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Residential care · state

Nursing Homes (Nursing Facilities)

WA DSHS HCLA Residential Care Services

Nursing homes provide 24-hour supervised nursing care, personal care, therapy, nutrition management, organized activities, social services, room, board, and laundry. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has federal oversight for state certification of nursing facilities. The state agency responsible for licensing and oversight is DSHS, Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Residential Care Services (RCS) Division. Federal law requires DSHS to conduct an unannounced full health survey or inspection at least every 15 months. Nursing home stays may be long-term or short-term, many people enter for rehabilitation or short-term intensive nursing care and then return home or to another residential setting.

Who qualifies

Adults needing 24-hour skilled nursing care, either long-term or for short-term rehabilitation. Medicaid clients must choose a Medicaid-certified facility.

What it covers

24-hour skilled nursing supervision, personal care, therapy services, nutrition management, organized activities, social services, room, board, and laundry.

Cost

Costs vary by facility. Medicare may cover short-term post-hospital skilled nursing stays; Medicaid covers long-term care for eligible clients in certified facilities; private pay otherwise.

How to apply

Use the Washington State nursing home lookup to find facilities and view recent inspection reports. Use Medicare's national Care Compare tool for quality ratings. For discharge planning from a hospital or other setting, talk to a hospital or nursing home discharge planner, your local Senior Information and Assistance office, or your HCS case manager if you receive Medicaid services.

Where to get this in Washington

50 organizations deliver this program. Coverage varies, so check the area each one serves.

Source www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/residential-care-services/long-term-care-residential-optio