For Kirkland families, assisted living comes down to a handful of practical questions — who's licensed nearby, what it costs in 2026, and how fast a spot can open. We answer those here. We currently track 7 DSHS-licensed assisted living facilities serving Kirkland from Washington DSHS records.
What's below: the licensed providers, 2026 Kirkland cost ranges, the local hospital and neighborhood context, what to ask on a tour, and how to act fast if a hospital discharge is looming. Prefer to talk it through? Get matched with a free local advisor — no fees, ever.
What assisted living means — and who it's for
Assisted living fits an older adult who needs daily help — bathing, dressing, medication reminders, meals — but does not require round-the-clock skilled nursing. It's the most common first move when living alone stops being safe.
How Washington regulates it: In Washington, assisted living is licensed by DSHS (ALTSA / Residential Care Services) under RCW 18.20 and WAC 388-78A. A facility's license can include endorsements — such as Specialized Dementia Care — that let residents stay as needs increase. Always verify the exact license and endorsements; they determine how long your parent can remain as care needs grow.
In Kirkland specifically, that means weighing the licensed options against Kirkland's cost range and your family's timeline. The right choice balances care level, budget, location near EvergreenHealth Kirkland, and how quickly you need a spot.
Kirkland assisted living: by the numbers
7 DSHS-licensed assisted living facilities on file in Kirkland; about 527 total licensed beds; averaging 75 beds per community; the largest at 103 beds; 1 offering Specialized Dementia Care; 1 accepting Apple Health (Medicaid). These numbers reflect actual DSHS-licensed providers on file, not modeled averages.
Licensed assisted living providers in Kirkland
Selected by licensed bed capacity. Source: Washington DSHS / ALTSA Residential Care Services, current 2026. Always confirm a current license at fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup before signing.
Memory care (Specialized Dementia Care): 1 · Accepts Apple Health (Medicaid): 1
| Provider | City | Licensed beds | DSHS license # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aegis Living Kirkland Waterfront | Kirkland | 103 beds | 2586 |
| Madison House | Kirkland | 100 beds | 2436 |
| Cogir of Kirkland | Kirkland | 85 beds | 2686 |
| Jefferson House Memory Care Community | Kirkland | 80 beds | 2548 |
| Aegis Lodge of Kirkland | Kirkland | 78 beds | 2492 |
| Aegis Living Kirkland | Kirkland | 41 beds | 2596 |
| Merrill Gardens at Kirkland | Kirkland | 40 beds | 2587 |
Senior care in Kirkland, King County
Kirkland is an affluent waterfront Eastside city of about 95,000 on Lake Washington, with a walkable downtown, an established older population near Juanita and Houghton, and the large EvergreenHealth medical campus at Totem Lake. EvergreenHealth's Kirkland hospital anchors a premium Eastside care market — waterfront assisted living, secured memory care, and a deep bench of adult family homes in quiet lakeside neighborhoods.
Nearby hospitals: EvergreenHealth Kirkland, Overlake Medical Center (Bellevue, nearby), UW Medical Center–Northwest (Seattle, nearby). For Kirkland families, quick hospital access shapes the shortlist — it eases discharges, emergencies, and the steady rhythm of specialist appointments.
Areas families ask about: Downtown Kirkland, Juanita, Totem Lake, Houghton, Rose Hill, Bridle Trails.
What assisted living costs in Kirkland (2026)
Kirkland pricing runs $6,200–$8,750/month, above the metro average for the Greater Seattle metro — a reflection of local real-estate and the mix of small adult family homes versus larger communities.
- Assisted living (standard): $6,200–$8,750/month
- Memory care: $7,800–$10,250/month
- Adult family home: $5,200–$8,050/month
- In-home care: $41–$57/hour
Ways Kirkland families reduce the monthly figure: sharing a room, picking an intimate adult family home, avoiding bundled care tiers they don't need yet, and using veterans' Aid & Attendance or Washington's Apple Health long-term-care waiver when they qualify.
How we vet Kirkland providers
- Verified active DSHS licensure and enforcement status
- Recent survey and complaint history reviewed
- Candid references from families who live it daily
- Itemized monthly cost shared before any tour
- In-person walkthrough notes from our local team
Questions to ask on a tour
- How fast can staff respond to a call button at night?
- What would trigger a move to a higher care level?
- What's the true all-in monthly cost for our parent's needs?
- How are falls and med changes communicated to family?
- How long have caregivers worked here on average?
What's included — and what costs extra
Usually included: housing, three meals daily, 24/7 awake staff, housekeeping, laundry, scheduled transportation, social and wellness programming, and a basic care plan. Typically extra: medication management above a basic tier, two-person transfers, incontinence care, on-site hospice coordination, and one-on-one aide hours. Get every Kirkland option's pricing in writing, itemized, before you compare them.
How fast you can move in Kirkland
Most Kirkland moves come together in 7–14 days once the health assessment, finances, and a physician's order are in hand; a hospital discharge can compress that to 24–72 hours when a bed is open. A free local advisor can tell you which Kirkland providers have current openings.
Worth knowing in Kirkland: the strongest assisted living options aren't always the ones with the biggest marketing budgets. We weigh license standing, staffing, and family feedback over advertising, which is how families here avoid a polished tour that hides a thin overnight staff.