Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Tacoma, Washington
2 of 11 nursing homes in Tacoma (18%) meet our strict criteria. The Washington statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 3 caution · 6 avoid · data
City Average
2.6
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
1,313
across 11 facilities
High Risk Facilities
6
5 Grade F
$960,128 in combined fines
Zero Fines
5
/11
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
43 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Tacoma, Washington, is adequate but has notable concerns, with only 2 of 11 facilities recommended. Families should be cautious, as 6 facilities carry a total of $923,682 in fines, highlighting the importance of thorough research before making decisions.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 1 THE OAKS AT LAKEWOOD (80) — The Oaks at Lakewood shines with its excellent CMS 5-star rating and a strong Trust Score of 80/100. This facility boasts a Grade B+ and has maintained a clean record with $0 fines, making it a reliable choice for quality care in a comfortable environment with 80 beds.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 2 AVAMERE TRANSITIONAL CARE OF PUGET SOUND (70) — Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound offers a solid CMS 4-star rating and a Trust Score of 70/100, indicating a commitment to quality service. With a Grade B and no fines, this facility prioritizes patient care in a supportive atmosphere, accommodating up to 60 residents.
The other 9 Tacoma facilities didn't qualify — 6 carry Grade D or F ratings and 6 have fines totaling $960K.
Recommended
The Oaks at Lakewood shines with its excellent CMS 5-star rating and a strong Trust Score of 80/100. This facility boasts a Grade B+ and has maintained a clean record with $0 fines, making it a reliable choice for quality care in a comfortable environment with 80 beds.
Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound offers a solid CMS 4-star rating and a Trust Score of 70/100, indicating a commitment to quality service. With a Grade B and no fines, this facility prioritizes patient care in a supportive atmosphere, accommodating up to 60 residents.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Tacoma Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.49 | 0.72 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.6 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 38 | 66.2 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 9?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 5 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 6 Have fines totaling $960,128
- Low-scoring facilities
- 4 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 3 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Tacoma Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Tacoma's city average is 2.6 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
6 of 11 Tacoma facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Tacoma avg is 43 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Tacoma facilities average 66.2 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Looking for options in Tacoma? These nearby cities also have recommended facilities
Tacoma at a Glance
Good News
- 2 facilities meet our strict criteria — 18% of the market
- 5 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 5 facilities carry Grade F — nearly half the market
- $960K in total fines across 6 facilities
- Worst facility has $293K in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 38.0 (dragged down by 5 F-grades)
- 91% for-profit, 9% non-profit, 0% government
- 66.2 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Tacoma, WA are recommended?
2 of 11 nursing homes in Tacoma (18%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Tacoma "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Tacoma?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.