Washington State is facing a growing dementia care crisis — and Snohomish County families are on the front lines. With over 126,000 Washingtonians currently living with Alzheimer's and that number projected to exceed 194,000 by 2030, understanding your care options in the Everett area has never been more urgent.
The Scale of Alzheimer's in Washington State
Alzheimer's disease is Washington State's third leading age-adjusted cause of death, according to the WA Department of Health. The numbers are stark:
Nationally, an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia as of 2024 (Alzheimer's Association). Deaths from Alzheimer's increased by more than 142% between 2000 and 2022, even as deaths from heart disease and stroke declined. Total U.S. care costs for people with dementia reached $360 billion in 2024.
The Caregiver Crisis: Why Families Can't Do It Alone
Nearly 12 million family members and unpaid caregivers provided 19.2 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's in 2024 — averaging nearly 31 hours of care per week per caregiver. Washington's caregiver-to-recipient ratio is projected to drop by half between 2020 and 2040, making professional care placements increasingly urgent to plan ahead.
70% of dementia caregivers report care coordination as stressful. More than half (53%) say navigating the health care system is difficult. Two in three (66%) have difficulty finding resources for their own needs.
Source: Alzheimer's Association, 2024 Facts & Figures Report
Why Small Adult Family Homes Excel at Memory Care
The environment of care matters as much as clinical quality for people with Alzheimer's or dementia. Here's why a small AFH like Anna Home Care is often the superior choice:
| Memory Care Factor | Small AFH (6 residents) | Large Memory Care Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Caregiver consistency | Same familiar faces daily | High staff turnover common |
| Environment | Calm, home-like, low stimulation | Can overwhelm dementia patients |
| Daily routine | Highly personalized schedule | Group-based scheduling |
| Family access | Open door, visit anytime | More restricted in some facilities |
| Memory care add-on cost | Often included in base rate | +$950–$1,687/month extra in WA |
Washington's 2025 Memory Care Training Requirements
In 2025, Washington State enacted legislation establishing a six-hour training requirement for care workers providing memory care (Alzheimer's Impact Movement). At Anna Home Care, our team's training significantly exceeds this baseline — including specialized protocols for medication timing, behavioral support, fall prevention, and communication strategies for residents with cognitive decline.
Signs It's Time to Consider a Memory Care AFH
Safety concerns at home — wandering, falls, leaving stoves on, or getting lost in familiar areas. Caregiver burnout — exhaustion, depression, and declining health in the family caregiver. Increasing care needs — medication management, hygiene, or behavioral changes requiring professional training. Social isolation — inability to engage meaningfully with the community.
Local Resources in Everett & Snohomish County
The Alzheimer's Association — Washington & North Idaho Chapter hosts free in-person support groups at the Carl Gipson Senior Center in Everett monthly. The Washington State Community Living Connections program offers information and referrals. The Dementia Action Collaborative coordinates statewide efforts to improve care quality.
At Anna Home Care, we welcome families to call us at (206) 657-3021 with questions about memory care. We offer free consultations and are happy to discuss our approach in detail.
Sources & Citations
- Alzheimer's Impact Movement — Washington State Data. alzimpact.org
- WA State Plan on Aging 2023–2027 — Dementia Trends. whca.org
- Alzheimer's Association — 2025 Facts and Figures. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- WA Department of Health — Alzheimer's & Dementia. doh.wa.gov