FAQs

Horizon House is a Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, CCRC) designed to provide a spectrum of services and care for residents who plan to live life to the fullest, from complete independence to individualized care in Assisted Living. Assistance can range from help with daily living to 24-hour-a-day nurse staffing and dementia care.

A Life Plan Community acknowledges that residents are actively involved in planning each phase of their lives, including retirement, and making the most of each of those phases. In addition to vibrant, independent residential living, healthcare services such as those provided in our distinct Assisted Living program will be available for you to thrive in place. When Horizon House signs a Residency Agreement with a resident, we make a commitment to provide care and services to the resident for the period outlined in the terms of the agreement.

Horizon House is a private, not-for-profit corporation that was established in 1961. Affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ and governed by a local Board of Trustees between 10 and 15 members, Horizon House promotes independence, community service, creativity, personal growth, and self-determination. The Board is selected from Seattle-area residents to reflect a wide range of professional expertise and community leadership. Up to one-third of the voting members of the Board are Horizon House residents. The daily management of Horizon House is the responsibility of the Executive Team.

As a not-for-profit community, Horizon House is not charged with the task of returning a profit to the investors. In lieu of paying dividends to stockholders, we are able to reinvest proceeds into enhanced services for our residents and provide benefits to the surrounding community.

At Horizon House you’ll enjoy an unregimented lifestyle, free from the burden of home ownership, in one of the most desirable locations in downtown Seattle. As a Horizon House resident you can enjoy all the city has to offer from restaurants, theatres, and art galleries to Pike Place Market and Freeway Park. It’s all at your front door. Your new home also offers some of the area’s finest hospitals and clinics, within walking distance. We have myriad activities and groups to enrich your life socially, recreationally, educationally, and spiritually. And should your needs change, our Assisted Living program ensures you won’t have to move out of Horizon House to get the right level of care.

Our Monthly Fee covers all utilities, local and long distance phone services, basic cable, Wi-Fi, a $242 per month dining credit, participation in our exercise/wellness programs, social and educational activities, access to an extensive library, maintenance of appliances, free transportation to grocery stores, workshops and garden areas, and 24-hour-a-day licensed nursing staff. Additional amenities and services available for a fee include optional dining, housekeeping, styling salon, guest rooms, covered parking, van transportation, and trips and tours.

There are 376 Independent Living apartment homes at Horizon House including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options with various bath and den options. Sizes for these residences range from 350 to 1,900 sq. ft., offering you a variety of styles and prices to choose from. Supported Living offers 105 studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Horizon House provides a complete range of care through Assisted Living. This program is a progressive concept with its primary focus on the individual resident. Assisted Living is designed with the goal of meeting the social, mental, spiritual, and long-term health needs of each resident we serve. When a resident moves to an apartment in Assisted Living, no further moves are necessary. If a resident’s level of care increases, we simply bring in the additional care needed to their Assisted Living apartment. If a short-term Medicare A skilled nursing care stay is required, Horizon House maintains partnerships with nearby skilled nursing facilities to serve our residents for short-term stays. When residents receive care outside of Horizon House, the staff is in close contact with nurses and discharge planners to determine the next appropriate steps for their return to Horizon House.

At Horizon House couples can receive the individualized care needed while still living within the same community, usually just an elevator ride away. At Horizon House we support “thriving in place” and residents may elect to stay in their independent apartment and bring care into their home through contracting with a home health agency.

Horizon House is licensed to provide services under Medicare when such services meet Medicare criteria. Please note that Medicare doesn’t cover apartment fees. Our staff gathers information prior to move-in to determine applicability of Medicare benefits.

Entrance and Monthly Fees are based on the size and location of the apartment you choose.

Independent Monthly Fees have increased an average of 3 to 4% per year over the past several years. Entrance Fees are reviewed annually through the budget process and adjusted as needed.

An application fee of $1,200 is collected with your Application for Residency. After selecting an apartment, you’ll sign a Commitment to Occupy, place a deposit of 10% of the Entrance Fee, complete a Clinic safety interview and medical records review, and verify financial information. After any apartment renovations or customization have been completed and a final walk-through has been performed, you’ll sign the Residency & Services Agreement, at which time the remainder of the Entrance Fee is due.

A resident, or one resident in a couple, must be at least 62 years of age and capable of living independently to move into Horizon House. Horizon House requests that applicants complete a health form and a safety interview with our Clinic staff.

Horizon House offers a non-refundable Entrance Fee. Amortization period applies.

A person moving into Horizon House may be able to deduct a portion of the Entrance Fee and/or the Monthly Fees as a medical tax deduction. Horizon House recommends that you consult your tax advisor for additional information.

The Residency & Services Agreement provides priority access to Horizon House residents for services in our onsite Assisted Living and Memory Support neighborhoods. Each qualifying resident is eligible for 30 days in our Assisted Living Center at the reduced rate of 50%. The Monthly Fee changes based on the type of apartment and the level of care received, and additional fees are charged a la carte. If you have a Long Term Care policy, your policy may be applied to cover expenses in Supported Living.

Horizon House’s location on First Hill in Seattle puts us at the heart of all the leading medical providers. Just steps away from Horizon House is Virginia Mason Medical Center, one of the area’s finest health care facilities and specialty hospitals. Swedish Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center are also close by and enjoy excellent reputations. There are several other medical and specialty facilities, such as same-day surgery centers conveniently located in the area and even within walking distance. Horizon House has an onsite Clinic that offers services such as medication management, lab work, dental care, and podiatry. Our Clinic accepts a variety of health care insurance plans.

Prior to move-in, residents work with our Renovations department to select finishes and fixtures for their apartments. Certain standard renovations (i.e., painting, carpeting, replacement of appliances as needed) are done at Horizon House’s cost. Residents are responsible for the cost of any non-standard, optional renovations (i.e., custom cabinets or flooring, special appliances). If residents wish to make alterations to their apartments after move-in, they need to seek approval of the changes from Horizon House and work with our own insured vendors. All apartment alterations become the property of Horizon House at move-out.

Horizon House has guest apartments available for $95-$100 per night, which can be reserved through the concierge. Residents are encouraged to host parties and events and may use their own apartment or common areas such as the Sky Lounge or Private Dining Room. Catering services are available.

Indoor cats, birds, and fish are welcomed, as are service animals with the appropriate paperwork.

Horizon House offers secured parking in the building’s garage for $155 per month, per spot. Valet parking is offered at no additional cost. Horizon House also offers transportation for local trips.

We are committed to enhancing the well-being of our residents. Your Monthly Fee includes preventative health services, such as access to our resident health Clinic for blood pressure monitoring, nurse consultation, and minor first aid. In addition, we schedule ongoing health education programs. You also have unlimited access to the Fitness Center, heated saline pool, and water aerobics. We offer dozens of exercise classes per week such as yoga, Tai Chi, circuit training, dance aerobics, strengthening and stretching, and chair exercises.

Whip up a dish in your own fully equipped kitchen or enjoy Choice Dining: breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our Terrace Dining Room; sandwiches, salads, fresh pastries, lattes, and ice cream in the Bistro; Chef’s specials with seasonal influences; and special Fine Dining evenings. Our Catering Department can provide excellent food for private gatherings – elegant or casual. From champagne to chocolate chip cookies, we offer many creative choices tailored just for you. A $235 dining credit is included in your Monthly Fee.

Yes, of course. Your $235 monthly dining credit can be used to cover your guests. If there are charges over and above your credit, they will appear on your monthly statement; no need to bring cash or credit cards to any of the dining venues.

Residents enjoy a wide range of social, educational, and cultural activities – from art and writing classes to book clubs, bridge and card games, movies, concerts, health forums, and cultural events. You may choose to participate in water aerobics, weight training and cardiovascular exercises. Social activities like happy hours and seasonal parties are held regularly. Religious services are offered as well. As always, there is the entire city of Seattle at your doorstep to enjoy.

Many precautions are taken to promote your safety and security. We begin with our controlled-access lobby and reception staff. Emergency call devices in each apartment home, as well as wearable pendants, connect to our 24-hour response system and licensed nursing staff. Motion sensors are installed in each apartment and will alert security if no motion has been detected for a specific amount of time. Security personnel monitor the community’s surroundings. In addition, security cameras are installed throughout the buildings. Access to each apartment, and every entrance, requires a key card which is assigned to each resident.

Horizon House encourages you to retain your family physician.