The Best Memory Care Facilities in Cowlitz County, WA

Cowlitz County, situated in southwest Washington is home to 102,410 residents, more than 15 percent of whom are seniors in the 65 and older age bracket, the primary age group for an Alzheimer’s disease or dementia diagnosis. There are two memory care facilities in Cowlitz County to support the needs of these seniors, both being located in Longview.

All Assisted Living Facilities, as memory care facilities are called in Cowlitz County and the rest of Washington, are governed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-term Support Administration Department.

• Cowlitz County has a pleasant climate with July highs only reaching 78 degrees, and January lows rarely dropping below 25. Sperling’s Comfort Index gives the county a score of 77 out of 100, compared to the national average of 54. Seniors with joint conditions aggravated by colder temperatures may be happier living in the county.
  
• Crime rates in Cowlitz County are slightly higher than the national average. On a scale where 100 represents the areas with the most crime, the county ranks 50 for violent crime and 47.2 for property crime compared to the U.S. averages of 31.1 and 38.1, respectively. Although seniors living in a secure facility may not be directly impacted by the higher crime rates, families might want to ensure that all prospective facilities have safeguards in place to protect their residents.
  
• Washington does not tax seniors on pensions, retirement savings account income, or social security benefits. These tax breaks could result in seniors in Cowlitz County having more available funds to contribute toward their facility expenses.
  
• The overall cost of living in Cowlitz County is 104.1, slightly higher than the national average of 100. Groceries, housing and transportation also rank higher, but healthcare ranks much lower at 78. Seniors might not be directly impacted by the higher cost of living, although it could affect the operating costs of local facilities.  

Memory Care costs in Cowlitz County start around $6,650 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Cowlitz County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Washington page.

Cowlitz County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Washington are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Washington page for more information about these laws.