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Bordering the Puget Sound, Mount Vernon, Washington, is a charming Skagit County community that’s recognized for its colorful tulips and abundant recreational opportunities. The downtown area features quaint shops and restaurants, and the city has a large number of green spaces, including the Skagit River Walk Park and Little Mountain Park. Adults 65 and older represent more than 17% of the town’s 36,006 residents. Local seniors enjoy a temperate climate with summer highs in the mid-70s and winter lows that hover above freezing. Although Mount Vernon is an archetypal small town, residents benefit from a strong health care system and prices that are 20% lower than the U.S. median. Mount Vernon is home to a number of assisted living facilities that charge $5,850 per month on average. Five facilities are located in the city, and more than a dozen are located in the surrounding area.
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 >
Data from Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that assisted living facilities in Mount Vernon typically charge $5,850 per month, which is just $100 more than the state median. Local rates are fairly high when compared to other states in the region. Seniors in California pay $750 less for assisted living, and Oregon residents pay $1,191 less. Average rates are $1,637 lower in Montana, and Idaho’s rates are $2,175 lower.
Mount Vernon’s assisted living prices are higher than communities in other parts of the state. Seniors in Seattle pay $900 more per month of care. However, most major cities are moderately more affordable. Seniors in Olympia and Kennewick save roughly $725 per month. Rates are approximately $800 lower in Yakima and Spokane, and residents in Bellingham save $1,112 per month compared to those in Mount Vernon.
Washington’s Medicaid program can help Mount Vernon residents with the cost of assisted living if applicants meet medical and financial criteria. Participating long-term care providers may offer covered services through one of the state’s basic or enhanced Adult Residential Care packages. These programs may include nursing care, medication reminders and one-on-one assistance. For more information about Medicaid HCBS waivers and other state-sponsored financial assistance programs, see our page on Assisted Living in Washington.
| Contact | Description | |
| Northwest Washington Area Agency on Aging | (360) 428-1301 | For more than 50 years, the Northwest Washington Area Agency on Aging has been serving older adults, caregivers and disabled residents in Mount Vernon and the surrounding communities along the Puget Sound. It offers information, referrals and case management services for seniors who want to age in place or are ready to transition to an assisted living facility or other licensed institution. Programs also assist caregivers and families who are looking for answers. |
| Skagit County Senior Services and Centers | (360) 416-1585 | The Skagit County Department of Human Services offers a number of resources for older adults in Mount Vernon. It provides nutritional services and recreational activities at five local sites, including the Mount Vernon Senior Center on Cleveland Avenue. This facility is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The senior center also offers free tax preparation assistance through AARP. |
| Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) | (425) 290-1276 | The Edmonds Waterfront Center serves as the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor for seniors in Mount Vernon and several surrounding cities. Sponsored by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, this service provides free, confidential information about Medicare, long-term care and related programs. Insurance counseling is also available through the statewide SHIBA hotline by calling (800) 562-6900. |
| Skagit County Veterans Resources | (360) 416-7585 | Mount Vernon is home to more than 2,200 veterans. Former service members and their dependents may contact the Skagit County Veterans Resources office for assistance. This agency works with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans have access to state and federal benefits, including health care, financial assistance and transportation. Officers can also provide information about programs like Housebound and Aid & Attendance which offer supplemental funding for assisted living and personal care. |
| Northwest Justice Project | (888) 387-7111 | Seniors who have questions about estate planning, government benefits, long-term care, housing rights or other civil legal issues can contact the Northwest Justice Project for assistance. Its Coordinated Legal Education Advice and Referral (CLEAR) hotline serves as a first point of contact for most consumers, and it focuses on helping Washington residents age 60 and older. This nonprofit law firm provides advice, educational resources, self-help materials and limited legal representation. |
| Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (800) 562-6028 | The Northwest Region Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program serves consumers in Mount Vernon and the surrounding communities. This specially trained advocate visits local assisted living facilities, engages residents and works to resolve disputes. Seniors can turn to this resource for information about long-term care facilities, help understanding their rights and advice about specific concerns. |
Washington licenses and oversees assisted living facilities in Mount Vernon through the Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Residential Care Services division. For more information about these regulations, see our page on Assisted Living in Washington.
