Assisted Living in Renton, WA

Assisted Living Costs in Renton

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average cost of assisted living in Renton is significantly higher than both the national average of $4,000 and the state average of $5,135. Assisted living prices in Renton are the same as nearby Bremerton ($5,720) and higher than every other major city in the state, including Olympia ($4,250), Spokane ($4,000) and Bellingham ($4,250). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Renton, so data for the closest city, Seattle, was used. 

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Renton/Seattle area: $5,750
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $5,135
• Bremerton: $5,720
• Olympia: $4,250
• Mount Vernon: $5,125
• Bellingham: $4,250
• Spokane: $4,000
• Walla Walla: $4,950

Care Cost Comparison

Costs for senior care vary with the type of care, the number of direct service hours and the location. In Renton, costs for senior care are particularly high because the region has one of the highest government-mandated minimum wage rates in the county and real estate in the area is exceptionally expensive. 

Nursing home care in Renton costs nearly double the price of assisted living, while in-home senior care options such as homemaker services and a home health aide also cost more than assisted living. It’s important to factor in daily living costs like utilities, rent and home maintenance when comparing in-home care with residential care since room and board is generally included in the price of residential care for seniors. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,750
• Homemaker services: $6,092
• Home health aide: $6,092
• Adult day health: $1,317
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $9,243

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Renton

Medicaid in Washington

Medicaid is a national health insurance program that is jointly funded by the federal and state governments. It provides limited health care services to low-income Americans of all ages. 

In the State of Washington, Medicaid is known as Apple Health, and the Washington State Health Care Authority administers it. Adults aged 64 and under who earn less than $1,384 per month automatically qualify for limited free coverage under Apple Health. 

Seniors who are 65 and older may qualify for free Apple Health Long-Term Services under the Categorically Needy designation if they already receive Social Security benefits and have a total income under $771 for an individual and $1,157 for a couple. The CN Medicaid program in Washington can help pay the room-and-board portion of assisted living costs. 

Low-income seniors who require the type of care normally provided in a nursing home may be eligible for additional care services in an assisted living setting through the Community Options Program Entry System. This Home and Community-Based Medicaid waiver attempts to delay or prevent nursing home placement among seniors in the State of Washington. 

Enrollment in the COPES program is currently limited to 40,000 participants statewide, and eligibility does not guarantee acceptance. 

To learn more about COPES, call the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services at (800) 562-3022.

For more information about Apple Health enrollment and Long-Term Services for Seniors, contact the Washington Healthplanfinder at (855) 923-4633. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

State Supplemental Payment 

Low-income Washington seniors aged 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income may be eligible for an additional monthly $40 cash benefit under the Washington State Supplemental Payment program. 

The Economic Services Administration automatically issues the SSP to SSI recipients who are 65 and older, and no eligibility reviews are required. 

For more information on the SSP, contact the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division at (800) 865-7801. 

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Seniors who require immediate access to cash to finance their move into assisted living may be eligible for an assisted living bridge loan from Elderlife Financial. 

These loans are available for up to 12 months, and funding is provided in the form of a line of credit. Bridge loans may be suitable for seniors who are selling their home to move to assisted living or who need money to pay assisted living costs while waiting for benefit approval. 

There is no cost to apply for an assisted bridge loan, and applications can be made online or over the phone. 

For more information, contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500. 

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance

Eligible veterans and their survivors who receive regular VA pension benefits and are either housebound or need daily assistance due to a disability may qualify for additional funds through the VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance. 

To qualify for the Aid and Attendance pension top-up, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Reside in a nursing home due to mental or physical limitations
• Have vision in both eyes that tests at 5/200 or worse
• Be largely bedridden
• Have concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 or fewer degrees
• Require daily help from another person to bathe, dress, eat, install a prosthetic device or complete any other task of daily living

The Housebound Allowance may be available to veterans who have a VA disability rating of 100 percent and are largely housebound as a result of their disability. 

Only one of these two benefits can be claimed regardless of qualification or disability. To apply, contact the Seattle Regional Benefit Office at (800) 827-1000. 

Assisted Living Resources in Renton

Senior Centers in Renton

The Renton Senior Activity Center provides older adults in the area with access to a wide variety of social activities, educational programs and classes designed to promote health, wellness and connection among seniors. Most programs are either free or available at a low cost because the center is subsidized by the City of Renton. 

Renton Senior Activity Center
211 Burnett Avenue North, Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-6633

Community Aid Agencies

Seniors in Renton can access a wide range of free services, including transportation to medical appointments, assistance with preparing a Power of Attorney and help navigating Medicaid, Medicare and long-term care insurance at the Renton Senior Activity Center. The center also holds support groups for widowed seniors and hosts a daily hot lunch program designed to reduce isolation among older adults. 

Renton Senior Activity Center
211 Burnett Avenue North, Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-6633

Resources for Veterans

Veterans can access VA healthcare services at the Bellevue CBOC. Both the King County Veterans Program and the Seattle Vet Center provide information to veterans about VA benefits, pensions and services, while the Renton American Legion Post offers veterans the chance to socialize and participate in regular events. 

Bellevue CBOC (Valor Healthcare)
13033 Bel-Red Road, Suite 210, Bellevue, WA 98005-2633
(944) 296-6566

King County Veterans Program – Tukwila Office
645 Andover Park West, Suite 100, Tukwila, WA 98188
(206) 477-7022

Seattle Vet Center
4735 East Marginal Way South, Room 1102, Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 658-4225