Dementia Care Coming in 2026
Newport Hospital & Health Services (NHHS) is updating the River Mountain Village (RMV) campus to add state-contracted dementia care services in 2026. This new service will be the first in Pend Oreille County and will be housed in the facility at 608 W. 2nd St.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is NHHS moving to specialized dementia care? When we built River Mountain Village Advanced Care in 2019, we promised the community we would add memory care services. The pandemic delayed our plans considerably as the State could not conduct their onsite surveys and property analysis. We are ready to move forward now, and the State, along with assistance from Senator Shelly Short, has approved our plans to convert River Mountain Village Assisted Living into specialized dementia care assisted living.
Why are you converting River Mountain Village Assisted Living instead of River Mountain Village Advanced Care? River Mountain Village Assisted Living (located at 608 W. 2nd St. in Newport) is a smaller facility with a better environment for residents with dementia. It allows residents to reside in more of a family environment with comfortable touches, along with more cohesive coordinating of residents and visitors.
When does NHHS plan to open the new service? Currently, we are planning enhanced security measures, which will require some minor building and grounds modifications. Our plan is to open the service in 2026. Once we start the modifications, we’ll know more about a possible opening date.
What will happen to the residents currently living at River Mountain Village Assisted Living? We love our residents and are committed to working with each family. Some residents may choose to move to the Advanced Care building (located at 507 W 1st St. in Newport) and others may qualify to stay in the dementia care facility (608 W. 2nd St. in Newport).
If a resident moves to the Advanced Care building will it cost them more? No matter which River Mountain Village building a resident resides in, the rates remain connected to their assessed level of care (a scale of 1– 6). Unless a resident’s level of care increases, the cost won’t be impacted by moving into the newer facility.
Will each resident have their own room? Advanced Care has a combination of shared rooms available to Medicaid clients, and a limited number of single rooms for private pay residents.
Is NHHS moving away from independent assisted living? No, we are following the trends and making sure to meet the needs of our community. This means dedicating a smaller footprint to independent living while delivering on our promise to provide specialized dementia care.
Over the past 5 years there’s been a growing trend for aging in place, meaning that seniors have access to more services and supports allowing them to live at home or with loved ones longer. Consequently, fewer residents are interested in independent assisted living, and our census has dramatically decreased over the years.
We are committed to serving our community’s most frail population, and we know the need exists to serve the special care needs of dementia care residents. We frequently get inquiries about dementia care services, so we know we’re moving in the right direction.
How can my loved one get on the waiting list? We are currently tracking interest in the specialized dementia care facility. Contact Jenny Cooper, Director of Residential Care Services at (509) 447-6382.
How long will the application process take once you’re open? If your loved one is going to apply for Medicaid coverage, we recommend starting that process months in advance. Private pay residents are typically able to move in between three (3) and five (5) business days.
What modifications will you need to make to the dementia care building? Our modifications include security measures necessary for us to operate the specialized dementia care service, and they must be complete prior to opening. The entire building will be equipped with Wander Guard Access control doors to prevent residents from leaving the facility unsupervised. Additional modifications include an upgraded call system, a new badge tap system for employees, additional security cameras, and a gated, locked fence.
The required modifications are expected to cost NHHS around $150,000.
Will there be 24-hour supervision and an emergency alert system? Yes.
Will specialized dementia care services cost more? Yes. Dementia care is considered a higher level of care, so it costs more than traditional assisted living rates. Residents will be appropriately evaluated to determine their level of care (Levels 1 – 6) which determines their monthly rates. The assessment directly correlates with the assessment completed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Will Patients on Medicaid be accepted for the specialized dementia care service? Yes, we will continue to accept Washington Medicaid clients for residential care.
Will you accept private pay, as well? How much will it cost? Yes, we will continue to accept private pay residents. These rates are also set according to the resident’s level of care requirements. Private pay residents will be able to choose between a one-bedroom unit or a studio unit. Each unit comes with a private bathroom, equipped with safety features such as grab bars, and a walk-in shower.
Will your staff undergo specialized training to serve residents with dementia care? Yes, they will. Our staff already receive training in mental health, dementia, and developmental disabilities. The new dementia care license requires additional training for staff working in the facility, as well as extensive training for our administrators. All staff will be trained prior to opening the new service.
Will NHHS need to increase staffing to accommodate residents with dementia? Yes, we anticipate needing to increase our staffing as the number of dementia care residents increases.
How will you manage challenging behaviors that often accompany a dementia diagnosis? We will work closely with the resident’s primary care provider and appropriate access to medication management and counseling services. Our staff are also trained in specialized de-escalation techniques.
Is transportation to medical appointments provided? We encourage every resident to establish primary care at Newport Health Center. This allows for seamless care transitions and easy access to local medical appointments. The facility will provide transportation to local appointments (within a 25-mile radius) free of charge for individuals on Medicaid and at a cost for Private Pay residents.
How many specialized dementia care residents can you accommodate at River Mountain Village Assisted Living? We anticipate we’ll be able to accept up to 35 residents. The building currently has 42 units, but we anticipate using more space to create engaging resident activities, sitting areas, and group entertainment spaces.
Will there be special activities for the residents receiving dementia care? Yes, we will offer a variety of group and one-one-one activities relevant to the residents’ interests, hobbies, and social needs.
What services will be included at with SDC?
- Small town, family environment
- 3 restaurant style meals a day
- Beautiful grounds and scenery
- Studio or 1-bedroom apartments with Wi-Fi
- Transparent cost structure
- Private pay and Medicaid options available
- Individual and group activities daily (including outings)
- Community activities (monthly library visit, church services, and visiting music groups)
- Healthcare professionals on-site 24/7
- Easy access to NHHS primary care providers
- Appointment and transportation coordination
- Medication management
- Visiting physicians, therapists (PT/OT/ST), and behavioral health staff
Are residents at the dementia care facility allowed to smoke or vape? No. Our residential care facilities maintain strict no-tobacco product, smoking, and vaping policies.
Can residents bring their own beds into the dementia care assisted living facility? No, a hospital-style, adjustable bed will be provided for convenience and safety to maintain infection control and provide flexibility with fluctuations in individual abilities.
