North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center is a large, for-profit skilled nursing facility situated in Bellingham, Washington. With a capacity of 122 beds, it offers both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services for individuals who require medical and personal assistance. The center is designed to support residents who need daily help due to medical needs, such as medication administration, as well as non-medical needs like assistance with dressing, eating, and personal hygiene. North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center participates in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, making its services accessible to a wider variety of residents who meet eligibility requirements.
The facility is not part of a continuing care retirement community and operates independently under corporate ownership. Its care approach covers a spectrum of needs—ranging from post-acute rehabilitation services following a hospital stay to ongoing residential care for those with chronic medical issues. On average, residents benefit from over three and a half hours of nurse staffing per day, with the intention to support both recovery and daily living activities. While the overall ratings for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care at North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center are considered average, several key quality indicators reflect the home’s ability to provide essential support. For short-term rehabilitation residents, a significant percentage are able to return home after their stay, highlighting the effectiveness of recovery programs offered.
The environment at North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center is structured to prioritize resident health and safety. The majority of residents are able to maintain their ability to move, eat, and use the bathroom independently, and nearly all receive annual influenza vaccinations, reflecting diligent preventative care measures. The center is staffed with professionals trained to respond to emergencies, manage infections, and uphold standards in food preparation and safety. However, weekend staffing has been rated as inconsistent in comparison to weekday staffing, which may reflect challenges faced by many similar facilities.
Inspection data from recent years indicates that North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center has undergone regular reviews by state health and safety authorities. These inspections cover a wide array of care and operational aspects, including communication with families and physicians, safeguarding resident rights, providing individualized care, protecting residents from abuse, and maintaining proper medication storage protocols. While some inspections have found areas in need of improvement—such as infection control, timely response to incidents, and ongoing nurse aide training—the facility has addressed identified issues within specified timelines.
Nutrition and dietary services at the facility are monitored to ensure that residents receive adequate food and fluids to maintain their health. For those requiring specialized medical services, such as dialysis, the center accommodates care needs while also promoting a dignified and respectful environment. The home has implemented infection prevention protocols and is tasked with ensuring staff are continually educated on best practices for care, including dementia care and abuse prevention. Residents’ health records are maintained according to professional standards, and systems are in place to record and submit accurate staffing and care data.
North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center’s inclusion in various public health programs, its commitment to residents’ quality of life, and its broad offering of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services make it a significant resource for individuals in need of both short-term and long-term nursing care in Bellingham. Through regular updates to care plans and engagement with residents’ preferences and goals, the facility works to support both recovery and daily living for a diverse and often vulnerable population.