The Firs in Olympia, WA is an independent-living community that also accommodates short-term or respite stays. Residents who need scheduled rehabilitation sessions have access to an on-site speech therapist, allowing them to receive therapy without leaving the property. Because the campus is designed for independent living first, medical services are arranged to fit individual schedules rather than a fixed skilled-nursing routine.

Registered and licensed nurses are employed around the clock, with one nurse on site 24 hours a day and another on call at all times. Staff members undergo background checks, and both awake and asleep night-shift coverage is provided. The grounds are enclosed by front and rear fencing, exterior doors are alarmed, and wander-management technology is in place. Pull cords and personal emergency response systems can alert staff or connect directly to 911, depending on the resident’s preference. A therapy room and regular podiatry visits round out the available on-site clinical services, while an activity director coordinates programs that align with residents’ care plans.

Private apartments may feature a bathroom of one’s own, a kitchenette, furnishings, individual climate controls and cable service, though not every unit contains every amenity. Housekeeping and scheduled laundry are available building-wide, and independent-living residents can add medication-management monitoring, weekly housekeeping, personal laundry and a monthly meal plan to their service package as needed.

Daily meals follow a set menu served in the main dining room, with accommodations for gluten-free, vegetarian and other physician-ordered diets. Residents may request tray service to their apartment or reserve a private dining room for family events.

Community amenities include resident parking, a barber and beauty shop, exercise and wellness rooms, a dedicated movie room, internet access, communal gardens, on-site religious services, a concierge, a library and several special-interest clubs. Scheduled transportation is provided for medical appointments, and the location is also close to public transit for residents who prefer to travel independently. Pets are allowed. It’s a good idea to check with the community during your visit to see if your pet will be allowed.