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Seniors seeking a comfortable retirement lifestyle in a diverse eastern Washington community may find Kennewick an excellent choice. This city of about 84,000 residents, 13% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older, is set on the banks of the Columbia River and offers scenic views of Badger Mountain. Kennewick has warm summers with little humidity and cold winters. The area receives an average of eight inches of rainfall annually, compared to Washington’s 38 inches, and an average snowfall of four inches per year. Local retirees can benefit from health care costs well below the national median, some of the most affordable senior care in the state, and amenity-packed outdoor recreation spaces, such as 400-acre Columbia Park. There are numerous vineyards and wineries in the surrounding area, and the city features a historic riverfront district, filled with unique shops and eateries, and is home to an eclectic performing arts community.
Assisted living communities are residential facilities designed for seniors who don’t need a nursing-home level of care, but could use a little extra help with routine tasks and other daily activities. Most facilities also offer lifestyle amenities and activities, as well. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Kennewick is $5,225 per month, although costs may vary depending on location and amenities.
This guide provides more information about assisted living, including cost comparisons, ways to pay for assisted living and a list of resources in Kennewick designed for older adults.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Washington. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The average cost of assisted living in Kennewick is $5,225 per month.
At an average of $5,225 per month, assisted living in Kennewick is $7,500 less than the Washington average of $6,000 per month and $725 higher than the national median of $4,500 per month.
At an average of $6,750 per month, Washington’s largest city, Seattle, has the highest assisted living costs in the state, while those in the rural southeastern corner of Walla Walla pay the least at a monthly average of $3,211. In Washington’s second-largest city, Spokane, assisted living costs average $337 per month less than Kennewick, and at the northern end of the state, Bellingham, assisted living communities cost even less with an average of $4,600 per month. $5,300 is the average cost in Longview, near Washington’s southern border with Oregon. Yakima residents in central Washington pay an average of $4,975 per month to stay in assisted living facilities.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Washington.
| Contact | Description | |
| Ben Franklin Transit Dial-A-Ride Program | (509) 328-1552 | Ben Franklin Transit provides Dial-A-Ride paratransit services for Kennewick seniors who are unable to use the regular bus system due to age or disability. The company offers this curb-to-curb service within a 3/4-mile radius of its standard bus routes using wheelchair-lift equipped, ADA-compliant vehicles. The service is available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Seniors who meet the eligibility requirements and submit an approved application must schedule rides one day in advance. |
| Aging & Long Term Care – Southeast Washington | (509) 735-0315 | Aging & Long Term Care is the designated Area Agency on Aging serving Benton and seven neighboring counties. The ALTC office in Kennewick offers a range of services for area seniors, including help with Medicare enrollment, fall prevention and wellness programs and transportation assistance, as well as volunteer opportunities. The agency is also the local Aging and Disability Resource Center, where seniors can receive personalized information, referrals to various aging-related resources and benefits counseling about programs that can help cover the cost of assisted living care. |
| Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs – Claims Assistance | (509) 460-4703 or (509) 545-6558 | Kennewick senior veterans and their dependents can receive assistance with service-related benefit claims from one of two WA VA service officers based in neighboring Pasco. The officers can provide help completing and filing applications for state and federal pensions, disability compensation and pension top-up benefits, such as the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance programs. |
| Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (844) 488-3555 | The Washington Long-Term Care Ombudsman program trains volunteers to provide advocacy and assistance to Kennewick seniors residing in assisted living facilities. The local ombudsmen can inform seniors and their family members about residents’ rights and investigate and help resolve complaints related to their living conditions and care. |
| Northwest Justice Project | (888) 387-7111 | The Northwest Justice Project provides free legal advice and assistance to Kennewick residents aged 60 and older. Individuals in need of help with civil legal matters can complete the organization’s online application, or call the toll-free senior hotline. This nonprofit offers assistance with a variety of issues, such as consumer fraud, debt collection and government benefits, among others. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Kennewick area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
