What Types of Senior Housing Exist?
- Where you are
- What you need
- 3Your guidance
You've made it — here's the guidance for your situation.
The senior housing landscape can feel overwhelming — the terminology alone is confusing. Here's a plain-language overview of the main options available in Washington State.
Independent Living
For seniors who are largely self-sufficient but want community, convenience, and amenities. No care services included. Think apartment communities with dining options, activities, and maintenance-free living.
Adult Family Homes
Washington-specific. A licensed residential home caring for two to six residents (up to eight with DSHS approval). Often warmer and more personal than larger facilities. Private-pay rates are set by each home; see the adult family home costs guide for working ranges by area.
Assisted Living
Community-based care, licensed by DSHS for seven or more residents, with apartments and varying levels of personal care assistance. Staff available around the clock. Commonly about $6,000–$9,500 a month in Washington (median about $7,550, CareScout 2025 survey); Apple Health pays in facilities that hold a DSHS Medicaid contract.
Memory Care
Specialized care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. Secured environment, structured programming, staff trained in dementia care. Often co-located within assisted living communities.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
The highest level of residential care — for people who need ongoing medical oversight and skilled nursing. Medicare covers short-term skilled stays after a qualifying three-day inpatient hospital stay (up to 100 days, with a daily coinsurance from day 21); Apple Health (Medicaid) covers long-term stays for those who qualify. Commonly about $13,000–$16,000+ a month in Washington.
Next step: the site's housing and care guides compare each option in more detail, and Real Property Planning's Find a Professional page lists independent professionals you can contact directly.
Find a ProfessionalYour next questions
Adult family home, assisted living or nursing home?
How Washington's care settings differ, and which fits which needs.
Which adult family homes are near us?
Every licensed adult family home in Washington, by city and county, with capacity, specialties and Medicaid contracts.
What will care cost?
Washington cost-of-care calculators for in-home care, assisted living, memory care, adult family homes and nursing homes.