Overview of Emerald Heights
Emerald Heights is a continuing care retirement community located in Redmond, Washington. The community serves older adults who want to age in place with access to different levels of care as their needs change — from independent living apartments to assisted living and skilled nursing. Unlike a traditional nursing home that focuses only on medical care, Emerald Heights operates as a full continuum where residents can move between service levels without leaving the community.
The community sits on a 44-acre campus in north Redmond and houses around 400 residents across its various service levels. It is operated as a nonprofit organization, which means revenue goes back into operations and resident services rather than to shareholders. Understanding how Emerald Heights works — what it costs, what services are included, and how the move-in process works — helps you decide whether it fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Emerald Heights offers independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing on one campus, so you can move between levels as your care needs change without relocating.
- The community requires an entrance fee (which varies by unit size and service level) plus monthly fees for housing, meals, and services.
- You should visit in person, tour the specific unit type you are considering, and ask about the current wait list before making any decisions.
- Medicare covers skilled nursing stays under certain conditions, but independent and assisted living are typically paid out of pocket or through long-term care insurance.
- The move-in process includes a health assessment, financial review, and a residency agreement that outlines what happens if you need to leave or move to a higher level of care.
Housing Options and What Each Includes
Emerald Heights offers three main housing types, each designed for different care needs. Independent living apartments are for people who do not need daily help with personal care but want the security of being in a community with services nearby. These units are typically one or two bedrooms with a kitchen, and residents manage their own meals, housekeeping, and daily activities. Common amenities — dining rooms, fitness centers, libraries, and activity spaces — are included.
Assisted living units serve people who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, medication management, or meal preparation. Staff are available 24 hours a day. These units are smaller than independent living apartments and do not include full kitchens, though residents can prepare light snacks. Meals are provided in a central dining room, and housekeeping and laundry services are included.
Skilled nursing is for people who need medical care, wound care, physical therapy, or round-the-clock monitoring. This is the most intensive level and operates like a nursing unit within the community. Residents have private or semi-private rooms, and nursing staff provide direct care. The skilled nursing section can accept people recovering from a hospital stay or those with chronic conditions requiring daily medical attention.
Costs and What Payment Covers
Emerald Heights uses an entrance fee model, meaning you pay a one-time fee when you move in, then monthly service fees for as long as you live there. The entrance fee is typically refundable or partially refundable depending on the contract you sign, though the amount you get back may decrease over time. Entrance fees vary significantly based on the unit size and service level — independent living costs less than assisted living, which costs less than skilled nursing.
Monthly fees cover housing, utilities, meals, housekeeping, activities, and basic services. If you move from independent living to assisted living or skilled nursing, your monthly fee increases to reflect the higher level of care. Some costs — such as personal care items, phone service, or extra activities — may be separate. You should ask for a complete fee schedule and a sample contract before committing, so you understand what is and is not included.
Medicare covers skilled nursing for up to 100 days if you meet specific conditions: you must have been hospitalized for at least three days, enter a Medicare-certified facility within 30 days of discharge, and have a doctor order the care. Independent and assisted living are not covered by Medicare and are typically paid out of pocket. Long-term care insurance, if you have it, may cover assisted living or skilled nursing depending on your policy.
The Move-In Process and What to Expect
The first step is to contact Emerald Heights directly to request information and schedule a tour. During your visit, you will see the common areas and a model unit, but you should also ask to see the specific unit you would move into if one is available. Ask about the current wait list — some service levels may have a wait, while others have units ready when ready.
If you decide to move forward, Emerald Heights will ask you to complete a health assessment and provide financial information to confirm you can pay the entrance fee and ongoing monthly costs. You will also meet with a residency counselor who reviews the residency agreement — a legal contract that outlines your rights, the community's responsibilities, what happens if you need to move to a higher level of care, and the conditions under which the community can ask you to leave.
Before signing, have an attorney or trusted advisor review the agreement, especially the sections on refunds, care transitions, and termination. Once you sign, you will schedule a move-in date. Emerald Heights typically provides moving information and helps you settle into your new unit. The community also assigns a care coordinator who checks in regularly and helps arrange additional services if your needs change.
Services and Activities Available
Beyond housing and meals, Emerald Heights offers a range of services designed to keep residents engaged and supported. These typically include fitness classes, art and music programs, educational lectures, outings to local restaurants and cultural events, and social clubs organized by residents. A chaplain or spiritual care coordinator is available for residents of all faiths.
Health and wellness services include on-site primary care clinics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and coordination with specialists in the Seattle area. Residents can see their own doctors or use the community's providers. Medication management, wound care, and monitoring for chronic conditions are standard services. Transportation to medical appointments is usually provided for a fee.
The community also offers concierge services — help with banking, bill paying, legal documents, and insurance questions — and housekeeping and laundry services at all levels. If you need additional services not provided by the community, staff can help you arrange them through outside providers.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
When you visit or speak with Emerald Heights, have a list of specific questions ready. Ask about the current occupancy rate and wait lists for each service level. Find out what happens to your entrance fee if you move to a higher level of care or if you leave the community. Ask whether the monthly fee increases each year and by how much in recent years.
Ask about staffing — how many nurses and aides work each shift, what their training is, and how the community handles staff turnover. Request the most recent inspection report from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ask for references from current residents or families if possible.
Clarify what medical services are on-site versus what requires going off-campus. Ask how the community handles emergencies, what hospital it partners with, and how family members are notified if something happens. If you have specific health needs — such as memory care for dementia or specialized wound care — ask whether the community has experience with your condition and whether staff are trained in that area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Emerald Heights have a memory care unit for people with dementia?
Emerald Heights does not operate a separate memory care neighborhood, but the assisted living and skilled nursing sections serve residents with early to moderate dementia. Staff are trained in dementia care, and the community can provide supervision and medication management. If you are considering the community for someone with advanced dementia, ask directly about their experience and whether they can meet that person's specific needs.
Can I bring my pet to Emerald Heights?
Emerald Heights has a pet policy that allows residents to keep pets in independent living and some assisted living units, though there are restrictions on size and type. Pets are not allowed in skilled nursing. Ask about the specific rules, any pet deposits or fees, and what support the community offers if you need help caring for your pet as your health changes.
What happens if I run out of money to pay the monthly fees?
This is an important question to ask the community directly. Some continuing care communities have financial information programs or can work with families on payment plans. Others may require you to leave if you cannot pay. Understanding the community's policy before you move in protects you from a crisis later. Ask whether Medicaid is accepted for any service level if you eventually need it.
Can I move back to independent living if I improve after moving to assisted living?
Most continuing care communities allow moves between service levels based on changing needs, but the policy varies. Ask whether you can move down to a lower level of care if your health improves, and whether your entrance fee or monthly costs would change. Get this in writing as part of your residency agreement.
How do I know if Emerald Heights is the right fit for me?
Visit multiple times if possible — once for a formal tour and once informally to observe daily life and talk with residents. Eat a meal in the dining room. Spend time in the common areas. Talk to current residents and their families about their experience. Trust your instincts about whether the community feels like a place where you would be happy and well cared for.