Care Homes in Washington, DC
Residential care homes — sometimes called care homes, board and care homes, group homes, or personal care homes — are often houses in residential neighborhoods that are adapted, equipped, and staffed to care for a small number of residents, usually 10 or less. Similar to assisted living but in a smaller, more residential setting, these homes provide supervision, organized events, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). This means care homes can help with everyday routines but typically do not provide 24-hour skilled nursing assistance.
Cost of Care Homes in Washington, DC
The cost of living in a care home depends largely on location. Since the homes are private residences, costs are tied to real estate value and therefore may vary greatly.
A Place for Mom’s local Senior Living Advisors can help find the right residential care home in Washington, D.C. for you or your loved one.
Learn More About Washington, DC
Cost of Living
The cost of living in D.C. tends to be more expensive than most other U.S. cities. The cost-of-living-index is rated 50 points higher than the national average and the grocery index is rated 15 points higher than the national average. All index scores are based on a scale where 100 is equivalent to the national average.
| Cost-of-living index |
Grocery index |
Health care |
Median rent |
Rent burden |
Median home value |
Median family income |
Estate tax |
| 150 |
115 |
88 |
$1,955 |
19.1% |
$536,000 |
$83,000 |
May apply to estates valued over a specific amount. |
Local Hospitals
The Washington, DC area is home to many world class medical communities. Some of the top communities in the area are:
- Inova Fairfax Hospital – Rated the number one hospital in the DC region by U.S. News & World Report, Inova Fairfax Hospital is the flagship community of the Inova Fairfax family of five hospitals in the area. The hospital is a 923-bed community and a Level 1 Trauma Center, and specializes in a variety of procedures including oncology and cardiac surgery.
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital – A non-profit acute care hospital, MedStar Georgetown is a teaching and research hospital which focuses on many different areas of care. The hospital was recently ranked highly in the fields of geriatrics, hip replacement, and cancer care as well as seven other fields by the U.S. News & World Report.
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center – Washington, DC’s busiest and largest hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a 912-bed medical center with a comprehensive list of care specialties. The hospital is highly ranked nationally in the fields of cardiology and heart surgery.
Weather and Climate
Washington D.C. has a humid subtropical climate according to the Koppen Climate Classification Guide. The average humidity level for Washington, D.C. is roughly 67%. Humidity levels are highest during the month of September at about 71%. Humid subtropical regions are generally characterized by hot, humid summers and cold winters, although the colder seasons in DC are usually somewhat milder than those in the Northeast.
Seasonal Temperatures
| Average summer temp |
Typical summer high |
Typical summer low |
Average winter temp |
Typical winter high |
Typical winter low |
| 76°F |
89°F (July) |
63°F (June) |
37°F |
48°F (December) |
25°F (January) |
Air Quality
| Average air quality index rating |
Average maximum air quality index rating |
| 53.1 (Moderate) |
73.4 in the month of July (Moderate) |
The average air quality conditions are rated as moderate. This means that those who are unusually sensitive should consider limiting the amount of time spent on outdoor exertion.
Precipitation and Inclement Weather
| Average monthly precipitation |
Average maximum monthly precipitation |
Average yearly snowfall |
Inclement weather |
| 4” |
5” (June) |
13.7” |
Hurricanes, floods, and rare moderate earthquake |
Demographics and Values
As America’s capital city, politics are a central component to the lives of many in Washington, DC. Much of the city is often bustling with government officials and employees, and the cultural landscape is shaped by their presence. Political beliefs of most city residents tend to lean left-of-center, although outside the city proper, preferences are more varied.
The city is also known as the home of a great number of colleges and has a visible presence of students. Much of the region’s economy is centered around its government offices and adjacent industries, such as legal and lobbying firms, and the surrounding neighborhoods are home to several Fortune 500 companies.
Another main source of economy for the region is tourism – Washington, DC is a major tourist destination for visitors from all over the country and the world, interested in learning the history of our country, observing the countless national landmarks, and visiting the many museums that DC is famous for.
2016 Presidential Election in the District of Columbia
| Voted Democratic |
Voted Republican |
Voted Third Party |
| 90.9% |
4.1% |
5.0% |
Population Statistics
| Population metro area |
Population city proper |
Population density |
Population trend |
| 6,216,589 |
702,455 |
4,382 people per square mile |
Growing at a rate of 0.010% |
Age
| Median |
55+ |
60+ |
70+ |
80+ |
| 34 |
22.2% |
8.8% |
5.0% |
3.1% |
Highest Level of Education
| High-school diploma |
College degree |
Graduate degree |
| 17.6% |
56.6% |
32.8% |
Race & Ethnicity
| Asian |
Black |
Hispanic |
Native American |
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian |
White |
Two or more |
| 4.4% |
46.4% |
11.3% |
0.6% |
0.1% |
37.1% |
2.8% |
Crime
| Total crimes |
Property crimes per 1,000 citizens |
Violent crimes per 1,000 citizens |
| 100,227 |
42.8 |
10.1 |
Miscellaneous
| Unemployed |
Have some form of disability |
Live in poverty |
Widows |
Veterans |
| 9.8% |
11.7% |
17.4% |
4.4% |
5% |
Washington, D.C. is considered very friendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. This means that members of the community are accepted by the general public and can actively participate in public life without fear of bigotry.
Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation
Considered one of the country’s top tourist destinations, Washington, DC has no shortage of interesting activities to partake in. Staples such as the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial are always worth a visit. Another thing the city is known for is its world-famous museums — and there are plenty. Perhaps none are more celebrated than the Smithsonian museums, including the following:
- The National Museum of American History
- The National Museum of the American Indian
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture
- The National Air and Space Museum
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum
- The National Museum of Natural History
Their collections cover a spectrum of interest and history, and as an added bonus, the museums offer free admission, allowing everyone to enjoy them. If weather permits, one can take a trip outside to visit the Smithsonian Gardens, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the National Zoo, all operating without an admission fee as well. One could feasibly spend days or even weeks enjoying the sights of the city barely spending a dime!
Speaking of the outdoors, Washington, DC’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival is an event not to be missed. Honoring the gift of Japanese cherry trees from Tokyo City’s Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912, the festival begins yearly around mid-March and often draws over 700,000 people to view the spring bloom of the cherry blossoms and partake in the many scheduled events, including an adjacent kite festival, art exhibits, and celebrations of Japanese culture and history.
Transportation
The Washington, DC metropolitan area is well-known for its robust public transportation system, and within city limits it’s definitely possible to get by without having to drive. In some neighborhoods you might be able to accomplish daily tasks without needing a vehicle at all. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates the Metro, which consists of a rail and subway system as well as a bus system, both of which offer transportation throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods. The rail system runs from around 5am to 11pm, and the bus often continues later, with many routes in operation past midnight. Discounted fares are offered to seniors ages 65 and older. The DC area also has plenty of options for taxis and rideshare services.
