The Current State of Bellevue Senior Housing
Posted on 04 July 2010
Currently serving the nearly 15,000 seniors (as of 2000 U.S. Census data) in Bellevue are a number of senior housing options. Facilities must be licensed by the state of Washington in order for Medicaid to be a payment option, but keep in mind that not all facilities, even if state-licensed, accept Medicaid.
The Washington State Department of Social & Health Services licenses three types of senior living communities, including adult family homes, boarding homes, and nursing homes. Non-licensed facilities – those that typically accept only private sources as payment – include independent living communities and continuing care retirement communities.
Adult family homes and boarding homes are similar. Boarding homes are also referred to as assisted living facilities, although you’ll occasionally hear the term used to describe an adult family home. An adult family home typically houses up to six residents, while a boarding home usually cares for seven or more residents at a time. Both types of facilities offer laundry services, personal care at varying levels, and meals.
Nursing care is sometimes offered at a Bellevue assisted living facility, but is rarely round-the-clock. However, a state-licensed Bellevue boarding home can provide care at three levels, including Adult Residential Care, Enhanced Adult Residential Care, and Enhanced Adult Residential Care – Specialized Dementia Services.
Nursing homes offer the highest level of care among licensed senior living facilities in Bellevue, offering round-the-clock nursing care, physical and occupational therapy, social services, and activities and socialization. Residents need not be terminal or severely disabled in order to stay at a Bellevue nursing home; in fact, many residents are there for rehabilitation or short-term nursing care.
Independent living facilities are geared towards more active residents who don’t require day-to-day assistance with activities of daily living. Residents at these facilities are typically 55 years and older, and they take responsibility for their own general health and well-being. Help with medications or personal care can be obtained through a visiting nurse or home care agency, paid and arranged for by the resident or the resident’s family.
A continuing care retirement community aims to provide varying levels of service as a resident ages, from independent living through nursing home care. Because care levels vary as needs change, there is typically an entrance fee along with a monthly service charge that can fluctuate according the level of service required. Medicaid will not cover a stay in an independent living community or a continuing care retirement community.
Seniors in Bellevue have a many options to choose from when it comes to retirement and assisted living. But as Bellevue’s population ages, are there enough services to go around? Next week we’ll examine opportunities and shortcomings in the Bellevue senior housing market.
Chris Rodde is the CEO of SeniorHomes.com, a free resource for people looking for senior housing or senior care for a loved one or themselves. With valuable articles and a comprehensive directory of care options, SeniorHomes.com is the best place to start your search for assisted living, independent living, Alzheimer’s care, a retirement community or home care.
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