Memory Care in Mercer Island, Washington
Mercer Island, situated approximately 10 miles east of Seattle, is considered one of the best places to live in Washington thanks in part to its quiet suburban environment and easy access to amenities. The city is home to more than 5,000 seniors aged 65 and older, who account for 20.4% of the population. In 2014, the metropolitan area registered 1,077 deaths linked to dementia, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. However, this rose to 1,164 fatalities in 2018, signifying an increase of 8.08% in four years. In comparison, the overall mortality rate in Mercer Island rose by just 6.02% during the same period.
Since Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disorder, symptoms tend to progress over time, and most seniors will eventually need access to memory care for the condition. This level of care usually includes services such as around-the-clock supervision, assistance with day-to-day activities and cognitively enriching programs. This guide can help seniors and their families understand what memory care communities provide, as well as the average cost for these services in Mercer Island and nearby locations. We’ve also included a list of long-term care services available to residents with memory impairments.
The SeniorScore for Mercer Island, WA
The SeniorScore is an index that evaluates a variety of data points, such as crime rates and the number of hospitals, to reflect how comfortably older adults live in a city. Bellevue, which is around 5 miles north of Mercer Island, has an excellent SeniorScore of 79, which is seven points higher than the U.S. average and 11 points above the Washington score. Health & Safety and Recreation & Leisure were the area’s best-performing categories.
Factors that influenced the city's Health & Safety of 76 points include a life expectancy of around 80 years for local residents, which is among the highest in the United States. Another positive factor was the proximity to high-quality hospitals, including the University of Washington Medical Center and Virginia Mason Medical Center, which were ranked first and second in the state, respectively, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The area lost points in Recreation & Leisure due to its low percentage of older adults in the population. This is offset by the availability of recreational opportunities, such as 47 parks and 26 shopping centers. Mercer Island’s score in General Quality of Life was also good, thanks to the area's moderate year-round temperatures and low levels of snowfall. However, city residents can expect only 156 days of sunshine per year, which is much lower than the national average of 205 days.
When it comes to Finances, local households earn significantly more than the U.S. average, but the area is known for its high overall cost of living. On the positive side, Social Security retirement benefits aren’t subject to taxes in Washington, and neither are private pensions and withdrawals from savings accounts.
Memory Care Costs in Mercer Island, WA
Memory care is typically 20-30% more expensive than standard assisted living. This is because these specialized facilities cater to the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s through a variety of comprehensive services, such as cognitive enrichment programming and providing secure areas with 24/7 monitoring for enhanced safety. However, there are no reliable sources for memory care cost data across the country, so the fees below were calculated by adding 25% to the assisted living rates listed in Genworth's 2020 Cost of Care Survey.
Mercer Island seniors must budget $6,250 per month to pay for memory care, which is $875 more than the average of $5,375 paid in the United States. However, the average in the city is $938 more affordable than the statewide median of $7,188 per month.
- Mercer Island: $6,250
- Washington: $7,188
- National: $5,375
Mercer Island is one of the state’s lowest-priced locations for memory care. Facilities in Spokane, one of the largest cities in the state, charge $6,355, or $105 more. Seniors in Olympia, the capital of Washington, can expect to pay $173 more, at $6,423 per month. Further south in Longview, the average fee drops to $6,375, which is still higher than in Mercer Island by $125. To the east in Wenatchee, residents pay a considerably higher monthly rate of $6,841, or a difference of $591. Washington’s northern region is even more expensive; fees increase to $7,313 in Mount Vernon, which is $1,063 more, while Seattle’s median rate is the highest across the state. Residents there pay $8,438 per month, which is $2,188 more than the amount paid by their counterparts in Mercer Island.
- Mercer Island: $6,250
- Spokane: $6,355
- Longview: $6,375
- Olympia: $6,423
- Wenatchee: $6,841
- Mount Vernon: $7,313
- Seattle: $8,438
Note: Data for Mercer Island was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Bremerton, was used instead.
Top Memory Care Communities in Mercer Island, Washington
Covenant Shores is a 43 bed senior community situated within the Enatai area of Mercer Island, Washington. The encompassing area has a dense population, with approximately 24,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 98040. With a ...
Sunrise of Mercer Island is a senior community situated nearby the Enatai neighborhood of Mercer Island, Washington. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with roughly 24,000 individuals living in the 98040 zip code. With an average per-family income ...
Situated within the Clover Creek neighborhood, Twilight Adult Family Homes is a residential care home in Mercer Island, Washington. With around 24,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 98040, the encompassing area is densely populated. It is ...
Island House, A Merrill Gardens Community is a senior care community situated nearby the Meydenbauer neighborhood of Mercer Island, Washington. The facility is in a generally well-to-do area, with an average per-household income of $128,906. With about 24,000 ...
Mercer Island's Premier Adult Family Home is a residential care facility located around the Enatai neighborhood of Mercer Island, Washington. The neighboring area is densely populated, with around 24,000 individuals living in the 98040 zip code. It is ...
Lake Heights Aging Adult Family Home is a home care facility situated in the Newport Shores area of Bellevue, Washington. With about 37,000 poeple living in the zip code of 98006, the neighboring area is densely populated. It ...
2 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Newport Hills Home Care is a senior housing facility located in the Newport Hills neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington. With an average household income of $104,825, the community is in a primarily well-to-do area. It has a dense population, ...
2 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Viktoria Adult Family Home is a 6 room residential care facility located in the Newport Hills area of Bellevue, Washington. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with about 37,000 residents in the 98006 zip code. With an average ...
2 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Newport Glen Adult Family Home is located within the Newport Hills neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington. It is a 6 unit family care home. The community is in a generally upper class area, with an average per-household income of ...
2 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Lakecrest House is a 6 unit senior housing community situated within the Seward Park area of Seattle, Washington. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with approximately 44,000 residents in the zip code of 98118. With an average household ...
2 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Located in the Newport Hills area of the city, Evergreen Elderly Care is a senior care community in Bellevue, Washington. The encompassing area has a dense population, with about 37,000 poeple living in the zip code of 98006. ...
2 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Marathon Development is a senior care community situated in the Factoria area of Bellevue, Washington. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with approximately 37,000 individuals living in the 98006 zip code. With a median family income of $104,825, ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Located within the Brighton neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, Kline Galland Home is a 205 unit senior housing facility. With a median family income of $51,093, the community is in a mostly middle income area. It is heavily populated, ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Situated in the Hillman City area of Seattle, Washington, Kin On Health Care Center is a 100 unit nursing care facility. With an average per-family income of $51,093, the community is in a generally middle class area. It ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Villagio Adult Family Home is located within the LaCrosse neighborhood of Newcastle, Washington. It is a 6 unit residential care facility. With a median family income of $64,105, the community is in a primarily middle class area. ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Situated in the LaCrosse neighborhood, Best Loving Care Elderly Living is a senior community serving Renton, Washington. The neighboring area has a dense population, with roughly 33,000 residents in the zip code of 98056. It is a predominantly ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Harmony Care Adult Family Home is situated in the Meydenbauer neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington. It is a 6 bed care home. With an average household income of $99,669, the facility is in a primarily wealthier area. It ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Regency Newcastle is a senior care facility situated close to the Newport Hills neighborhood of Renton, Washington. With an average household income of $84,573, the facility is in a primarily upscale area. It is heavily populated, with about ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Located within the Columbia City area of Seattle, Washington, Buchanan Place is a 12 unit senior care community. The neighboring area has a dense population, with about 44,000 people residing in the zip code of 98118. It is ...
3 miles away from Mercer Island, WA
Free Senior Resources in Mercer Island, WA
Community Living Connections of King County This agency provides seniors in King County, where Mercer Island is located, with information and referrals for a range of helpful resources. Families of older adults who haven't yet been admitted to memory care facilities may access educational programs and respite services. Staff members also support residents who need help to apply for state and federal benefits, plan for long-term care and solve problems regarding Medicare coverage. 700 Fifth Avenue, 51st Floor, Seattle, WA 98104 (844) 348-5464 https://www.communitylivingconnections.org/ |
Alzheimer’s Association, Washington State Chapter The state chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers numerous resources designed to improve the life quality of Mercer Island residents with cognitive disorders. Care counselors provide guidance on planning for the future, gaining admission to memory care facilities and accessing nearby services that can help seniors and their families cope with dementia. Support groups are available free of charge to families and individuals with mild memory loss. Some services may also be provided in Spanish. 19031 33rd Avenue West, Suite 301, Lynnwood, WA 98036 (800) 272-3900 https://www.alz.org/alzwa |
Sound Generations Sound Generations, a nonprofit organization founded in 1967, serves local seniors and individuals with disabilities, including dementia. Free appointments with attorneys are available for those with civil law problems, and seniors or their families may receive assistance to enroll in Medicare or understand what their current plan covers. Geriatric counselors can provide one-on-one advice to residents experiencing cognitive issues. There are also classes on health management and similar topics. 2208 Second Avenue, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 448-5757 https://soundgenerations.org/ |
Veterans Affairs, Seattle Regional Office The nearby VA Seattle Regional Office can help Mercer Island veterans with their applications for service-related entitlements. Part of memory care fees may be covered by VA pensions, Aid and Attendance supplements and other financial benefits. Free primary care is available through the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and select medical facilities for veterans who meet certain eligibility requirements. 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98174 (800) 827-1000 https://www.benefits.va.gov/Seattle/ |
Aging and Disability Services for King County King County’s Aging and Disability Services meets the needs of older residents through a wide range of supportive services. The agency’s staff helps seniors and their loved ones learn more about nearby resources they can access at no cost, and retirees who meet certain eligibility criteria may be eligible for volunteer-based transportation to medical appointments. Educational programs are also available on aging, fall prevention, nutrition and brain health. 700 Fifth Avenue, 51st Floor, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 684-0660 https://www.agingkingcounty.org/what-we-do/programs-services/ |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program The Long-Term Care Ombudsmen program is designed to address problems in memory care communities and protect the rights of older residents. Ombudsmen are staff members or trained volunteers who visit facilities on a regular basis and work to resolve complaints concerning issues such as elder abuse, insanitary conditions, use of unlawful restraints and poor quality of care. Seniors and their families can also contact the LTCOP for guidance on memory care planning. P.O. Box 23699, Federal Way, WA 98093 (800) 562-6028 https://www.waombudsman.org/ |