Clinic.
The community features 90 beds and offers private senior apartments in one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts. It is structured as a continuum-of-care campus, allowing residents to transition seamlessly between independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing services as their health needs change.
Daily life at the resort-style campus is supported by numerous wellness and recreational features, including an on-site restaurant, a Jacuzzi, a putting green, a dedicated massage suite, a beauty salon, and a robust social activities calendar. Residents receive regular wellness checks, on-site physician visits, scheduled transportation, and housekeeping services.
The neighborhood carries a walk score of 42, indicating a car-dependent setting where family members or staff will typically need a vehicle for off-site chores and errands.
Families exploring placement options can contact the Evans Avenue administrative office directly to arrange a tour or inquire about specific physical, occupational, or speech therapy programs available on site.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Aurora, CO
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Colorado?
Assisted living in Colorado is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Colorado Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — Colorado Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 15 nursing homes in Aurora, CO. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Aurora, CO?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Aurora, CO, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Aurora, CO?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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