Assisted Living in Seattle, WA

Assisted Living Costs in Seattle

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, Seattle’s average monthly cost for assisted living ($5,750) is $1,750 higher than the national average and more expensive than the state average of $5,135. Seattle is the costliest city in Washington state for assisted living, with costs being much lower in smaller cities such as Spokane ($4,000) and Yakima ($4,500). 

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Seattle: $5,750
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $5,135
• Bellingham: $4,250
• Bremerton: $5,720
• Longview: $5,000
• Olympia: $4,250
• Walla Walla: $4,950
• Yakima: $4,500

Care Cost Comparison

Care costs are closely related to the type of care, with a semiprivate room in a nursing home costing approximately $3,500 more than an assisted living facility. Home care in Seattle costs about $350 more than assisted living, and that excludes expenses such as rent, property taxes, utilities and maintenance that are generally included in the cost of assisted living. Adult health day care is considerably lower than other types of senior care, but hours are limited and living expenses at home must also be taken into account. 

Costs of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

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

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Seattle

Medicaid in Washington

Medical assistance is available for low-income residents of all ages in Seattle through Medicaid, also known as Apple Health in the State of Washington. The program covers a range of services, including preventative care, treatment for chronic conditions and long-term services and supports such as in-home care and nursing home services. 

Adults under the age of 64 who have a monthly income of $1,396 or less automatically qualify for up to $16,752 in free coverage through Apple Health. Seniors aged 65 and older may be eligible for Categorically Needy coverage through Apple Health Long-Term Services if they meet the Social Security Income criteria, which currently has monthly income limits of $771 for an individual and $1,157 for a couple. Resource (cash savings) limits are $2,000 and $3,000 respectively. For help with the enrollment process, call the Washington Healthplanfinder at (855) 923-4633 or contact the King County helpline at 1-800-756-5437. 

Seniors who have limited financial resources may qualify for an Apple Health (Medicaid) waiver to help pay for assisted living services. This option is only considered in cases where the cost of assisted living is lower than the cost of nursing home care.

Known as the Community Options Program Entry System, or COPES, this program is available for seniors aged 65 or older and adults 18-64 who are permanently disabled. In order to qualify, applicants must have an annual individual income no greater than $12,490 and hold no more than $2,000 in countable assets; however, these limits can be waived in exceptional circumstances where applicants are burdened with high ongoing medical costs for medication, supplies or special services.

To apply for COPES, contact the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services at (800) 562-3022. Note that acceptance is not guaranteed for qualified applicants because program enrollment is capped state-wide at approximately 40,000 clients. There may be a waiting list for the COPES program. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Veterans Aid and Attendance and Housebound Program

Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for assisted living financial support through the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Program. The funding serves as a supplement to the monthly VA pension, and veterans cannot supplement VA Disability with aid from the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Program. 

Program eligibility is determined based on financial resources, service history and current medical needs. There are also criteria related to the use of a prosthetic device, vision impairment and the metal and physical capacity of the applicant. 

Aid and Attendance is a pension top-up program that is available to veterans and their surviving spouses who meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Require assistance from a caregiver to perform personal functions such as bathing, dressing and fitting prosthetic devices
• Are bedridden 
• Reside in a nursing home due to disabilities (mental or physical)
• Have 5/200 or worse visual acuity in both eyes using corrective lenses

Housebound benefits are available for veterans and their surviving spouses who are effectively confined to their home due to a permanent disability and have a VA disability rating of 100 percent. Under this program, the disability does not have to be related to military service. 

To apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, contact your regional VA service center to speak with a program officer. Note that assistance through the Aid and Attendance cannot be combined with Housebound benefits. 

Assisted Living Resources in Seattle

Senior Centers in Seattle

The City of Seattle is home to 12 senior centers that are open to residents aged 50 and older, and a number of city community centers also offer programming for older adults. Many senior centers in Seattle offer multilingual events, health screening services and transportation assistance to and from local grocery stores and medical centers. 

Veteran Centers and Clinics

Seattle is home to a large veteran population thanks in part to its proximity to a number of Army and Navy bases, including Fort Lewis, Naval Base Kitsap and McChord Field. Veterans can access a wide range of services and supports through local Vet Centers and VA Puget Sound Health Care System. 

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

North Seattle CBOC (Valor Healthcare) 
12360 Lake City Way NE, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 384-4382

Community Assistance Agencies in Seattle

A number of government and not-for-profit agencies offer assistance to seniors in Seattle, including multiple food banks, volunteer driver programs and help with Medicaid case management. 

Aging and Disability Services – Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County
Downtown Seattle Office, Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Avenue, 51st Floor, Seattle WA 98124-4215
(206) 684-0660

University District Food Bank 
5017 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 523-7060

A Century of Hope – Volunteer Transportation 
100 23rd Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 328-5696