Shifting to meet seniors needs

Changes at Golden West and The Pearl at Boulder Creek (formerly The Carillon at Boulder Creek) are geared to enhance the quality of life for area seniors

By Sarah Huber for Aging at Altitude

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the senior care industry may be both more essential and more strained than ever before. Two local senior care establishments are shifting to meet elderly care needs.

GOLDEN WEST CLOSES ASSISTED LIVING BUILDING, SECURES PERMANENT FINANCING FOR AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS

The low-income senior housing community of Golden West in Boulder closed its assisted living residence in March in response to pandemic fluctuations in housing preferences and resulting financial pressure. The community’s independent living apartments, The Towers, remain open John Torres, who retired in 2020 after 26 years as CEO of Golden West, has returned to the nonprofit community to serve as interim CEO through the transition. He explained that “the low reimbursement rate for residents who were funded by Medicaid and overall lower occupancy (because one effect of the pandemic was that many people didn’t move to assisted living communities)” fueled the change. “And at the same time, we had to begin paying higher wages to staff to provide them a living wage,” he said. “Bottom line is it was all financial. The budget was such that Golden West could not sustain the monthly loss any longer.”

Golden West ensured that the few residents living in the assisted living building dubbed The Mezzanine were safely relocated and helped staff obtain new jobs. Golden West’s board of directors is considering plans for the future use of the residence.

Affordable independent senior living remains core to Golden West. Torres said, “We continue to have the same mission, and our focus is on assuring that The Towers’ 253 apartments remain affordable over the next 30 years as a result of our refinancing and major renovations.” He noted that Golden West recently obtained permanent financing, crucial security as the community evaluates its low-income housing options, and completed “long-needed upgrades in key areas such as new heating and cooling systems, new windows, updated elevators and several improvements in the apartments.”

The Carillon Rebrands As The Pearl At Boulder Creek

The Carillon at Boulder Creek was rebranded The Pearl at Boulder Creek in early 2023 after a change in the management company.

The luxury hotel-style senior living community, now managed by Dial Senior Living, is adjacent to the University of Colorado Boulder and a short walk from Pearl Street, its new namesake.

Senior living advisor Christian Shahmardian said Dial Senior Living is “all about enhancing systems and making life easier for our residents and staff, so it’s been a very positive change.”

He added, “It happened because we were doing well,” a bright spot in an industry that has struggled in recent years.

Dial has revitalized The Pearl’s communications and resident response toolkit, with a website and “Life Loop” app that enables residents to check monthly calendars and menus, register for events and outings, track exercise goals and coordinate transportation. The portal may be shared with family members and provides immediate feedback to staff on resident preferences. “We’ve discovered that our arts and culture events tend to be the most popular,” Shahmardian said.

“This allows us to cater to our demographic.”

Besides streamlining signups and the community calendar, Dial Senior Living has begun a complete refresh of The Pearl. “They’ve put together a resident committee to get feedback on the process, from redecorating to some larger projects to make the community even more comfortable and welcoming,” Shahmardian said. “Dial has done right by our residents, and they’re excited about the changes.”

The Peal hosts 130 residents and includes assisted and independent living apartments.