Seattle, WA, is a dementia-friendly community on Puget Sound in the west-central region of the state. This city hosts about 740,000 people and a relatively young population, with its senior community making up a little over 12% of residents. While this is low compared to state and national norms, Alzheimer’s deaths are on the rise in this community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of Alzheimer’s deaths went up by 19% between 2016 and 2020, rising from 1,081 at the beginning of the reporting period to 1,288 at the end. During this time, the total death rate increased by 11%.

While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, specialized dementia care can improve the quality of life for those with this diagnosis. Residential memory care facilities provide daily meals, personal care and around-the-clock monitoring along with low-stress social and recreational opportunities.

This guide provides comprehensive information on dementia care in Seattle, including how local care costs compare to rates in nearby cities and where seniors and their families can access information and supportive services.

Directory of Memory Care Facilities in Seattle, WA

Empress Senior Living at Laurelhurst Assisted Living and Memory Care

4020 NE 55th St., Seattle, WA, 98105

Empress Senior Living was amazing. It was more expensive, but I seriously considered it. It’s just that the rooms were kind of small and a little depressing. They didn’t have carpet in them. Also, the … (read more)
Empress Senior Living was amazing. It was more expensive, but I seriously considered it. It’s just that the rooms were kind of small and a little depressing. They didn’t have carpet in them. Also, the … (read more)

Cogir of Northgate Memory Care

11039 17th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA, 98125

We paid up front for my mother’s care – she was in the facility for 31 days before she passed in May. We have been waiting for 2 months to get a refund for her care and room for a partial month, and … (read more)
We paid up front for my mother’s care – she was in the facility for 31 days before she passed in May. We have been waiting for 2 months to get a refund for her care and room for a partial month, and … (read more)

Quail Park of West Seattle

4515 41st Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98116

My friend is now a resident in Quail Park of West Seattle. Well, the biggest problem is this virus, he is in quarantine almost all the time. In fact, I got a call yesterday, and I have to put him back … (read more)
My friend is now a resident in Quail Park of West Seattle. Well, the biggest problem is this virus, he is in quarantine almost all the time. In fact, I got a call yesterday, and I have to put him back … (read more)


2023

Ida Culver House Broadview

12505 Greenwood Avenue N, Seattle, WA, 98133

Ida Culver House Broadview, located in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, is known for its cheerful environment designed to cultivate body wellness. This facility’s campus offers spe … (read more)
Ida Culver House Broadview, located in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, is known for its cheerful environment designed to cultivate body wellness. This facility’s campus offers spe … (read more)

Pat & Mileta’s AFH

5608 SW Hanford St, Seattle, WA, 98116

My mother will be moving into Pat & Mileta’s Home. It’s very light and bright. It’s very homey and it has a view of the water. It’s very clean. The room that I chose is a single room. It’s nicely … (read more)
My mother will be moving into Pat & Mileta’s Home. It’s very light and bright. It’s very homey and it has a view of the water. It’s very clean. The room that I chose is a single room. It’s nicely … (read more)

2013

Emerald City Senior Living

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 … (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 m … (read more)


2013

The Kenney

7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA, 98136


Queen Anne Manor Senior Living

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 … (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 f … (read more)

Aegis Living Madison

2200 East Madison Street, Seattle, WA, 98112


Merrill Gardens at Ballard

2418 Nw 56th St, Seattle, WA, 98107


Buchanan Place

4732 35th Avenue South, Seattle, WA, 98118


Aegis Living Queen Anne Rodgers Park

2900 3rd Avenue West, Seattle, WA, 98119


Aegis Living Lake Union

1936 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA, 98102


El Dorado West

1010 SW 134th Street, Burien, WA, 98146

El Dorado West was a great place. It would be our #1 choice. It’s a beautiful place and immaculate. If I was looking for a long-term community, I would move there today. That’s how much I liked it. Th … (read more)
El Dorado West was a great place. It would be our #1 choice. It’s a beautiful place and immaculate. If I was looking for a long-term community, I would move there today. That’s how much I liked it. Th … (read more)

Patriots Glen Assisted Living & Memory Care

1640 148th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA, 98007

What I like the least about Patriots Glen Assisted Living & Memory Care is probably the fact that the memory care residents didn’t have the opportunity to be involved with activities other than te … (read more)
What I like the least about Patriots Glen Assisted Living & Memory Care is probably the fact that the memory care residents didn’t have the opportunity to be involved with activities other than te … (read more)

Fieldstone Memory Care Bainbridge

10861 Manitou Park Blvd NE, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110

I love the staff at the BI Memory Care Facility. They are all so good with the residences in every way. I love the openness of all the common areas and the large hallways with the beautiful artwork … (read more)
I love the staff at the BI Memory Care Facility. They are all so good with the residences in every way. I love the openness of all the common areas and the large hallways with the beautiful artwork … (read more)

Sunrise of Mercer Island

2959 76th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA, 98040

Sunrise of Mercer Island is in Mercer Island, Washington, close to Mercerdale Park, Interstate 90 and a large shopping plaza. Visitors say residents seem happy, and loved ones compliment the caring, i … (read more)
Sunrise of Mercer Island is in Mercer Island, Washington, close to Mercerdale Park, Interstate 90 and a large shopping plaza. Visitors say residents seem happy, and loved ones compliment the caring, i … (read more)

Silverado Bellevue Memory Care

14428 NE 8th St., Bellevue, WA, 98007

Silverado Bellevue was a good-looking facility. It was brand new and extremely well decorated, but it was too small. Residents had to use a shared bathroom with sliding doors in between. There was a p … (read more)
Silverado Bellevue was a good-looking facility. It was brand new and extremely well decorated, but it was too small. Residents had to use a shared bathroom with sliding doors in between. There was a p … (read more)

COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Seattle

Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care 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 Memory Care 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 Memory Care in Seattle

In Seattle and the rest of Washington, memory care facilities are regulated by the State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Care Support Administration. Visit its website to learn about facility regulations, staff training requirements and dispute resolution procedures for complaints.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Seattle

  • Seattle is home to many of the state’s best hospitals, and a large number were rated as “High Performing” in treating a variety of conditions by U.S. News & World Report. Facilities include the University of Washington Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center and Swedish Medical Center – Cherry Hill.
  • Sound Generations provides free transportation for seniors to medical appointments, senior centers, shops, banks and other destinations in its service area. Disabled residents can ride the Hyde Shuttle for door-to-door transit to any destination in King County. Shuttle vans are fitted with lifts for wheelchairs and other medical equipment.
  • With an index of 172.3, the cost of living in Seattle is much higher than the national index of 100. This is largely due to housing costs (309), but groceries (108.7) and transportation (137.5) are pricey as well. Health care (85.2) and utilities (68.8) are cheaper than average, though.
  • Washington is tax-friendly to retirees thanks to no taxes on retirement income, including pensions and Social Security benefits. Sales taxes are higher than the national average, however. Currently, the King County sales tax rate is 10.1%, which includes the state sales tax of 6.5%.
  • Seattle receives approximately 38 inches of rain per year, on par with the national average, but only 152 sunny days compared to the rest of the country’s 205. Weather tends to be mild year-round. The city gets about 5 inches of snow annually, 23 less than the national average, with an average low temperature of 37 in January. In July, the median high temperature is 76 degrees.
  • Seattle’s violent crime rate is 6.6 compared to the Washington average of 2.93, which means residents have a one in 152 chance of becoming a victim of this type of crime. The city’s property crime rate is 52.5 (Washington average 27.3), and the odds of experiencing crimes such as burglary or vehicle theft are one in 19. Overall, Seattle is safer than 2% of U.S. cities.
  • Seattle has been a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network of States and Communities since 2016. Members of the network have perks like easy access to social services, ample activities for seniors, public transportation options and walkable neighborhoods.

Paying for Memory Care in Seattle

In Seattle, the average cost of memory care is $8,438 per month. This price includes a secure and comfortable environment, staff who are trained to care for people with Alzheimer’s, memory support programming and ample safety measures, such as gated gardens and keypad entries for families. Memory care is usually 20%-30% more expensive than assisted living, so the prices below are based on assisted living rates from Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey plus 25%.

The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities

Partly due to its high cost of living, Seattle is one of Washington’s most expensive cities for memory care. It’s $938 higher than the Washington average of $7,500 and $2,813 more than the nationwide average of $5,625. Prices remain fairly high in Mount Vernon at $6,875, and in Bremerton, seniors pay $7,188. Costs average $6,006 in Olympia and $6,625 in Longview.

$8438

Seattle

$7500

Washington

$5625

The United States

$6875

Mount Vernon

$7188

Bremerton

$6006

Olympia

$6625

Longview

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Homemaker services and home health aides can be good options for seniors who don’t yet need memory care. Both cost $6,769, although home health aides provide skilled nursing services and homemaker services don’t. Daytime-only supervision is priced around $2,600. Assisted living is $6,750, only slightly cheaper than home care. Nursing homes are the most expensive, averaging $9,916 for a semiprivate room and $11,984 for a private room.

$6769

Homemaker Services

$6769

Home Health Aide

$2600

Adult Day Health Care

$6750

Assisted Living Facility

$9916

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

$11984

Nursing Home (private room)

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Seattle

In Seattle, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in Washington page.

More ways to pay for memory care in Washington

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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.

Free Memory Care Resources in Seattle

Residents of Seattle can get help through a wide range of social services and programs for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. Services offered by the following resources may include financial assistance for low-income seniors, early-stage Alzheimer’s recreational events and free consultations on choosing a memory care facility.

Resource
Contact
Description

(844) 348-5464

Seattle's Area Agency on Aging offers a Community Living Connections program that answers questions for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other disabilities. Residents can call the hotline to speak with a trained specialist about memory care options, how to choose a suitable facility, tips on caring for someone with dementia and more age-related issues. Other services include case management, legal support, health maintenance and referrals to local resources.

(800) 272-3900

The Alzheimer’s Association provides free consultations for families and seniors suffering from memory disease. The program provides a health assessment, strategies for coping with disease progression, coordination of services, future planning assistance and regular check-ins as the condition of a loved one changes. Its website has a list of family caregiver support groups, upcoming research projects and programs for seniors with early-stage Alzheimer’s.

(206) 448-5720

Through the Senior Rights Assistance program, Seattle residents can get legal advice on advance health care directives, powers of attorney, guardianships, estate planning and other topics of importance to older adults. The program includes a free 30-minute consultation with a volunteer attorney.

(800) 562-6028

The ombudsman is trained to resolve complaints about neglect, use of restraints, resident dignity and quality of care in the state's licensed memory care facilities. The program's website has information about elder rights, facility regulations and decision-making assistance for people living in long-term care.

(206) 615-0100

Offered by Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Dementia-Friendly Recreation program provides fun and mentally engaging activities for residents with early Alzheimer’s. Activities may include watercolor painting, dancing, volunteer opportunities and field trips to local attractions.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Seattle

Seattle Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Washington are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Washington page for more information about these laws.

Laws and regulations for memory care in Washington