Seattle, Washington Memory Care

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Assisted Living Near Seattle WA

Seattle, Washington Memory Care: Search Near You, How To Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions To Ask

Seattle is the largest metropolis in the pacific northwest of the United States. Known for it’s beautiful views and legendary Space Needle, Seattle is a great place to look for memory care options. 

Facilities in this area could accept State Medicaid, private payers and long-term care insurance. 

CareAvailability.com has been used by families and care professionals in the Seattle area to find real-time memory care openings and provide a comprehensive list of options for care.

We do all the work for you when it comes to finding the best memory care in and around Seattle. We do extensive research on the facilities and provide you with the most current information and care availability.

Assisted Living Near Seattle WA

About Memory Care In Seattle, WA

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a difficult task at home, and it may be time to consider professional memory care. Memory care is one of the specialized types of residential care available in Washington. Memory care facilities provide safe and effective care for individuals diagnosed with a form of dementia or severe cognitive impairment that warrants a locked-down community and specially trained staff. 

Considerations when looking for care in Seattle, Washington

Seattle, the largest city in Washington, hails from across  the river of another large PNW city, Portland. Seattle has an approximate population of 777,000 residents with approximately 10% of it’s population being people over the age of 65. The increasing popularity in the region for retirees and the growing industrial and tech sectors in Seattle means tremendous growth and a wide variety of options for those looking for senior care. 

There are about 29 colleges in the area, including 16 private colleges and universities, 12 public colleges and universities, and 1 community college.

Cities near Seattle, Washington with Memory Care

  • Mercer Island, WA.
  • Bellevue, WA.
  • White Center, WA.
  • Kirkland, WA.
  • Newcastle, WA.
  • Tukwila, WA.
  • Burien, WA.
  • Shoreline, WA.

How To Pay for Memory Care

You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.

The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.

Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.

Medicare – NO:

  • Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
  • People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
  • Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

  • Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
  • Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
  • Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

  • Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
  • Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
  • Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
  • National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
  • The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
  • If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

  • Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
  • Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

  • There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
  • A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
  • If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

How much does Memory Care in Seattle, WA cost?

The average cost associate with care and room & board at an memory care community in Seattle, WA is $5200 / month. 

Why is Memory Care in Seattle, WA so expensive?

The costs associated with memory care can induce panic with the sticker shock effect, but it’s often not discussed as to why it costs $5000+ dollars per month.

The truth is that care, no matter the setting, but especially in nursing homes, requires robust staffing 24/7. The costs of hiring and keeping exceptional caregivers and medically trained staff such as nurses, is very costly. Add in the price of running a medical facility all day and night, pricey medical supplies and needed administrative staff, and you’ve got quite the overhead.

Although the cost can seem overwhelming, it’s smart to look into financial planning for end stage retirement and expected care needs.

Local hospital and healthcare providers in Seattle, WA

  • Virginia Mason Medical Center
  • UW Medical Center – Northwest
  • Kindred Hospital Seattle – First Hill
  • Harborview Medical Center
  • First Hill Medical Swedish Hospital
  • Swedish Medical Center Ballard Campus
  • Swedish Hospital – First Hill Campus
  • Harborview Medical Center
  • UW Medical Center – Montlake
  • Virginia Mason Hospital

Community Living Connections For people who are looking primary for Information and assistance line for people facing aging and disability issues.

Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – Promotes and protects the rights of long-term care residents living in licensed care facilities with the assistance of trained volunteers, the Ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of residents, and identifies problems that affect a substantial number of residents.

Adult Protective Services (APS) For those who are looking to contact APS for reports on allegations of abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect of vulnerable adults living in the community and in facilities.

Department of Social and Health Services Adult Abuse and Prevention A Department we are tied together by a single mission: to transform lives. Each administration within DSHS has a refined focus on this mission. Individually we have the following missions to transform lives by promoting choice, independence and safety through innovative services.

Office of Insurance Commissioner, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)– SHIBA has volunteers who can help you with your health care coverage questions. You get free, unbiased and confidential education and assistance.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

Questions to Ask

Finding an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

  • Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting What is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
  • Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
  • Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
  • Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
  • Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
  • And finally (there is a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the executive director, head nurse, lead activities director and even the chef or janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.

Search other areas for Memory Care

Not finding what you’re looking for? Take a look below.

Search Other Areas Assisted Living

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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