The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in University Place, WA for 2024

 

The Seattle suburb of University Place covers about 8 square miles at the base of Mount Ranier near the shores of the Puget Sound. This region accommodates seniors living with dementia through 21 memory care communities, including 3 within the city proper. Local care costs come in at approximately $6,006 per month, which exceeds the national norm but falls hundreds of dollars shy of Washington’s median.

We help you refine your search for memory care services in University Place by highlighting 191 reviews unbiased reviews. This feedback contributes to the overall quality rating of 3.75 out of 5 stars stars among local memory care facilities.

Because Washington officially recognizes memory care communities in University Place and the rest of the state as assisted living facilities, it requires them to obtain annual licensure through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. This governing body sets minimum standards for care planning, housing and staffing, as well as dementia-specific services.

 

• Although University Place doesn’t have a hospital within its limits, it sits close to Tacoma, which houses St. Joseph Medical Center and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. Together, these hospitals serve the region through inpatient and outpatient services, as well as neurological care, offering comprehensive support to local seniors living with memory loss.

 

• Washington doesn’t have a state income tax, promoting affordability for seniors who rely on multiple forms of income to fund their living and memory care expenses. To make up for the lost revenue, the state has a very high sales tax rate, but it provides full exemptions for groceries, newspapers and prescription medications, reducing this burden on retirees and helping many afford memory care services in University Place.

 

• With an overall cost of living that exceeds the national average by 12.5%, University Place ranks among the more expensive retirement options in the United States. Even so, health care costs run about 18% less here than in a typical U.S. city, and state-funded programs such as the Residential Support Waiver help qualified memory care residents cover monthly care expenses.

 

• University Place scores 56 out of 100 points on the AARP Livability Index compared to the average U.S. city score of 48, which means it has an above-average range of amenities, benefits and public policies that benefit seniors. Reliable access to public transportation lets many families visit loved ones in memory care without having to drive, and the low preventable hospitalization rate indicates access to a wide range of outpatient services.

 

• In University Place, violent crime occurs at a rate of 2.5 incidents per 1,000 people in a given year compared to 3.8 statewide and 4.0 nationally, providing peace of mind to those considering local memory care services. Similarly, property-related offenses occur less frequently than in other communities in Washington at a rate of 29.6. Although this exceeds the national average, memory care communities promote residents’ safety through measures such as security gates and transportation escorts.

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.

In University Place, memory care residents expect to pay approximately $6,006 per month.

University Place seniors pay approximately $6,006 monthly for memory care, making this city among the most affordable options in Washington for specialized services. Although this rate exceeds the national norm by about $380, it comes in approximately $1,500 below the Washington median and hundreds or thousands of dollars below rates in nearby cities. For example, in Longview, care costs exceed local rates by about $620. Similarly, seniors in Bremerton pay roughly $1,180 more for care, and in Seattle, fees surpass the local norm at around $8,438.

Memory care costs in University Place come in at around $6,006. By comparison, seniors in non specialized assisted living facilities pay lower rates of approximately $4,805 for personal care and housing, and those who attend adult day health care pay $1,625 for basic personal and medical care services in a nonresidential environment. Conversely, seniors pay higher rates of around $6,673 when they schedule private services at home, including in-home care services, such as medication reminders and personal care, and home health care services, such as disease monitoring. Nursing home rates exceed memory care costs by about $3,758, impacting those who need 24-hour medical support.

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.