Assisted Living Communities in Spokane Valley, Washington

In Spokane Valley, assisted living facilities charge approximately $4,888 per month for services, which is higher than the nation’s median rate of $4,500 but affordable compared to the statewide average of $6,000. In Olympia, care costs are comparable at $4,805, and in Walla Walla, seniors pay the lowest recorded rates in the state at $3,211. Spokane Valley is a low-cost alternative to Kennewick, where fees are closer to the state median at $5,225. In Seattle, rates are among the highest in the state at $6,750. 

Assisted living residents in Spokane Valley use various payment methods, including personal funds, veterans’ benefits and public health care benefits, to cover their monthly care fees and obtain the best care that meets their needs.

• Medicaid: Apple Health, Washington’s Medicaid program, helps qualified assisted living residents pay for care through the Community Options Program Entry System waiver. COPES pays for long-term services and supports, including durable medical equipment, medical and nonmedical transportation, skilled nursing and daytime supervision and care services. To qualify, applicants must require nursing home level care.
• Medicare: Medicare doesn’t provide direct coverage for assisted living, as it primarily provides nonmedical services. However, it pays for skilled nursing services for those with basic medical needs, bringing down the total monthly cost of care.
• VA Benefits: Qualified veterans receive benefits such as Aid and Attendance, which provides cash individuals can use toward long-term care expenses. The VA also funds veterans’ homes, which provide custodial support for seniors who need daily assistance.
• Private payments: Many assisted living residents use their personal funds to pay for assisted living. Personal funds may include savings, pension income, Social Security benefits, reverse mortgages and long-term care insurance.

Compared to other long-term care options in Spokane Valley, assisted living is relatively affordable. On average, seniors pay $4,888 per month for this type of care. In-home care, which provides comparable services in the individual’s home, costs $6,387 per month, and those who need skilled nursing services at home pay $6,483 for home health care. Adult day health care is the cheapest option in the city at $1,625 per month, and nursing home care is the costliest at $9,429.

• The cost of living in Spokane Valley outpaces the national median by 3% but runs roughly 15% below statewide norms. To promote affordability for assisted living residents, many local facilities accept payment from the statewide Community Options Program Entry System waiver.
• The sales tax rate in Washington comes in as the fourth-highest in the United States, but exemptions for prescription drugs, groceries and newspapers help reduce the burden for assisted living residents in Spokane Valley. Additionally, the state doesn’t have an income tax.
• Spokane Valley experiences a high occurrence of property crime, with the city reporting about 41 incidents per 1,000 people every year. However, the violent crime rate of 3.35 falls below state and national norms. The city’s westside neighborhoods tend to have less criminal activity and may appeal to prospective assisted living residents. 
• Spokane Valley’s assisted living residents have access to several hospitals, including MultiCare Deaconess Hospital and Providence Holy Family Hospital. These medical facilities cater to seniors through specializations such as orthopedics, neurology and heart and vascular care. 
• Spokane Valley has daytime temperatures ranging from 34 degrees Fahrenheit in December to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August, appealing to assisted living residents who enjoy seasonal weather.