Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence
Nursing Home Facility
1600 South Potomac Street, Aurora, CO 80012
Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Aurora is located in Aurora, Colorado, a suburb city of Denver known as the “Gateway to the Rockies.” Named after the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora receives more than 300 days of sunshine each year and is in the top ten cities for health care, making our facility a perfect choice for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Focusing on providing safe, secure care for residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related disorders, Garden Terrace at Aurora is located across the street from the Medical Center of Aurora. Whatever the level of care required, our highly trained associates can provide the best care possible from skilled nursing to inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation.
Operated by Life Care Centers of America, which runs 204 communities in our directory.
With 120 beds, Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence is one of the larger communities in the area, senior care communities in Aurora average about 62 beds. Larger communities more often keep clinical staff on site around the clock and can offer a wider range of on-site therapy and activities, though some families prefer the quieter feel of a smaller setting.
Federal reporting puts occupancy at about 80% of its licensed beds. That is below the Aurora average of roughly 88%.
Medicare rates this community 4 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Its most recent standard health inspection was in May 2025 and recorded 9 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 3.9 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.7 hours from a registered nurse. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 32%.
The community is located in Arapahoe County, CO.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 12 problems at Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence. None of them caused harm to a resident. 3 came from investigating complaints by residents or families.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Pharmacy Service
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Show 1 more
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Infection Control
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
A citation on its own does not mean poor care, and most are corrected within weeks. What matters most is how serious the findings were and whether the same problems keep coming back. When you visit, it is fair to ask the administrator what inspectors found and what has changed since.
Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence offers assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, hospice care, respite care, and senior living.
Facility details
- Organization type for-profit corporation
- Beds / units 120
- Occupancy 80%
- Nursing hours per resident/day 3.9
- Annual staff turnover 32%
- Last health inspection May 2025
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.