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Memory care in Des Moines, WA

81 memory care communities with a state Alzheimer or dementia care license, certificate or special care unit.

Memory care communities
81
in Des Moines
Licensed capacity
535
across all 81
Adults 65+
5,709
Census estimate for Des Moines
Within 25 miles
2,885
of the center of Des Moines
Memory CareAssisted Living 2Independent Living 2Home Care 1Nursing Homes 3Senior Apartments 1Care Homes 79
Showing 1–20 of 79 memory care communities
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Sources: Washington DSHS, Long Term Care - Residential Care (Adult Family Homes), as of Oct 17, 2026; Washington DSHS, Assisted Living Facility locator (CSV export), as of Oct 17, 2026. Distance is measured from the center of Des Moines (U.S. Census Bureau).

Nearby

Memory care communities near Des Moines

Counting neighboring towns, there are 2,885 memory care communities within 25 miles of the center of Des Moines, 2,804 more than in Des Moines itself. Distances are straight-line miles.

Closest outside Des Moines

See all 2,885 within 25 miles

Nearby cities

Within 25 miles, closest first

Local overview

Memory care in Des Moines at a glance

Our directory lists 81 memory care communities with an address in Des Moines, based on Washington DSHS and Washington DSHS records. ZIP code 98198 has the most, 75 of the 81, and 2 ZIP codes have at least one. 79 of the 81 that report their size have 16 residents or fewer.12

By ZIP code

  • 9819875
  • 981486
Memory care communities in Des Moines by the ZIP code on their license or certification record.12

By licensed capacity

  • 16 residents or fewer79
  • 17 to 60 residents2
  • More than 60 residents0
Size is the licensed capacity on the public record.12

Licensing and oversight

How memory care is regulated in Washington

In Washington, Washington DSHS, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Residential Care Services licenses and inspects residential care settings such as memory care.3 Washington requires a state Alzheimer’s certification before a facility, or a unit inside one, can advertise Alzheimer’s or dementia care.3 Of the 81 memory care communities listed in Des Moines, 2 hold a state Alzheimer’s or dementia certification or license; 79 carry a state dementia specialty designation.1

Staff dementia training
Administrators and every long-term care worker who serves residents with dementia must complete dementia specialty training within 120 days of starting, and work under supervision until it is done. This is on top of 75 h of basic training and 12 h of annual CE. The rule specifies competencies rather than hours.4
Secured units and exits
Restricted egress is allowed only with memory care certification. Facilities must have wandering and missing-resident policies, and give residents access to a secured outdoor area (WAC 388-78A-2381).3
Staffing
Certified memory care units need awake caregiving staff 24 hours a day, with at least one awake caregiver in each building or cottage. Facilities must disclose staff per occupied bed and notify residents within 30 days of a significant staffing change.3
Inspections
Unannounced full inspection at least every 18 months, with a statewide average of 15 months. After three consecutive inspections with no deficiencies it may be extended to 24 months.5
Report a problem
Call 1-800-562-6078.6

Paying for care

Ways to pay for memory care in Washington

Programs that can help, by name. Eligibility rules are set by each program, so confirm with the agency before you plan around one.

Medicaid
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) long-term services and supports, administered by DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA).78 Waiver programs for care at home or in a residential setting: Community Options Program Entry System (COPES)89; Community First Choice (CFC)8; Specialized Dementia Care Program (SDCP)10. Medicaid waivers pay for care services, not room and board.11 Washington Medicaid agency12
Medicare
Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care or for room and board. It still covers medically necessary care, such as doctor visits, hospital care, home health, hospice and prescriptions.13
Veterans benefits
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities may qualify for the VA pension with Aid and Attendance.14 The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs helps with claims (800-562-2308).15
Medicare counseling
Washington’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare and related coverage questions: 1-800-562-6900.16

Local resources

Local help for families in Des Moines

Official agencies and nonprofit helplines, with phone numbers and links taken from their own directories.

  • Area Agency on Aging

    Aging services for King County17

    1-800-677-1116

    The Eldercare Locator connects you with the Area Agency on Aging that serves King County.

    Website

  • Long-term care ombudsman

    King County LTC Ombudsman Program Multi-Service Center18

    (206) 623-0816

    Free, independent advocate for residents of care facilities in King County.

  • Medicare counseling (SHIP)

    Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)16

    1-800-562-6900

    Website

  • Veterans benefits

    Washington Department of Veterans Affairs15

    800-562-2308

    Website

  • Medicaid

    Washington Medicaid agency12

    Website

  • Dementia support

    Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline19

    1-800-272-3900

    Find the chapter that serves Washington.

    Website

Questions families ask

Frequently asked questions about memory care in Des Moines

How many memory care communities are in Des Moines, WA?

WeFoundCare lists 81 memory care communities in Des Moines, WA, from public licensing and certification records. Within 25 miles of the center of Des Moines there are 2,885.

How many residents can memory care communities in Des Moines serve?

81 of the 81 memory care communities report licensed capacity, for a combined 535 residents. The Census Bureau estimates 5,709 adults age 65 and older live in Des Moines.

Do memory care communities in Des Moines have a state dementia credential?

Every memory care listing on this page has a state record for dementia care: 2 hold a state Alzheimer’s or dementia certification or license; 79 carry a state dementia specialty designation.

Which Des Moines ZIP codes have the most memory care communities?

98198 (75), 98148 (6). In all, 2 ZIP codes in Des Moines have at least one.

Who licenses memory care in Washington?

Washington DSHS, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), Residential Care Services licenses memory care in Washington. You can check a community’s license in the agency’s public records.

Who can help if there is a problem with care in Des Moines?

The long-term care ombudsman is a free, independent advocate for residents. In King County, call (206) 623-0816.

Are there memory care communities near Des Moines?

Nearby cities with listings include Normandy Park (7, 3.3 mi), Seatac (65, 3.9 mi), Kent (291, 4.9 mi).

Guides

Guides for families choosing memory care

Other types of care

Other senior care in Des Moines

Methodology

About this data

How the figures on this page are built. Each number links to its source below.

  • Listings come from Washington DSHS (Long Term Care - Residential Care (Adult Family Homes)), Oct 17, 2026; Washington DSHS (Assisted Living Facility locator (CSV export)), Oct 17, 2026.12 A listing appears under the city on its license or certification address.
  • Adults 65+ is the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimate for Des Moines (Census place). Census boundaries can differ from the mailing-address city used for listings, so per-1,000 figures are a guide, not a precise rate.20
  • Licensed capacity is the figure on the public record; 81 of 81 memory care communities report it.
  • Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Des Moines (U.S. Census Bureau place center). “Nearby” means within 25 miles and can include other states.
  • Agency contacts come from each program’s own directory and are checked when we rebuild the data. WeFoundCare does not rate or rank communities.

Sources and references

  1. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, ALTSA: Long Term Care - Residential Care (Adult Family Homes). services2.arcgis.com/WW3T8U6q5EkZ9U3n/arcgis/rest/services/Long_Term_Care_Residential_Care_view/FeatureServer/1 Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  2. Washington DSHS ALTSA: Assisted living / AFH facility locator (inspection & enforcement reports). fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup/BHAdvLookup.aspx Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  3. Washington State Legislature: Chapter 388-78A WAC Assisted living facility licensing rules (incl. WSR 26-15-066, eff. 8/15/26). app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-78A&full=true Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  4. Washington State Legislature: Chapter 388-112A WAC Residential long-term care services training. app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-112A&full=true Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  5. Washington State Legislature: RCW 18.20.110 Inspection of assisted living facilities. app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.20.110 Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  6. Washington DSHS: Adult Protective Services (1-877-734-6277; Complaint Resolution Unit 1-800-562-6078). dshs.wa.gov/adult-and-aging-services/report-abuse-and-neglect/adult-protective-services Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  7. Washington Health Care Authority: HCB waivers, room and board, ETRs, and bed holds. hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-help-others-apply-and-access-apple-health/hcb-waivers-room-and-board-etrs-and-bed-holds Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  8. Washington DSHS ALTSA: LTC Manual Chapter 8: Residential Services (program availability by setting, rev. 5/2026). dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/Chapter%208.pdf Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  9. Northwest Justice Project (WashingtonLawHelp): COPES Program (2026 SIL $2,982, resources $2,000, PNA $108.74). washingtonlawhelp.org/en/copes-program Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  10. Washington DSHS: What is the Specialized Dementia Care Program. dshs.wa.gov/what-specialized-dementia-care-program Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  11. 42 CFR §441.310 via LII: Limits on FFP (room and board excluded from HCBS waiver). law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/42/441.310 Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  12. National Association of Medicaid Directors: Medicaid Directors. medicaiddirectors.org/about/medicaid-directors Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  13. CMS / Medicare.gov: Long-term care coverage. medicare.gov/coverage/long-term-care Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
  14. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  15. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: State Veterans Affairs Offices. discover.va.gov/external-resources Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  16. SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living): Find your local SHIP. shiphelp.org/ships Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  17. U.S. Administration for Community Living: Eldercare Locator. eldercare.acl.gov Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  18. National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center / National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care: Find your Long-Term Care Ombudsman. theconsumervoice.org/get-help Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  19. Alzheimer’s Association: 24/7 Helpline. alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline Accessed Oct 18, 2026.
  20. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, table B01001. data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2024.B01001 Accessed Oct 18, 2026.