19 Assisted Living Communities in Federal Way, Washington

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,750 per month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 19 Assisted Living Communities in Federal Way and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Federal Way, WA

• Assisted Living: $5,750
• Nursing Home Care: $9,243
• In-home Care: $6,092
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,317

Seniors pay considerably more for assisted living in the Federal Way area than in the state and nation as a whole. According to data gathered for Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, this type of care costs an average of $5,750 per month locally, which is about $600 more than the statewide average of $5,135 and $1,750 more than the nationwide average of $4,000. Similarly priced assisted living is found 85 miles away in Mount Vernon ($5,125) and 45 miles away in Bremerton ($5,720).

Budget-conscious seniors can save over a thousand dollars per month by seeking out assisted living in Yakima, Bellingham or Olympia where it costs $1,250 to $1,500 less per month. The most affordable care in the state is found in Spokane where assisted living is on par with the national average at $4,000 per month.

Note: Senior care cost data for Federal Way is unavailable, so data for the closest major city, Seattle, was used.

Federal Way seniors may choose from several types of care. The monthly costs for some of these options, namely assisted living and nursing home care, include room-and-board expenses, utilities, meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, activities and personal care. The monthly costs for home care and adult day health services typically represent a much smaller portion of overall living expenses, which makes them more costly in the long run for many seniors. In Federal Way, assisted living is among the most affordable types of care with only adult day health services costing less at $1,317 per month. Home care is notably more in this region at $6,092 per month. The most expensive option in this city is nursing home care, which costs $9,243 per month on average.

 

Federal Way seniors who meet income and asset limits may qualify for no-cost health insurance through Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program. This program is jointly funded by the state and federal government and provides preventive care, including cancer screenings, treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes, routine doctor’s office visits and hospital stays. In addition to this, it covers some personal services for seniors who reside in state-licensed assisted living facilities that accept Medicaid payments.

Apple Health also provides financial assistance for assisted living through a waiver program, which is detailed below.

Qualifying for Apple Health

To qualify for Apple Health, applicants must meet financial guidelines for SSI. Single applicants can have an income of no more than $771 per month with $2,000 in countable assets. The combined monthly income of married applicants can’t surpass $1,157, and they can have no more than $3,000 in resources.

Countable assets include cash, bank accounts, investments and personal property beyond what’s necessary for self-support. A senior’s primary dwelling and the land it sits on, one vehicle, burial spaces for immediate family and burial funds as well as household goods aren’t countable assets. Other exemptions may apply if only one spouse needs Medicaid.

Apple Health is an entitlement program, which means that all who qualify are guaranteed benefits.

Community Options Program Entry System

The state covers assisted living expenses for eligible seniors through a 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services waiver called the Community Options Program Entry System. This waiver covers personal care services, adult day health care, environmental modifications, skilled nursing and nonemergency medical transportation.

Acceptance into COPES is based on care needs, income and assets. Qualifying seniors are those who require help with two or more activities of daily living, have a monthly income of no more than $2,313 and no more than $2,000 in countable assets. Married applicants may have a combined monthly income of up to $4,626 and up to $3,000 in countable assets. Funding for COPES is limited, and eligible applicants may be placed on a waiting list.

There are several ways to apply for Apple Health. Seniors can apply online through Washington Connection. Alternatively, a paper application can be submitted in person at the local Department of Social and Health Services office, or seniors can apply over the phone by calling (877) 501-2233.

Optional State Supplement

Federal Way seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income automatically receive the optional state supplement in addition to their federal payment. This cash benefit can be used at the beneficiary’s discretion to cover room-and-board expenses and services in an assisted living facility that aren’t covered by other financial assistance programs. Currently, the OSS amount ranges from $27.28 to $46 depending on the beneficiary’s living arrangements.

To qualify for this program, applicants must meet eligibility guidelines for SSI. To learn more about OSS, seniors should contact their nearest Social Security Administration office at (800) 772-1213.

Elderlife Bridge Loan

The transition to assisted living can be costly, and for seniors who are waiting for government benefits, a home sale or other long-term funding to come through, a bridge loan from Elderlife Financial Services may provide a solution. This loan is the only one of its kind and can be used for move-in fees, room-and-board expenses and personal care services. Funds may be available within 24 hours and can be sent directly to the assisted living facility.

To qualify for an assisted living bridge loan, applicants have to demonstrate how they intend to repay the loan, and approval is based on credit history. Seniors should contact Elderlife Financial Services to learn more about loan repayment terms or to apply.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits

Veterans who receive VA services and rely on the care of another may be eligible for Veterans Aid and Attendance payments. These benefits are paid in addition to the monthly VA pension amount and can be used to cover assisted living expenses.

To be eligible for Aid and Attendance, qualifying applicants meet one of the following criteria:

• Require assistance with the activities of daily living, adjusting prosthetic devices or protecting themselves from hazards in their daily environment 

• Be bedridden

• Reside in a nursing home because of mental or physical disability

• Have corrected eyesight of 5/200 or worse or a field of vision of 5 degrees or less

Veterans who receive a Veterans Disability pension are ineligible for this program. To find out more about Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits, seniors should contact the Pension Management Center for Washington at (800) 827-1000.

Veterans residing in Federal Way have access to a variety of resources. The city is home to the Federal Way Vet Center, which provides counseling services, substance abuse referrals and community outreach programs. The nearest benefits office is located about 20 miles away in Lakewood, and the nearest VA medical center is about 13 miles away in Tacoma.

Federal Way Vet Center
32020 32nd Ave. S., Ste. 110, Federal Way, WA 98001
(253) 838-3090

Lakewood Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Office
5712 Main St. SW., Ste. 210, Lakewood, WA 98499
(256) 582-2729

American Lake VA Medical Center
9600 Veterans Dr. SW., Tacoma, WA 98493-0003
(253) 582-8440

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.