Pierce County Resource Guide to Services and Supports for Individuals
Who Experience Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
(section links below).
Please call our office at 253.564.0707 to make arrangements to pick up your copy!
Dear Reader:
This Pierce County Resource Guide is dedicated to the hard work and commitment of those who have endeavored
timelessly over the years to “keep the promise.”
We want to acknowledge the generous support of Pierce County Human Services, Developmental Disabilities
Program, in providing the funds to update and print this important comprehensive guide to services and supports
for individuals who experience intellectual/ developmental disabilities. This important tool will assist you in
navigating the public and private programs and services available throughout Pierce County and beyond.
The Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2) welcomes the opportunity to assist individuals
and families in finding the services and programs that best meet your needs. We are here to answer your calls
if you need further assistance. Whether you are an individual who experiences an intellectual/developmental
disability, have a family member who experiences an intellectual/developmental disability, work within the disability
field, or are in the general community, we welcome your questions and concerns.
We acknowledge that, when compiling this complex list of resources, there are changes that can occur during the
production process. Please know that every effort was made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of agency
information.
Aging and Disability Resources offers a wide range of community-based services that allow older adults and adults with disabilities to remain at home as long as possible. These services address the needs of frail, older and functionally disabled adults living in Pierce County. ADR can review your service needs and eligibility, help you make informed choices and access services, help you develop a plan that addresses your health, housing and safety needs, review your situation and help you make changes to the plan as needed. ADR provides case management, family caregiver support, services to help unpaid caregivers caring for aging parents, ailing spouses, partners, disabled adult children, or friends suffering from a debilitating illness, Long Term Care Ombudsman, and an Aging & Disability Resource Center. ADR also provides Lifespan Respite care (or short-term relief) for families and primary caregivers to restore and strengthen their ability to continue providing care for a child or adult with special needs. Please visit our website or call for more information.
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA)
ALTSA provides home and community services, residential care services, and an office of the deaf and hard of hearing. We care for seniors and people with disabilities living with good health, independence, dignity, and control over decisions that affect their lives.
Assisted Living Research Institute offers insight into what seniors with disabilities should look for in an assisted living facility. Assisted Living Research Institute is an industry-leading research organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults by compiling comprehensive research, the latest studies, and real-world insight from experts, caregivers, and seniors into easy-to-understand, actionable guides and resources. There are three levels of assisted living: assisted living communities, independent living communities, and home care.
Making the transition to a new living situation isn't always easy, but the rewards can be great. Cascade Park Communities offers affordable, safe, and quality care. Our exceptional value, facilities and programs in assisted living, memory care, and adult day health services are located in Tacoma, WA. We serve families in Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region. Give us a call to arrange a free trial in our adult day health center or come by for a free tour in either our assisted living or memory care communities. We are dedicated to helping our residents and program participants enjoy day-to-day living with grace and dignity. We place our emphasis on safety, comfort, and competent assisted care while striving to promote independence by encouraging individuals to stay active within our supportive environments. We welcome residents and participants that receive assistance through the DSHS/Medicaid (COPES) system!
Making the transition to a new living situation isn't always easy, but the rewards can be great. Cascade Park Communities offers affordable, safe, and quality care. Our exceptional value, facilities and programs in assisted living, memory care, and adult day health services are located in Tacoma, WA. We serve families in Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region. Give us a call to arrange a free trial in our adult day health center or come by for a free tour in either our assisted living or memory care communities. We are dedicated to helping our residents and program participants enjoy day-to-day living with grace and dignity. We place our emphasis on safety, comfort, and competent assisted care while striving to promote independence by encouraging individuals to stay active within our supportive environments. We welcome residents and participants that receive assistance through the DSHS/Medicaid (COPES) system!
Making the transition to a new living situation isn't always easy, but the rewards can be great. Cascade Park Communities offers affordable, safe, and quality care. Our exceptional value, facilities and programs in assisted living, memory care, and adult day health services are located in Tacoma, WA. We serve families in Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region. Give us a call to arrange a free trial in our adult day health center or come by for a free tour in either our assisted living or memory care communities. We are dedicated to helping our residents and program participants enjoy day-to-day living with grace and dignity. We place our emphasis on safety, comfort, and competent assisted care while striving to promote independence by encouraging individuals to stay active within our supportive environments. We welcome residents and participants that receive assistance through the DSHS/Medicaid (COPES) system!
We believe the elderly should be able to live in security and dignity. Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services provide a variety of services to seniors and to people with disabilities that dignifies each individual while providing the needed tools to help extend independent living and promote physical and mental well being. As our senior population continues to grow, we are constantly looking for new ways to provide solutions to a variety of care challenges and opportunities. Historically, CCS has provided home care services that enable seniors and people with disabilities to remain in their own homes. In addition, we provide this to people with low or no income, as well as to people who are able to pay for the service. An outgrowth of our home care programs has been the recognition that low income seniors who are not homebound need nutritional meals and socialization. To this end, numerous senior meal sites as well as Meals on Wheels have been established in Pierce County. Other services to seniors and people with disabilities include referrals through Volunteer Services, a vast network of help that matches volunteers to the needs of seniors and others; low income housing, and volunteer transportation.
Our mission is to empower adults with disabilities to engage in their community through advocacy, employment, and education. Our purpose is to promote and advocate for the general welfare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; foster the development of programs on the individual’s behalf; aid the client, parents, and/or guardians in the solution of issues that arise; coordinate efforts and activities on their behalf; and cooperate with all public and private agencies and organizations in the furtherance of these ends.
A guardian is appointed by the Superior Court to act for a person whom the court has found to be incapacitated and unable to handle their own affairs. A guardian is responsible for the individual’s care while considering and respecting the individual’s preferences. The guardian must adhere to strict legal requirements including regular reporting to the Court. A guardian is only appointed when all other options are exhausted. Choice Guardianship is a leading provider of guardianship services to clients in the Puget Sound area. We may act as guardian, care manager, nurse advocate, fiduciary, or assist with residential placement. The certified professionals in our agency work hard to enhance quality of life, encourage independence, and provide safe and supportive living environments. Choice Guardianship is passionate about taking a personable and professional approach towards providing support and guidance for clients and their families. We promise to treat our clients with respect, listen to their concerns, and advocate on their behalf.
The mission of the Eatonville Family Agency is to serve individuals, families and senior citizens in need and to reduce the impact of poverty through a variety of social services and community programs. We provide services and programs to help our community members in need. We provide a food bank, backpack food program for school students, clothing bank, senior citizen activities, DSHS basic food and medical enrollment assistance, holiday food and toys, school supplies, and so much more. If you live in the Eatonville or rural southeast Pierce County area and you need assistance, please call or come by the office.
Elder Assessment and Referral Services (EARS) assists the adult children and family members of elderly adults to find the care and resources they need. Our clients are able to maintain quality of life as they age, and we help ensure their mental, social, spiritual and physical wellbeing. Please visit our website for more information on our services.
ENRICH Program (Encouraging Relationships in Community and Home)
We encourage and support individuals to develop their potential talents to the fullest and to find a job that utilizes all their unique abilities. Each person is an individual and their job search will be tailored just for them. We work with all disabilities but have staff that are specifically trained to work with developmental disabilities, mental health and substance abuse disorder. We have mental health professionals on staff as well as access to a benefits planner. We work closely with the following DVR offices: Tacoma, Puyallup, Kent, and SeaTac. Our goal is to help people reach their fullest potential and to help them find the best job for themselves. We will assist them in writing resumes, filling out applications, practicing for an interview and doing follow up to help them orient to their job.
Envoy America provides the safest and most reliable senior transportation plus assistance and companionship services. We are trusted by seniors, their families, senior living communities, healthcare organizations and religious institutions because of our safety, ease of use, and reliability standards. Driver Companions must be verified through background checks and driving assessments. Seniors, their families, and businesses can make reservations by calling or booking through our online portal. Seniors and patients can expect timely, exceptional service with every appointment. Services include: door-to-door service, extra assistance, professional driver companions, wait & return, multiple stops and reserve in advance. We serve the following areas in western Washington: Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Spanaway, and Tacoma.
For over 20 years ExcelCare has provided Puget Sound families with full-time, part-time, and temporary nannies for their children. Our service will make the process of securing an exceptional nanny seamless, and without worry or stress. It will be accomplished by making sure that all the necessary steps of recruiting, screening, and matching to your household will be precisely met. Please visit our website for more information on us, the services that we provide, and a few kind testimonials that we have received from both the families and nannies that ExcelCare has served over the years.
The Family Caregiver Support program helps support and sustain the primary, unpaid caregiver providing continuous care for an older adult or a functionally disabled adult 18 years of age. We connect caregivers with the resources that will enable them to continue at-home care and make it possible for care recipients to continue to remain in their familiar environment.
First Choice In-Home Care provides services throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. First Choice In-Home Care is licensed by the Washington State Department of Health and is contracted with the Department of Social and Health Services to provide Medicaid Personal Care, COPES and respite care services. We serve adults, seniors and children in need, provide nursing services to school districts, provide home health and respite care to our veterans, provide personal care services to individuals with long-term care insurance and provide customized services to our private paying clients. Additionally, we help to staff adult family homes and residential care settings.
Good To Be Home Care is your south sound solution for non-medical home care services. We pride ourselves in providing highly flexible scheduling options and carefully matched caregivers at an affordable price.
Graham & Graham is owned and operated by partners Jerry Graham, CSA and Michelle Graham, CSA. The Grahams and their outstanding team of eldercare consultants are committed to providing seniors and their families with options that make sense - options based on specific medical and care needs, financial situations, as well as personal desires and preferences. Locally owned and operated by certified senior advisors with over 36 years combined local long term care industry experience. Services include: assisted living, residential care homes, memory care, in-home care, skilled nursing facilities, VA benefits, and Medicare/Medicaid benefits.
Guardian Care Management has earned the respect of attorneys, accountants, investment advisors, and our clients because of our reliability and professionalism. Our years of experience include working with people who have diagnoses like cancer, dementia, developmental disability, mental illness, and others. We have worked with trusts, rental properties, and veteran’s benefits. Guardian Care Management is always on your side, working to uphold our commitment to you and be an advocate for your wishes and preferences. Services include: nurse advocate, medication review, memory wellness, palliative/end of life guide, DPOA (attorney in fact) for healthcare, home safety evaluation, relocation assistance, independence at home, bill pay services, insurance review, benefits research, DPOA for finances, trustee, standby guardian, will executor, and safe driving referrals. Please visit our website for more information.
Hannah’s Home Care provides experienced care at home for older adults, persons with disabilities, young children and post-natal care for mothers and babies. Services are provided throughout Pierce, Thurston and South King Counties and range from one hour to live-in care. Whether the needs are meals, light housekeeping, transportation or personal care, Hannah’s caregivers offer support with compassion and respect. All caregivers are selected after a rigorous testing and interview process, including national background checks and personal and professional reference checks and are fully bonded, insured and trained. For added peace of mind, all of Hannah’s clients and family are able to view daily progress notes and communicate electronically with the caregiver regarding any concerns or observations.
We provide senior programs and a food bank (with free bread and produce when available). We are also a government surplus site for TFAP (Temporary Food Assistance Program).
Kitsap Home Care Services is an established and well-respected, locally owned agency providing quality home care services at an affordable price! We are a division of Kitsap Tenant Services, which has been serving the community since the 1970's. Our services include: personal hygiene, toileting, eating, meal preparation, ambulation, transfers, transportation to medical appointments, dressing, bathing, medication assistance, light housekeeping, essential shopping, and personal errands.
Korean Women’s Association (KWA) provides services in 11 western Washington counties and employs 1,400+ employees to serve the diverse needs of more than 10,000 people each year. Our programs and services include senior wellness, benefit enrollment, citizenship support, elder abuse advocacy, domestic violence advocacy and shelter, community and behavioral health navigation, in-home care, senior activity centers, community centers, and affordable housing. We provide multi-cultural, multi-lingual human services, regardless of race or ethnic background, to diverse communities through education, socialization, advocacy, and support. We are the leader in serving multi-cultural, multi-lingual communities to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
There’s something for everyone at the Lakewood Senior Activity Center. Whether you love to do woodworking (or want to learn how), or need to brush up on your computer skills, we have you covered. We also offer the opportunity for fellowship with monthly birthday celebrations, dessert of the month gatherings and Welcome Wednesday - a chance for newcomers and regular users to get together at the center and socialize. To see a full list of classes and activities at the Center, read the Lakewood Connections Magazine. The Senior Activity Center is located at the Lakewood Community Center overlooking the beautiful Seeley Lake Park and walking trail.
Lifespan Respite WA (LRW) offers grant awards for unpaid, unserved family and other caregivers living in Washington. Grant awards are on a first come, first serve basis with statewide distribution of the available funding. Grant recipients then select their respite option from the current list of registered respite providers. In some circumstances, a particular respite provider may become a registered provider in order to serve a family. Eligibility includes the individual receiving the care being of any age (lifespan) and having a special need, condition, and/or disability and they are a currently an unpaid care provider. Respite services vary, including in-home care, adult day, overnight care, parks/recreation programs, camps, and equine services. Grant recipients have 90 days to utilize their award. To learn more about eligibility, how to apply and other respite services visit www.lifespanrespitewa.org/. (Located on the Tacoma Community College Campus in parking lot “I” as you enter from 12th Street; opposite side of the campus from TACID.)
When unimaginable crises threaten people’s lives and futures, Lutheran Community Services Northwest offers healing, help and hope. We help vulnerable children, families, refugees and others overcome life’s most difficult challenges to become contributing members of our communities. Our mission is grounded in faith and the ideals of inclusiveness and justice. We respect, serve and advocate for all no matter their religion, ethnicity, sexuality or other personal attributes. Some programs offered in Pierce County include: caregiver services (fostering caregiver wellness, home care, meals on wheels), refugee resettlement, retired and senior volunteer program (RSVP), Santa for seniors, senior advocacy, dementia friendly action coalition (DFAC), senior companion, senior friends, senior media services (Senior Scene newspaper and Where to Turn guide), and social engagement (zoo walk, memory cafes and music mends minds). Please visit our website for more information.
Hospice care is provided wherever you are - at home, an assisted living facility, nursing home or hospital. In addition to our program’s extensive services, we can help you locate additional resources and assist you with advanced directives. Services we provide include: assistance with personal care, such as bathing and grooming, bereavement support for loved ones, comfort therapies including massage, reiki, music, pet, and aromatherapy, emotional and spiritual support, medical equipment, supplies, and medications, pain and symptom management, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and volunteers who can provide respite to caregivers or provide additional comfort and companionship to patients. Please visit our website for information on who can receive hospice care.
Good Samaritan’s programs for active older adults include Celebrate Seniority, volunteer opportunities and the Senior Wellness Project. If you're 50 or older, MultiCare is committed to being your health partner by providing a variety of health and medical services to help you maintain your health and a high quality of life.
Established in 1982, Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation (RFWF) is a community-based non-profit organization that mobilizes our community to address the critical issues of hunger, access to healthcare, mental health and student success. Our mission is to create and support a healthy community. We convene and collaborate with donors, volunteers, clients, businesses, local government and faith and community leaders to meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens and solve our community’s toughest challenges. RFWF carries out its mission through community-wide, core initiatives including the Care Van and Neighbors Feeding Neighbors; initiatives designed to meet emerging needs including mental health and integrated student supports; mini-grants to other organizations that align with our mission; and by providing meaningful opportunities for caring citizens to serve and invest financially in their community. Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation serves seniors, veterans, disabled, families, and elementary and middle school students in the Enumclaw and White River School Districts. Our service area includes southeast King County and northeast Pierce County serving the communities of Plateau and Foothills. Specific areas include Enumclaw, Black Diamond, Cumberland, Ravensdale, Buckley, Carbonado, Green Water, and Wilkeson. Please visit our website for more detailed information on programs and how you can donate to the Foundation.
ResponseLINK has been serving seniors, caretakers, and medical professionals for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on allowing seniors to live independently and with peace of mind. Our U.S. based call centers are staffed with certified EMTs 24 hours a day to keep you safe around the clock. We are an industry leader in rapid response times, getting you the help you need when you need it with our medical alert systems. To keep you safe, each of our systems includes: 24/7 U.S. based emergency monitoring, unlimited button presses, free tech support, 30 day money back guarantee (refund not applicable for quarterly monthly service plans) and personalized responders. We are now offering fall detection, mobile medical alert, and wireless systems (no landline required). Please visit our website for more information.
Steilacoom provides many adult programs, community services, facility rentals, and youth programs. Please visit our website for more information on services and schedules.
Support U is a faith-based series of classes for anyone caring for an adult with a chronic condition such as aging, illness, or a disability. Our curriculums help prepare people for the role of caregiver. We raise community awareness about caregiving and serve as a valuable tool to prevent caregiver isolation and burnout. We focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being of caregivers. These 45-minute classes are intended to be presented to family caregivers free of charge or with a nominal fee or donation for materials. We offer Support U classes in: planning ahead; finding, creating, and using resources; self-care for the caregiver; family dynamics and communication; dementia, chronic illness and the family; and financial well-being.
The Bread Basket is dedicated to meeting the needs of less fortunate families and individuals of Pierce County by providing food, clothing, and other resources throughout the year. Who we help: children, low income, disabled, domestic violence victims, homeless, military familes, senior citizens, and welfare-to-work familes and individuals. Please visit our website for more information.
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 that provide the residents of Tillicum and American Lake Gardens with a central facility to promote social, health, educational and cultural programs as well as offer assistance and referral services. We operate: SeaMar Medical Clinic, Women Infant Care Program (WIC), Senior Meal Site, Pierce County Branch Library, Family Emergency Preparedness, Clothes Closet, Food Bank, Senior Bingo, and Hall Rentals.
Visiting Angels provides elder care services to families across the United States. Our network of elder care franchised agencies is committed to providing families with the best possible in-home care services. Our commitment to you is simple: We’ll help your loved one continue to live at home, and we’ll help you find peace of mind. Please visit our website and complete an online form so we can connect with you.
Our volunteer transportation service provides low-income elders and disabled adults with the transportation they need to be able to get to their medical appointments, the grocery store, and to other essential errands. In some areas, we also provide rides to individuals referred by Medicaid. Our volunteer drivers are generous, well-trained individuals; the service helps maintain independence and dignity and really “Brings Community Home.” Call for Intake/Client Services & All Transportation.
Washington State Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. Our purpose is to protect and promote the resident rights guaranteed these residents under federal and state law and regulations. We are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer and discharge, abuse and other aspects of resident dignity and rights. We serve: residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes and veteran’s homes, relatives and friends of residents in long-term care facilities, administrators and employees of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes and veterans’ homes, any group or individual concerned about the welfare of residents of long-term care facilities, and the community-at-large.
