Washington State Memory Care Regulations

What agency is in charge of regulating memory care in Washington?

• The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services — Aging and Long-Term Support Administration regulates assisted living facilities and adult family homes as these are permitted by the state to provide memory care services to seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Where can I research the violations history of a memory care community in Washington?

• You can visit the Assisted Living Facility Locator or Adult Family Home Locator to find inspection reports for memory care communities. Enter a city or zip code to narrow your search and click a community name from the search results for more information.
• If you have questions about a community’s violation history you can also contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for more information.

Are caregivers at memory care communities in Washington required to receive dementia-specific training when they are first hired?

• Yes, caregivers are required to receive dementia-specific training but only for communities that are designated to provide memory care.

Are administrators at memory care communities in Washington required to receive dementia-specific training when they are first hired?

• Yes, administrators are required to receive dementia-specific training but only for communities that are designated to provide memory care.

Are Washington residents required to be screened for cognitive impairments before they are admitted to a memory care community?

• Yes, residents at memory care communities are required to be screened for cognitive impairments.

Looking for memory care communities in Washington but not sure which to choose? A Place for Mom’s local Senior Living Advisors can help you find the community that is right for your family’s needs. We only refer families to licensed facilities, and our staff conducts a licensing and violation audit every six months to confirm the license status of each community we partner with.

Let our care assessment guide you

Sources

https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1082&context=aging_pub

Talk with a Senior Living Advisor

The term “assisted living” encompasses a wide range of residential settings that provide care services to seniors, including those with dementia. Each state is in charge of regulating these facilities. While these regulations can vary widely, many states tend to have specific provisions for memory care services that can fall under the umbrella of assisted living.