It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Space Needle in Seattle, WA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Seattle, WA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Kerry Park in Seattle, WA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Canlis or visit Smith Tower, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Seattle, WA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Seattle, WA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Seattle, WA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The BriefDemond Williams Jr. racked up 373 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-33 passing and Washington put together its best offensive showing of the season in a 48-16 win over Eastern Washington of the Championship Subdivision.Dezmen Roebuck led the Huskies (3-0) with a career-high nine catches for 121 yards. Rashid Williams added 86 yards on six receptions and caught a pair of touchdowns, including a one-handed highlight at the front pylon to put the hosts up by three possessions.The Hus...
Demond Williams Jr. racked up 373 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-33 passing and Washington put together its best offensive showing of the season in a 48-16 win over Eastern Washington of the Championship Subdivision.
Dezmen Roebuck led the Huskies (3-0) with a career-high nine catches for 121 yards. Rashid Williams added 86 yards on six receptions and caught a pair of touchdowns, including a one-handed highlight at the front pylon to put the hosts up by three possessions.
The Huskies — who scored five touchdowns between their first two games — found the end zone on four of their first five drives. All four scores came through the air, starting with a 17-yard screen pass to Chris Lawson for the sophomore’s first career touchdown on UW’s first possession. From there, Williams hit Rashid Williams in the end zone twice and Jordan Clay once and went into halftime with 260 passing yards.
EWU refused to go away, pulling out multiple trick plays and odd formations to keep the UW defense off-balance. The FCS visitors worked down to the goal line on their first possession before settling for a 20-yard field goal, then got in the end zone in the second quarter on a Nate Bell 14-yard keeper that made it 14-10.
Eastern Washington opened the second half with another field goal and threatened to close the gap further — putting together a 77-yard drive that included 48 yards of UW penalties and Jacob Lane and Xe’ree Alexander getting ejected for targeting and a punch, respectively — but a host of Huskies stopped Bell short on fourth-and-1 at the 5-yard line. Three plays later, Williams hit Baron Naone for a 75-yard gain, and Ansu Sanoe punched it in from a yard out.
Eastern Washington: hosts Cal Poly in a Big Sky matchup Saturday.
Washington: opens up Big Ten play at home Saturday night against Minnesota.
Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area has averaged about 2,100 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.+3.1Kmonth to month change in number of jobs (July 2026)Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe Seattle, WA are...
Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area has averaged about 2,100 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
+3.1K
month to month change in number of jobs (July 2026)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Seattle, WA area job growth of 3,100 in July 2026 swung from a loss of 1,500 jobs in June 2026.
During the latest five-year period (August 2021 to July 2026), the Seattle, WA area gained jobs in 36 out of 60 months. July 2026 had the 25th-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in November 2024 (+31,400) while job growth was weakest in October 2024 (-39,600).
Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the Seattle, WA area
| MY | Jobs gained | Jobs lost |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-07 | 12400.0 | |
| 2021-08 | 10100.0 | |
| 2021-09 | 12200.0 | |
| 2021-10 | 19200.000000000233 | |
| 2021-11 | 9099.999999999767 | |
| 2021-12 | 5600.0 | |
| 2022-01 | -7600.0 | |
| 2022-02 | 20600.0 | |
| 2022-03 | 7600.0 | |
| 2022-04 | 5099.999999999767 | |
| 2022-05 | 2100.0000000004657 | |
| 2022-06 | 1099.9999999997672 | |
| 2022-07 | 9700.0 | |
| 2022-08 | 9300.0 | |
| 2022-09 | -4300.0 | |
| 2022-10 | 400.0 | |
| 2022-11 | -2700.0 | |
| 2022-12 | 2900.0 | |
| 2023-01 | 6700.0 | |
| 2023-02 | 400.0 | |
| 2023-03 | -600.0 | |
| 2023-04 | 1100.0 | |
| 2023-05 | 200.0 | |
| 2023-06 | 7700.0 | |
| 2023-07 | -16500.0 | |
| 2023-08 | -200.0 | |
| 2023-09 | -1500.0 | |
| 2023-10 | -2700.0 | |
| 2023-11 | 4400.0 | |
| 2023-12 | 5400.0 | |
| 2024-01 | 2000.0 | |
| 2024-02 | 6000.0 | |
| 2024-03 | 5800.0 | |
| 2024-04 | -4600.0 | |
| 2024-05 | 4100.0 | |
| 2024-06 | -1200.0 | |
| 2024-07 | -1000.0 | |
| 2024-08 | -500.0 | |
| 2024-09 | 5800.0 | |
| 2024-10 | -39600.0 | |
| 2024-11 | 31400.0 | |
| 2024-12 | 7800.0 | |
| 2025-01 | -2100.0 | |
| 2025-02 | -4800.0 | |
| 2025-03 | -2600.0 | |
| 2025-04 | 3300.0 | |
| 2025-05 | 7200.0 | |
| 2025-06 | -3600.0 | |
| 2025-07 | -5900.0 | |
| 2025-08 | -3300.0 | |
| 2025-09 | -800.0 | |
| 2025-10 | 1400.0 | |
| 2025-11 | 200.0 | |
| 2025-12 | 5400.0 | |
| 2026-01 | -3500.0 | |
| 2026-02 | -2800.0 | |
| 2026-03 | 1400.0 | |
| 2026-04 | 6000.0 | |
| 2026-05 | 7200.0 | |
| 2026-06 | -1500.0 | |
| 2026-07 | 3100.0 |
In 2025, the Seattle, WA area has lost an average of 467 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly increase of 1,300, and the lowest since 2020. The 2025 average ranks as fourth-worst in job growth since 2007.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 7,400 every month in 2009 to a gain of 5,100 every month in 2016.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the Seattle, WA area, seasonally adjusted
| USAF_TIME__year | Jobs gained | Jobs lost |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 4333.0 | |
| 2008 | -2508.0 | |
| 2009 | -7417.0 | |
| 2010 | 1375.0 | |
| 2011 | 2567.0 | |
| 2012 | 3825.0 | |
| 2013 | 4175.0 | |
| 2014 | 4467.0 | |
| 2015 | 4583.0 | |
| 2016 | 5083.0 | |
| 2017 | 3692.0 | |
| 2018 | 3558.0 | |
| 2019 | 4583.0 | |
| 2020 | -13300.0 | |
| 2021 | 9292.0 | |
| 2022 | 3683.0 | |
| 2023 | 367.0 | |
| 2024 | 1333.0 | |
| 2025 | -467.0 |
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
Washington and the Federal Trade Commission reached a $225 million settlement on Thursday with the health, beauty and home care products company Amway and its seller training providers for “unfair and deceptive” business practices.Amway, which stands for “American Way,” is a Michigan-based company that sells goods ranging from nutritional supplements to energy drinks to health and beauty products exclusively through a network of independent sellers rather than stores.In other words, the business relies o...
Washington and the Federal Trade Commission reached a $225 million settlement on Thursday with the health, beauty and home care products company Amway and its seller training providers for “unfair and deceptive” business practices.
Amway, which stands for “American Way,” is a Michigan-based company that sells goods ranging from nutritional supplements to energy drinks to health and beauty products exclusively through a network of independent sellers rather than stores.
In other words, the business relies on everyday people buying the products in bulk and selling them to other people. You might have seen people on social media promoting Nutrilite products, a brand of vitamins and dietary supplements owned by Amway.
The business model is often referred to as multilevel marketing, where participants earn money based on their own sales and the sales of other sellers they recruit.
Operating a multilevel marketing company is not illegal on its own, but it can become illegal when it pays participants mostly for recruiting new members and uses false promises to keep sellers buying its products.
In their lawsuit, the FTC and Washington state alleged that Amway and its training providers, Spokane Valley-based World Wide Group and North Carolina-based Leadership Team Development, misled sellers with false earnings claims and then pressured them into buying products they didn’t want and that were hard to sell.
Washington State Attorney General’s Office said in a news release Thursday that the prices of Amway products are high, making it more difficult to sell to the general public. The complaint said that, up until recently, Amway sold a case of 24 bottles of water for $52.
A spokesperson for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office said the state joined the lawsuit because many of those impacted live in Spokane and the Seattle area.
In the complaint, the state noted that many high-ranking Amway sellers have lived in the Seattle area. As a result, many of World Wide Group’s training events were held near Seattle in venues including the Tacoma Dome and the Lynnwood Convention Center.
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The complaint also alleges that sellers are pressured to report sales that did not occur to create the appearance that the Amway opportunity revolves around selling products rather than recruitment.
In a statement to The Seattle Times, an Amway spokesperson said the company disagrees with the agencies’ characterization of its business practices, rejecting the assertion that its sales data is inaccurate.
“In fact, Amway and the FTC have agreed to rely on our sales data to continue tracking and substantiating (independent business owner) customer sales,” the spokesperson said.
The proposed order settling the FTC and Washington’s allegations imposes a $225 million judgment, nearly all of which will go to Amway’s sellers who lost money, according to an FTC news release.
Attorney General Nick Brown said in his news release that Amway and its training providers profited by taking advantage of people’s hopes and ambitions.
“This settlement will deliver relief for the many Washingtonians who joined Amway seeking to provide for themselves and their families, only to lose time and money and wind up with cabinets full of products they don’t want or need,” Brown said.
As part of the settlement, Amway sellers will be required to sell 70% of their products each month to avoid artificially inflating Amway’s sales and will receive “substantially reduced” compensation if other sellers they recruit buy products but do not resell them. Amway’s sales records will be audited regularly by an independent outside auditor, and the company must train sellers on the new rules.
Amway has not admitted any wrongdoing or liability.
The Amway spokesperson said the settlement “reaffirms” the strength of Amway’s business model.
“This settlement, like all settlements, required compromise,” the spokesperson said. “Resolution positions us to move forward and focus our energy where it belongs: on our customers, (independent business owners) and employees.”
Alexis Weisend: [email protected]. Alexis Weisend covers business news for The Seattle Times.
FEDERAL WAY — Europe’s “The Final Countdown” blasted from the wave pool speakers on the evening of Aug. 29, as the crowds — sunburned, waterlogged and full of the exhilaration and exhaustion that comes from a day spent riding roller coasters and waterslides — slowly filtered out of Wild Waves Theme and Water Park. For many visitors, this would be their last trip to the amusement park before it closes its doors this fall after its 50th season.Owner Premier Parks announced at the end of last year that...
FEDERAL WAY — Europe’s “The Final Countdown” blasted from the wave pool speakers on the evening of Aug. 29, as the crowds — sunburned, waterlogged and full of the exhilaration and exhaustion that comes from a day spent riding roller coasters and waterslides — slowly filtered out of Wild Waves Theme and Water Park. For many visitors, this would be their last trip to the amusement park before it closes its doors this fall after its 50th season.
Owner Premier Parks announced at the end of last year that the park had been unable to recover from losses sustained during the COVID shutdown, and subsequent rising costs was forcing it to discontinue operations. The water park section closed Sept. 7, but guests still have time to make some last memories at the theme park section and enjoy one final Fright Fest before the park closes entirely Nov. 1. The closure will affect not only the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the park each year, but also the 35 full-time and 800 seasonal workers that the park employs. Plans have been filed with the city of Federal Way to demolish the park and turn the site into a 1 million-square-foot warehouse.
Nestled among a grove of evergreens alongside I-5, Wild Waves opened in 1977 as The Enchanted Village and became the largest combination theme and water park in Washington state, offering nearly 70 acres of rides and other attractions. It has also become a place of deep nostalgia for families across the region who have visited the park for generations. Many favorite rides, including the Scrambler, Dodg’em bumper cars and the Ferris wheel, have been in operation since the park debuted. It’s no longer as shiny as it once was, the paint may be fading and the aging rides break down sometimes, but it still feels like home — and Wild Waves fans are making the most of the final season.
“So many people have made memories here and are currently making new ones,” said Westin Petree, Wild Waves director of sales and marketing. “Tons of people have come to visit us this season to say goodbye.”
Linda Ray, of Lakewood, brought her kids to the park in the mid-’90s and later her grandkids. She visited the park on Aug. 20 with her niece, Myriah Cayenne, and said they plan to come back at least three times before the park closes.
“We always come here knowing we’re going to have a good time. We’re going to miss it so much,” said Cayenne.
In the arcade, on Aug. 29, Abby Brown cheered on her mom, Sierra Brittell, as Brittell leaned into the virtual corners on the pink “Super Bikes 3” arcade motorcycle in matching pink heels. Brittell visited the park for the first time in middle school and has shared her love for it with her daughter.
Johnna Rippetoe Bronson and husband Tyler Bronson sat on a stone ledge together enjoying the last bites of an elephant ear at the end of the day. The two said they used to drive up from Milwaukie, Ore., almost every year to go to the park, but took a few years off after the COVID pandemic. Despite some sticker shock at the updated ticket prices, they were determined to make a final visit before the park closed.
The closure “marks a real loss for families in the Puget Sound region; it’s probably something that won’t be replaced, and it’s the passing of an era,” said Petree.
With the water park closed and summer now at its end, this photo essay — featuring images taken at Wild Waves in late August — celebrates the beloved park and the legacy it leaves as a Northwest summer destination.
Genna Martin: Genna Martin is a freelance photojournalist covering stories across Washington state.
The Eastern Washington Eagles visit the Washington Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. ET from Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Eastern Washington enters at 1-2 after losses at Northern Arizona (27-34) and South Dakota (23-41) and a 34-24 win over Northern Iowa, while Washington is 2-0 following wins over Washington State (24-10) and Utah State (16-14).Washington's defense has set the early national mark. The Huskies lead FBS with six passes defended, and Demond Williams Jr. has thrown for 517 yards and ...
The Eastern Washington Eagles visit the Washington Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. ET from Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Eastern Washington enters at 1-2 after losses at Northern Arizona (27-34) and South Dakota (23-41) and a 34-24 win over Northern Iowa, while Washington is 2-0 following wins over Washington State (24-10) and Utah State (16-14).
Washington's defense has set the early national mark. The Huskies lead FBS with six passes defended, and Demond Williams Jr. has thrown for 517 yards and one touchdown without an interception through two games.
Eastern Washington has leaned on Nate Bell for production. He has passed for 781 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions, and also leads the Eagles with four rushing touchdowns.
The Huskies are 42.5-point favorites over the Eagles at DraftKings, with a total of 57.5.
Below, we'll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.
Washington is 2-0 to open the season, though FOX Sports notes the Huskies have slipped out of the AP Top 25 despite the record heading into their home date with Eastern Washington. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has directed both wins, completing 50 of 76 passes for 517 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions, and adding 117 rushing yards and a rushing score. He threw for 268 yards and ran for 61 in a 24-10 win over Washington State, then followed with 249 passing yards and 56 rushing yards in a 16-14 win over Utah State.
Williams comes off a 2025 season in which he completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions as Washington went 9-4, production FOX Sports has cited in placing him in early Heisman Trophy conversation for 2026. Against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent, Williams is expected to keep leaning on both his arm and his legs, the dual-threat combination Washington has used all season.
Eastern Washington is 1-2 through three games as it heads into a road matchup with a Big Ten opponent, and quarterback Nate Bell is the player driving the Eagles' offense. In an Aug. 29 loss to Northern Arizona, Bell completed 30 of 47 passes for 307 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns. FOX Sports data has Eastern Washington's passing offense ranked No. 4 among FCS teams at 260.3 yards per game, with the Eagles throwing six touchdown passes against two interceptions as a team this season.
Bell is also a factor on the ground, with Eastern Washington producing 385 rushing yards on 103 carries and five touchdowns as a team through three games. He is expected to give Washington's defense a dual-threat look in Saturday's 7:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Bell's ability to extend plays with his legs gives the Eagles a way to move the ball against an FBS defense they have not yet faced this season.
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