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Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs operates four state veterans homes, Washington Soldiers Home in Orting (128 beds), Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard/Retsil (240 beds), Spokane Veterans Home (100 beds), and Walla Walla Veterans Home (80 beds). All four are Medicare and Medicaid certified and provide 24-hour skilled nursing care, medical care, and pharmacy services. Under VA regulations, Washington State is authorized a maximum of 1,687 state home nursing home beds for veterans based on projected need. Supportive programs include physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational activities, social services, volunteer programs, hospice, nutritious meals, religious programs, transportation, laundry, and beauty/barber shops.
Applicants must: (1) have served at any time, in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces including the National Guard; (2) have received an honorable discharge OR be eligible for federal VA monetary benefits OR have been separated with less-than-honorable characterization solely due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; (3) reside in Washington State; OR be the spouse of a resident or widow(er) of an eligible veteran; OR be a Gold Star Parent who lost a child in the armed forces. Each home requires Nursing Home Level of care (no assisted living offered).
What it covers
24-hour nursing care, medical care, and pharmacy. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational activities, social services, volunteer programs, hospice, nutritious meals, community involvement, religious programs, transportation, laundry, and beauty and barber shops. Orting also has a fishing pond. Patriotic interment services are offered.
Cost
Veterans rated 70%, 100% Service Connected Disabled, or whose service-connected disability is the reason nursing care is needed, may have their nursing home care paid by the federal VA. Homes also accept Medicare, Medicaid, third-party insurance, and private pay. See WDVA Frequently Asked Questions page for cost specifics.
How to apply
Email or call the WDVA admission team at 1-877-838-7787 (1-877-VETS-R-US) to arrange a tour. Printable applications are available on each home's page. Mail-in applications can be requested.
Where to go from here
Not sure this one fits your situation? Your local Area Agency on Aging can check what you qualify for and point you to the right programs, for free. No one will sell your information, and no one will cold-call you.