Washington Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in Washington for couples

For senior adults in Washington, the question of where they are going to spend their retirement bears a lot of weight. Luckily, retirees have several options to choose from, including assisted living facilities. These senior living communities accept seniors over a certain age, usually 62 or 55, who are capable of meeting the respective financial demands. Couples can live together in assisted living for as long as their health allows it, and many senior living facilities welcome furry friends to come along.

How many ALFs are there in Washington? In the state of Washington, there are over 500 assisted living facilities. These senior living centers can be found in the following locations: Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham, Bremerton, Kennewick, Longview, Mount Vernon, and Olympia. These senior living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services. All ALF residents undergo an examination prior to admission, so their needs can be properly assessed. Then, they receive an individual service plan that covers their care, each plan being updated every couple of months or after major health events.

Washington-based assisted living facilities only accept residents whose needs fall within the available the scope of care. They will not accept those who require hospice care, have infectious conditions, or limited mobility. The pre-admission assessment is useful to identify any potential reasons for which one's application might be refused. Each senior living facility can include additional admittance criteria. For instance, there are many ALFs that do not accept residents who are bedridden, mentally unstable, or representing a danger to themselves and others.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Washington

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Washington is $5,100, which is considerably higher than the national median of $4,000. Compared to neighboring states, such as Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, Washington has the most expensive costs for assisted living. For instance, the average cost in Idaho is of $3,400 per month.

Within the state of WA, the costs of assisted living vary significantly. The highest monthly rates are located in Seattle, with an average of $5,700. On the other hand, Spokane offers the most affordable rates, with a median value of $4,000 per month. Assisted living is a lot cheaper than nursing home care, which has an average monthly cost of $8,600. In-home care is more expensive, but both independent living and memory care are more affordable.

Assisted living costs in Washington

Assisted living facilities accept seniors who are in need of specialized care and assistance with ADLs. They provide them with adapted housing units and limited healthcare, contributing to an increased quality of life. Most communities have skilled nursing care available for three months or do not provide this service at all. In the state of Washington, there are different types of assisted living centers seniors can choose from. Each community offers its own care packages, with corresponding costs. If you are interested in discovering more about the assisted living costs in Washington, just keep on reading.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in Washington

How much does assisted living cost in WA? In the state of Washington, the average cost of assisted living is $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year. This is considerably higher than the national median of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living communities are found in Seattle, with an average cost of $6,750 per month or $81,000 per year. Walla Walla has the most affordable facilities of this kind, averaging at $3,200 per month or $38,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in WA? When it comes to memory care, the average cost in Washington is $7,500 per month or $90,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the national median of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care facilities are located in Bremerton, averaging at $7,100 per month or $85,000 per year. Walla Walla has the most affordable communities of this kind, with an average cost of $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year.

Assisted living costs more than adult day health care, but it is more affordable than home care, home health care, and nursing home care. Memory care costs more than adult day health care, assisted living, home care, and home health care. It is only surpassed by nursing home care, which averages at $11,000 per month or $132,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Seniors who want to move into an assisted living community must be able to cover a deposit fee. According to general policies, this fee is returned when the contract concludes and the residential stay begins. Aside from the monthly fees, there are no other costs to be worried about. Unlike other long-term care communities, these do not have entrance fees. The overall costs are influenced by several factors, such as: available amenities and service, marital status, living unit type and size. Residents have access to utilities and general services, including meal plans, laundry and linen service, housekeeping, general maintenance, etc. Additional services might be offered at extra cost.

Care fees are also paid, in accordance with the number of daily living activities the resident in question receives assistance with. As for the care packages, these might include the following: emergency response systems, daily planned activities, physical and occupational therapy, scheduled transportation, and medication management. Spouses who want to live together in the same unit must be able to cover a second occupancy fee. Some communities provide certain utilities at extra cost, such as the Internet and cable access. Third-party providers cover the healthcare needs, with the costs being handled by the residents themselves.

What goes into memory care costs?

Memory care communities welcome seniors who have been diagnosed with dementia. Advantages offered include: room and board (adapted living units), healthcare, 24/7 monitoring and support, assistance with ADLs. Residents have access to specific services and amenities, guaranteed to ensure comfortable living standards. Specialists look after dementia seniors, providing care and support whenever necessary. The available care packages are designed with careful consideration to the type of dementia and the illness stage. Safety features are chosen to minimize the confusion experienced and also to reduce the risk of injury or self-harm.

Daily therapy sessions are organized, so that seniors can work on their memory, speech, and cognitive skills. The main goal is to delay the progression of dementia for as long as possible. Among the general services offered, there are: housekeeping, laundry and linen service, scheduled transportation, meal planning and preparation, and general maintenance. As for the care-related services, these include: mobility assistance, diabetes care, wound care, and incontinence care.

Senior living in Washington - cost comparison with other states

The average cost of assisted living in the state of Washington is well above the national median. Washington is more expensive than Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The overall costs are as follows: Oregon - $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year; Idaho - $3,800 per month or $45,000 per year; Montana - $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year.

As for memory care, the average cost in Washington is also well above the national median. Washington is more expensive than Oregon, Idaho, and California. The overall costs are as follows: Oregon - $6,300 per month or $75,000 per year; Idaho - $4,800 per month or $57,000 per year; California - $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year.

Finding the right senior living facility in Washington for your needs

Whether you are interested in assisted living or memory care, remember that the overall costs will vary from one facility to the other, in accordance with the available care packages. Most communities present their services online, so it should be easy to check each center out and even set up appointments for campus tours.

Allow us the pleasure of guiding you through the decision-making process. Just contact us and we will offer all the desired information on the costs required by each senior living facility. We have both the experience and practical knowledge to match seniors with the best long-term care communities for their needs, in accordance with their budget and current needs. If necessary, we are happy to discuss the factors influencing the overall costs, including one's healthcare needs, current health status, and co-existing medical issues.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Washington

The services provided within assisted living facilities are consistent with the scope of care and the residents' needs. Available to both married couples and single adults, these might include: emergency response system, laundry and linen service, meal planning and preparation, housekeeping, errand running and shopping, Internet and telephone access, 24/7 security, general maintenance, schedule transportation. Additional services might be offered, with each facility have the freedom to decide what to provide.

ALF residents receive assistance with the activities of daily living, including eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, and grooming. They might also benefit from medication management, with the staff monitoring them while taking their treatment or handling this task themselves. As part of this service, the staff might offer reminders, open bottles or blisters, and make sure the correct dosage/frequency has been respected. Some ALFs also offer diabetes care, wound care, and tracheostomy services.

Assisted living facilities have integrated memory care units in some cases, catering to the needs of those who suffer from dementia. Aside from general services, these residents might benefit from intermittent nursing services, 24/7 monitoring, and tailored care. The staff receives specialized dementia training as well.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Washington

The living units available within ALFs must meet strict criteria, including when it comes to the minimum square footage. These units are available for both married couples and single adults, but no unit can accommodate more than two residents. Both the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration monitor that all the necessary requirements are met. All units must have private bathrooms with accessibility features.

When it comes to amenities, ALF residents have a lot of appealing options to choose from. These might include, but are not limited to: social clubs, fine-dining restaurant and café, library, woodworking shop, painting studio, gardening area, swimming pool, learning center, gym, weekly religious service, computer room. Dementia residents benefit not only from tailored activities but they also have access to specific amenities, such as memory gardens and various therapies at the learning center. The purpose is to help them preserve their cognitive skills and memory for as long as it is possible.