10 Best Nursing Homes in Seattle, WA

Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, or memory care can be paid for in a few ways. Private options, such as savings accounts, are commonly used alongside public options, such as Medicaid or Medicare. While some people choose to use one funding method to pay, most people prefer to use a mix of private and public funding.

In this section, you will learn about how private funding, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare can all be used to help pay for different types of senior living facilities.

Skilled nursing facility regulations

In Washington, skilled nursing facilities must be licensed by the state and are regulated at a federal level by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

On the state level, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) regulates nursing homes in Washington. This organization is responsible for performing inspections, which are available on the DSHS website’s nursing home locator. Inspections are broad but include ensuring a registered nurse is on duty at all times, an appropriate staff ratio to residents, and that residents get at least 3.4 hours a day of direct care. Federal law requires the state to conduct full inspections, unannounced, at least every 15 months.

For additional information on skilled nursing facility regulations in Washington, the following resources are also available:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Nursing Home Compare
• Washington Department of Health: Nursing Home Information and Resources
• Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Assisted living facility regulations

In Washington, assisted living facilities must also be licensed by the DSHS. To become licensed, an assisted living facility must complete an application; meet certain health, safety, and comfort requirements; and be inspected by a DSHS surveyor. The facility will be inspected regularly to ensure it continually meets the department’s criteria.

You can find these inspection reports on the Washington State DSHS website. You can type in a ZIP code, the city name, or the name of a specific facility in the search box. PDFs of the reports will then be available for download. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can also request inspection reports and licenses here. You can also report any complaints or violations.

Memory care facility regulations

Memory care facilities in Washington must be licensed as assisted living facilities by the DSHS. This means a facility must complete an application, meet certain requirements, and be regularly inspected. DSHS will ensure compliance with state regulations. Requests for inspection reports and licensing can be made via the DSHS website. You can also look them up here by clicking on  “advanced ALF search.” then searching by county, city, or ZIP code, and — finally — by selecting “Dementia Care” under “Specific Criteria.”

What requirements do memory care facilities need to meet? According to this policy, facilities must meet certain standards in regard to staffing, medication management, safety and security, and resident care. For example, staff members at memory care facilities must have dementia care training. Additionally, these facilities must have individualized resident care plans, including specialized programming and activities designed for people with memory impairments.

The following links provide additional information on laws and regulations around assisted living and memory care facilities:

• DSHS Residential Care Services 
• The Washington State Residential Care Services Statute
• The Washington State Uniform Disclosures for Continuing Care Contracts Act

Washington Department of Health contact information

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.

COVID-19 regulations for Seattle nursing homes

Washington has rescinded many of its state COVID-19 guidelines to better align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. However, like many long-term care facilities, nursing homes follow guidelines from the Washington Department of Health and the CDC.

In Seattle, nursing homes, assisted living, memory care facilities trend toward upscale, luxury living. Residents will enjoy mild summers, scenic views, and the benefits of urban life.

Amenities and services will vary depending on the senior living option you or your loved one pick. In the following sections, we’ll go over what to expect from each type of facility in Seattle as well as which requirements you may encounter.

Understanding skilled nursing

While many people use the term “nursing home” to discuss any senior living option, government agencies use the term to refer to skilled nursing care. Skilled nursing facilities primarily focus on care for people with significant health conditions. They provide hands-on care services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, intravenous therapy, injections, and medical equipment and vitals monitoring.

A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with any nursing homes. However, we do partner with 153 assisted living and memory care communities in Seattle. These facilities may be a better fit for you or your loved one.

What assisted living and memory care communities are like in Seattle

Assisted living and memory care is a more appropriate senior living choice for people who are able to live more independently.

In terms of care, seniors at assisted living or memory care facilities benefit from typical services like housekeeping, personal care, meal preparation, scheduled social outings, medication management, and more. Some combination facilities may also offer skilled nursing services or a skilled nursing wing.

When it comes to amenities and activities, many facilities offer enclosed walking spaces, stretching classes, and yoga or chair yoga for some on-site physical activity. Group spaces, such as libraries, courtyards, and game rooms, give residents places to socialize. Dining is also a provided amenity, and most facilities offer specialized diets for those who need it. For example, almost all of our in network facilities offer vegetarian dining options. If you have a beloved cat or small dog, more than half of the facilities in our partner communities offer pet-friendly services, too.

Health care for seniors in Seattle

Seattle has a number of top-tier health care options, from the nationally recognized University of Washington Medical Center to several well-regarded clinics specializing in senior care.

Transportation for seniors in Seattle

While Seattle is known for being both walkable and bike-friendly, there are plenty of other transportation options available for you or your loved one. This includes public services as well as on-site transportation at our partner assisted living and memory care facilities.

Overall, 64% of our partner communities offer complimentary transportation, and 74% offer at-cost transportation services. These options are good for seniors in assisted living and memory care who may need assistance when traveling.

Visitors to the city and residents with more mobility will benefit from the many public transportation methods available. Beyond the bus system operated by King County Metro Transit, which has extensive downtown coverage, there are also ferries and a streetcar system. The light rail serves downtown Seattle and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

There are also options specifically for seniors and those who can’t access public transport. These include:

• King County Metro Access Transportation has a shared ride service.
• For rides to doctor’s appointments, Sound Generations has a shuttle service
• The Via to Transit app offers on-demand, door-to-door transport.
• Reduced rate community transit is available for people who have a hard time using regular buses.