8 Assisted Living Communities in Richland, Washington

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,500 a 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 8 Assisted Living Communities in Richland and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Richland, WA

• Assisted Living: $5,500
• Nursing Home Care: $8,699
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,195

The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care study shows that assisted living prices in Richland are the second highest in the state at $5,500. Rates here are $1,500 above the national average ($4,000) and $365 over the state average of $5,135. Other cities in the region are more affordable in comparison, including Walla Walla ($4,950), Yakima ($4,500), Wenatchee ($4,125) and Spokane ($4,000). Assisted living also costs significantly less in Olympia ($4,250) even though it’s adjacent to Seattle, where rates are the highest statewide at $5,750.

Note: Data for senior care costs in Richland wasn’t available, so data for the nearest major city, Kennewick, was used.

Average monthly prices for senior care in Richland vary significantly from just $1,195 for adult day health services up to $8,699 for nursing home care. The reasons for this wide cost variance include the level of care, the setting where it’s provided and whether skilled services are offered. An important factor to consider when comparing assisted living and in-home care is room and board, which is typically included in residential facility monthly rates. The average rates for homemakers and home health aides only cover 44 hours per week of services provided. Seniors are still responsible for all the expenses of running a household, such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, maintenance and food.

 

The federal Medicaid program was established in 1965 to provide affordable or free health care services to low-income Americans regardless of age. The program is a jointly funded initiative of the federal and state governments, with federal regulations and state administration. 

The Washington State Health Care Authority administers the Medicaid program known as Apple Health. This program provides a range of essential services to children, pregnant women, the disabled, the blind and the elderly. These include doctor visits, hospital care, X-ray and lab services and institutional nursing home care.

Apple Health offers an alternative to institutional care with the Community First Choice Option. This program is specifically designed to give residents the opportunity to receive care services and supports in their home and other community environments, such as assisted living and adult residential care facilities. 

Eligible applicants can receive:

• Transitional support to relocate from a nursing home
• Assistance with daily living activities
• Nursing services for diabetic care
• Assistance with medication administration
• Personal emergency response systems
• Assistive technology
• Respite care

Richland residents who apply for Apple Health for long-term care or the CFC option should be aged 65 or older and require an intermediate or nursing-home level of care. To qualify, they must have a monthly income of $2,313 or less per person. Individuals may have up to $2,000 in assets, and married couples applying together may have countable assets of up to $3,000. Those eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits automatically qualify for coverage.

All sources of income count, but some assets are exempt, such as a principal residence, household furnishings, personal effects, burial trusts and one automobile.

The CFC program and long-term care in a nursing home are entitlements under Apple Health. Those who meet the qualification guidelines can receive covered services without being subject to participation caps or waiting lists.

To apply for Apple Health for long-term care, Richland residents can complete an online application, call (877) 501-2233 to request a paper application by mail or visit the Home and Community Services office located at 500 N. Morain St., Ste. 2210 in Kennewick.

Community Options Program Entry System Waiver

Washington Medicaid also offers a home and community-based services waiver that may help eligible seniors pay for some assisted living expenses. The purpose of the COPES waiver is to provide seniors with an alternative to nursing home placement. The waiver doesn’t cover room and board in an assisted living facility, but it does cover services such as:

• Case management
• Durable medical equipment
• Skilled nursing care
• Personal care
• Community support goods and services
• Wellness education
• Nonmedical transportation

To qualify, Richland residents must be aged 65 or older and:

• Meet the Apple Health income and asset limits for long-term care coverage
• Need help performing at least two activities of daily living
• Be assessed as able to safely live outside a skilled nursing facility

The COPES program isn’t an entitlement of Apple Health, so those who qualify may be placed on a waiting list to receive services due to participation caps.

Richland seniors can apply for the COPES waiver online, call (509) 374-2100 or visit the Tri-Cities HCS office in Kennewick.

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Richland seniors who want to make the transition to assisted living but are waiting for their home to sell or benefits to begin may apply for a bridge loan from Elderlife Financial. These loans have no application fees or out-of-pocket costs and offer terms up to 12 months, which makes them ideal for bridging a short-term funding gap. Up to six family members can cosign the application to ease the approval process, and funds are often available within 24 hours. Elderlife loans are typically structured as a line of credit, which allows seniors to access funds on an as-needed basis and schedule convenient direct payments to the facility of their choice.

Bridge loan applications can be completed online or by calling Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income Washington residents eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income payments may also qualify for an additional monthly benefit through the Optional State Supplementation program. This cash benefit from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services can provide an extra $46 to put toward expenses not covered by Medicaid, such as assisted living room-and-board fees.

Richland seniors can apply for SSI and OSS programs by calling the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or by visiting the SSA office located at 8131 W. Klamath Ct. in Kennewick.

Southeast Washington Aging and Long-Term Care is the designated AAA serving Benton and the surrounding counties. The agency’s goal is to help seniors remain in the community and avoid institutional care. To this end, the ALTC provides information, referrals and case management and coordinates health, wellness and nutrition programs, legal and benefits counseling and transportation services. Southeast Washington ALTC 
3311 W. Clearwater Ave., Ste. D100, Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 735-0315

Senior veterans residing in the Richland area can contact the Washington State Veterans Service office in nearby Pasco for assistance with filing VA pension and benefit claims. Primary and mental health care, dermatology and specialty care are available at the local VA Clinic.

Veterans Service Office
1600 N. 20th Ave., Ste. A, Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 545-6558

Richland VA Clinic
825 Jadwin Ave., Ste. 250, Richland, WA 99352
(509) 946-1020

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