Christopher House

Imagine yourself opening the front door of your home after a long day of work. How do you feel? When you enter Christopher House, you immediately feel welcomed! You may be greeted by those who live here—the elders, one of two retired greyhounds or a talking parrot! At Christopher House, the elders ARE the homeowner’s association; they set the schedule and decide on what changes will be made in their home. As the first Eden Alternative™ Registered Community in Denver, Christopher House belongs to the elders: caregivers and administration are there to assist them and to share in their lives. (To learn more about the Eden Alternative™, visit their website at www.edenalt.com.) Private and semi-private accommodations offered.

6270 West 38th Avenue
Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033

Contact:

Valerie Causer, Community Relations
Tel: 303-421-2272

Cell: 303-419-1776

Fax: 303-421-1941
Email: vcauser@pinonmgt.com

Current Events

Overview: Christopher House has 76 licensed beds and is located between Wadsworth and Sheridan on 36th Avenue in the heart of Wheat Ridge. We serve geriatric orthopedics, geriatric reconditioning and restorative, geriatric oncology, geriatric dialysis, dementia, wound care, stroke victims, hospice care, respite care. We are specially involved with families from the Wheat Ridge and West Metro communities.

Specialized Clinical Services: 24-hour nursing care; Physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapies; IV therapies; Wound care; Pain management; Restorative therapy

Enhanced Care Services: Resident council; Laundry and housekeeping services; Wander guard; Music therapy; Healing touch therapy; Beauty and barber services; Routine exercise program; Professional social services; Registered dietician on-staff; Therapeutic expressive arts (dance, drama, movement, creative writing, horticulture)

Accepted Payor Sources: Medicare, Medicaid, Private pay, Long-term care insurance, Most private insurances, Contracted managed care, Evercare

Innovative Approaches to Care: Warm Welcome and First Impressions Program for newcomers; A holistic approach to community living utilizing the Eden Alternative™ Principles; Piñon’s Culture Change Philosophy and Pioneer Network Values; Innovative approach to dining; “Neighborhood concept;” Elder-nurtured community pets; It’s Never 2 Late program (resident computer access and training)

Community Involvement: Rainbow Bridge; Second Wind Dreams Program; Local churches; Wheat Ridge Senior Center; Ombudsman Support; Colorado Foundation for Medical Care’s Person-Directed Care Project; Colorado Health Care Association’s Quality First Initiative; Colorado Culture Change Coalition

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is contracted through RehabCare in conjunction with WellCARE, Piñon’s holistic rehabilitation and life transitions program. Christopher House’s rehab program offers whirlpool services in addition to total joint replacement programs, stroke programs, adaptive equipment analysis and an amputee program.

Christopher House offers a menu developed by the elders who live here with choices available at every meal. Our in-house chef prepares all meals from scratch, and menu choices are approved by our registered dietician. The dining room is open and accessible to accommodate each person’s daily routine.

Elders and their families are encouraged to decorate rooms with personal belongings to help create their own “home.” Each bedroom features a large picture window providing warm, natural light. Every bedroom includes complimentary cable and private phone lines are available.

It’s not just bingo at Christopher House! Our activities are designed to stimulate memory, engage the senses, and provide interaction and education. On any given day, elders may be participating in a Question and Answer session about health, a creative writing class, or a community outing to Tiny Town. Intellectual programs for the cognitively impaired are offered through one-on-one or small group programs.

The It’s Never 2 Late computer program enables many of our residents to utilize computers for fun and communication. Elders can customize their own screen, surf the World Wide Web, and enjoy e-mail access to friends and family.