Located at 307 W Francis Ave in Spokane, WA, Comfort Keepers Spokane is a senior home health care provider offering home health care in addition to in-home personal care services. They offer a variety of medical services such as blood ...
Home Care in Washington
- Home Care Directory for Washington
- Home Care Costs in Washington
- Financial Assistance for Home Care in Washington
- Washington Home Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Home Care Resources in Washington
Natural beauty, a robust economy and rich cultural heritage make Washington a desirable place to grow old. Its ideal location in the Pacific Northwest offers scenic rainforests, mountain ranges and beaches that keep seniors close to nature. The Evergreen State ranks first nationwide in the overall standard of living, providing many opportunities for recreation, education and healthy aging. In terms of long-term services and supports, Washington places second with its wide range of long-term care options. More than 1.2 million Washingtonians are 65 older, making up approximately 16% of the state’s population.
Rating the overall favorability of an area for older adults, Washington’s final SeniorScore of 70 is considered satisfactory while below the U.S. average of 72. The state’s General Quality of Life gains a score of 66 for its mild four seasons and highly educated population. Health and Safety scores 65, given Washington’s high life expectancy of about 80 years and the nationally ranked hospitals. Recreation and Leisure is rated 63 as the Evergreen State boasts over 100 state parks with ADA-compliant facilities. Finances has a SeniorScore of 56 due to Washington’s high cost of living that’s mainly driven by expensive housing. However, retirees enjoy tax exemptions on all forms of retirement income.
This guide gives seniors and their families helpful information about home care in Washington, the expected costs, available financial assistance options and applicable laws and free resources.
Top Home Care Agencies in Washington
Located at 13905 NE 128th St in Kirkland, Washington, Evergreen Health Home Care is a home health care company offering in-home nursing and personal home care. For nearly 32 years, they have been serving seniors throughout the Kirkland area. ...
Located at 15413 E Valleyway Ave Ste 101a in Veradale, WA, Visiting Angels Senior Care Spokane Valley Washington (WA) is a home care service provider offering in-home nursing services and also personal home care services. They can provide various personal ...
Home Instead Senior Care - Seattle is a senior home healthcare company based in Seattle, Washington at 3221 Eastlake Ave E Ste 120. They provide in-home medical care and in-home personal care services to seniors. They offer different medical ...
Located in Tacoma, Washington at 1401 S Union Ave Ste B, Visiting Angels Tacoma is an in-home care company that offers home health care as well as personal home care services. They offer different personal services like basic home maintenance, ...
Located in Olympia, WA at 1217 Cooper Point Rd SW Ste 8, Home Instead Senior Care Olympia is a home care service provider that offers home care services and in-home health care. They provide various personal services such as help ...
Alpha Nursing and Services Inc is a home care service provider located in Everett, Washington at 10530 19th Avenue SE. They provide in-home personal care and also in-home health care for senior clientele. Since 1996, they have been ...
Located at 903 5th Ave Ste 201 in Kirkland, WA, Visiting Angels Kirkland is a senior in-home care service provider offering personal home care services and also in-home medical services. They can provide a variety of medical services including post-surgery ...
Located in Everett, Washington at 2731 Wetmore Ave, Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County is a senior home care service provider that offers home health services and in-home care. For almost 33 years, they have been serving ...
Located in Bellingham, Washington at 4213 Rural Ave, Visiting Angels Bellingham is a senior home care provider that offers personal care services along with in-home nursing services. They can provide various personal services like assistance with reading, help with transportation, ...
Home Instead Senior Care Sequim is a senior home health care company located in Sequim, Washington at 675 N 5th Ave Ste 1b. They offer home healthcare as well as home care for senior clients. They can provide multiple ...
Visiting Angels Vancouver is a home care provider located in Vancouver, Washington at 10818 NE Coxley Dr Ste O. They provide in-home nursing care as well as personal home care services to senior clients. They can provide different medical ...
Located in Bellevue, Washington at 1510 140th Avenue Ne, Suite 100, Signature Home Health is a senior home health care provider offering home care and in-home nursing services. They have been serving seniors in Bellevue for nearly 24 years. They ...
Located in Federal Way, Washington at 33710 9th Ave S Ste 15, Signature Home Heatlh is a senior in-home care company offering home care services and home healthcare. They have been serving clients in the area since 1996. They provide ...
Located at 4910 111th Ave NE in Kirkland, Washington, Harvard Partners Home Health Care is a senior home health care company that offers home care services and in-home health care. They have been operating in Washington since 2012. They can ...
Located in Tacoma, WA at 3901 South Fife St, Multicare Home Health, Hospice & Palliative Care is a home healthcare provider that offers home healthcare and also in-home care. They have been serving customers in Washington for nearly 39 ...
Heartland Home Health Care is a senior in-home care service provider located in Seattle, WA at 115 NE 100th St. They offer home health care and in-home care to senior clients. For nearly 38 years, they have been helping ...
Sunshine Home Health Care, LLC is a in-home care service provider based in Spokane, WA at 919 South Raymond Rd. They provide in-home personal care and also home healthcare to seniors. For nearly 8 years, they have been ...
Located in Vancouver, WA at 2911 SE Village Loop, Touchmark at Fairway Village Home Health Agenvy is a home health care company that offers in-home nursing services along with personal care services. Since 2005, they have been providing care to ...
Located in Bellevue, Washington at 14450 NE 29th Place, Suite 106, Careage Home Health is a senior home care provider offering in-home care as well as in-home medical services. For almost 24 years, they have been serving customers in the ...
The Cost of Home Care in Washington
With respective average in-home care and home health care costs of $5,720 and $5,815 per month, Washington is among the most expensive states for home care. In-home care provides nonmedical services, including assistance with daily living activities, while home health care offers skilled nursing services in addition to in-home care. Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey for 2019 shows that these two types of home care in the Evergreen State are approximately $1,400 costlier than the respective U.S. averages of $4,290 and $4,385.
The Cost of Home Care in Washington Compared to Nearby States
Washington has the steepest home care costs throughout the Western United States. Its respective average monthly in-home care and home health care costs of $5,720 and $5,815 are higher by about $500 to $600 than neighboring Oregon. The most affordable state in the Northwest region is Idaho, comparable to the national averages and saving seniors approximately $1,500 per month compared to Washington. Montana is also affordable with similar home care costs at $4,576, around $1,100 to $1,200 cheaper than the Evergreen State. Seniors opting for home care in California should expect to pay similar costs with home health care in Oregon.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Minnesota | $5,720 | $5,815 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Oregon | $5,148 | $5,339 |
Idaho | $4,195 | $4,290 |
Montana | $4,576 | $4,576 |
California | $5,335 | $5,339 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Washington
Aside from home care, there are other senior care options in Washington to support healthy aging. The least expensive option is adult day care at $1,829 per month, allowing seniors to receive personal care outside the home while enjoying social and recreational activities with fellow participants. Assisted living is roughly $200 to $300 less costly than in-home care and home health care, offering an economical alternative as it already covers the costs of accommodations, meals and round-the-clock care. Compared to nursing home care, which costs $9,112 per month, home health care is $3,300 less expensive and it may be a more suitable long-term care option for those with minimal spending on housing, utilities, food and other living expenses.
- In-Home Care: $5,720
- Home Health Care: $5,815
- Adult Day Care: $1,441
- Assisted Living Facility: $5,500
- Nursing Home Care: $9,112
The Cost of Home Care in Washington's Top Cities
The Puget Sound region has the most expensive home care costs throughout Washington. Seattle has the steepest average in-home care and home health care costs in the state at more than $6,200, while Yakima in Central Washington is the least expensive metro area with similar home care costs at $5,434 per month. The Spokane area in Eastern Washington has similar home care costs of $5,720, on par with the state’s in-home care average. For seniors opting for less expensive areas in the Puget Sound region, Olympia and Bellingham have average home care costs that are $200 to $700 lower than Seattle.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Washington | $5,720 | $5,815 |
Seattle Area | $6,244 | $6,292 |
Spokane Area | $5,720 | $5,720 |
Yakima | $5,434 | $5,434 |
Bellingham | $5,815 | $6,101 |
Olympia Area | $5,529 | $5,815 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Washington
Community Options Program Entry System
COPES is an Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) waiver program that provides home and community-based services to seniors living in their own homes or residential care facilities. Homebound recipients may benefit from adult day care/health services, skilled nursing care, home-delivered meals, specialized medical equipment and supplies, environmental modifications and transportation services. Eligible seniors must be 65 and older, require a nursing home level of care and meet the income and asset criteria for Apple Health. Some participants may be qualified for personal needs allowances and/or spousal income allowances.
Contact Information
Seniors may apply for COPES online or by contacting a local Home & Community Services (HCS) office.
Community First Choice Option
CFC is an Apple Health state plan option that provides long-term services and supports to seniors living in residential settings. In-home services may include personal care, respite care, nurse-delegated services, personal emergency response systems and assistive technology. CFC participants also benefit from nursing assessments, care coordination and prescribed skilled treatments. Recipients must require a nursing facility level of care and be financially eligible under the state plan’s Categorically Needy or Alternative Benefit Plan scope of care. Those who are not eligible for CN or ABP must be financially qualified for a home and community-based waiver.
Contact Information
Older Washingtonians may apply for COPES online or contact a local HCS office.
Medicaid Personal Care
MPC is an Apple Health state plan benefit that primarily provides assistance with activities of daily living to seniors at home or in residential facilities who do not need nursing facility level of care. Eligible MPC participants must meet the functional criteria based on a social service assessment and be financially qualified under a noninstitutional CN or ABP program.
Contact Information
Potential MPC recipients may submit online applications or approach a local HCS office for assistance.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
PACE is a Medicare program that provides comprehensive health care and social services to frail aging adults. Qualified participants receive individualized care, planned and provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals in PACE centers and in their homes. These services usually include primary care, adult day health care, home and personal care services, prescription drugs, skilled nursing, nutritious meals and transportation services. PACE recipients must be 55 and older, reside in a PACE organization’s service area and require a nursing facility level of care but can safely remain in their homes.
Contact Information
Interested PACE enrollees may contact their local PACE centers for inquiries and applications.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Washington Home Care Rules and Regulations
Home care providers in Washington are regulated by the Washington State Department of Health. These agencies require in-home services licenses with home care, home health and/or service categories, and they must comply with the state’s home care aide rules and in-home services agencies laws.
Scope of Care | Home care services are nonmedical services such as personal assistance with self-care and homemaker tasks, as well as respite care and other nonmedical delegated nursing care tasks. Home health services include physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy, nutritional support and medical social services. In addition, home health aide services are provided under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed health professional, and these include assistance with ambulation, exercise and self-administered medications. |
Care Plan Requirements | A home care client’s plan of care must include:
For home health care, a recipient’s plan of care must include information similar to the above home care plan and the following:
|
Medication Management Requirements | For home care clients unable to self-administer medications even with assistance, certified home care aides may only perform medication administration and insulin injections when delegated by a registered nurse. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All home care personnel, contractors, volunteers and other individuals to have direct contact with clients must undergo criminal history background checks processed through the Washington State Patrol. Home care providers must perform TB risk assessments on all employees upon hire and annually to determine if TB testing and retesting are required. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home care providers must provide in-person orientation and skills verification or training (ex. long-term care worker and certified nursing assistant training) to all new personnel, contractors and volunteers prior to independent delivery of care to clients. Ongoing training shall be provided with respect to the clients’ needs, and home care aides must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education annually. In addition, home health care staff must obtain training on CPR and telehealth or telemedicine use. |
Medicaid Coverage | Apple Health covers the costs of home care services for recipients eligible for Medicaid waivers and state plans. These services must be provided by home care agencies under contracts with the Department of Social and Health Services or an Area Agency on Aging. |
Reporting Abuse | Mandatory reporters shall immediately submit reports of suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults to the DSHS and the appropriate law enforcement agency. |
Free Home Care Resources in Washington
Seniors in Washington have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Medicaid Alternative Care
MAC is an Apple Health program that provides services and supports to unpaid family caregivers attending to Medicaid-eligible care recipients. These services aim to help caregivers to continue providing quality care and improve their own well-being. They include support groups and counseling, evidence-based consultations, training opportunities, respite options and medical equipment. Qualified caregivers must be 18 and older, and their care recipients must be 55 and older, living at home, qualified for nursing facility level of care and eligible for CN or ABP Medicaid coverage. MAC services are provided when Medicaid-eligible care recipients choose MAC over traditional Apple Health LTSS programs such as COPES and CFC.
Contact Information
Seniors and families may apply for MAC online or through a local HCS office.
Tailored Supports for the Older Adults
TSOA is a Medicaid Transformation Project Demonstration program that supports the unpaid family caregivers of individuals who are not Medicaid-eligible but at risk of needing long-term care. It also provides limited personal care to those without family caregivers. Services provided include caregiver resources, education and training, support groups, respite care arrangements and personal emergency response equipment. Care recipients must be 55 and older, require nursing facility level of care and meet the program’s income and resource criteria.
Contact Information
Family caregivers and/or care recipients interested in TSOA may submit online applications or contact a local HCS office.
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
Functioning under the Washington State Department of Health and Social Services, ALTSA administers state-funded and federal programs that support the independence, safety and choice of older adults. Its partnership with Area Agencies on Aging, long-term care providers, government agencies and advocacy organizations to deliver home and community-based services such as in-home care, long-term care housing and caregiver support. Seniors and families may conveniently access ALTSA’s program and service factsheets.
Contact Information
ALTSA may be contacted at (360) 725-2300 for general information and concerns.
Washington Community Living Connections Network
Washington’s CLC network serves as a central access point that connects seniors and their families to their local Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Home and Community Services offices and Veterans Administration locations. CLC staff can provide information and referrals, options for counseling, care transition supports and streamlined eligibility assistance for public programs.
Contact Information
Seniors and families may call (855) 567-0252 for inquiries and assistance in navigating available local home and community-based services.
Home Care Referral Registry
The Home Care Referral Registry is an online platform that connects Washingtonian home and community-based service recipients to qualified and pre-screened home care providers. It also provides information and resources that guide seniors and families on hiring and supervising home care workers.
Contact Information
Medicaid-eligible recipients may contact their local registry offices or get in touch with a Registry Coordinator at (800) 970-5456.
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors
SHIBA is Washington’s state health insurance assistance program that offers free, unbiased and confidential Medicare counseling services. Its volunteer advisors are trained to provide health coverage needs assessments, determine general eligibility, assist with Medicare enrollment, receive possible fraud complaints and refer clients to other agencies and programs.
Contact Information
Washingtonians of all ages may find local advisors in their SHIBA county offices.
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
WDVA offers confidential counseling and wellness services, financial assistance and free claims assistance on state and federal benefits for Washingtonian veterans and their families. Some elderly vets may also qualify for Veteran Directed Home Services, which may include various specialty health care services, direct personal care, family caregiver support and home and vehicle modifications.
Contact Information
Veterans may approach their local Veterans Service Offices for benefits assistance by qualified Veterans Officers. They may also contact a VDHS coordinator for eligibility determination.
Property Tax Relief Programs for Seniors
Washington offers property tax exemption for seniors 61 and older, retired adults due to disability and veterans compensated at 80% service-connected rate. Property tax deferrals are also available to homeowners 60 and older, low-income households and retired residents due to disability. Widows and widowers of qualifying veterans may also be granted property tax assistance.
Contact Information
Homeowners may contact their local county assessor's office for more information about available property tax programs.
Your Information is Processing