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Resources for Lynden and Whatcom County Elders

As trusted long-term care providers, Christian Health Care Center is often called upon to share advice, tips and resources with patients, their loved ones and other medical professionals in the community. We have developed a toolbox of helpful links to assist those making healthcare decisions – information is presented in the following categories:

Please use our website as a resource for yourself or loved ones and, as always, feel free to contact our social services office with any questions you may have about eldercare, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.
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Selecting a long-term care facility

Tips for selecting a care facility

  • How to Choose a Nursing Home: There are many things to consider when choosing a skilled nursing facility for a spouse, parent, grandparent or even a friend/neighbor. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind as you navigate through the process.
  • Nursing Home Checklist: Keep this printable checklist handy as you are considering long-term care options. It will remind you to ask about social and therapy activities available on-site, learn about insurance and billing options and more.
  • Nursing Home Checklist–Choosing the Right Nursing Home: Explore 10 questions you should ask before moving your parents or loved one into a new long-term care facility.
  • Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long‑Term Care: This official government booklet explains how to find and compare nursing homes and other long-term care options, how to pay for nursing home care and your rights as a nursing home resident.

Contact social services to schedule a tour of our facility. Phone: 360-354-4434.

Senior resources

County and state resources available to senior citizens

National resources

  • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)A non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.
  • Alliance for AgingLinks to educational topics like: legal resources, senior health in the news, aging statistics and more.
  • Meals on Wheels AmericaProvides free meals to seniors at congregate locations like senior centers. Some programs also deliver meals directly to the homes of seniors whose mobility is limited.
  • MedicareSign up for benefits or change your coverage, link to additional senior resources, learn about preventative health services and more.
  • National Council on Aging Benefits Check UpThis website helps seniors find out what benefits they qualify for or apply for additional help.
  • Social SecurityA place to learn about retirement or social security benefits.
Resident Council

Once a month at Christian Health Care Center, a group of residents gather to discuss how life is going for the center’s long-term residents.

Resident council meetings are run by members of a resident leadership team, who are voted on by other individuals who live full-time at CHCC. Officers are the president, vice president and board advisers.

All residents are invited to attend each meeting, as are the heads of the dietary, environmental services, administrative, social services and therapeutic recreation departments. Meetings typically consist of updates from each of the department heads on various projects and changes, such as new staff, new policies, new menu items, new activities and so on.

Learn more about the council in this article.

Advocacy Resources

Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Phone: 800-562-6028
PO Box 23699
Federal Way, WA 98093-0699
Email: ltcop@mschelps.org
Protects and promotes the rights of residents in nursing homes; helps resolve complaints.

Medicaid Fraud Control Washington State
Phone: 800-562-6906/(360)586-8888
PO Box 40114
Olympia, WA 98504
Email: MFCUreferrals@atg.wa.gov
Report suspected fraudulent activity involving the medicaid program.

Social Security Office
Phone: 800-772-1213
710 Alabama Street
Bellingham WA 98225
Email: open.government@ssa.gov
Report a lost social security card or get answers to social security questions.

Medicare Information and Fraud Reporting
Phone: 800-MEDICARE/(800)447-8477
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244
www.medicare.gov
For questions about medicare eligibility, services, and billing or to report concerns about Medicare fraud.

Complaint Resolution Unit
Phone: 800-562-6078
PO Box 45600
Olympia WA 98504-5600
http://bit.ly/2huMeqL
Report abuse or neglect in a nursing facility.

State Licensure Office
Phone: 360-236-4700
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Email: hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov
Aging & Long Term Support Administration (ALTSA)

State Survey Office
Phone: 800-422-3263
PO Box 45600
Olympia, WA 98504-5600
Residential Care Services/Nursing Home Quality Assurance

Aging and Disability Resources
“No Wrong Door Program”
Phone: 360-738-2500 / 800-585-6749
600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham WA 98225
Email: ADRCwhatcom@dshs.wa.gov
Supports the independence, dignity, and health of older adults (60+) and people with disabilities. Services are free to individuals and to those who advocate on their behalf.

Northwest Regional Council
Phone: 360-676-6749 / 800-585-6749
600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: ADRCwhatcom@dshs.wa.gov
Implements state and federal programs for seniors and those needing long-term care. Programs: Meals on Wheels, Respite Care, Adult Day Services, Family Caregiver Support.

Home and Community Services – DSHS
Phone: 360-756-5750 / 800-239-8292 / 360-738-6202 (TTY)
600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: KyleNJ@dshs.wa.gov
Assists persons with disabilities and the elderly who need state funds to help pay for care.

Protection and Advocacy Network
Phone: 800-562-2702
315 5th Avenue South Suite 850
Seattle, WA 98104
Email: info@dr-wa.org
Advocacy and attorney work for the mentally ill and disabled population.

Adult Protective Services
Phone: 866-221-4909/800-843-8058 (TDD/TTY)
600 Lakeway Drive
Bellingham, WA 98225
Email: R1APSIntake@dshs.wa.gov
Investigates allegations of neglect, abuse, and financial exploitation of elderly/disabled persons.

Developmental Disabilities Advocacy (DDA) Whatcom County
Phone: 360-714-5000
To request new services: 800-567-5582
2219 Rimland Drive. Suite 315
Bellingham, WA 98226
Email: DD3FSO@dshs.wa.gov
Provides policies and support to those with developmental disabilities and to their support system.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Help Line
Phone: 800-950-NAMI (6264)/(360)671-4950
P.O. Box 5571, Bellingham, WA 98227
Email: info@nami.org
Educates, advocates, and provides support to local individuals affected by mental illness.
Mental Health Crisis Line
Phone: 800-584-3578
Mental Health Treatment Access Line
Phone: 888-693-7200

Office for Civil Rights, US Dept. of HHS
Phone: 800-368-1019/800-537-7696 (TDD)
200 Independence Avenue SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, DC 20201
Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov
Investigates discrimination claims.

Qualis Health Offices
Phone: 800-949-7536
PO Box 33400, Seattle, WA 98133
Email: info@qualishealth.org
Generates, applies, and disseminates knowledge to improve the quality of healthcare delivery.

“I visited numerous skilled nursing facilities in search of the best possible fit for my Mom. I knew that when I stepped foot into Christian Health Care Center there was a profound difference in the atmosphere as well as the quality of care.”

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