Continuing Care in Washington

Continuing care retirement communities are retirement communities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care, offering residents a continuum of care. The communities ensure a dignified place for your or your senior to stay. Depending on your location and specific needs your options may vary. Since many sponsors of CCRCs include religious, fraternal and community organizations, and other companies involved with developing these retirement communities, they often imbue their philosophies and ideals within the communities. Although there is no overarching federal agency that regulates retirement communities, the private non-profit organization CARF-CCAC provides a voluntary process for individual CCRCs to become accredited.

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Recreation and Attractions in Washington

Visitors and residents of the state of Washington can enjoy peaceful seaside cities or old growth forests to their heart’s content. Whale watching is a specialty of the Seattle coast and with The Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains. There’s never a shortage of natural beauty in Washington. This is exemplified in places like the Lelooska Foundation & Museum in its displays of many artifacts and pieces from Native Americans in Washington. With a wide range of dining and entertainment options, new experiences are a daily perk of living in a Washington continuing care retirement community.

Washington's Climate, Geography, and Culture

Washington State has an eclectic history of agricultural, maritime, industrial, and Native influences that comprise a diverse and vibrant sense of location today. The aesthetics found in Washington are largely a fusion of Indigenous art and modern elements. The Cascade Range blocks the Pacific Ocean from the eastern region, which has hotter summers and colder winters. The western region has dry, cool summers and wet, mild winters. Although it can get rainy, Washington is great for those trying to beat the heat. The welcoming atmosphere of the coast is great for many retirees.

Washington's CCRC Regulations and Laws

CCRCs in Washington are subject to a list of rules, regulations, and laws that can be found on the Washington State Department of Health website. These regulations include strict health codes, extensive employee background checks, and routine facility inspections.

Crime and Safety in Washington

Crime in Washington is slightly higher in terms of property crimes and the amount of crime per square mile. Luckily, violent crime is less than the national average at 2.85 occurrences for every thousand residents. Finding a safe location to receive long-term care is vital to its effectiveness overall. Listed below are some of the safest locations in Washington State.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Sammamish.225.52
Connell1.525.24
DuPont16.55
 

(source: safewise.com)

Payment and Costs for CCRCs in Washington 

The payment plans will differ at each CCRC, however, large entrance fees are to be expected and can range anywhere from $30,000 to $500,000 and even up to $1 million at a single time depending on your contract and location. The national average cost of an entrance fee based on the most recent data is $248,000, and this price is expected to continue to fluctuate based on local housing prices.

The type of contract entered into by the resident will include a monthly maintenance fee costing between $300 and $4,500 or more depending on which services are utilized. Some residents may choose a “buy-in” option, meaning they join the community through buying an actual property. Whether you buy a property or not, it’s still necessary to look out for any additional maintenance or service fees before signing a contract.

  1. Extensive Contracts – Guarantee a lifetime of housing and care at any and all levels provided by the community. These include monthly fees in exchange for a wide range of services. Because there is a relatively lower degree of risk, the upfront costs are much higher.
    1. Entry Fee: $160,000 - $600,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $2,500 - $5,400
  2. Modified Contracts – Modified contracts only extend to a set number of days. After exceeding this limit, services are paid for out of pocket by the resident. Monthly fees are also still charged at an ongoing rate.
    1. Entry Fee: $80,000 - $750,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $1,500 - $2,500
  3. Fee-For-Service Contracts – Residents only pay for the services they currently use, however, are not safeguarded from any future changes in pricing or service availability. Most of the financial burden is born by the resident, depending on Medicare or Medicaid eligibility. These are considered to be the contracts with the highest risk, even though their upfront costs are the lowest.
    1. Entry Fee: $100,000 - $500,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $1,300 - $4,300
  4. Rental Agreements – Allow residents the ability to rent a housing unit on a monthly or annual basis. This type of contract does not guarantee access to health care on a fee-for-service basis, unlike other agreements.
    1. Entry Fee: $1,800 - $30,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $900 - $10,700
  5. Equity Agreements – Shares of the community or association are afforded to individuals by the transferal of actual home, condominium, or townhome ownership within the CCRC. Healthcare services can still be purchased for additional fees. Through an equity agreement, the property’s appreciation benefits the individual or their estate as specified by the terms of the contract. This type of agreement relies heavily on the fluctuations of real estate in the area.

From a Report by The U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Senior and Elderly Rights for CCRCs in Washington

Entering a Washington CCRC doesn’t mean your rights as a United States citizen are left behind. These state and federal rights ensure that you are treated with dignity and the proper care that you or your senior deserve. Additionally, all services provided and a description of your rights within each particular CCRC are to be displayed and understood upon entering into your continuing care contract. If your rights are violated, don’t hesitate to contact a legal advisor familiar in senior law. Coupled with Washington’s diverse attractions and high-quality communities, your move to a CCRC can be the perfect chance to retire comfortably.

WA CCRCs: Medical Record Rules and Regulations

Since the goal of CCRCs is to aid residents in living independently, most communities will require a health screening in order for individuals to be admitted. Many times an applicant’s health records are required in tandem with physical examination given by a physician selected by the particular CCRC. Unfortunately, it is common for applicants with frailties and those older than 80 years of age to be denied admission, especially if their pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from the health care coverage to be provided.

Residents receiving nursing home care or any other type of medical attention in Washington are entitled to a comprehensive and accurate record of their diagnosis and treatment. State and federal laws provide that residents have access to their records and health information, as well as the right to know when disclosures have been made. Otherwise, these records are to remain confidential for up to 7 years and can be accessed by submitting a request and providing a small fee.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.