Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility

The state licenses three different types of Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities:  

Nursing Homes, 

Adult Family Homes, and 

Boarding Homes. 

(Boarding Homes are also called 

“Assisted Living” facilities.)

Choosing an LTC facility is an important decision.  Before you make this decision, gather as much information as possible, so you can be an educated consumer.  After you've decided on the appropriate type of facility:

Three Types of LTC Facilities

Nursing Homes are the only type of  facility required to provide 24-hour supervised nursing care, specialized therapy services (such as physical, occupational and speech therapies), and nutrition management.  Generally, the people needing the highest level of long- term care live in nursing homes.  Licensed nursing homes are rarely called “Nursing Homes.”  Often they are called Rehabilitation or Care Centers.  To be sure, ask what type of license the LTC facility has.  The cost of staying in a nursing home can range from $3,000 to $6,000 per month.  Most of the time, residents in nursing homes share a room with another resident.

Boarding Homes (often called “Assisted Living” facilities) are an option for a more independent population.  These facilities generally provide room and board at a base price and personal care services at additional cost.  Personal care services include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and medication management.  Boarding homes are not required to provide nursing services, although some may have nurses on staff.  Besides being often called “Assisted Living” facilities, they may go by other names as well.  To be sure the facility is a “boarding home,” ask what type of license they have.  The cost of a boarding home ranges from $1,500 to $4,500 per month. Many boarding home residents have a single room (or apartment); some also have roommates.

Adult Family Homes are residential homes licensed to care for up to six residents.  They provide room, board laundry, necessary supervision, assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and social services, if necessary.  The cost of an adult family home ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 per month.  Single and double rooms are available.  

[ Facility Track Record ] [ Visiting the Facility ] [ Assessing Your Needs ]

The King County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is a program of the Solid Ground. To learn more about the Solid Ground, visit their website now...

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