According to Washington State DSHS, “Adult Family Homes are regular neighborhood homes where staff assumes responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult. A room, meals, laundry, supervision and varying levels of assistance with care are provided. Some provide occasional nursing care. Some offer specialized care for people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities or dementia. The home can have two to six residents and is licensed by the state.”

According to Washington State DSHS, “Assisted Living Facilities are facilities in a community setting where staff assumes responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult. Housing, meals, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of assistance with care are provided. Some provide nursing care. Some offer specialized care for people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, or dementia. The home can have seven or more residents and is licensed by the state.

Assisted Living Facilities that serve Medicaid clients are contracted by Washington State to provide three levels of service packages. Learn more about these service packages.”

According to Washington State DSHS, “Nursing homes provide 24-hour supervised nursing care, personal care, therapy, nutrition management, organized activities, social services, room, board and laundry.

The Federal agency that has oversight for state certification of nursing facilities is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The state agency (SA) responsible for licensing and oversight is the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Residential Care Services (RCS) Division. Federal law requires DSHS to conduct an unannounced full health survey or inspection at least every 15 months.”

According to Washington State DSHS, “Entering a nursing home no longer means every person stays forever. People also go to a nursing home for rehabilitation or for short-term, intensive nursing care. Often people get better or decide they want to return home and get services there.

Do you know someone preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other health care setting? The CDC has developed a Planning for Your Discharge (PDF) checklist of important things patients and caregivers should know in order to plan for a safe discharge from a health care setting.

If you are needing short-term nursing home care, plan ahead for what types of services and support you may need after leaving the facility to return home or to another residential care setting. Depending on your situation, talk to a hospital discharge planner, nursing home discharge planner, staff at your local Senior Information and Assistance office, or your HCS case manager if you are receiving Medicaid services.”

According to Washington State DSHS, “Retirement communities and independent living facilities are housing exclusively for adults (normally 55 or older). The person is generally healthy and any medical or personal care can be provided by visiting nurses or a home health aide. Staff at the retirement community does not take on the general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult.

There are all kinds of planned retirement communities from large scale, single family home developments to smaller-scale, senior houses or apartments.

Washington State does not license retirement communities.”

According to Washington State DSHS, “A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is a residential community for adults that offers a range of housing options (normally independent living through nursing home care) and varying levels of medical and personal care services. A CCRC is designed to meet a resident’s needs in a familiar setting as he/she grows older. People most often move into such a community when they’re healthy.

A CCRC resident has to sign a long-term contract that provides for housing, personal care, housekeeping, yard care and nursing care. This contract typically involves either an entry fee or buy-in fee in addition to monthly service charges, which may change according to the medical or personal care services required. Fees vary depending on whether the person owns or rents the living space, its size and location, the type of service plan chosen, and the current risk for needing intensive long-term care. Because the contracts are lifelong and fees vary, it is important to get financial and legal advice before signing.

Washington State does not license CCRCs.”