The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Kennewick, WA for 2024

 

An Alzheimer's diagnosis can be heartbreaking for seniors because the condition is progressive and has a high mortality rate. However, families may experience some relief knowing that their loved ones can receive excellent care in Kennewick. While seniors comprise 15.1% of the city's population of 84,750, CDC statistics show that deaths from the condition have only risen by 4.79% from 2016 to 2020, in contrast to the doubling of mortality that has swept across the country on average from 2000 to 2019. 

One of the best ways to help loved ones with Alzheimer's enjoy a longer retirement with fewer complications is to place them in a reputable dementia care facility. Caregivers at these establishments have the specialized knowledge required to assess mental changes and manage behavioral issues that may arise as symptoms progress, and residents can also benefit from a structured daily routine with fun, therapeutic activities that may help slow disease progression.

This guide explores the benefits and drawbacks of choosing Kennewick as a home. It also outlines the costs of memory care compared to nearby locations.

Memory care facilities across the state of Washington are regulated and licensed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. The department is responsible for ensuring facilities operate according to state laws, but can also provide helpful resources for family caregivers and assist seniors in finding a suitable provider.

 

• Kennewick has 192 physicians per 100,000 people, slightly lower than the national average of 210. However, health care is very affordable at 19.3% below the U.S. average, so seniors can potentially save money on medical treatments and surgeries. The city is home to several highly-rated local medical amenities, such as Providence Center and Fresenius Kidney Care.
• On a 100-point index measuring the overall cost of living, Kennewick comes in at 98.3, indicating that most goods and services are comparable to the national average. Health, utilities and transportation are significantly more affordable than the average, and the city has an income tax rate of 0%, helping ensure monthly budgets can go further.
• Kennewick has a low violent crime rating of 16.3 on a 100-point scale, which is below the national average of 22.7 and continues to follow a downward trend. Property crimes rate at 7.6 points higher than the U.S. average, but this number has also decreased markedly over the past 20 years, and memory care facilities are typically not prime targets for break-ins.
• The Dial-A-Ride curb-to-curb public transport service operated by Ben Franklin Transit offers easy travel throughout Kennewick for seniors with physical or mental disabilities. Individuals with mild dementia symptoms can travel with a companion using public transport, helping them maintain independence for longer.
• Kennewick has cold winters and hot summers, but this doesn't mean it can't be a comfortable place to live. The region experiences only 8 inches of rain annually and 4 inches of snow, avoiding the need for seniors to tolerate extreme weather. Its Comfort Index of 7.5 out of 10 places it just ahead of the U.S. average of 7.
• Air quality is typically rated as good in Kennewick, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index. However, wildfires are common throughout Washington, which can sometimes cause the air quality to drop temporarily. Staying indoors and using an air filter can generally mitigate much of the risk during these events, keeping seniors comfortable.

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Memory care costs $6,531 per month on average in Kennewick.

The $6,531 cost of memory care in Kennewick positions the city well below the state average of $7,500. However, this type of care is costly in Washington compared to the national average of $5,625. Yakima, located just west of Kennewick, costs $6,219 per month, while Walla Walla to the east is very affordable at $4,014. Seattle is a very expensive area, costing $8,438 monthly on average.

It's worthwhile to consider other types of care for families with strict budgets, as some services can offer significant savings while still providing adequate care for seniors with memory loss. Individuals with mild symptoms may benefit from assisted living at $5,225 or home care at $6,197, whereas seniors with greater disease progression may require the nursing expertise of a home health aide, which also costs $6,197. Nursing homes average $9,581 and might be ideal for seniors with several medical conditions in addition to Alzheimer's. Adult day health care offers relief for family caregivers at $1,749 per month.

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.