Caring.com
Caring.com

(800) 558-0653

The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Walla Walla, WA for 2024

Located in the southern region of Washington, just 6 miles from the Washington/Oregon border, Walla Walla is a beautiful city surrounded by rolling hills and views of the Blue Mountains. Dubbed the town so nice, they named it twice, Walla Walla is known for its revitalized Main Street and over a dozen public parks and recreation facilities. It has nearly 33,000 residents and a senior community that makes up about 17% of the population. Older adults choose Walla Walla for their retirement years for the city’s comfortable climate, affordability and high access to health care.

For many seniors, assisted living enables them to maintain their safety, comfort and privacy while receiving the care services they need. These residential facilities feature daily meals and snacks, personal care services and recreational activities, and many have additional benefits, such as pools, indoor and outdoor common areas and pet-friendly policies. The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey reports that in Walla Walla, assisted living rates are among the cheapest in the state and nation at $3,800 per month.

This guide outlines the benefits and drawbacks of living in Walla Walla and highlights the cost of local senior care services. It also summarizes the agencies and programs that provide free and low-cost services and supports to older adults. 

What you can do with Caring

  • Search the Caring database

    Quickly search the largest online senior living and senior care directory

  • Read reviews and expert guidance

    Read our authentic consumer reviews and content by experts

  • Speak to a Family Advisor for free

    Guided, expert advice to find the best community or agency for you

  • Take a tour to decide yourself

    We’ll help you book tours or get in touch with local agencies

Assisted Living Facilities in Walla Walla, Washington

6 Results


Pets Allowed

Filters

6 Results

Sort By

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Caring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.

Call us at (855) 948-3865

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Walla Walla

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services licenses assisted living facilities in Walla Walla, as well as the rest of Washington. This department ensures a high standard of care by overseeing caregiver background checks and enforcing regulations regarding care planning, recreational activities and staff training.  

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Walla Walla

  • The cost of living in Walla Walla is generally low, with local overall expenses coming in 7% below the national average and about 25% below the state median. Transportation-related expenses, such as public transportation, gasoline and auto insurance, are among the lowest in the state and nation. Housing is expensive here, which may make assisted living a good option for those with budgetary considerations.  
  • Property taxes are average in Walla Walla, and the sales tax rate is high. However, the state doesn’t impose an income tax, so seniors only pay federal taxes on pension income, Social Security benefits and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts.  
  • Health care is affordable and accessible in Walla Walla, which may appeal to older adults and those managing chronic conditions. In general, health care expenses, such as doctor’s office visits, dental care and hospital stays, cost about 20% less than in the nation as a whole, and there are 297 doctors per 100,000 people versus the national average of 210 doctors. The city is home to Providence St. Mary Medical Center, an award-winning facility that specializes in diagnostic imaging, cancer care and heart health.  
  • Property and violent crime occur at a relatively high rate in Walla Walla compared to similarly sized cities in Washington. On a 100-point crime index, the city rates 24 for violent crime and 61 for property crime, compared to the respective national rates of 22.7 and 35.4. In general, both types of crime have been trending downward for the past two decades, which may provide peace of mind to older adults moving to this region during their retirement years.  
  • On a 10-point comfort index, Walla Walla rates a little higher than the nation at 7.4, indicating that it has a more pleasant year-round climate than most cities. Summers are warm with July highs near 90, but noticeable humidity is rare. While winters are chilly with January lows around 30 degrees, the city sees just 9 inches of annual snowfall, which may make it a good option for those with mobility challenges.

Paying for Assisted Living in Walla Walla

Walla Walla features competitively priced assisted living services, with citywide monthly fees averaging $3,800. This is several hundred dollars below the national median of $4,300 and nearly $2,000 lower than the state’s monthly rate of $5,750. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

With assisted living fees averaging $3,800, Walla Walla is the most affordable surveyed city in Washington for this type of care. It’s an affordable alternative to Yakima, where rates are low compared to the state median but notably higher than the national average at $5,000. In the Olympia area, fees are higher still at $5,138, and in the Mount Vernon area, seniors pay close to the state average at $5,850. The Seattle area is the costliest Washington city to obtain care, with monthly fees averaging $6,750.  

Walla Walla

$3,800

Washington

$5,750

The United States

$4,300

Yakima

$5,000

Olympia Area

$5,138

Mount Vernon Area

$5,850

Seattle Area

$6,750

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living is one of the cheapest senior care options in Walla Walla, with seniors paying approximately $3,800 per month for this type of care. Adult day health care tends to be cheaper, with seniors statewide paying $2,167 for monthly care. Home-based care, including homemaker services and skilled home health aide services, are considerably pricier at $5,802. Nursing homes charge the highest rates of $9,764 for shared rooms and $10,676 for private rooms.  

Homemaker Services

$5,802

Home Health Aide

$5,802

Adult Day Health Care

0

Assisted Living Facility

$3,800

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$9,764

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

$10,676

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Walla Walla

There are Medicaid programs offered by the state of Washington to pay for the cost of ALF services in Walla Walla. Eligible seniors may qualify for the Community First Choice (CFC) State Plan or one of the Home and Community-Based Service 1915(c) waivers which are the Community Options Program Entry System (COPES), New Freedom and Residential Support waivers.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Washington page.

Financial Assistance in Washington

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Washington page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Walla Walla

Researching assisted living options in Walla Walla is easier with the help of trained professionals. The following table features local nonprofit programs and agencies that help older adults make informed decisions regarding their care, including deciding which facility fits their needs and lifestyles and their best options for covering monthly expenses.  

ResourceContactService
Aging & Long Term Care(509) 758-2355 (877) 961-2582Aging & Long Term Care is a service of the Southeast Washington ALTC Council of Governments and the designated Area Agency on Aging for Walla Walla and the surrounding region. This nonprofit agency has an award-winning case management program that helps older adults connect with services and supports in the community to supplement what they receive in assisted living, including transportation services, durable medical equipment loans and nutrition counseling. It administers several health and wellness programs that promote disease prevention and support seniors’ independence, and it has benefits specialists who help older adults obtain the public benefits they’re entitled to, including those that can help cover assisted living expenses.
Walla Walla Vet Center(509) 526-8387The Walla Walla Vet Center is operated by the Veterans’ Administration and provides assistance and advocacy to veterans in Walla Walla. The office’s experienced staff screens veterans for eligibility for benefits that can help cover assisted living, including the Aid and Attendance Benefit, disability compensation and pension programs. The office can also determine which veterans qualify for VA health care or veterans’ home placement.
Blue Mountain Action Council(509) 520-5162The Blue Mountain Action Council is a local nonprofit organization that serves those in Walla Walla and the surrounding area. It houses the region’s long-term care ombudsman program, which advocates on behalf of those in assisted living. The ombudsman works with families to help them compare local assisted living communities and identify options for paying for services. The ombudsman can also help resolve issues, such as billing errors, problems with intake and discharge procedures or substandard quality of care.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Walla Walla

Walla Walla-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Washington are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Washington page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Washington

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Vincent

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale Walla Walla

I liked Brookdale Walla Walla. However, if somebody stays at Brookdale, they better be competent enough to know to stay away from the staircases because the staircases were open. If somebody takes...

Read more

Assisted Living

Kathleen

I visited this facility

Review of Wheatland Village

Wheatland Village is kind of like the extreme nice facility. It's beautiful. They had everything you'd ever want in a facility, beautiful exercise rooms, a pool, and the cafeteria. The dining area...

Read more

Assisted Living

Nanette

I visited this facility

Review of Trustwell Living at Whitman Place

We toured Whitman Place, and the staff there was very nice. They were easy going, very accommodating, answered our questions, and did a follow up with us. We loved the fact that the facility is all...

Read more

Helpful Articles

Assisted Living near Walla Walla, WA

PendletonPascoKennewickRichlandHermistonLa Grande

Other Options in Walla Walla, WA

Business Owners

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Our Services

  • Senior Living Directory

  • Senior Care Directory

  • Caregiving Resources

  • Sitemap

  • Terms of Use

  • Privacy Policy


© 2024 Caring, LLC. All rights reserved.