I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Spokane, WA
Whether it’s in the central downtown or the natural areas, Spokane showcases breathtaking sights that make the city a wonderful place to retire. The birthplace of Father’s Day is home to about 40,000 seniors aged 65+, making up 15.3% of the city’s population. Aside from its scenic beauty, Spokane attracts urban retirees with its general affordability and easy commute.
Spokane’s unique cityscape means numerous ways for seniors to enjoy themselves. The famous Riverfront Park offers stunning views of Spokane Falls and built attractions such as the historic Great Northern Clocktower and ADA-compliant Numerica SkyRide. Fishing and boating are well-loved hobbies on the area’s many lakes and rivers. Manito Park’s world-class botanical gardens and arboretum magnify the beauty of all four seasons. Arts enthusiasts can explore the Smithsonian-affiliated Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and watch live performances at the Fox Theater, Bing Crosby Theater and First Interstate Center.
The Lilac City is also a great place for some self-indulgence. You can treat yourself at the Historic Davenport Hotel and enjoy upscale shopping at River Park Square. Personal and retirement incomes are tax-free in Washington State, after all. When it comes to quality health care, Spokane’s multiple major hospitals include Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and MultiCare Deaconess Hospital.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Spokane, WA
Home care and home health care in the Spokane area have similar average costs of $5,941 per month, based on Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. In some locations, home health care may cost more than home care as it covers skilled nursing and other clinical services.
The average home care costs provided by Genworth are estimated based on a fixed care schedule of 44 hours per week. This means that the monthly costs are variable and determined by the number of in-home care hours you require. For simplification purposes, it’s safe to assume that the average hourly rate for both home care and home health care in Spokane is approximately $31.16.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Spokane is the most expensive area for both home care and home health care in Eastern Washington but is close to the state averages. In the lower part of the region, Walla Walla and Kennewick have comparable costs for both care types, within the $5,800 range and approximately $60 to $140 less costly. Spokane is also significantly more expensive than nearby Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, which has respective home care and home health care costs that are about $1,000 to $1,300 cheaper.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Compared to other senior care options in Spokane, home care and home health care have the second-highest monthly costs in the city. The most expensive option is nursing home care at $10,615, costing almost $4,700 more. Assisted living costs $5,084 per month, nearly $1,000 less expensive than home care, and covers room and board, but fees may add up for higher levels of care. Adult day care is the most affordable option with a monthly cost of $1,950, and this may be based on a daily or hourly rate.
III. How to Find Home Care in Spokane, 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 Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA
Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
What You Should Know
ALTCEW is the local Area Agency on Aging for five counties in the Spokane area. Its Community Living Connections helpline provides free information, assistance and referrals to public and private resources for various home and community-based services. This social agency is also the Spokane area’s primary sponsor for the State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program, which provides free, unbiased and confidential Medicare/Medicaid counseling services by well-trained SHIBA volunteer counselors. You can also benefit from ALTCEW’s unique fall prevention programs, particularly “A Matter of Balance” group sessions and a series of FallsTalk weekly phone conversions with a trained facilitator. Other available services include case management, care coordination, caregiver support and nutrition assistance programs.
Who Is Eligible?
The Community Living Connections information and assistance helpline and SHIBA program welcome callers of all ages who reside in ALTCEW’s five-county area, including Spokane County. Seniors eligible for Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) are qualified for Medicaid-funded care coordination, case management and in-home care services. Most of ALTCEW’s supported services, such as home-delivered and congregate meals, senior transportation and fall prevention programs, are available to Spokane residents 60 and older, regardless of financial status.
How to Get Started
You may call ALTCEW’s Community Living Connections helpline at (509) 960-7281 to access free resources and for more information about the agency’s programs and services.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
What You Should Know
Funded by Medicare and Medicaid, PACE is a comprehensive community-based program consisting of coordinated medical and social services that support seniors and help them delay nursing home placement. It also provides respite to family caregivers. An interdisciplinary team of professionals provides these services in participating adult day health care centers and the participants’ homes. PACE participants typically receive adult day care, nutritious meals, in-home care, prescription drugs and medical care from physicians, dentists and nursing professionals. Providence ElderPlace – Spokane operates with regular and extended program hours and welcomes seniors with mild to moderate dementia. This PACE location also provides paratransit services, and the average attendance for most participants is two days per week.
Who Is Eligible?
PACE participants should be 55 and older and require a nursing home level of care. Aside from Medicare and Medicaid recipients, those who have long-term care insurance and are capable of paying privately are welcome to apply.
How to Get Started
If you’re a Spokane resident who’s interested in applying for PACE, you may submit an application form to Providence ElderPlace – Spokane or call the center at (509) 482-2475 for assistance and other inquiries.
Meals on Wheels Spokane
What You Should Know
MOW Spokane aims to help seniors meet their nutritional needs, promoting their independence and improving their quality of life. This program delivers free hot, nutritious lunches to seniors daily from Monday to Friday and eight frozen meals once a week for weekend consumption. Special diets are accommodated based on a doctor’s prescription. Other nutrition services and nonfood programs include emergency brown bags, pet food, surprise birthday bags and seasonal donations.
Who Is Eligible?
There’s no income eligibility requirement for MOW Spokane. You can receive free meals and other nutrition services if you’re a homebound senior aged 60 or older and a resident in the Spokane area.
How to Get Started
To sign up for MOW Spokane, you may submit an online participant form or call the agency at (509) 862-6360 for assistance.
Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners
What You Should Know
SNAP is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of housing and financial assistance to low-income and vulnerable Spokane residents. Homebound seniors may particularly benefit from SNAP’s Energy Assistance, Weatherization and Essential Home Repairs programs. The Avista Senior and Disabled Program grants heating and non-heating assistance to eligible Avista consumers once every heating season, while the Weatherization program carries out free energy-efficient home improvements for reduced utility costs and long-term energy savings. Essential Home Repairs provides free or low-cost minor repairs to help seniors live safely in their homes. SNAP also offers free workshops, energy-saving items and resource materials through the Energy Conservation Education program.
Who Is Eligible?
Avista clients who are 60 and older must meet the EAP income eligibility criteria and be the registered owners of the homes where they reside to qualify for energy assistance. The weatherization assistance program also has income requirements for homeowners and renters, and preference is given to seniors. For seniors whose income doesn’t fall below 50% of the state median, SNAP may partially cover the costs of essential home repairs based on a sliding-fee scale.
How to Get Started
You may call SNAP at (509) 456-7627 to inquire about its senior programs and other available forms of assistance. The online application form for weatherization assistance is available on the SNAP website.
CCEW Senior Services
What You Should Know
Catholic Charities Eastern Washington has two regular programs that benefit low-income, homebound seniors in Spokane. The Volunteer Chore Services program provides free help with various household tasks, such as housekeeping, laundry, transportation and errands. One-time yard cleanups and moving assistance may also be provided. In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, the CCEW Brown Bag and Commodities Program delivers food packages to seniors who are unable to go to a food bank.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for CCEW’s senior programs is based on income.
How to Get Started
For questions about the Volunteer Chore Services and Brown Bag programs, you may call the VCS program manager directly at (509) 459-6172 or call the CCEW main office at (509) 358-4250 for other inquiries.