Tucked in the gorgeous foothills of the Rocky Mountains and along the banks of the river that shares its name, Spokane is a sought-after destination for temporary travelers and permanent residents who appreciate grand natural beauty and a cohesive community feel. Located near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and just a few hours from Oregon, Canada, and the Pacific Coast, the second-largest city in Washington State offers a lot to be excited about.
With its mild weather and excellent senior care facilities, Spokane is an attractive choice for families who want the best memory care for their loved ones. This care type offers a safe environment where residents are supported with dignity and specialized dementia services. A Place for Mom partners with 19 memory care facilities within 10 miles of the downtown Spokane area.
If you’re considering Spokane as a caring home for your senior loved one, then this guide is for you. We’ll discuss the best listings, payment options, valuable resources, laws and regulations, and demographics; we’ll also view some of the best entertainment the city has to offer for memory care seniors.
Moved my parents in here a couple of years ago, and they have had the greatest experience. The staff are all friendly, and genuinely show that they care. I would highly recommend South Hill Village!
My mom spent the last nine months of her lie at The Galley and she did great! I would highly recommend this facility. I wish I could give them higher than a 5. Staff are very caring, attentive and...
I definitely rate Brookdale Park Place 5 stars in all areas! The staff have been extremely helpful and caring. Highly recommend.
The way the facility is set up is very nice and convenient, they had good references, and had a very good tour, apartments were clean and fairly new. Price was a little high, but my mother was very...
All five stars. I would tell others that this was the only facility that we even looked at. It was clean and the staff were compassionate. Since moving in they have continued to be very friendly and...
On all 8 items I would have to give top scores. 5 across the board. I found all the folks at Brookdale to be friendly and helpful, and the health care staff were awesome. My only concern was that they should...
My mother lived at Moran Vista for 8 months and I am very grateful for the wonderful care she received there. I visited often and regularly saw how all staff (medtechs/caregivers to office personnel to...
Ridgeview treated me well more importantly they treated my wife very well up to and after her death. Very caring people. I would tell others to make sure to mark all personal items, ie clothing bedding...
Northpoint has been so good for my mother. When she came there, she was malnutritioned and non-communicative. Now she has color in her face and she is smiling again. The staff is fabulous. There are some...
The communication between staff has not been very good. We've called a few times to let staff know we were coming to get our loved one for dinner and yet they have taken our loved one down to dinner not...
This facility was wonderful. The staff was great. Cleanliness was good. It's a smaller facility, which was a great fit for my loved one and was what we were looking for. Communication with the family could...
My mom was only there for a couple months my brother moved her to [facility name removed]. When she was there though I would rate them a 5 in all areas All of the staff there were extremely helpful and...
Highly recommend. I have personally had a wonderful experience. My Mom is thriving and happy. Which was my want for her. The care is great. Very clean and staffed appropriately. Our issues are addressed...
The jury is still out. HOWEVER, my Mom loves Maplewood Gardens. She's been there roughly two months. We have nothing to judge assisted living by but it seems to be good. It is nice to know that my mom is...
I would give them higher than a 5 if I could on the ratings. My mom is happier than she has ever been here and they have just been phenomenal. The residents and the staff are so friendly. It is perfect for...
The only issues we have had is the billing as they are charging more than what is needed for our loved one. We have had to dispute this with them. They were able to rectify the situation quickly once it...
It feels like family. You get to know everyone and they get to know you. It's much smaller and doesn't have an institutional feel to it.
My Mom lives here currently. As far as the facility is concerned, things are going well. Part of the reason for choosing them was because they offer a continuum of care, regardless of what part of life the...
People here are wonderful...the residents and staff are vibrant and welcoming. Can not imagine a better environment to truly live life! I have lived here for a year and am constantly surprised with all the...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Spokane community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average actual cost for memory care is $6,059 per month in the Spokane area.{{citation 1}} This monthly payment includes all extra add-on fees and associated fees for services including security, meals, and planned activities.
If you’re interested in the average baseline costs without additional fees, please review the graphic below.
Many seniors and their families first turn to private pay options to pay for memory care. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, please note that these personal resources can include savings, pensions, investment returns, Social Security benefits, and any combination of the following:
Number of veterans who live in Spokane
About 18% of Spokane veterans are 75+
Did your loved one or their spouse serve in the armed forces? Then they could be entitled to veteran benefits that can help pay for memory care. In this section, we’ll suggest the top two benefits and provide advice on how to check for eligibility, how to apply, and who to contact for more information.
The VA Pension is highly recommended for its flexibility for eligible veterans. The money can be used for anything, whether it’s medicine, rent, or buying personal items. Qualifying criteria include an age limit — veterans must be at least 65 years or older.
Eligible wartime veterans who need assistance to pay for help with daily living can also apply for Aid and Attendance. This benefit helps seniors to fund in-home care expenses. If your loved one or their spouse requires help with daily tasks, then they could be eligible. It’s worth noting that if your family member has a permanent disability, they might qualify for both programs.
There’s no arguing that the VA benefits system is a wonderful thing. Veterans have certainly earned their benefits through and through. Unfortunately, the VA application process is very complicated. You can reduce the time and stress involved by contacting an expert before you start the application process.
Called veterans service officers, these local guides are VA-vetted and -recognized as the right individuals to help assist you with any queries or problems. Don’t hesitate to contact them should you need any information about eligibility, the application process, or finding more benefits for your loved one.
To find the contact details of your local veterans service officers, please visit the next section. There, you will also find other useful organizations and experts who bring veterans and their benefits together. They include DAV, VFW, and the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs.
Resources for Spokane veterans
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
1102 Quince St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-1150
Phone: 800-562-2308
13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway
Spokane, WA 99216
Phone: 509-444-8387
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
915 Second Ave., Room 1040
Seattle, WA 98174
Phone: 206-341-8267
Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m; Wednesdays, 8 – 11:30 a.m
American Legion, Room 1042
Phone: 206-341-8262
Disabled American Veterans, Room 1040
Phone: 206-341-8267
National Association for Black Veterans, Room 1062C
Phone: 206-341-8281
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Room 1054
Phone: 206-342-8210
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Room 1044
Phone: 206-341-8284
Vietnam Veterans of America, Room 1058
Phone: 206-341-8294
In Washington State, the name of the Medicaid program is Apple Health. This program does not cover room and board costs at a memory care facility. However, a home and community based services waiver (HCBS), also called 1915(c) waivers, give states the power to use Medicaid money to pay for senior care at facilities that provide assisted living-type services to help cover actual care that is delivered to the senior.
If your loved one is 65 or older, earns less than $841 a month, and needs help with at least three activities on a daily basis, then they also qualify for funding from the Medicaid Personal Care program.
To get Apple Health coverage for your family member, you can start by checking their eligibility, and don’t forget that you can also apply online. Do you have any queries or problems related to the application process? The best experts that can assist include Aging & Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington and your local ombudsman. You can view their contact details below.
Spokane resident Medicaid resources
Washington State Health Care Authority
Cherry Street Plaza
626 Eighth Ave. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: 800-562-3022
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Aging & Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington
1222 N. Post
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: 509-960-7281
Fax: 509-458-2003
Aaron Riley
3102 W. Ft. George Wright Drive
Spokane, WA 99224
Email address: riley@snapwa.org
Phone: 509-456-7133; 800-660-7133
Fax: 509-534-5874
When it comes to memory care, Medicare doesn’t cover custodial costs. The latter includes room and board. But that doesn’t mean Medicare offers no benefits for your loved one. This program can still provide helpful financial assistance with personal care, medically necessary in-home care costs, transportation, assistance with daily activities, medication management, and specialized programming.
To offset future medical costs even more, you can also consider the following programs:
To start the application process, you have to make sure that your family member is eligible. The two main qualifying factors include a disability or being 65 years or older. The next step is to go to the local Social Administration office or apply online. The ombudsman can also assist if you need help with eligibility, applying, or dealing with any issue that might arise.
In the next section, you’ll find all the contact information of the aforementioned medical programs, the Social Security Administration, and the Spokane-area ombudsman.
Spokane resident Medicare resources
Spokane Security Administration Office
714 N. Iron Bridge Way, No. 100
Spokane, WA 99202
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Aaron Riley
3102 W. Ft. George Wright Drive
Spokane, WA 99224
Email address: riley@snapwa.org
Phone: 509-456-7133; 800-660-7133
Fax: 509-534-5874
Phone: 800-562-3022, extension 16129
Phone: 800-913-4146
Providence ElderPlace (PACE Program)
6018 N. Astor St.
Spokane, WA 99208
Phone: 509-482-2475
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Memory care is often classified as a subtype category of assisted living care. In Spokane, more than 80% of A Place for Mom partners combine assisted living with memory care. For this reason, we’ll discuss regulations that apply to both of these care types.
In Washington state, all assisted living and memory care facilities must be licensed. This is done by the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. This department also performs full surveys or inspections every 15 to 24 months. An investigation usually includes looking into any resident complaints, holding interviews with staff and residents, and also monitoring the status of the facility’s license, their safety compliance, and the quality of care that they provide to seniors.
For more peace of mind, you can always check the compliance record of the community that you’re interested in. To view their inspection reports, you can use this locator to find the facility and review the information.
Assisted living and memory facilities are required by law to perform background checks on all individuals who apply for a job in their community. Any person who has been convicted of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or a minor may not be employed at such facilities.
Furthermore, a sufficient number of trained staff must be on duty every day and night to ensure that residents’ needs are supported at all times. Besides being responsible for the care of all seniors in their community, such facilities must also take security seriously and provide, at the very least, basic services such as housekeeping, laundry, entertainment, nutritious meals, and snacks, and also take care of any special needs an individual may have.
Washington State Department of Health
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: 800-525-0127
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations are currently relaxed in Spokane. The city advises people to wear masks in risky social situations and get vaccinated, but it’s not mandatory. However, citizens are asked to follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine when they are positively diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspect that they might have been exposed to the virus.
Vulnerable adult communities, like assisted living and memory care, might keep tighter guidelines in place to protect their residents, staff, and visitors. You can always contact your chosen complex to find out more about their own in-house rules for COVID-19 infection prevention.
Vaccinations.
Vulnerable residents are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccinations.
Masking.
Wear a mask when vulnerable or exposed to/diagnosed with COVID-19.
Facility cleanliness.
Surfaces must be regularly cleaned with a potent disinfectant.
Quarantining.
Follow CDC guidelines for affected residents (with supportive staff care).
Memory care in Spokane is designed to support individuals with memory impairment while also preserving their dignity and ability to enjoy life. In this section, we’ll provide an overview of the different types of facilities in the area, what services and amenities they offer, and why Spokane is a senior-friendly place overall.
In Spokane, A Place for Mom partners with 19 facilities, of which three are stand-alone memory care communities. The remaining facilities combine memory care with other types of arrangements. This often allows spouses with different needs to remain together at the same facility.
Four places combine assisted living and memory care, and nine are adult care homes offering memory care. An adult care home is technically an assisted living facility, just smaller and more home-like in a residential area. The final three communities offer assisted living, independent living, and memory care options on the same campus for those interested in aging in place.
Services and amenities can vary depending on the community. Many of our partners will have some kind of wandering prevention system in place to ensure that residents stay in a safe environment. A majority also have on-site nursing, medication management, 24-hour awake staff, access to hospice, disorientation care, visiting health professionals, and comfortable rooms.
Spokane has a healthy approach to aging. Some citizens claim that the city has never lost its neighborly spirit seeing that so many people are still helpful and friendly in Spokane and the surrounding area.
For older adults, there are many senior centers that cater to all mobility levels and cognitive abilities and encourage seniors to stay social and interested in the world around them. The city is also known for its senior-friendly public transportation options that are perfect for traveling memory care residents and their chaperones.
Know where to start.
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See what you can afford.
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Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
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Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Median annual income for Spokane seniors 65 and older
When Spokane residents want top-notch care, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center often tops the list. Ranked as the best hospital in eastern Washington, Providence is a recognized Level II Trauma Center that offers extensive expertise in knee and hip replacement surgeries. The hospital is also nationally acclaimed for its urology department.
MultiCare Deaconess Hospital specializes in emergencies such as heart failure and heart attacks. Besides also offering general care and surgeries, Deaconess also stands out as a leader in specialty areas such as kidney failure treatment.
Mann-Grandstaff proudly provides health care services to thousands of veterans in Spokane. The center also strives to give the best mental and physical treatments to transgender veterans, and it is committed to providing alternative options to mainstream care, like yoga and acupuncture.
In Spokane, people typically must rely on personal or public transport to run errands. However, for their own safety, seniors in memory care should never use transit without a family member or a caregiver. This is why many senior facilities offer their own transport to residents. About 47% of A Place for Mom partners in Spokane provide complimentary transportation options, while 42% have at-cost transportation for their senior residents.
The city’s extensive public transportation system is a great way for visiting family to get around the city. If you want to take your loved one out for the day, City Bus has 1,700 bus stops and all of their vehicles are ADA-compliant. If your loved one is 65+, they also qualify for discounted fares. Another choice is The City Line buses which are designed to accommodate passengers with wheelchairs and walkers.
Vanpool grants unlimited rides for just $60 a month. They will only greenlight a trip when four people from the same neighborhood book the same or a nearby destination, however. It’s not a bad option for seniors living in a community where several friends and their caregivers might want to go out together.
Seniors in memory care might have limitations and require supervision during trips, but Spokane still has plenty of entertainment options for them, friends, and visiting family. In this section, we’ll look at some amazing senior centers, the best green spots to visit, and where to take your loved one who still appreciates art and history.
Research has shown that green spaces can improve the mood of individuals with dementia. Spokane has several nature-oriented places where seniors can get plenty of opportunities to rest and reflect.
Manito Park is famous for its beautiful miniature gardens. There’s also a restaurant where you can share a good meal with your family member while taking in the green scenery. The exotic Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden offers Japanese-style gardens, bridges, water features, fish, and tranquil pathways. You can also visit the Gaiser Conservatory, a free public greenhouse with rare plants and ever-changing displays. Both places have benches for older adults to rest.
Spokane has a great art scene. Seniors and their caregivers can view a variety of acts at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. For more music, comedy shows, and unique exhibits, there’s also Gonzaga University, where fresh artists and performances are always on the docket. Art-loving seniors can also enjoy a meal at the popular restaurant Steam Plant Square, which doubles as an art gallery.
The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture focuses on the history of the Spokane area and holds fascinating exhibits about the region’s art and storied past. The tour is easy and self-paced, and seniors are welcome to join the museum’s art classes that cater to all cognitive abilities. If you’re looking for more self-paced museum tours, why not visit the Crosby House? Here, fans of Bing Crosby can explore his entire house, view interesting memorabilia, and learn plenty of fascinating facts about the late singer.
South Hill Village, The Gallery at Spokane and Brookdale Park Place are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Spokane, WA. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Spokane is $4,173 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
US News & World Report (2023). Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
US News & World Report (2023). Multicare Deaconess Hospital.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
US News & World Report (2023). Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
US News & World Report (2023). Multicare Deaconess Hospital.