21 Assisted Living Communities in Thurston County, Washington

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,250 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 21 Assisted Living Communities in Thurston County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Thurston County, WA

• Assisted Living: $4,250
• Nursing Home Care: $9,064
• In-home Care: $5,529
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,730

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study documents senior care costs nationwide. The study shows that the average monthly price for assisted living in Thurston County is $4,250, which is $250 above the national average and $885 below the state average. Prices are much higher in neighboring areas, such as Bremerton ($5,720) and Seattle ($5,750), which has the most expensive care costs in the state. 

Costs in Thurston County are comparable to Bellingham ($4,250) and Wenatchee ($4,125), making prices here among the lowest in the state. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Thurston County, so data for Olympia, the county seat, was used. 

At an average of $9,064 per month, semiprivate nursing home care in Thurston County costs more than double the fees for assisted living. Although both services include room and board, nursing homes also provide 24/7 medical care to seniors with complex needs.  Hiring either a homemaker or home health aide for 44 hours per week costs an average of $5,529 per month, while adult day health services cost $2,730 per month. When weighing the true price of each senior care option it’s important to recognize that seniors who remain in their homes must continue paying day-to-day living expenses in addition to their care costs. 

Medicaid is the government health plan that provides needy individuals with access to essential health care services, such as primary care, hospitalization and nursing home care. Every state administers its own Medicaid plan using funds from the state and federal government, and in Washington, the Medicaid program is called Apple Health.

To qualify for Apple Health enrollment, seniors aged 65 and older must have an income of $2,313 or less ($4,626 per couple) and own under $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 per couple). Some assets, such as a home owned and occupied by the applicant and/or their spouse is exempt as long as the home is worth no more than $585,000. 

Also exempt is one vehicle, an irrevocable burial trust and personal effects. If only one spouse needs Medicaid services, the income of the non-applicant is disregarded, and special rules apply to ensure the community spouse has enough money and resources to live on. 

For more information on Apple Health, contact the Washington Healthplanfinder at (855) 923-4633. 

Community First Choice

The Community First Choice Apple Health waiver provides funding for personal care services for seniors who meet the criteria for nursing home placement but live in a community-based setting, such as an assisted living facility. 

Under the CFC, seniors who are able to self-direct their care can choose to hire and manage their own personal support workers, and these caregivers may be family members. 

Community Options Program Entry System 

Like the CFC waiver, the Community Option Program Entry System (COPES) provides services and supports to let seniors avoid institutionalization and remain in an assisted living setting. 

COPES covers adult day health services, transportation, respite care and personal care in assisted living facilities, however, participants remain responsible for their own room-and-board costs. 

Eligible seniors can enroll in both the CFC and COPES programs. 

To learn more about COPES and the CFC program, contact the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging at (888) 545-0910. 

VA Aid and Attendance Housebound

Veterans and survivors who collect regular VA pension payments may qualify for a higher pension amount through the VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance to help pay for assisted living care. To be eligible for either one of these two enhanced VA pension programs, applicants must either have a permanent disability or chronic illness that impacts their day-to-day functioning. 

Aid and Attendance provides single veterans a maximum annual pension of $22,577, and veterans with one dependent can receive up to $26,766. Single survivors may receive a maximum annual pension of $14,509 and up to $17,309 with one dependent.

To be eligible for Aid and Attendance, applicants must be bedridden, live in a nursing home, have a severe visual impairment or need help to perform basic activities of daily living. 

Housebound gives single veterans a maximum annual pension of $16,540 and up to $20,731 for vets with one dependent. Single survivors may be eligible for up to $11,095 per year, while those with one dependent may qualify for a maximum annual enhanced pension of $13,893. 

Note: Successful applicants are granted either Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. Veterans who already receive VA disability benefits are not eligible for these two programs. 

For more information and assistance with the application process, contact a veterans services officer at the Lacey Veterans Services Hub by calling (360) 456-3850. 

Optional State Supplementation

The State of Washington provides a cash benefit of up to $46 per month ($92 per couple) for seniors aged 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits through the Optional State Supplementation program. This program helps seniors cover the room-and-board portion of their assisted living costs.

For more information, phone the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Senior Services for South Sound is a nonprofit agency that provides a wide range of support services and programs for seniors.  The agency operates numerous senior nutrition sites, a volunteer driver program, two thrift shops and a senior resource service. Seniors can access these programs by speaking with a senior services intake worker at either the Olympia Senior Center or the Lacey Senior Center. 

Comprehensive VA health services are available at the American Lake VA Medical Center in nearby Tacoma, which is part of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. 

Help with VA entitlements, such as health care enrollment, death benefits, pensions and disability benefits, is available through the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department

American Lake VA Medical Center
9600 Veterans Dr. S.W., Tacoma, WA 98493-0003
(253-582-8440

Thurston County Veterans’ Assistance
412 Lilly Rd. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506-5132
(360) 867-8236

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.