I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Bellevue, WA
Aptly named for its beautiful views, Bellevue attracts discerning retirees who desire a laid-back urban lifestyle. Aside from its scenic setting between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, this affluent Eastside city celebrates diversity and offers a great quality of life. About 14%, or over 21,000, of its almost 152,000 residents are seniors aged 65 and older, and their welfare is proactively supported through Bellevue’s Network on Aging. Washington’s fifth largest city is also home to Overlake Medical Center, which is among the top hospitals in the state.
Bellevue is referred to as a city in a park for its abundance of green spaces, which include many that are ADA-friendly and free to visit. There are several beach parks that provide opportunities for activities such as fishing and wildlife watching, which can be enjoyed during the area’s comfortable summers. The North Bellevue Community Center offers a wide array of senior programs for recreation and socialization, as well as referrals to local resources and human services. Bellevue also boasts numerous arts and culture, shopping, dining and entertainment venues that offer senior discounts.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Bellevue, WA
Bellevue’s home care and home health care costs are virtually the same at $6,670 and $6,673 per month, respectively, as reported by Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. In many locations, home health care agencies charge more due to the additional skilled medical services offered by this type of care.
These average monthly costs were calculated based on 44 hours of weekly care. Your actual monthly costs may be higher or lower depending on your care needs. To estimate your in-home care costs, you can multiply the amount of assistance you expect to require by the hourly rate of $34.98 for home care or $35 for home health care services.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Within the Evergreen State, the Bellevue area is the most expensive location to receive home care and home health care. Its respective in-home care costs of $6,670 and $6,673 are significantly higher than the Washington averages and national medians. Other Puget Sound cities are less costly for both types of in-home care, although monthly averages all exceed $6,000. Costs in Bremerton are about $240- $330 less than in Bellevue, while the $6,197 average in Mount Vernon is nearly $500 cheaper. The $6,101 per month median in Olympia is almost $575 less.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home care and home health care have comparable costs of $6,670 and $6,673, which are marginally cheaper than assisted living, which costs $6,750 per month and provides meals, help with daily living activities and accommodations. Adult day care costs $2,027 per month, and while this is the most affordable senior care option, it typically provides weekday care in a group setting. Nursing homes have the highest average rates of $10,624 per month because these facilities offer skilled care on a 24-hour basis.
Note: Data for Bellevue was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Seattle, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Bellevue, WA
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Bellevue, WA.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Bellevue, WA
Aging and Disability Services
What You Should Know
ADS is the state-designated Area Agency on Aging for King County and a division of the Seattle Human Services Department. It offers various services to assist Bellevue seniors, including case management, adult day care, caregiver support, elder abuse prevention and free information and assistance through the Community Living Connections program. CLC operates on a no-wrong-door model and provides access to community resources, individual long-term care consultations and assistance with eligibility determination for certain AAA programs and public benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
Most AAA programs offered by ADS are available to King County residents aged 60 and older. If you require in-home care, you may be eligible for long-term case management services.
How to Get Started
To access AAA services in Bellevue, you can call Community Living Connections at (206) 962-8467 or toll free at (844) 348-5464.
Sound Generations
What You Should Know
Sound Generations is contracted by ADS to deliver certain services. Its programs for homebound seniors include Meals on Wheels, health management and fall prevention, shuttle and volunteer transportation, minor home repairs and assessment outreach services. The agency also offers Medicare counseling, free legal assistance, and personalized information and assistance to help seniors access local resources.
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify for most services offered by Sound Generations if you’re a King County resident and aged 60 or older. The minor home repair program is available to low-income adult homeowners regardless of age.
How to Get Started
You can contact Sound Generations at (206) 448-5757 or [email protected] for general inquiries, or call (206) 448-3110 to speak with an information and assistance specialist about local resource referrals or schedule an in-home meeting. To book an appointment for a free 30-minute legal consultation, call (206) 448-5720.
King County DCHS – Adult Services Division
What You Should Know
As an agency of the King County Department of Community and Human Services, ASD administers programs funded through the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. Senior services include kinship care supports, senior health promotion programs, housing repairs and local resource centers known as senior hubs. The hub for Bellevue is the North Bellevue Community Center. ASD also manages the King County Veterans Program which offers a range of housing, financial, employment, legal and emergency assistance to qualified vets and their dependents.
Who Is Eligible?
Senior hub services are available to adults aged 55 and older. To qualify for the housing repair program and other select services for seniors and veterans, you must meet specific income criteria.
How to Get Started
To access VSHSL services in Bellevue, you may visit North Bellevue Community Center at 4063 148th Avenue on weekdays, or contact the center at (425) 452-7681 or [email protected]. For veterans services, KCVP’s Seattle and Tukwila offices accept walk-ins and may be contacted by calling (206) 477-8282 and (206) 477-7022, respectively.
King County Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens
What You Should Know
Senior citizens, veterans and disabled adults in King County may take advantage of property tax exemptions and/or deferrals. Exemptions on tax increases may also be applied to select homes that have undergone major improvements. Properties damaged by flood and storm may also qualify for tax deductions.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be born no later than 1959, be an owner-occupant of your property for a certain period and meet the required income limit for tax exemptions or deferrals. If you’re a veteran or disabled adult, your disability rating must be at least 80%.
How to Get Started
You can submit an online application for property tax relief and refer to its user guide video, or print out and mail in a paper application, which comes with detailed instructions. For more information about the available programs, call (206) 296-7300.
Hopelink Energy, Water, Food and Transportation Programs
What You Should Know
Hopelink administers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Puget Sound Energy – Home Energy Lifeline Program (PSE HELP) which help low-income households pay their heating expenses. This nonprofit organization also offers a Water Program that provides one-time assistance on past-due water and/or wastewater bills. Qualified Bellevue seniors may also access nonemergency Medicaid transportation services and obtain other forms of assistance through Hopelink’s Bellevue Food Bank and Emergency Services Center.
Who Is Eligible?
You must meet the household income criteria to qualify for LIHEAP or PSE HELP. Eligibility requirements for Hopelink’s energy and water programs are similar.
How to Get Started
To schedule an energy assistance appointment, you may visit Hopelink’s online appointment scheduler or call (425) 658-2592. Alternatively, you may print out an energy packet for drop-off at the Bellevue Hopelink center located at 14812 Main Street.
CCSWW Home Care and Volunteer Services – King County
What You Should Know
Catholic Community Services in Western Washington offers nonmedical home care and volunteer in-home assistance programs to eligible homebound seniors. Professional home care services may be provided for free or at a reduced cost, and can include various personal care and homemaker tasks, which may be provided up to 24 hours a day. Volunteer services include friendly visits, assistance with chores, phone buddies and volunteer transportation.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for home care or in-home volunteer services if you’re a low-income senior who needs assistance with daily living.
How to Get Started
To receive in-home support, call CCS King County at (206) 323-6336 or toll-free at (877) 870-1582.