Caring.com
Caring.com

(800) 558-0653

The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Olympia, WA for 2024

Located at Puget Sound’s southern end, Olympia is Washington’s capital and one of its top 5 retirement destinations. According to the 2020 Census, an above-average 18.4% of its 55,605 residents are in the 65 and older age group. Olympia is a cultural hub with a historic downtown district and is popular with seniors who delight in unspoiled nature. The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Mima Mounds and Tumwater Falls Park are particularly popular. It’s also tax-friendly and has an overall cost of living index 38.4% below Seattle’s.

Seniors struggling to perform everyday tasks, such as bathing and dressing, may find assisted living is the solution. Staff help residents with daily activities and take care of other common duties, such as room cleaning, laundry and making meals. Managers organize social calendars that include mentally and physically stimulating entertainment, including indoor group activities and day trips. Olympia’s median fee for assisted living is almost 20% below the state average, at $4,805 per month.

This guide considers the advantages and disadvantages of Olympia and its assisted living costs compared to nearby cities and other types of senior care. It also lists some useful free resources.

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 Olympia, Washington

16 Results


Pets AllowedPhysical TherapyPool / Hot TubVeterans Benefits

Filters

16 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 Olympia

The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, a Washington State Department of Social and Health Services division, licenses the state’s assisted living facilities. Successful license applicants have satisfied the division’s strict criteria on a range of matters, including health and safety, fire safety, and staff training. The division routinely monitors facilities to ensure they continue to comply with license conditions.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Olympia

  • Olympia has an abundance of well-regarded medical facilities, so most seniors will only be minutes from the nearest facility. They include St. Peter Hospital, Capital Medical Center and West Olympia Medical Center. There are also an above-average number of physicians registered to care for Medicare beneficiaries. 
  • Crimes involving violence and property are above-average in Olympia and more concentrated in districts bordering East Bay and West Bay. Other neighborhoods experience lower rates of crime. Seniors concerned about crime should know assisted living facilities typically have state-of-the-art security systems, with many including surveillance cameras, and all with staff on-site 24/7. 
  • According to Sperling’s BestPlaces, Olympia has an excellent health cost index of 78.4. This is due to many factors, including relatively good air and water quality, significant work to reduce the amount of contaminated land and below-average health care costs.
  • A major factor in Olympia’s appeal is its average cost of living index of 106.1, which is much lower than Washington’s 118.7. This suggests seniors’ money goes further in the city than most locations in the state. Housing costs skew the figures somewhat, but several regular costs are more affordable, such as transportation.
  • It can get cold in Olympia in winter, with January’s temperatures averaging 34 degrees, and rainfall is around 15 inches more than the national average of 38. However, summer is more comfortable, with temperatures averaging a pleasant 77 degrees in July. 
  • Although the combined overall sales tax in Olympia is an above-average 9.4%, the city is considered tax-friendly for seniors. This is due to Washington being a no income tax state, which means it doesn’t tax Social Security, pensions or retirement accounts, allowing seniors to hold on to more of their earnings. 
  • Seniors with disabilities unable to use Intercity Transit’s fixed route buses may be eligible for Dial-a-Lift, a door-to-door shared ride service. An endorsement from a licensed medical provider or qualified service provider is required before the senior can use the service. 

Paying for Assisted Living in Olympia

Olympia’s median fee of $4,805 is $305 more per month than the U.S. average but is significantly more affordable than Washington’s norm of $6,000. Seniors may find costlier and more affordable facilities in Olympia, as multiple factors determine fees, particularly location and amenities provided. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

With fees averaging $4,805 per month, seniors are likely to find Olympia’s assisted living facilities more affordable. Yakima’s median of $4,975 is the only fee that comes close, but it’s still another $170 per month (or $2,040 when calculated annually). Median fees in other nearby cities are much higher, such as Longview ($5,300), Bremerton ($5,750) and Seattle ($6,750).

Olympia

$4,805

Washington

$6,000

United States

$4,500

Longview

$5,300

Bremerton

$5,750

Seattle

$6,750

Yakima

$4,975

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Adult day health care’s monthly fee of $1,625 is the most affordable in Olympia, which is expected as services are non-medical and don’t include accommodation. Assisted living provides the same services, as well as a comfortable room, three meals per day and social activities, which reflects its median fee of $4,805. In-home care and home health care deliver non-medical and medical services, respectively, for the same average fee of $6,673. This is significantly more than assisted living and doesn’t include the senior’s home maintenance costs

In-Home Care

$6,673

Home Health Care

$6,673

Adult Day Health Care

$1,625

Assisted Living Facility

$4,805

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$9,764

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Olympia

Seniors looking for financial assistance for assisted living in Olympia can apply through three Medicaid programs: the Medicaid Personal Care (MPC) program, the Community First Choice Option (CFCO) program and the Washington Medical COPES (Community Options Program Entry System) Waiver, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver. These programs provide financial support for personal care assistance and costs other than room and board.

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 Olympia

Seniors in Olympia don’t need to cope with issues on their own, as the city is home to many organizations committed to helping older residents live safe and fulfilling lives. The resources listed here can help assisted living residents in dispute with their care providers and veterans who require medical and non-medical care. There are also agencies that help Olympia’s seniors get the most from their communities via their senior centers and voluntary work.

ResourceContactService
Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program(800) 562-6028The purpose of the Washington State Long-Term Ombudsman Program is to support and protect the residents of licensed senior care facilities, educate them about their rights and promote greater standards among care providers. Its ombudsmen are trained volunteers who investigate complaints in confidence and attempt to resolve them with facilities through negotiation. Occasionally, an ombudsman may refer a complaint to an appropriate authority if they suspect criminal behavior, such as elder abuse.
Olympia Senior Center(360) 586-6181Seniors Services of South Sound is a nonprofit dedicated to helping the region's older residents. It manages two seniors centers, including one in Olympia. For a small membership fee, both centers offer life enriching programs that educate, inform and help seniors maintain their health and fitness. Classes include seated Zumba, line dancing, yoga and tai chi. There are also TED Talks, language classes and instructions on using the latest tech gadgets.
RSVP of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties(360) 943-2773The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) brings together adults aged 55+ who want to volunteer their time with the nonprofits and government agencies that rely on assistance to fulfill their purposes. Opportunities for volunteers can vary, some utilizing their existing skills and others requiring training. Common opportunities include teaching English to immigrants, delivering meals to homebound seniors and mentoring the community's younger members.
Olympia VA Clinic(253) 583-2621Olympia VA Clinic is an outpatient medical facility delivering primary care and mental health care services to veterans and their dependents. It also specializes in social work, nutritional support and laboratory services. It doesn't offer non-medical care, such as support for PTSD sufferers, but can refer seniors to nearby facilities. The facility is open on weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Olympia

Olympia Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in WA are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in WA page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Washington

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Janet

I visited this facility

Review of Artesian Place Assisted Living

We toured Artesian Place Assisted Living, which is right by the hospital. It's very clean, very nice, they had a lot of things to do, and the people were very friendly. I felt like I'd be...

Read more

Assisted Living

Barbara

I am/was a resident of this facility

Review of Brookdale Olympia East

I moved into Brookdale Olympia East 2 months ago. We have a lot of activities like exercises, games, and movies. My room is very comfortable. We have a lot of options for food. Some things are...

Read more

Assisted Living

S.

I visited this facility

Review of Artesian Place Assisted Living

We have chosen Artesian Place Assisted Living for our mom. She is due to move in a few weeks. It was very clean. The staff was friendly, and the residents looked very happy. They have gathering...

Provider response

Thank you for your kind words! We look forward to and are honored to care for your mother. Our mission is to Exceed Expectations for Loving, Thoughtful Care. Welcome to the Artesian Place family!

Read more

Helpful Articles

Assisted Living near Olympia, WA

TumwaterLaceyDupontYelmSheltonLakewood

Other Options in Olympia, 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.