Memory Care in Washington

Washington has earned its nickname as “The Evergreen State” for its wide swaths of coniferous forest. Many people may be most familiar with Seattle and its iconic Space Needle, but the eastern half of the state has a personality all its own, with a serene desert beauty akin to parts of Idaho or Montana. In contrast, Washington’s Pacific Coast is home to an actual rainforest. The state’s varied landscape as well as its relatively mild climate make it an ideal retirement destination.

When it comes to finding dementia care, Washington has lots of great options. Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 775 senior living communities in Washington that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care facilities in Washington is about $6,100.

In Washington state, in addition to following the state’s dementia-specific policies, memory care units obey assisted living guidelines when providing memory care for those with dementia. The Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration licenses and monitors ALFs, while also ensuring compliance with memory care standards.

ALFs don’t need a particular license to offer memory care, but the facility must acquire additional assessment information before admitting a resident with dementia. This information is used to confirm the facility can provide the kind of care they need, as well as develop the resident’s care plan. Staff must develop the care plan within 14 days of move-in and review it at least annually, though reviews can occur earlier if a change in the resident’s condition necessitates it.^[01]

Notably, ALFs that operate memory care units with restricted access/exits must obtain consent from the resident or a legally authorized representative before they can live there. The facility must be able to at least guarantee the following for residents living in a dementia care unit:^[01]

• Provisions for residents leaving the unit
• Ensure the unit meets applicable fire codes
• Precautions to enable visitors to exit without sounding an alarm
• A secure outdoor area for residents to use
• Group, individual, and independent activities

Memory care staff education and training requirements

Memory care units don’t have a specific staff-to-patient ratio, nor do staff need to be educated or trained in dementia care prior to being hired. Nonetheless, special training must be offered to administrators and caregivers, and staff must be awake and present in specialized dementia care units 24 hours a day.

This training includes core knowledge and skills caregivers need to safely, effectively provide care to residents with special needs. The training differs from most states in that it is outcome-based through a competency test in core specialty areas (each facility determines what qualifies as a core specialty area).

Direct care staff must complete special training within 120 days of when they begin providing hands-on care to residents. Basic training can incorporate the mentioned special training, but if it doesn’t, a separate special training course must be completed within 90 days of basic training completion. Until staff successfully complete all training modules and demonstrate competency, direct supervision is required when providing direct care to residents.

Similarly, administrators must complete specialty training and exhibit competence in core specialty areas within 120 days of being hired.^[02]

Washington Department of Health contact information

Washington State Department of Health
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

Phone: 800-525-0127

How to look up the latest inspection and complaint reports

The Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration conducts unannounced inspections of assisted living facilities (ALFs), including memory care communities, every 18 months. The department may delay an inspection up to 24 months if a facility has had three consecutive inspections without violations and no complaints filed against them.

Inspections consist of staff interviews and resident interviews, as well as ensuring infection control, emergency preparedness, general design, and life safety requirements are being met. Complaint inspections are similarly conducted.

If the department discovers any violations, they’re noted in a Statement of Deficiencies (SoD) report and given to the facility to review. The ALF’s administrator must sign the SoD and take active measures to correct the problem(s), and implement a system to guarantee the mistake(s) won’t be repeated. The department can make unannounced inspections at any time to ensure the changes have occurred and the ALF is complying with state regulations.^[02]

If you’re curious about a facility’s inspection, complaint, or violation history, the department’s assisted living facility locator can help you find them for memory care communities. You can search for a facility by its name, city, or zip code to see a list of available reports.

Similarly, you can request specific public records using the department’s online form. The long-term care ombudsman service is also available to answer questions about a facility’s violation history.