Seattle’s downtown area is dense and busy, but the city is surrounded by beautiful Pacific Northwest neighborhoods. For seniors who enjoy outdoor scenery, the Emerald City’s diverse landscape offers easy access to beautiful ocean shores and views of snow-capped mountains. The City of Seattle is home to 737,015 residents, with 17% age 60 and over. However, the Seattle Metro area includes a population of 4,069,180 residents.
Assisted living facilities provide personal care assistance in a homelike community for seniors who can no longer reside at home alone. Staff members help residents with daily living needs, and housekeeping and transportation are included. The average cost per month for assisted living in Seattle is $6,750, higher than Washington state at $6,000 and much higher than the national average of $4,500.
This informative guide provides information about assisted living in Seattle and the costs. Also provided are the pros and cons of retiring in the city and a list of free resources for seniors living in the Seattle area.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Seattle, WA
9850 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98136
My mom moved into Florence of Seattle, Arbor Heights. It’s a smaller family home. It was a miracle finding it. It’s the most gorgeous place, and they are wonderful. It’s run by a beautiful woman and i
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My mom moved into Florence of Seattle, Arbor Heights. It’s a smaller family home. It was a miracle finding it. It’s the most gorgeous place, and they are wonderful. It’s run by a beautiful woman and it has been in her family for generations. The staff is attentive, they are there, and they are loving. They have bingo and karaoke. They have a piano guy that comes in twice a week. They have a hair parlor that does my mom’s hair. They have a beautiful courtyard. Their yards are gorgeous. And they have rooms that you can meet in with your family. I’ve looked at all kinds of places, but here, they work with you and it was affordable for my mom.
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My mom moved into Florence of Seattle, Arbor Heights. It’s a smaller family home. It was a miracle finding it. It’s the most gorgeous place, and they are wonderful. It’s run by a beautiful woman and i
… (read more)
My mom moved into Florence of Seattle, Arbor Heights. It’s a smaller family home. It was a miracle finding it. It’s the most gorgeous place, and they are wonderful. It’s run by a beautiful woman and it has been in her family for generations. The staff is attentive, they are there, and they are loving. They have bingo and karaoke. They have a piano guy that comes in twice a week. They have a hair parlor that does my mom’s hair. They have a beautiful courtyard. Their yards are gorgeous. And they have rooms that you can meet in with your family. I’ve looked at all kinds of places, but here, they work with you and it was affordable for my mom.
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715 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104
We looked at Skyline Health Services’ independent and assisted because they’re not sure what we’re gonna do. They eventually said we would have to be in assisted living in order for our long-term care
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We looked at Skyline Health Services’ independent and assisted because they’re not sure what we’re gonna do. They eventually said we would have to be in assisted living in order for our long-term care policy to work, and that put us into a hazy category. So, we wouldn’t have access to all of the services that an independent living person would have access to.
I like the people. I like that it’s very new and fresh. It’s beautifully maintained and all the residents that we’ve met there on the various visits that we’ve made were easy to chat with. It’s a good location, and the physical plan seemed nice and good. The services seemed good and the staff seemed to be flexible in creating a care plan. The facility was top of the line with the exception of not having a swimming pool on-site. However, they have an arrangement down the street with an athletic club, so you can go down and use the pool there.
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We looked at Skyline Health Services’ independent and assisted because they’re not sure what we’re gonna do. They eventually said we would have to be in assisted living in order for our long-term care
… (read more)
We looked at Skyline Health Services’ independent and assisted because they’re not sure what we’re gonna do. They eventually said we would have to be in assisted living in order for our long-term care policy to work, and that put us into a hazy category. So, we wouldn’t have access to all of the services that an independent living person would have access to.
I like the people. I like that it’s very new and fresh. It’s beautifully maintained and all the residents that we’ve met there on the various visits that we’ve made were easy to chat with. It’s a good location, and the physical plan seemed nice and good. The services seemed good and the staff seemed to be flexible in creating a care plan. The facility was top of the line with the exception of not having a swimming pool on-site. However, they have an arrangement down the street with an athletic club, so you can go down and use the pool there.
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1040 S Henderson St, Seattle, WA, 98108
I had the experience of working the Sea Mar community center for 9 months. I specifically worked with the preschool that shares the space with this building. In that time, I was able to involve the
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I had the experience of working the Sea Mar community center for 9 months. I specifically worked with the preschool that shares the space with this building. In that time, I was able to involve the preschool children in the lives of the men and women who lived in the assisted living center. It was a practice that had been going on for some time. It was a joy to see the children get to interact with caring adults, and the adults would also enjoy the presence of the little ones. The center itself is a clean, professional area that has the added benefit of being a bilingual community. Spanish and English speakers were welcome. The staff was always friendly and helpful, and there was a real sense of community in the center. The center is also the site of celebrations of local culture, and the many windows allow those who would prefer to stay indoors to see all around them, as the center resides at the top of a hill. The Sea Mar community health center is a lovely place for adults.
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I had the experience of working the Sea Mar community center for 9 months. I specifically worked with the preschool that shares the space with this building. In that time, I was able to involve the
… (read more)
I had the experience of working the Sea Mar community center for 9 months. I specifically worked with the preschool that shares the space with this building. In that time, I was able to involve the preschool children in the lives of the men and women who lived in the assisted living center. It was a practice that had been going on for some time. It was a joy to see the children get to interact with caring adults, and the adults would also enjoy the presence of the little ones. The center itself is a clean, professional area that has the added benefit of being a bilingual community. Spanish and English speakers were welcome. The staff was always friendly and helpful, and there was a real sense of community in the center. The center is also the site of celebrations of local culture, and the many windows allow those who would prefer to stay indoors to see all around them, as the center resides at the top of a hill. The Sea Mar community health center is a lovely place for adults.
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5311 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98103
9001 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115
Emerald City Senior Living is located in a quiet neighborhood in Seattle, just minutes away from shopping, restaurants and world-class medical care. Residents and their visitors praise the clean and m
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Emerald City Senior Living is located in a quiet neighborhood in Seattle, just minutes away from shopping, restaurants and world-class medical care. Residents and their visitors praise the clean and modern, small-pet-friendly facilities and furnishings. Residents are catered to by a caring, well-trained staff, and say the visiting physician and on-site therapy facilities make it easy for them to get the care they need without venturing far from home. Emerald City Senior Living residents and visitors comment on the many opportunities to keep busy, including indoor walking and gardening clubs, an on-site salon and exercise and game rooms.
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Emerald City Senior Living is located in a quiet neighborhood in Seattle, just minutes away from shopping, restaurants and world-class medical care. Residents and their visitors praise the clean and m
… (read more)
Emerald City Senior Living is located in a quiet neighborhood in Seattle, just minutes away from shopping, restaurants and world-class medical care. Residents and their visitors praise the clean and modern, small-pet-friendly facilities and furnishings. Residents are catered to by a caring, well-trained staff, and say the visiting physician and on-site therapy facilities make it easy for them to get the care they need without venturing far from home. Emerald City Senior Living residents and visitors comment on the many opportunities to keep busy, including indoor walking and gardening clubs, an on-site salon and exercise and game rooms.
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4700 SW Admiral Way, Seattle, WA, 98116
Aegis of West Seattle is located in western Seattle, near Schmitz Preserve Park and Alki Beach Park on the Puget Sound. Visitors praise the atmosphere of the facility, noting its impressive size. The
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Aegis of West Seattle is located in western Seattle, near Schmitz Preserve Park and Alki Beach Park on the Puget Sound. Visitors praise the atmosphere of the facility, noting its impressive size. The dining area rotates its selections seasonally and bakes fresh bread and cookies daily. The property offers 24-hour staffing and an emergency call button service. Several on-site amenities are available to residents, including a beauty salon, massage parlor and vegetable garden. Residents can also choose from a wide range of activities, including community trips, dance classes and walking clubs.
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Aegis of West Seattle is located in western Seattle, near Schmitz Preserve Park and Alki Beach Park on the Puget Sound. Visitors praise the atmosphere of the facility, noting its impressive size. The
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Aegis of West Seattle is located in western Seattle, near Schmitz Preserve Park and Alki Beach Park on the Puget Sound. Visitors praise the atmosphere of the facility, noting its impressive size. The dining area rotates its selections seasonally and bakes fresh bread and cookies daily. The property offers 24-hour staffing and an emergency call button service. Several on-site amenities are available to residents, including a beauty salon, massage parlor and vegetable garden. Residents can also choose from a wide range of activities, including community trips, dance classes and walking clubs.
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1421 Minor Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101
We were favorably impressed with Merrill Gardens at First Hill. It seemed like a very nice place to live for seniors. It’s the kind of place a person would be willing to have their parent live when ne
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We were favorably impressed with Merrill Gardens at First Hill. It seemed like a very nice place to live for seniors. It’s the kind of place a person would be willing to have their parent live when necessary. The studio was certainly adequate. There were plenty of activities, and the dining room looked very nice.
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We were favorably impressed with Merrill Gardens at First Hill. It seemed like a very nice place to live for seniors. It’s the kind of place a person would be willing to have their parent live when ne
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We were favorably impressed with Merrill Gardens at First Hill. It seemed like a very nice place to live for seniors. It’s the kind of place a person would be willing to have their parent live when necessary. The studio was certainly adequate. There were plenty of activities, and the dining room looked very nice.
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7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA, 98136
There was one person at The Kenney who was great and toured my daughter and me around. We had lunch there, and everything was fine. They gave me a list of the activities that they had every month. It’
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There was one person at The Kenney who was great and toured my daughter and me around. We had lunch there, and everything was fine. They gave me a list of the activities that they had every month. It’s in a residential neighborhood, and I was looking for some walkability for other activities. They also wanted a big fee payment upfront.
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There was one person at The Kenney who was great and toured my daughter and me around. We had lunch there, and everything was fine. They gave me a list of the activities that they had every month. It’
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There was one person at The Kenney who was great and toured my daughter and me around. We had lunch there, and everything was fine. They gave me a list of the activities that they had every month. It’s in a residential neighborhood, and I was looking for some walkability for other activities. They also wanted a big fee payment upfront.
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6900 37th Avenue South, Seattle, WA, 98118
I only moved in a few weeks ago. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. The building is kept clean and well maintained. My apartment is beautiful, as are the grounds. There are a lot of activit
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I only moved in a few weeks ago. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. The building is kept clean and well maintained. My apartment is beautiful, as are the grounds. There are a lot of activities to enjoy. That’s important to those of us with age, disabilities, and financial need. If I hadn’t been able to come here, I would have been homeless very soon.
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I only moved in a few weeks ago. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. The building is kept clean and well maintained. My apartment is beautiful, as are the grounds. There are a lot of activit
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I only moved in a few weeks ago. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. The building is kept clean and well maintained. My apartment is beautiful, as are the grounds. There are a lot of activities to enjoy. That’s important to those of us with age, disabilities, and financial need. If I hadn’t been able to come here, I would have been homeless very soon.
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11 West Aloha St., Seattle, WA, 98119
100 Crockett Street, Seattle, WA, 98109
Ideally placed in the beating heart of Seattle, Queen Anne Manor offers the very best urban experience for sophisticated seniors. The mission of the community is to offer seniors an environment that f
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Ideally placed in the beating heart of Seattle, Queen Anne Manor offers the very best urban experience for sophisticated seniors. The mission of the community is to offer seniors an environment that feels more like a home than a facility. Both the assisted living and memory support programs boast a full calendar of events including arts, entertainment, fitness activities and games designed to keep the body and mind sharp. Custom care plans are designed to meet a resident’s medical needs as well as allow them the opportunity to enjoy life to its fullest.
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Ideally placed in the beating heart of Seattle, Queen Anne Manor offers the very best urban experience for sophisticated seniors. The mission of the community is to offer seniors an environment that f
… (read more)
Ideally placed in the beating heart of Seattle, Queen Anne Manor offers the very best urban experience for sophisticated seniors. The mission of the community is to offer seniors an environment that feels more like a home than a facility. Both the assisted living and memory support programs boast a full calendar of events including arts, entertainment, fitness activities and games designed to keep the body and mind sharp. Custom care plans are designed to meet a resident’s medical needs as well as allow them the opportunity to enjoy life to its fullest.
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2200 East Madison Street, Seattle, WA, 98112
My mom lived in the Aegis Living Madison for almost a year. We loved the staff, the food was very good, and it was very clean. The reason we left was because my mom wasn’t participating in the activit
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My mom lived in the Aegis Living Madison for almost a year. We loved the staff, the food was very good, and it was very clean. The reason we left was because my mom wasn’t participating in the activities they had and the field trips. She had a one-bedroom suite with a living room and a private bath. It was very nice and roomy. The only thing I didn’t like was that they wouldn’t like you to hang pictures on the wall yourself. They wanted to do it themselves. My mother had this Japanese screen that we’ve had in our family for a very long time. We had them put it up and they assured us that they were using the right tools, but it fell and it broke. That’s the only bad thing I have to say. Other than that, it is excellent care.
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My mom lived in the Aegis Living Madison for almost a year. We loved the staff, the food was very good, and it was very clean. The reason we left was because my mom wasn’t participating in the activit
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My mom lived in the Aegis Living Madison for almost a year. We loved the staff, the food was very good, and it was very clean. The reason we left was because my mom wasn’t participating in the activities they had and the field trips. She had a one-bedroom suite with a living room and a private bath. It was very nice and roomy. The only thing I didn’t like was that they wouldn’t like you to hang pictures on the wall yourself. They wanted to do it themselves. My mother had this Japanese screen that we’ve had in our family for a very long time. We had them put it up and they assured us that they were using the right tools, but it fell and it broke. That’s the only bad thing I have to say. Other than that, it is excellent care.
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2309 South 254th Court, Seattle, WA, 98198
My mother-in-law absolutely adores this adult family home! She requires heavy total care and is also diabetic which has led to several problems in finding a facility that both offered the care she nee
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My mother-in-law absolutely adores this adult family home! She requires heavy total care and is also diabetic which has led to several problems in finding a facility that both offered the care she needed and that she was happy with. The Loving Ones has definitely met all her needs and more! Her diabetes, one of her biggest issues, has stabilized since arriving here and it was very surprising to see how quickly her sugars went down. She was able to bring all of her belongings with her and decorate/paint her room however she wanted. Furthermore, I am extremely impressed by the level of care and attention that she has received. The staff are friendly and seem very diligent in making sure that residents are comfortable at all times. She also actually enjoys the food at this home too which was lacking (and sometimes inedible) at her previous facilities. I would definitely recommend this home to others!
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My mother-in-law absolutely adores this adult family home! She requires heavy total care and is also diabetic which has led to several problems in finding a facility that both offered the care she nee
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My mother-in-law absolutely adores this adult family home! She requires heavy total care and is also diabetic which has led to several problems in finding a facility that both offered the care she needed and that she was happy with. The Loving Ones has definitely met all her needs and more! Her diabetes, one of her biggest issues, has stabilized since arriving here and it was very surprising to see how quickly her sugars went down. She was able to bring all of her belongings with her and decorate/paint her room however she wanted. Furthermore, I am extremely impressed by the level of care and attention that she has received. The staff are friendly and seem very diligent in making sure that residents are comfortable at all times. She also actually enjoys the food at this home too which was lacking (and sometimes inedible) at her previous facilities. I would definitely recommend this home to others!
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531 Northeast 112th Street, Seattle, WA, 98125
I like Northaven Assisted Living. I thought it was OK. It was very pleasant. The staff was very nice. I thought that the facilities that we saw were lovely. They were very nice. If it were me, I would
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I like Northaven Assisted Living. I thought it was OK. It was very pleasant. The staff was very nice. I thought that the facilities that we saw were lovely. They were very nice. If it were me, I would be very comfortable in a place like this.
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I like Northaven Assisted Living. I thought it was OK. It was very pleasant. The staff was very nice. I thought that the facilities that we saw were lovely. They were very nice. If it were me, I would
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I like Northaven Assisted Living. I thought it was OK. It was very pleasant. The staff was very nice. I thought that the facilities that we saw were lovely. They were very nice. If it were me, I would be very comfortable in a place like this.
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1605 17th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122
The Gaffney House is a really unique assisted living facility. It’s located in a century old Capital Hill Mansion in downtown Seattle. The home really has a lot of character. Each resident has thei
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The Gaffney House is a really unique assisted living facility. It’s located in a century old Capital Hill Mansion in downtown Seattle. The home really has a lot of character. Each resident has their own room but bathrooms are shared. The food smells delicious. The staff is really helpful and so far seem to be agreeable to individualized care plans. From my observation there seems to be a fairly high staff to resident ratio. My friend has memory deficits and the staff checks on her every hour all night long so make sure she is doing well and see if she needs any assistance.
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The Gaffney House is a really unique assisted living facility. It’s located in a century old Capital Hill Mansion in downtown Seattle. The home really has a lot of character. Each resident has thei
… (read more)
The Gaffney House is a really unique assisted living facility. It’s located in a century old Capital Hill Mansion in downtown Seattle. The home really has a lot of character. Each resident has their own room but bathrooms are shared. The food smells delicious. The staff is really helpful and so far seem to be agreeable to individualized care plans. From my observation there seems to be a fairly high staff to resident ratio. My friend has memory deficits and the staff checks on her every hour all night long so make sure she is doing well and see if she needs any assistance.
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803 S Lane, Seattle, WA, 98104
I encountered Legacy House when I was looking for a facility in which I could gain some experience for volunteering and to get a feel as to what the duties of an OTA, the occupation I am interested in
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I encountered Legacy House when I was looking for a facility in which I could gain some experience for volunteering and to get a feel as to what the duties of an OTA, the occupation I am interested in, entailed. I managed to secure and obtain a position in which I could carefully observe and participate under the eye of a licensed OT through my aunt who worked as a human resources manager for the center previously. One thing I noticed was the kind and attentive patient care issued to all residents and the cleanliness. The state of the facility spoke for itself and there could be no complaints as to it’s cleanliness. Seniors were allowed to participate in many different planned activities such as bingo, rehabilitative exercise, art projects such as decoupage. One thing however I must note is the obvious need for more staff. Other than that this facility is top notch. Residents are obviously well cared for and the staff is well loved noting from the genuine smiles and greetings every one of them gets. Anyone looking for a great care center in Seattle should consider Legacy House.
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I encountered Legacy House when I was looking for a facility in which I could gain some experience for volunteering and to get a feel as to what the duties of an OTA, the occupation I am interested in
… (read more)
I encountered Legacy House when I was looking for a facility in which I could gain some experience for volunteering and to get a feel as to what the duties of an OTA, the occupation I am interested in, entailed. I managed to secure and obtain a position in which I could carefully observe and participate under the eye of a licensed OT through my aunt who worked as a human resources manager for the center previously. One thing I noticed was the kind and attentive patient care issued to all residents and the cleanliness. The state of the facility spoke for itself and there could be no complaints as to it’s cleanliness. Seniors were allowed to participate in many different planned activities such as bingo, rehabilitative exercise, art projects such as decoupage. One thing however I must note is the obvious need for more staff. Other than that this facility is top notch. Residents are obviously well cared for and the staff is well loved noting from the genuine smiles and greetings every one of them gets. Anyone looking for a great care center in Seattle should consider Legacy House.
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19691 4th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA, 98166
My visit to Rosewood was good. It was a remodeled home. The staff was nice and helpful, but there were only three private rooms and the other half were shared rooms. I wanted a private room for my gra
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My visit to Rosewood was good. It was a remodeled home. The staff was nice and helpful, but there were only three private rooms and the other half were shared rooms. I wanted a private room for my grandmother, but there weren’t any available. They had a separate family room for guests and a back sundeck. They had activities, musicians who came to play for the residents, arts and crafts, and games.
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My visit to Rosewood was good. It was a remodeled home. The staff was nice and helpful, but there were only three private rooms and the other half were shared rooms. I wanted a private room for my gra
… (read more)
My visit to Rosewood was good. It was a remodeled home. The staff was nice and helpful, but there were only three private rooms and the other half were shared rooms. I wanted a private room for my grandmother, but there weren’t any available. They had a separate family room for guests and a back sundeck. They had activities, musicians who came to play for the residents, arts and crafts, and games.
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5300 24th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, 98105
Merrill Gardens left a lot to be desired. It was pretty depressing, and I didn’t see much of the activity at all. I saw one activity room, and it wasn’t even being used. The menu looked sufficient
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Merrill Gardens left a lot to be desired. It was pretty depressing, and I didn’t see much of the activity at all. I saw one activity room, and it wasn’t even being used. The menu looked sufficient, but the dining room didn’t look all that clean, and I had no desire to eat there.
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Merrill Gardens left a lot to be desired. It was pretty depressing, and I didn’t see much of the activity at all. I saw one activity room, and it wasn’t even being used. The menu looked sufficient
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Merrill Gardens left a lot to be desired. It was pretty depressing, and I didn’t see much of the activity at all. I saw one activity room, and it wasn’t even being used. The menu looked sufficient, but the dining room didn’t look all that clean, and I had no desire to eat there.
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1802 17th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122
I chose Fred Lind Manor for my husband because it’s close to me, it’s small, and it’s been owned by the same people for 80 years. It’s all devoted to assisted living, but they have expanded services f
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I chose Fred Lind Manor for my husband because it’s close to me, it’s small, and it’s been owned by the same people for 80 years. It’s all devoted to assisted living, but they have expanded services for people with memory issues. He was there before he went to the hospital and rehabilitation center. Then the rehabilitation center discussed his needs with the people at Fred Lind, and that’s when I decided that that was a good place for him, and it’s working out well. I’m very happy with the care they have. They are very sweet people, and they do things when I called. With COVID, you can’t go in and see how things are, but I’m as happy as I expect to be with them. The facility is very nice and very, very well maintained, too.
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I chose Fred Lind Manor for my husband because it’s close to me, it’s small, and it’s been owned by the same people for 80 years. It’s all devoted to assisted living, but they have expanded services f
… (read more)
I chose Fred Lind Manor for my husband because it’s close to me, it’s small, and it’s been owned by the same people for 80 years. It’s all devoted to assisted living, but they have expanded services for people with memory issues. He was there before he went to the hospital and rehabilitation center. Then the rehabilitation center discussed his needs with the people at Fred Lind, and that’s when I decided that that was a good place for him, and it’s working out well. I’m very happy with the care they have. They are very sweet people, and they do things when I called. With COVID, you can’t go in and see how things are, but I’m as happy as I expect to be with them. The facility is very nice and very, very well maintained, too.
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2418 Nw 56th St, Seattle, WA, 98107
Merrill Gardens at Ballard was nice and well-appointed. The staff was very friendly. We went in and saw some rooms. A couple of the residents opened their rooms up and let us look inside and they were
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Merrill Gardens at Ballard was nice and well-appointed. The staff was very friendly. We went in and saw some rooms. A couple of the residents opened their rooms up and let us look inside and they were very nice. They had a very nice rooftop garden with a view. Its location in Ballard was nice, but for parking, it’s terrible. The accessibility to come to visit there would probably be the biggest concern. Also, it’s full, but the staff was friendly and very helpful.
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Merrill Gardens at Ballard was nice and well-appointed. The staff was very friendly. We went in and saw some rooms. A couple of the residents opened their rooms up and let us look inside and they were
… (read more)
Merrill Gardens at Ballard was nice and well-appointed. The staff was very friendly. We went in and saw some rooms. A couple of the residents opened their rooms up and let us look inside and they were very nice. They had a very nice rooftop garden with a view. Its location in Ballard was nice, but for parking, it’s terrible. The accessibility to come to visit there would probably be the biggest concern. Also, it’s full, but the staff was friendly and very helpful.
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COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Seattle
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Washington. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What To Consider About Assisted Living in Seattle
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services regulates and licenses assisted living facilities, performing regularly scheduled and unannounced inspections to ensure all state rules are followed. The Washington State Assisted Living Licensing Rules outline standards of care and residents’ rights.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Seattle
- Seattle is part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, a program developed by AARP with older adults in mind to create livable communities with safe, walkable streets, transportation options and access to services needed to live life well. The city’s action plan outlines strategies to address livability and promote the health of older adults.
- Although Seattle often receives criticism for the amount of rain the city gets, it averages 38 inches of rain each year, the same as the U.S. average. There’s a chance of a few inches of snow in the winter, but it typically doesn’t stay around very long, and the summer temperature average is a pleasant 76 degrees. The one drawback is 226 gray days per year, which make Seattle the cloudiest city in the United States. Still, the area’s natural beauty outshines the clouds.
- Seniors may find their hard-earned income goes further in Seattle, as Washington is a senior retiree tax-friendly state. Social Security income, withdrawals from retirement accounts and pension income aren’t taxed, and Washington doesn’t have a state income tax.
- The cost of living in Seattle may present a hardship to some seniors overall, being 172.3 out of a national average of 100. The highest costs driving this number are housing at 309 out of 100 and groceries at 108.7. The lower cost-of-living numbers are utilities at 68.8 and health care at 85.2.
- Seattle does have higher crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 32.3 versus the U.S. average of 22.7 and a much higher property crime rate of 76.9 compared to the U.S. average of 35.4. These rates are for the Seattle downtown city area. Other communities in the Seattle Metro area have lower crime rates.
Paying for Assisted Living in Seattle
The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports an average monthly cost of $6,750 for assisted living in Seattle compared to the state average of $6,000. These amounts are both much higher than the national average of $4,500.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
The cost of assisted living in Seattle is one of the most expensive in Washington, at $6,750. Just across the bay from Seattle, Bremerton averages less at $5,750. South of Seattle, the state capital of Olympia averages $4,805 monthly, and further south, Longview’s monthly average is $5,300.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors can choose from additional long-term care options in Seattle based on their needs. Adult day health care, for seniors who only need weekday supervision, averages $2,600 per month. Seniors who decide to remain at home can choose homemaker services or home health aide care, which provides some medical assistance at a monthly average of $6,769 for each. Seniors who may need a higher level of medical care from a nursing home will pay an average of $9,916 for a semiprivate room and $11,984 for a private room.
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Seattle
There are Medicaid programs offered by the state of Washington to pay for the cost of ALF services in Mountlake Terrace. 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.
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 Seattle
Seattle is committed to being age-friendly, and part of this commitment includes offering numerous free resources for seniors. Government and local agencies provide community and social recreation, benefits education and additional support services for seniors.
The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program assists seniors and their families with issues or complaints with long-term care facilities. It also protects the rights of the elderly and educates them about the benefits and programs offered through Medicaid and Medicare. Ombudsmen help find resolutions for situations involving quality of care, seniors' rights, elder abuse and other aspects of dignity and personal rights for residents in long-term care facilities.
The Senior Center of West Seattle provides support, socialization and activities to promote the health and wellness of area seniors. Fitness classes include yoga, exercise, qigong and tai chi. Activities include cribbage, mah-jongg, live music and drumming workshops.
The Hyde Shuttle program offers seniors van service to locations throughout King County. Rides are provided for meal programs, medical appointments, senior centers, grocery stores, medical appointments and other local destinations.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Seattle
Seattle-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.