MyLivingChoice

Columbia Lutheran Home

4700 Phinney Avenue North

2.8(25 ratings)· Seattle average: 4.2

Columbia Lutheran Home, photo 11 / 5

Quick Facts

Medicare rating
4 of 5

CMS Care Compare

Ownership
Non profit, Corporation
Certified beds
116
Room setup
Shared rooms separated only by a curtain
Hospice accommodations
Four private rooms reserved for hospice patients
Facility mix
About one quarter of beds are for rehab

What Families Think

Columbia Lutheran Home is a skilled nursing and rehab facility in Seattle with a mixed reputation: many reviewers praise the direct caregivers, nurses, and rehab therapy, while a significant number report serious problems with administration, communication, and medication management. The facility is small and non-corporate, with some families appreciating the personal feel, but concerns about staffing, cleanliness, and leadership responsiveness come up repeatedly.

The Good

  • Nurses and aides described as caring and attentive
  • Rehab therapy praised as excellent by some families
  • Small, non-corporate feel, not institutional
  • Dedicated private rooms available for hospice patients
  • Staff take time to talk with and comfort patients

The Bad

  • Multiple reports of poor communication and unreturned calls from admin
  • Several reports of medication errors, including missed or incorrect prescriptions
  • Some reviewers describe rude or disrespectful staff interactions
  • Complaints about food quality and understaffing
  • One report of inadequate room cleanliness
  • Rooms are shared with only a curtain divider, limiting privacy

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

Columbia Lutheran Home is a senior living community in Seattle, Washington offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 2.8 out of 5 across 25 reviews.

About Columbia Lutheran Home

Columbia Lutheran Home is a skilled nursing / long term care community in Seattle, Washington.

Families rate Columbia Lutheran Home 2.8 out of 5 based on 25 Google reviews.

Contact the community directly to ask about availability, pricing, and tours, or browse the photos and reviews here to see if it could be the right fit for your family.

Types of Care at Columbia Lutheran Home

Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Cable or Satellite TV
  • Emergency Call System
  • Private Bathroom
  • Private Rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Meals & Dining

  • Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)
  • Restaurant style Dining Room

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Nurse (RN)
  • Security

Activities

  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Help Me Choose

Reviews of Columbia Lutheran Home

2.8overall · 25 ratings combined

2.8★ on Google (25)

Celty Sturloson

Nov 2025

via Google

I would give it 5 Stars but they aren't perfect but they're exactly like your family would treat you. They are the most heartwarming set of caregivers I've ever met in my life, I've been through three rehab facilities this year alone and this was my favorite one because of the nurses & aides made me feel like I was the most important person in the room. I've I was able to walk with my Walker and I was able to meet many people, even in silent people and they were all very well taken care of, it's crazy to think that when I went into this place I was so headstrong and was resistant to anything they said but they started showing me from the beginning that I do matter as a patient but they do have a limit and as a patient you have to be willing to work with your caregivers as much as they work with you and you have a successful outcome. Shout out to Habib, he's the real MVP!

Mark Staiff

Feb 2025

via Google

My father spent a couple of weeks there for some physical therapy and rehabilitation. The nurses, aids, and house doctor are all wonderful. Dad was very happy with the kindness and care he recieved from everyone. If I could review just them it would be 5 stars. The food was mediocre. It was better than a recent trip to Foss home but not exactly good. The admin side of the place is a disaster and the reason for the bad review. It's impossible to get ahold of anyone. You can never reach anyone on the phone. Emails and voice mails were never answered. A social worker lied to my wife claiming she was in regular communication with the family. Even the discharge was a mess. My father was sitting in his room waiting to leave and the cabulance driver (who Columbia scheduled) was standing in the lobby waiting to pick up, but the discharge paperwork wasn't done. The driver waited as long as he could but had to leave and take care of the next appointment. It's a shame that the admin team is so poor because the care was very good. Hopefully someone will read this and make some changes. Update a month later my Dad is having several new problems. His primary doctor ordered blood tests to see what is going on. Dad's thyroid numbers are all messed up. It turns out the house doctor at Columbia changed the prescription of Dad's thyroid medication, cutting it in half. We have no idea why. It was decision that would have been very dangerous if we wouldn't have caught it. Can I give a negative 5 star review?

Lucy Gong

Oct 2024

via Google

This review is not pertaining to the services at this facility but rather to an encounter I had with two employees and David Heyer, the president of this establishment. The altercation occurred on 48th st (narrow st, cars parked on both sides) by the parking lot of this facility. I was driving in the opposite direction of an oncoming van and quickly pulled parallel to the driveway of this building's parking lot so the van could pass. The van then indicated that they needed to turn into this parking lot and kept telling me to back up. The issue was that there was nowhere to back up to as cars were parked on either side of the driveway directly in front of and behind me. I was pulled up very close to the parked car in front of me and therefore if there was room for the van to turn in, it could have gone past and turned in behind me. Backing up to the car parked behind me would have freed up the same lack of space in front, which still could not fit the van. I insisted that they should go around as there is another entrance to this same parking lot around the corner off of Phinney. And I was only a couple of houses away from my destination on the street at this point.<br><br>The driver of the van got out and fetched the president, David Heyer, who then began escalating matters. He yelled at me to roll down my window which I refused. He then shouted that I was blocking "his driveway" and threatened to call the cops (which was laughable).<br><br>After about 5 mins of stalemate, that's when I realized that the van's driver was actually an employee and driving occupants to the facility. The 2 employees in the van then started to unload the occupants in the middle of the street. Again, there is another entrance to this very same parking lot just around the corner.<br><br>It was at this point when I realized that they would rather make wheelchair-bound patients unload in the middle of the street and travel up to the building rather than pull up and turn into the other entrance around the corner.<br><br>At no point did they even explain what their facility was, I looked this up afterwards. Furthermore, there was zero explanation of the fact that they were employees of the facility dropping off patients, just immediate escalation, intimidation, and threats to call the police. It is unsurprising that the reviews are overwhelmingly poor for the services here, as the demeanor of the leadership and employees are rude and appalling.

Nikki Prater

Feb 2024

via Google

This Facility is horrible!! do not send you loved one here. they treated my grandfather horrible. The nurses are rude and disrespectful. They have no TLC at this location. I was on the phone with my grandfather and the nurse didn't no I was on the phone she had a bad tone and was very smart talking to my grandfather . I had to chime in over the phone and ask the nurse not to speak to my grandfather with that type of tone or disrespect. my grandfather was doing just fine when arrived to the facility but declined less than a week of being in the care of Columbia Lutheran because they did not pay attention to his needs and he retuned to the hospital. This place is horrible please keep you loved ones away from here

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Government Inspection History

6 inspection visits in the last three years, 73 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Feb 6, 2026Health Complaint1 citation
  • Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 2, 2026

Mar 20, 2025Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard23 citations
  • Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Provide large enough exits.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Install proper backup exit lighting.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Have exits that are accessible at all times.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 21, 2025

  • Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

  • Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 28, 2025

Feb 28, 2024Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard29 citations
  • Have elevators that firefighters can control in the event of a fire.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 8, 2024

  • Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 8, 2024

  • Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 8, 2024

  • Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 8, 2024

  • Post nurse staffing information every day.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 9, 2024

  • Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 8, 2024

  • Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 8, 2024

Nov 7, 2023Health Complaint3 citations
  • Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 6, 2023

  • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 6, 2023

  • Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 6, 2023

Jul 24, 2023Infection ControlNo citations
Nov 3, 2022Fire Safety StandardHealth Standard17 citations
  • Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Develop a communication plan.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.

    Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 2, 2022

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 2, 2022

  • Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 2, 2022

  • Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 2, 2022

  • Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Meet other general requirements.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 30, 2022

  • Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 2, 2022

  • Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

    Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 2, 2022

Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does Columbia Lutheran Home offer?

Columbia Lutheran Home offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

Where is Columbia Lutheran Home located?

Columbia Lutheran Home is located at 4700 Phinney Avenue North in Seattle, Washington.

What do families say about Columbia Lutheran Home?

Columbia Lutheran Home is a skilled nursing and rehab facility in Seattle with a mixed reputation: many reviewers praise the direct caregivers, nurses, and rehab therapy, while a significant number report serious problems with administration, communication, and medication management. The facility is small and non-corporate, with some families appreciating the personal feel, but concerns about staffing, cleanliness, and leadership responsiveness come up repeatedly.

How did Columbia Lutheran Home do on recent health and safety inspections?

Columbia Lutheran Home had 6 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 73 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.

How can families visit Columbia Lutheran Home?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Columbia Lutheran Home and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

Work at Columbia Lutheran Home? Claim this listing to update photos, pricing, and details. It's free.

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