Adult Family Homes in Des Moines, WA
Des Moines has 81 Adult Family Homes licensed by Washington DSHS, with 463 resident beds in total (state records checked November 7, 2026). 75 of them (93%) have a Medicaid contract, 80 hold the dementia specialty, 81 the mental health specialty and 53 the developmental disabilities specialty. The city also has 2 assisted living communities and 3 nursing homes. One home has confirmed an open room on Wayvo in the last two weeks.
Des Moines at a glance
- Adult Family Homes
- 81
- Resident beds
- 463
- Medicaid contract
- 75 (93%)
- Dementia specialty
- 80
- Mental health specialty
- 81
- Developmental disabilities
- 53
- Assisted living
- 2
- Nursing homes
- 3
From Washington DSHS license records, checked November 7, 2026.
Choosing an Adult Family Home in Des Moines
With 81 Adult Family Homes, Des Moines has enough choice that it pays to filter first. Start with the care your loved one needs, then look at how close each home is to the family members who will visit.
Homes are spread across 2 ZIP codes. The most are in 98198 (75) and 98148 (6). If someone will visit every week, start with the ZIP code closest to them.
The average home here is licensed for 5.7 residents. 3 are approved for seven or eight. 9 care for four or fewer, which some families prefer for a quieter house.
About 65% of Des Moines homes hold the developmental disabilities specialty, close to the Washington average of 61%.
Nearly every home here holds the dementia specialty, so the label alone will not narrow your list. Ask each home how many residents with memory loss live there now, who is awake at night, and how they handle wandering.
Before you visit, read each home's DSHS inspection reports; every listing on this page links to them, and our guide to reading inspection reports explains what to look for.
Paying for care in Des Moines
Medicaid. 75 Des Moines homes (93%) have a Medicaid contract with the state, about the same as the Washington average of 94%. A contract does not mean a Medicaid bed is open today, so ask each home, and ask whether a private pay resident can stay if savings run out.
Cost. Adult Family Homes set their own rates, usually by how much care is needed. Across Washington they typically charge $135 to $473 a day, about $4,050 to $14,190 a month. One Des Moines home lists its price on Wayvo, starting from $5,000 a month. Des Moines is in the Seattle area, where assisted living averages $8,038 a month, compared with $7,546 statewide. Our cost of care estimator gives a range for your situation.
Free local help. Community Living Connections (Aging and Disability Services for Seattle and King County) at (206) 962-8467 can talk through care options and benefits. For a Medicaid care assessment and every other local number, see our King County guide.
WA Cares Fund. If your loved one paid into WA Cares, the benefit can go toward an Adult Family Home. See who qualifies.
Questions about Adult Family Homes in Des Moines
How many Adult Family Homes are in Des Moines, WA?
Des Moines has 81 Adult Family Homes licensed by Washington DSHS, with room for 463 residents in total, according to state records as of November 2026. Each home cares for up to six residents, or up to eight with state approval.
Do Adult Family Homes in Des Moines accept Medicaid?
75 of Des Moines's 81 Adult Family Homes (93%) have a Medicaid contract with Washington DSHS, so residents who qualify for Medicaid or COPES can live there. Ask each home whether a Medicaid bed is open now.
Are there Adult Family Homes for dementia or memory care in Des Moines?
Yes. 80 Adult Family Homes in Des Moines hold the DSHS dementia specialty, which means their staff completed extra state training in dementia care. Ask each home how it handles wandering and night time care.
Which Des Moines Adult Family Homes care for mental health needs or developmental disabilities?
Of Des Moines's 81 Adult Family Homes, 81 hold the mental health specialty and 53 hold the developmental disabilities specialty. Both designations require extra DSHS training. Filter for them on this page, then ask how many residents with similar needs live in the home now.
How much does an Adult Family Home cost in Des Moines?
Each home sets its own rate based on the care needed. In Washington, Adult Family Homes typically charge $135 to $473 a day, about $4,050 to $14,190 a month. One Des Moines home lists its price on Wayvo, from $5,000 a month. Medicaid, long term care insurance, VA benefits and the WA Cares Fund can help pay.
How do I check the inspection reports for an Adult Family Home in Des Moines?
DSHS inspects every Adult Family Home at least every 18 months and publishes inspections, complaint investigations and enforcement letters online. Each Des Moines home on Wayvo links to its own DSHS reports by license number.
How do I find an Adult Family Home in Des Moines with a room open now?
One Des Moines home has confirmed an open room on Wayvo in the last two weeks; it appears near the top of this page. For other homes, call and ask, or tell a Wayvo guide what your loved one needs and we will check for you, free.
Home counts updated November 7, 2026 from state records. Sources:
See all 86 care homes in Des Moines, A to Z
More about care near Des Moines
Care homes in King County · Which kind of home is right?