Seattle Senior Advisor publishes guidance that families rely on during stressful, high-stakes decisions. We hold our content to clear standards so you can trust it.
How we source
Our facility data comes from Washington DSHS — the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) and Residential Care Services (RCS) provider lookup, the state's official licensing system. Cost ranges reflect current Greater Seattle market data and are reviewed regularly. Program details (Apple Health / Medicaid, COPES, VA) are drawn from official state and federal sources.
How we stay accurate
We date our cost figures, verify licenses before recommending any provider, and update pages as programs and prices change. We distinguish clearly between factual information and our advisory opinion.
Our independence
We're paid by communities only when a family moves in, but we recommend based on fit, disclose how we're paid, and tell families about quality options that don't compensate us. See how we get paid →
Who writes and reviews our content
Our guidance is produced by a small team with recognized senior-care credentials: a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). Every Washington-specific page — covering DSHS/ALTSA/RCS licensing, Apple Health and the COPES waiver, the WA Cares Fund, and veterans benefits — is checked against primary state and federal sources before publication, and we name the relevant statute (for example RCW 18.20 for assisted living, RCW 70.128 for adult family homes, and RCW 18.51 for nursing homes) so readers can verify it themselves.
How we verify facilities
We do not list or recommend any provider we have not first checked against the official Washington DSHS provider lookup at fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup. We confirm the license is active, review the recent inspection and enforcement history, and note any Specialized Dementia Care designation. A provider that refuses to disclose its monthly pricing, or that has an unresolved enforcement action, will not be referred to a family.
How we handle pricing
Cost ranges on this site reflect current Greater Seattle and Puget Sound market data for 2026 — assisted living roughly $6,000–$8,000 a month, secured memory care roughly $7,500–$9,500, and adult family homes roughly $4,500–$7,000 — and are reviewed regularly. Pricing varies by care level, room type, and city, with the Eastside running highest and Pierce and south King County more affordable; we date our figures and update them as the market moves rather than quoting stale national averages.
Corrections and independence
If we get something wrong, we fix it promptly and note material corrections. We are compensated by a community or adult family home only if a family chooses to move in, we disclose that arrangement plainly, and we still tell families about strong options that do not compensate us. Our recommendations are driven by fit — care needs, budget, location, and family preferences — never by referral economics. We are an independent advisory service, not owned by any senior-living operator.
Accessibility
We design for older adults and their families: large, legible type, high-contrast color, and clear navigation. If any page is difficult to use with assistive technology, tell us and we will address it.
How Seattle Senior Advisor can help
We're a free, local senior-care advisory service for Puget Sound families. We don't charge you — communities pay us a referral fee only if you choose to move in. If any of this feels overwhelming, tell us what's going on and we'll point you to the right next step, whether or not it involves a paid placement.