Ponderosa Retirement Center
Assisted Living & Independent Living · Yakima, WA

Ponderosa Retirement Center

Assisted Living & Independent Living · Yakima, WA

Overview of Ponderosa Retirement Center

Ponderosa Retirement Center is an assisted living and independent living community in Yakima, Washington, providing 24-hour on-site staffing to support older adults who require consistent access to care, as well as those who live more independently. Licensed in Yakima County with 85 beds, the center maintains an occupancy rate of approximately 84%, which is above the Washington state average of 72.5%. This reflects steady demand and limited availability, so interested families are encouraged to inquire early for vacancy and possible waitlist options.

The community’s inspection history includes 10 visits, higher than the Washington average, with recurring themes on deficiencies about fire safety code compliance and billing practice violations. Past complaint investigations substantiated issues related to the reporting of resident injuries, medication administration, nurse delegation, and verbal abuse, with enforcement fines issued in 2023 regarding medication and delegation errors. However, the most recent inspection on July 9, 2025, resulted in zero deficiencies, suggesting that previously cited issues have been successfully addressed. This outcome confirms that the community currently meets all licensing requirements and has achieved its cleanest regulatory report yet.

A variety of amenities, including a dining room with a rotating monthly menu, social gathering rooms, a salon and spa, and well-maintained patio grounds, are offered, along with resident laundry facilities, parking, and transportation services. The lifestyle is pet-friendly and has a diverse program schedule with musical entertainment, religious services, exercise classes, and organized shopping trips. Office hours are held Monday through Friday, while an appointment is suggested on weekends.

Ponderosa Retirement Center is a practical option for older adults in Yakima looking for a residential community that combines the flexibility of independent living with the security of assisted living support. With its large capacity and broad calendar of activities, the community is well-suited for residents who value daily variety while receiving professional care without the need to transfer.

Bed community size
85-bed community Rank #148 / 366Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 148th out of 366 homes in Washington. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Washington facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Rankings are based only on facilities in Washington that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 61 / 100 Rank #238 / 628Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 238th out of 628 homes in Washington. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across Washington facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Rankings are based only on facilities in Washington that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate
84%
Rank #86 / 310Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 86th out of 310 homes in Washington. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the Washington average, with its Statewide rank out of 310. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Rankings are based only on facilities in Washington that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Higher than the Washington average: 72.5%
Occupied beds
71 / 85
Average occupied beds in Washington homes 73 beds

License Details

Facility TypeBh
StatusOp
ExpirationFebruary 28, 2026 Expired
CountyYakima
License Number804

Staffing & Medical

2 services
Nursing Services
24-Hour Staffing

Additional Policies & Features

Pets Allowed

Amenities & Lifestyle

Activity Room
Salon/Spa Services
24Hr Staffing
ActivitiesActivities include musical entertainment, church services, exercise classes, and shopping trips
Specific ProgramsDining Room, Gathering Spaces, Patio & Grounds, Parking & Transportation, Resident Laundry
Touring HoursMonday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Weekend Tours by appointment

Dining & Nutrition

Food DescriptionThe dining room offers a big menu selection to choose from at every meal, with a menu that changes monthly.

Contact Ponderosa Retirement Center

Inspection History

In Washington, the Department of Social and Health Services, Residential Care Services conducts unannounced inspections and issues reports on the quality of care in all licensed settings.

Since 2022 · 4 years of data 51 deficiencies

Inspection Scorecard Info This scorecard compares key inspection, deficiency, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Washington state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Since 2022 vs. Washington state average
Overall vs. WA average 2 Worse Metrics worse than Washington average:
• Total deficiencies (65% above)
• Deficiencies per year (64% above)
0 Better No metrics in this bucket.
Latest Inspection July 9, 2025 Follow Up

Deficiencies Info Deficiencies are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.

This FacilityWA Averagevs. WA Avg
Total deficiencies Info Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types. 5131 This facility has 65% more total deficiencies than a typical Washington assisted living residence (51 vs. WA avg 31).↑ 65% worse
Deficiencies per year Info Average deficiencies per year since 2022. 12.87.8 This facility has 64% more deficiencies per year than a typical Washington assisted living residence (12.8 vs. WA avg 7.8).↑ 64% worse

Inspection Reports Summary Info An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.

  • The July 9, 2025 follow-up inspection found no deficiencies and confirmed full compliance with assisted living licensing requirements.
  • Fire safety violations were substantiated in April and May 2025, including failed fire alarm maintenance documentation and multiple physical fire code breaches placing residents at risk.
  • Multiple substantiated complaint investigations from 2023 to 2025 found billing beyond daily rates, medication errors, failure to delegate nursing tasks, injury reporting failures, and verbal abuse reporting lapses.

Places of interest near Ponderosa Retirement Center

Address 1.6 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Yakima's city center to Ponderosa Retirement Center's address, calculated via Google Maps.

Calculate Travel Distance to Ponderosa Retirement Center

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Address

Compare Assisted Living around Yakima

The information below is reported by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Residential Care Services.

Cascades of Chesterley
AL
IL
MC
RC
Yakima (Fruitvale)
96
Facility 96
WA AVG 82
Rank #117 / 366
Yes
50
Facility 50
WA AVG 51
Rank #329 / 628
Studio / 1 Bed
57.3%
Facility 57.3%
WA AVG 74.4%
Rank #249 / 285
-3
0
Facility 0
WA AVG 8
Rank #1 / 285
37
Facility 37
WA AVG 31
Rank #189 / 285
12.3
Facility 12.3
WA AVG 3.4
Rank #283 / 285
Avamere at Englewood Heights
AL
MC
RC
Yakima
88
Facility 88
WA AVG 82
Rank #144 / 366
Yes
35
Facility 35
WA AVG 51
Rank #444 / 628
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
75.0%
Facility 75.0%
WA AVG 74.4%
Rank #150 / 285
-9
4
Facility 4
WA AVG 8
Rank #231 / 285
48
Facility 48
WA AVG 31
Rank #227 / 285
5.3
Facility 5.3
WA AVG 3.4
Rank #203 / 285
Ponderosa Retirement Center
AL
IL
Yakima
85
Facility 85
WA AVG 82
Rank #148 / 366
No
61
Facility 61
WA AVG 51
Rank #238 / 628
-
83.5%
Facility 83.5%
WA AVG 74.4%
Rank #88 / 285
-10
6
Facility 6
WA AVG 8
Rank #254 / 285
51
Facility 51
WA AVG 31
Rank #233 / 285
5.1
Facility 5.1
WA AVG 3.4
Rank #196 / 285
Brookdale Yakima
AL
Yakima
82
Facility 82
WA AVG 82
Rank #168 / 366
No
48
Facility 48
WA AVG 51
Rank #345 / 628
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
82.9%
Facility 82.9%
WA AVG 74.4%
Rank #94 / 285
A+18
11
Facility 11
WA AVG 8
Rank #280 / 285
113
Facility 113
WA AVG 31
Rank #283 / 285
6.3
Facility 6.3
WA AVG 3.4
Rank #231 / 285

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in Washington

Ponderosa Retirement Center is located in YAKIMA, Washington.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Washington.

Get Financial aid guidance

Community Options Program Entry System (COPES)

WA Medicaid COPES

Age 65+ or disabled
General Washington resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA

High demand in urban areas (e.g., Seattle).

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care ($70/day) Home modifications ($1,500 avg.)

Washington Family Caregiver Support Program

WA NFCSP

Age Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia)
General Washington resident.
Income Limits No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits Not applicable.
WA

High urban demand; rural outreach.

Benefits
In-home respite (4-6 hours/day) Adult day care (~$70/day) Short-term facility care (up to 5 days)

Community First Choice (CFC)

Washington Community First Choice

Age 65+ (or disabled 18+)
General WA resident, Medicaid-eligible, need help with 2+ ADLs/IADLs.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month; QIT optional.
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA

Broader than COPES; serves ~20,000; self-directed option.

Benefits
Personal care (4-6 hours/day) Respite (~240 hours/year) Assistive devices Training Transportation

Older Americans Act (OAA) Services

Washington OAA Services

Age 60+
General WA resident; no income/asset limits.
Income Limits (2025) None; donations encouraged.
Asset Limits Not assessed.
WA

13 AAAs; includes Meals on Wheels; rural focus.

Benefits
Meals (~$5-$7/meal) Transportation Homemaker services (~4 hours/week) Respite (~5 days/year) Legal aid

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Washington Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General WA resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
WA

Includes Extra Help for Part D; no waitlist.

Benefits
Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Washington VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General WA resident, wartime service, ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth
WA

High veteran use; supports rural/urban needs.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs

Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption

Washington Senior Property Tax Exemption

Age 61+ or disabled retiree
General WA resident, homeowner, income-based.
Income Limits (2025) ~$45,000-$70,000/year varies by county, e.g., King: $70,000
Asset Limits Not assessed; home value cap varies ~$250,000-$400,000
WA

Saves ~$500-$1,500/year; offered statewide.

Benefits
Tax exemption (~$500-$1,500/year depending on county)

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Washington SFMNP

Age 60+
General WA resident, low-income.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,322/month 185% FPL
Asset Limits Not assessed.
WA

Vouchers (~$80/season); serves ~20,000 via AAAs.

Benefits
Vouchers (~$80/season) for produce at farmers’ markets

Frequently Asked Questions about Ponderosa Retirement Center

Is Ponderosa Retirement Center in a walkable area?

Ponderosa Retirement Center has a walk score of 61. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

What is the license number of Ponderosa Retirement Center?

According to WA state health department records, Ponderosa Retirement Center's license number is 804.

When does Ponderosa Retirement Center's license expire?

According to WA state health department records, Ponderosa Retirement Center's license expires on February 28, 2026.

What is the occupancy rate at Ponderosa Retirement Center?

Ponderosa Retirement Center's occupancy is 84%.

How many beds does Ponderosa Retirement Center have?

Ponderosa Retirement Center has 85 beds.

Are there photos of Ponderosa Retirement Center?

Yes — there are 9 photos of Ponderosa Retirement Center in the photo gallery on this page.

What is the address of Ponderosa Retirement Center?

Ponderosa Retirement Center is located at 3300 Englewood Ave, Yakima, WA 98902.

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