The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Yakima County, WA for 2024

Yakima County, nestled in south-central Washington is home to 243,231 residents, 11.6 percent of whom are seniors aged 65 and older. There are 110,000 Washington seniors living with Alzheimer’s, and it is estimated that there will be 30,000 more before 2025. There are five memory care facilities in Yakima County to support these seniors.

In Yakima County and in all of Washington state, memory care facilities are known as Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs). These ALFs are licensed and governed by the Aging and Long-term support Administration Department of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

• Yakima County’s air quality is rated at 63 on a scale where 100 represents locations with the best air quality, compared to the U.S. average of 58. Although the air quality in the county is only four points higher than the average, seniors with chronic respiratory conditions may have an easier time breathing in the county as opposed to other areas in the state.
  
• Washington does not apply taxes to pensions, retirement savings account withdraws or social security benefits. Seniors living on fixed incomes in Yakima County may find that these tax breaks help make their facility costs more affordable.
  
• Yakima County residents enjoy all four seasons. Summer highs hit the high 80s, and winter lows can dip down to the low 20s. The area receives 12 inches of rain per year, compared to the U.S. average of 39 inches, and 20 inches of snow, compared to the national average of 26 inches. Seniors’ families may want to ask staff about protocols to protect residents from harsh winter weather conditions.
  
• The cost of living in Yakima County has a rank of 97.3, slightly lower than the national average of 100. Healthcare and transportation costs also rank lower than the average at 81 and 98, respectively. Seniors’ families with tight memory care budgets might find that living in Yakima County is more affordable than other areas in Washington.

Memory Care costs in Yakima County start around $5,972 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Yakima 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.

Yakima 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.