Resources for Lynden and Whatcom County Elders

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.

County and state resources available to senior citizens

• Community Resources Directory: Opportunity Council’s site for support services and free and low-cost community resources for all ages.
• Northwest Regional Council: Implement state and federal programs for seniors and people who need long-term care.
• SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisers): Expert and impartial senior health insurance counselors. SHIBA services are free.
• Washington Law Help: Legal assistance on elder law, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.
• Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: Proving help to those qualifying for financial assistance.
• Washington State Department of Licensing: Disabled parking permits
• Washington State Department of Veteran’s Affairs: Provides a variety of benefits, services and programs to those who have served our country.
• Whatcom County Assessor: Provides property tax relief to qualifying seniors in Whatcom County.
• Whatcom County Council on Aging: Information on local senior centers, meals, etc.
• Whatcom Hospice: Whatcom Hospice partners with CHCC to provide comfort and preserve dignity for our patients and their loved ones at the end of life.
• Whatcom Transit Authority: Curb-to-curb transportation to people who are unable to ride fixed route buses due to a mental or physical disability. Riders must first meet eligibility standards based on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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 Aging: Links to educational topics like: legal resources, senior health in the news, aging statistics and more.
• Meals on Wheels America: Provides 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.
• Medicare: Sign 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 Up: This website helps seniors find out what benefits they qualify for or apply for additional help.
• Social Security: A place to learn about retirement or social security benefits.

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.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Adult Protective Services
Phone: 800-239-8285
2219 Rimland Drive Suite 315
Bellingham, WA 98226
Email: apscentralintake@dshs.wa.gov
Investigates allegations of neglect, abuse and financial exploitation of elderly/disabled persons.

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 or nowrongdoor@acl.hhs.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.

Aging and 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

Complaint Resolution Unit
Phone: 800-562-6078
PO Box 45600
Olympia WA 98504-5600
Email: apscentralintake@dshs.wa.gov
Report abuse or neglect in a nursing facility.

Developmental Disabilities Advocacy (DDA) Whatcom County
Phone: 360-714-5000/ 800-239-8292
2219 Rimland Drive Suite 419
Bellingham, WA 98226
Email: DD3FSO@dshs.wa.gov
Provides policies and support to those with developmental disabilities and to their support system.

Home and Community Services – DSHS/ALTSA/HCS
Phone: 360-812-4940
2219 Rimland Dr Suite 419
Bellingham, WA 98226
Email: shannon.huso@dshs.wa.gov
Assists persons with disabilities and the elderly who need state funds to help pay for care.

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.

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.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Help Line
Phone: 800-950-NAMI (6264)/ (360)671-4950
P.O. Box 5571
Bellingham, WA 98227
Email: namiadmin@namiwhatcom.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

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.

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.

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.

Quality Improvement Organization, Kepro
Phone: 888-305-6759
Info: keproqio.com
Help to file quality of care complaints, skilled service termination appeals and advocacy.

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.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights
Phone: 877-696-6775
200 Independence Avenue SW Room 509F
HHH Building, Washington DC 20201
Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov
Protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.

Washington State Department of Health
Phone: 800-525-0127
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
Email: hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov
Protects the public by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies.