The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Whatcom County, WA for 2023

Whatcom County, located 25 miles south of the Canadian border in extreme northwest Washington, is home to more than 200,000 residents. Over 26,000 of these residents are seniors aged 65 or older, the vulnerable age group for a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other cognitive impairments. Whatcom County is home to three memory care facilities designed to meet the needs of these seniors, all of which are located in Bellingham.

Memory care facilities, known as Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) in Whatcom County and the rest of Washington, are governed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging and Long-term Support Administration Department.

• Residents of Whatcom County enjoy pleasant summers with highs of 74 degrees. The area receives 42 inches of rain per year, only slightly more than the U.S. average of 39 inches. In the winter, temperatures rarely drop below 34. Sperling’s Comfort Index gives the county a rating of 76 out of 100, more than 20 points higher than the U.S. average of 54, indicating that seniors who enjoy cooler temperatures during the summer months might like living in Whatcom County.
  
• Washington does not tax seniors on retirement income including pensions, retirement savings account income and social security benefits. Seniors who rely on these types of income may find that living in Whatcom County results in more money for their facility expenses.
  
• The air quality in Whatcom County has a rating of 68 compared to the lower national average of 58. The better air quality in the county may be beneficial to seniors with chronic respiratory ailments.
  
• Whatcom County has a violent crime rating of 40.7 on a scale where 100 represents the U.S. median, and a property crime rating of 42.4, both of which are only slightly higher than the national averages of 31.1 and 38.1, respectively. Despite the slightly higher crime rates, memory care facilities usually have security measures like self-locking doors and surveillance cameras in place to keep their residents safe.

Memory Care costs in Whatcom County start around $5,552 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 Whatcom 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.

Whatcom 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.