Our History

Rocky Mountain Health Care was developed with the assistance of the Catholic Community Services in 1976 and became a separate not-for-profit agency in 1978. It was initially known as Home Maker Services, and in 1978 acquired the name of Home and Health Care. The agency began providing services to the community with a director and three home care providers, in an office donated by Grace Episcopal Church. Our founders believed that if they were able to assist frail elderly and the disabled to meet their most basic needs in their own homes they would be able to live independently for much longer. This focus on independence has been our mission for over 30 years.

In 1994, Rocky Mountain Health Care Services began providing the State Long Term Care Single Entry Point Program, Options for Long Term Care. The program was developed by the State to provide alternatives to Skilled Nursing Facility placements by offering in home services to meet individual needs for the frail elderly, blind, and disabled. This program has provided us over 15 years of experience with the frail elderly.

In 1998, in response to a growing community need, Rocky Mountain Health Care Services began the development and planning of a continuum of care for people living with a brain injury in the Colorado Springs area. The development of this program was greatly aided by the City of Colorado Springs Community Development and El Paso County. With their funding support Rocky Mountain Health Care Services was able to open Colorado Springs’ first residential treatment home, Columbine House, for survivors of traumatic brain injury in 1999. Since that time we have opened 2 additional homes and the Lodge at Rocky Mountain. The Lodge is home to up to 28 brain injured individuals. United Way has supported the operations of these facilities on an annual basis since their inception.

In 2002 the Youth Mentoring summer employment program was initiated. This program was the answer to our goal to decrease the stigma and fear surrounding people with disabilities by starting at home with our own children, ages 14 to 18, while mentoring youth in a positive work environment. Children learn a healthy work ethic; gain self esteem, positive work experience and knowledge about the traumatic brain injury population. In the summer of 2009, Rocky Mountain Health Care Services employed our largest group of youth workers at approximately 23.

In December 2008 we were able to bring the Program for All inclusive Care of the Elderly, (PACE) to our community. This program is known as the gold standard of care for the frail elderly. PACE is a program that utilizes the blending of Medicare and Medicaid to optimize the services an individual will receive. This unique program offers complete professional and medical care to individuals with multiple medical needs. A highly trained team, including physicians and other professional disciplines, skillfully direct all care provided to an individual. This team follows the daily needs of individuals at home or in more serious situations that may require hospitalization. The team continuity and oversight flows with the individual at the hospital, home, and all settings to assure the highest quality of care is always provided.

Today under the umbrella of Rocky Mountain Health Care Services, we have approximately 180 diverse employees who are essential in keeping us creative, dynamic, and progressive. With an annual budget of about $8 million, we have a strong commitment to serving Colorado Springs and the surrounding communities.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Rocky Mountain Health Care Services provides a continuum of the health care services to the elderly, blind and disabled; the brain injured; and person living with diabetes and AIDS. We are committed to giving our clients the opportunity to live at their highest level of independence and health through teaching and brokering, and provision of needed health care resources.