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.

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.