Federal program for navigating the Long Term Care (LTC) services and processes so that the individual may receive any desired help with meeting their personal care needs including getting dressed, driving to appointments, or making meals. Offers Pathfinder services to help find providers in the area as well as different types of services depending on special circumstances, needs, or demographics.

Services Locator offered by Administration for Community Living

Offers search tools to find local Long Term Care (LTC) services and providers, including LTC facilities, nursing homes, assisted living services/sites, financial/insurance assistance, etc.

Residential facilities, apartments and/or planned communities for older adults, people with disabilities or other populations that are available at market rates and designed to enable those who are eligible to have a form of independent living in a secure environment while sharing common interests and having access to supportive services and a range of activities designed to promote social contact among residents. Occupancy by families with children may be discouraged. Housing varies widely from simple apartments to high rise condominiums to single family detached housing to housing in a congregate setting; and units may be available on a purchase or rental basis. Support usually consists of "convenience services" which may include an on-site activities program, transportation, housekeeping and meals in a communal dining room. Residents who require additional support need to make their own arrangements for personal care, home health care or other in-home services. These facilities generally require no licensing.

Independent Living Communities/Complexes

Programs that offer comprehensive, coordinated long-term care in the patient's home with the objective of preventing the patient's removal to a long-term care facility. Services may include case management, nursing rehabilitation therapies, social services, nutrition, aides and medical emergency response systems.

Long Term Home Health Care

Programs for adults with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, or multiple disabilities who do not require 24-hour supervision that provide a highly individualized, coordinated system of services and supports which facilitates their ability to live in their own homes or apartments, to hire and supervise paid caregivers, to work in the community, to participate in community activities and to interact with nondisabled neighbors. A supported living agency may help the individual hire and supervise an attendant; develop a budget and pay bills on time; learn to shop and cook or hire someone to prepare meals for them; remember to take necessary medication; schedule medical appointments and get to the doctor's office; advertise for and select a roommate; make their living space barrier-free; learn about relationships, sexuality and parenting; select recreational pursuits that are personally satisfying; and accomplish other similar activities of daily living.

Supported Living Services for Adults With Disabilities

Organizations whose members are facilities that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of senior/disability-related housing and long-term care through a program of advocacy, education, information and leadership. Members may include nonprofit and/or for-profit skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities, senior housing facilities, adult residential care homes, intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities, assisted living facilities and/or other facilities that house and/or care for older adults, people with disabilities and other populations that need a supported living environment. Aging/long-term care facility associations promote activities that improve the health and independence of facility residents; promote coordination and collaboration among members; seek to influence state and national long-term care policy through active lobbying at state and federal levels; promote public understanding of long-term care issues; provide opportunities for ongoing professional development of staff  through conferences and journals; prepare members for changes in long-term care financing and help members become effective advocates for their institutions and profession.

Aging/Long Term Care Facility Associations

Residential facilities specially constructed or converted to combine housing and supportive services in a "homelike" environment with the goal of maximizing the individual functioning and autonomy of residents. Assisted living facilities generally have private apartment-style accommodations with walk in showers, wide doors for wheelchair access, emergency pull cord systems and other special amenities; and offer the individualized array of personal care services which will allow each resident to function as independently as possible. Services vary from facility to facility, but usually include three meals a day with special diets, as required; housekeeping and linen services; personal laundry; social and recreational activities; transportation to medical appointments, stores and community services; money management assistance; assistance with toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, mobility and other activities of daily living; medication management and administration; therapy and pharmacy services; and wellness and exercise programs. Assisted living facilities may be licensed by the state or may not require a license depending on the area in which they are located.

Assisted Living Facilities

Consumer controlled, community based, cross disability, nonresidential agencies designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities that provide an array of independent living services. All CILs provide five core services:  information and referral, independent living skills training, peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy and transition. In addition, many CILs also offer transportation services, mobility training, personal assistance, housing and home modifications, recreation services, vocational programs, assistance in obtaining assistive technology equipment and other individualized services designed to increase and maintain independence.

Centers for Independent Living

Programs that assign a staff member to assist people who are looking for housing to survey the available residences and to choose and obtain the most suitable option.

Housing Search Assistance

Maintains a website with lists of different residential care options including Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes. 
Search is by ZIP code or county. Provides information on whether residential care options accept Medicaid. 
Also lists recent inspection reports for each facility when available.

Residential Care Options offered by DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration's Residential Care Services

Provides lists of residential care options to people with access to a fax machine or internet. Adult Family Home, Boarding Home and Nursing Home locators are available on the website. Search is by ZIP code or county.

Programs that maintain information about retirement residences, residential care facilities and nursing homes, and link older adults who are looking for alternative living options with appropriate independent or supervised living resources.

Senior Housing Information and Referral

Programs that publish and distribute directories of agencies that provide human services for residents of the community and/or resource lists. Included are programs that produce directories/lists that focus on a specific geographical area, service category or target group as well as those that produce a comprehensive directory of all community resources.

Directory/Resource List Publication

Long Term Care Information and Pathfinder offered by Administration for Community Living

Federal website for obtaining information on Long Term Care (LTC) including options/types of service, general information, costs and insurance, Pathfinder for age or situational consideration guided assistance, etc.

Programs that offer an interactive decision support process that helps individuals in need of long term care and their families understand their strengths, needs, preferences and unique circumstances and weigh the pros and cons of available alternatives. The consultation includes a discussion of the factors to consider when making long term care decisions, information about the range of long term care support options available in their community (such as personal care, transportation and medication management) and resources that can help them pay for services. The program also provides decision support to help identify next steps in the process and help in connecting with services, if needed. The service is generally available to older adults and adults of any age who have a disability; can be of benefit to people using their own resources to pay for services; and may be provided over the telephone or in person (at home, at an agency, in a hospital, at a rehabilitation or nursing facility or in another setting of the person's choosing). The objective of the program is to allow people to live as independently as possible in the setting of their choice.

Long Term Care Options Counseling

Programs that offer information and guidance for people who need assistance in determining whether they need long term care insurance, comparing and evaluating benefit plans and selecting a policy that will meet their needs or choosing an alternative to long term care insurance that is more beneficial given their situation.