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A city with world-class health care and plenty of community resources for people living with memory loss, Seattle is a great option when looking for a memory care facility for a loved one. Memory care is a good option if a person has Alzheimer’s or dementia, as it can provide services unique to these challenges, including the following:
Searching for a memory care option for your loved one can be stressful and sometimes complex. In this guide, you will learn about what makes a great memory care facility, what you need to know about paying for memory care, and the activities and amenities available for people in Seattle.
With 99 A Place for Mom partner facilities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Seattle — two-thirds of which are group homes — there are plenty of opportunities to find the right fit for your loved one.
Types of care available in Seattle, WA
Memory Care
I have not had a lot of experience with facilities but visited 5. Aegis at Marymoor seemed small and homey. The staff are all very friendly and interested in the residents. They try to customize activities when possible. I don’t have any concerns and my wife with dementia considers it her home after being there 3 months
Really enjoyed my stay. Wonderful staff. Breakfast is served a little to early for me.I really like the varirty of activities. I was at Newcastle 14 days i met a lot of nice people with each of them having an interesting story to tell.
I can confidently rate Aegis of Kirkland a 5 out of 5. My brother and I found Aegis to be very clean in all the common areas as well as private areas. The food is excellent, and the staff is compassionate. They have several activities going on throughout the day. There is something that should appeal to anyone tastes. [name removed], the marketing manager, was so helpful during the transition process.
2315 NE 65th Street, Seattle, WA 98115
Excellent food, very friendly and caring staff, many activities. The grounds are lovely. The building shows its age but is going to be replaced soon. Based on my father's experience, I would recommend Ida...
Welcome to Ida Culver House Ravenna, an Era Living community. Ida Culver House offers a warm, vibrant lifestyle, a vast array of amenities, rich programming, and exceptional Independent Living and Assisted Living care. Ida Culver House Ravenna is a community of 90 residences, nestled in the...
2326 California Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA 98116
We chose Brookdale because we loved the staff immediately, the location was convenient, and also because of the amenities that they offered. They also had a much better care program and are more hands on...
Premium Senior Living in the Vibrant Heart of SeattleThere are a lot of senior living options in the Seattle area. But not many of them look like this. Not many of them feel like this either, as our residents enjoy a resort-style life, exploring creative pursuits, enjoying entertainment options...
4700 SW Admiral Way, Seattle, WA 98116
This is a marvelous place for your relative to live. This community is absolutely stunning. I truly do like all of the staff members that provide care for my loved one. They have activities like telling...
A Beautiful Place to LiveWest-Seattle-thumbnail-300x203Nestled near the Admiral District in vibrant West Seattle, our new Capri-style assisted living community is inspired by the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Here, residents will enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of downtown Seattle and the...
4700 SW Admiral Way, Seattle, WA 98116
This is a marvelous place for your relative to live. This community is absolutely stunning. I truly do like all of the staff members that provide care for my loved one. They have activities like telling...
A Beautiful Place to LiveWest-Seattle-thumbnail-300x203Nestled near the Admiral District in vibrant West Seattle, our new Capri-style assisted living community is inspired by the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Here, residents will enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of downtown Seattle and the...
2418 NW 56th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Merrill Gardens has been great so far, we are happy with our decision. The location is great for our loved one, he loves to walk and he can talk to this nature area close by and sit by the water, he can walk...
We offer senior living in the heart of one of Seattle's most popular neighborhoods, close to the downtown core. Enjoy being part of the historic Ballard neighborhood close to shopping, dining and entertainment. This community is modern yet intimate with a ton of amenities including a theater,...
7445 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040
We like the location very much, it is very convenient for our family. We like the decor and that it appeals to our loved one - it is like Native American/north - westy vibe which makes her feel very...
Aegis Living is honored to be warmly welcomed into the Mercer Island community. Whether enjoying the breathtaking mountain and Lake Washington views or visiting Luther Burbank Park, the island is a wonderful place to call home. To seamlessly blend with our natural surroundings, our design was...
2430 76th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
This is a wonderful home for seniors located in a very safe place for one who loves to walk as I do. There are many activities, music, trips, talks, etc, I think it is so much better than being in a house...
Welcome to Aljoya Mercer Island, an Era Living community. Aljoya offers a warm, vibrant lifestyle, a vast array of amenities, rich programming, and exceptional Independent Living, Assisted Living, and nursing care. Aljoya is located in the heart of Mercer Island, surrounded by shops,...
8511 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
We chose Aegis at Ravenna at the time because. Aegis has a reputation of memory care, and they do have that available, I do believe some residents in the assisted living part of the facility are waiting to...
Aegis at Ravenna redefines assisted living as you know it. Located in the peaceful neighborhood of Maple Leaf, our newest community will meet your every need with the finest amenities, professional staff, enriching activities, and irresistible cuisine.Inspired by the Italian city of Ravenna, our...
450 NE 100th Street, Seattle, WA 98125
there is a good system of having a mentor for a new resident. My mentor called me and I have called her a few times. But after a month here I have not met her. Others are friendly but because of...
Welcome to Aljoya Thornton Place, an Era Living community. Aljoya offers a warm, vibrant lifestyle, a vast array of amenities, rich programming, and exceptional Independent Living, Assisted Living, and nursing care. Just steps from shops, restaurants, theaters, and more, Aljoya Thornton Place...
148 102nd Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004
The community is very clean, and according to our loved one the best thing about this place are its staff members. They are very warm, friendly and helpful. Our loved one does say the meals are a little...
Enjoy a cup of coffee with friends at our Bistro, share a book next to the fireplace in our cozy library, exercise in our full service fitness center or enjoy a movie in our private theater. Activities programming is the heart our community at Aegis of Bellevue. Our philosophy is to personally...
7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136
The Kenney is really good. They have people who come in and clean up your house for you if choose, which is helpful. It's sort of like having a family to help you take care of some things you're not able...
14 Main Street South, Kirkland, WA 98033
Merrill Gardens at Kirkland is a good place overall, per all the above ratings I gave. I like that it's located in a nice, beautiful, walkable town!
Enjoy all bustling downtown Kirkland offers at Merrill Gardens at Kirkland: a wide range of cultural activities, international cuisine and several parks within walking distance. The Kirkland location is an excellent example of how retirement homes fit into their surroundings and take advantage of...
15100 1st Avenue NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
My mom is happy at this community and I am so happy that she is taken care of. I trust these people with my loved one. They are just really nice people. I really liked this community, there was just another...
Memory Care Comfort in North Seattle SuburbDesigned specifically for our residents with memory loss from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, Aegis at Callahan House is reminiscent of a cozy, family home in a park-like setting.Campus setting for all care needs. We're located adjacent to Aegis...
15100 1st Avenue NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
My mom is happy at this community and I am so happy that she is taken care of. I trust these people with my loved one. They are just really nice people. I really liked this community, there was just another...
Memory Care Comfort in North Seattle SuburbDesigned specifically for our residents with memory loss from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, Aegis at Callahan House is reminiscent of a cozy, family home in a park-like setting.Campus setting for all care needs. We're located adjacent to Aegis...
285 Madison Avenue S, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
My parents never wanted to leave their own home, but it became increasingly obvious that they weren't able to take care of themselves after my father had a stroke. I toured Madison House and liked what I...
It's like you just settled into a small and gracious hotel. Comfortable and richly appointed, the Madison Avenue House provides an environment of compassionate care in a most welcoming setting. With light and spacious apartments featuring kitchens and exterior balconies, the Madison Avenue House...
13056 SE 76th St, Newcastle, WA 98056
It's a beautiful facility. Some of the workers are not too friendly. The dining room food is good for the residents. They have activites such as exercise, golfing and a Japenese singing class. It's very...
Aegis Gardens is a distinctive assisted living community designed to celebrate Asian culture daily, through cuisine, decor, activities, family events, and music, focused on a strong sense of tradition. Our bilingual care staff and nurses provide exceptional care for our residents, including those...
7950 Willows Rd, Redmond, WA 98052
My father is very happy here. He was in another facility and was always agitated. Here he is calmer and happy. He ahs gained weight and looks healthier then in quite a while.
* NEWLY REMODELED * Redmond Heights Senior Living is the affordable, comfortable, safe place to live. Located in downtown Redmond, we offer access to local parks, shops, and events. Redmond Heights offers Independent, Assisted, and Memory Care at our spacious 3 acre campus. Have piece of mind...
1010 SW 134th Street, Burien, WA 98146
The facility was remodeled fairly recently and is lovely. If you are looking for perfection, you are not going to find it here or anywhere else. However, if your expectations are reasonable, you will find...
El Dorado West is conveniently located close to Seahurst Park, Salmon Creek, Puget Sound, and not far from the Sea-Tac Airport. Relax and enjoy retirement amidst a thoughtful, caring community with access to excellent health care facilities, shopping malls, bus lines, and the excitement of...
1200 University St., Seattle, WA 98101
I had a great tour at The Summit. [name removed], the admissions person, was fabulous. She was very realistic and helpful, especially since this was a new experience for me, and I didn't know what to...
725 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Comfort and care has an address – and it’s The Terraces at Skyline.It’s nice to know there’s a special place that offers exceptional care for every stage of life. Open since 2009, Skyline is a not-for-profit community nestled in the heart of the city. As Seattle’s only true Life Care community...
725 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Comfort and care has an address – and it’s The Terraces at Skyline.It’s nice to know there’s a special place that offers exceptional care for every stage of life. Open since 2009, Skyline is a not-for-profit community nestled in the heart of the city. As Seattle’s only true Life Care community...
1234 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
1234 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
1234 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
1234 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Based on proprietary data from A Place for Mom, the average memory care cost within our network of partners, including associated fees and service fee add-ons, is $6,508 per month. While these costs will change based on location, floor plan, amenities, and additional services, Seattle’s memory care costs around $1,000 more monthly than the national average.[01]
As with most memory care facilities, these communities provide enhanced security and support the unique needs of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. These services include the following:
The following costs for Seattle facilities are average memory care costs and do not include additional fees or add-ons.
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There are several ways families can pay for memory care through private savings or public assistance. In this section, you will learn more about the different ways people can pay for memory care, from private pay methods to utilizing Medicaid, Medicare, or VA benefits.
For those who want to privately fund memory care, using savings and pension accounts, Social Security benefits, and investment returns are all common options. Some additional ways families can privately pay for memory care include the following:
Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is responsible for regulating memory care facilities, which must be licensed and are regularly inspected to ensure compliance in medication management, safety and security protocols, resident care, and more.
There are two types of facilities for memory care: adult family homes and assisted living facilities. And each type has its own set of requirements.
An adult family home is licensed to provide housing and care for up to six adults in a regular house within a residential neighborhood. In these types of homes, staff members assume responsibility for the well-being and safety of residents. Adult family homes are required to be well-maintained and provide a sanitary and safe environment for residents, and they must ensure staff members receive the necessary training to care for residents. They have to have fire safety and accessibility (for both mobility and communication) measures in place, offer nutritious foods, establish health care procedures for all residents, offer activities, and ensure financial solvency.
To find out more about the license of an adult family home specializing in memory care, you can visit the Washington State DSHS website. From there, you can also look up inspection reports and other records. Just click “advanced AFH search”; search by county, city, or ZIP code; and select “Dementia Care” under “Specific Criteria.”
An assisted living facility is licensed to provide housing and care services to seven or more residents in a home or facility that’s located within a residential neighborhood. Assisted living facilities are required to prioritize residents’ health, safety, and well-being and provide a comfortable, clean, and safe living environment. Staff members have to be fully trained to provide the necessary scope of care and assistance, including emergency medical care and medication administration. Residents in assisted living facilities must receive nutritious meals and ample opportunities for social interaction. These facilities must have systems in place for emergency preparedness and fire safety, and both communication accessibility and financial solvency are required.
To look up licenses, inspections, and other records, visit the Washington State DSHS website. Then click “advanced ALF search”; search by county, city, or ZIP code; and select “Dementia Care” under “Specific Criteria.”
Beyond the above requirements, memory care facilities in Washington have additional specific standards, particularly relating to staffing and staff training. These include the following:
If inspection reports and licenses for memory care facilities are not publicly available via the databases provided above, they can be requested. Families or caregivers can find additional information and resources for Washington memory care laws and regulations via the following resources:
Washington State Department of Health
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: 800-525-0127
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Washington has scaled back many COVID-19 regulations to better align with guidelines recommended by the CDC. Currently, memory care facilities in Seattle are following guidelines from the Washington State Department of Health’s recommendations for COVID-19 infection prevention in health care settings , as well as the CDC.
Vaccinations. Memory care facilities recommend for residents and staff to be up-to-date on vaccines.
Masking. An N95 mask, or another well-fitted mask, is recommended for staff.
Facility cleanliness. Staff should use dedicated medical equipment if a resident is suspected of having, or has a confirmed case of, COVID-19. Routine cleaning and disinfection, including optimized ventilation and filtration, is also recommended.
Quarantining. For residents with COVID-19, staff should limit movement within the facility to medically essential purposes.
Seattle’s memory care facilities focus on safety and security while offering residents the opportunity to continue living with a high quality of life.
Memory care facilities in Seattle are secured communities that have been explicitly designed to accommodate people with memory loss. Because of this, 43% of in-network facilities offer enclosed walking spaces. Eighty-five percent of memory care facilities in Seattle also feature amenities including beauty salons, housekeeping, laundry service, and grocery shopping and errands.
There are two distinct types of memory care facilities in Seattle: memory care group homes and facilities that offer a combination of memory care, assisted living, and independent living.
Group homes are residential care facilities that provide a homelike environment for seniors to reside. A family-style alternative to assisted living facilities or nursing homes, group homes are staffed 24/7 and offer residents engaging activities, home-cooked meals, and a sense of community. In Washington, some group homes provide skilled nursing care, as well as assistance with daily living tasks.
Sixty-two of the 99 memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s Seattle network are group homes. These types of memory care facilities offer a homey, comfortable environment for residents, and they provide a higher staff-to-resident ratio than other types of senior care facilities. Smaller communities like these can be ideal for memory care, as residents are less likely to experience overwhelm and have fewer faces to get used to. Plus, group homes are typically more cost-effective for residents than assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
If you’re looking for a broader spectrum of care as your loved one moves through the next phases of life, facilities that offer a combination of memory care, assisted living, and/or independent living in Seattle might be a good option.
Residents can take advantage of amenities like salons and libraries, as well as on- and off-site activities. These facilities are staffed 24/7 and provide the memory care your loved one needs while also providing varying degrees of additional care depending on residents’ individual needs.
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Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Seattle population [06]
Seattle has many highly ranked hospitals and clinics in the area, including ones specializing in memory care and geriatric care.
UW Medical Center is regularly ranked as one of the best teaching hospitals in the nation. It currently ranks nationally for its cancer care, nephrology, and urology programs.
Virginia Mason prides itself on taking a patient-centered health care approach and specializes in orthopedic care, cancer, and digestive disorder programs.
Based just 10 miles from downtown Seattle, U.S. News & World Report categorizes this non-profit hospital as high-performing in 13 adult procedures.
Spread across two campuses, Providence Regional Medical Center was awarded the title of Best Seattle Metro Hospital by U.S. News & World Report.
UW’s geriatrics clinic is part of UW Medical Center. It offers a range of services, from primary care to memory care, and prioritizes patients over the age of 75.
With specialists in geriatric psychiatry, geriatric neurology, and geriatric rehabilitation, this clinic (part of the Swedish Medical Center) focuses on the management of chronic conditions.
Seattle’s VA Medical Center provides specific expertise for veterans’ needs and includes geriatric care.
While memory care facilities provide transportation to doctor’s appointments and even chaperones, there are still other options for getting around — especially with the help of a friend or family member.
Seattle has a transit score of 60, based on a scale of 1 to 100, from Walk Score. This score considers how easy it is to get around Seattle using public transport. The availability of public transportation in downtown Seattle is high, and it fans out to other hubs in the greater Seattle area. For people with disabilities, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, Access Transportation provides door-to-door transportation services for medical appointments and social outings.
For caregivers or family members, ride-sharing apps are starting to offer services that make it easier to book transportation for people with dementia. For example, GoGoGrandparent book rides on ride-sharing apps for seniors who may not have a smartphone.
Some other transportation options for seniors who are unable to use fixed routes include Via to Transit, which provides door-to-door transportation. Sound Generations offers rides to medical appointments and shuttle services. Reduced-rate community transit is also available for people who are unable to use traditional buses.
Partaking in social activities with friends and loved ones is a great way to keep people with dementia mentally alert and physically strong, which is why activity directors at our partner facilities provide a lot of great in-house options. If friends or family want to take a resident out, Seattle has a number of gardens and attractions that provide an enriching experience for people with dementia.
Seattle Japanese Garden and Volunteer Park Conservatory are both tranquil ways to spend an afternoon. Each has beautiful gardens and rest areas to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Volunteer Park Conservatory, a historic greenhouse, is also enclosed, making it an ideal way to spend a cold or rainy afternoon.
Seattle Parks and Recreation also has a wealth of dementia-friendly activity options. Partnering with organizations in the community, Seattle Parks and Recreation has the Dementia Friendly Recreation Program, which offers ways for people with memory loss to stay engaged in the community through field trips, volunteering, art classes, and exercise groups.
Cogir of Mill Creek, Cogir of Kent and Merrill Gardens at Wright Park are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Seattle, WA. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Seattle is 5,267 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. (2015). Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy.
Washington State Department of Health. (2022). Interim Recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings.
Centers for Disease Control. (2022). Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
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