Skip to content
All resourcesPay for careCare assessmentHospital dischargeWA & OR resourcesFamily blogProvider blogDownloads

Get a care assessment in Washington

Understanding your loved one’s needs helps determine what type of care may be appropriate and what services or benefits they may qualify for.

Where does your loved one live?

What to do next

Start a Washington care assessmentContact your local aging agencyApply for Apple Health
Medicaid-funded long-term care in Washington starts with a CARE assessment by DSHS Home & Community Services.

What you need to know

What is it?Washington uses the CARE assessment — a conversation about daily activities, health, memory and safety — to decide what help someone needs.
Why is it needed?It’s required for Apple Health (Medicaid) long-term care, and it guides which care setting fits.
Who does it?A case manager from DSHS Home & Community Services, or your Area Agency on Aging for some in-home services.
Paying privately?A state assessment usually isn’t required, but the care home will do its own assessment before move-in.

What to have ready

  • A list of current medications and doses
  • Doctors’ names and recent diagnoses
  • How they manage bathing, dressing, eating and moving around
  • Any memory or behavior changes you’ve noticed
  • Income, savings and insurance details (for Medicaid)
  • Someone who knows their daily routine, present for the call