Franke Tobey Jones

Franke Tobey Jones sits on a 20-acre campus in Tacoma with views of Puget Sound, right next to Point Defiance Park and Zoo, and has been around since 1924 as a nonprofit serving seniors. There's independent living in modern two-bedroom, two-bath apartments as big as 1,575 square feet, duplex cottages, and garden apartments, all with things like private baths, dual sinks, large closets, gas fireplaces, and full-size washer and dryers, plus some apartments have mountain or water views. Residents can bring pets, though there's a pet deposit, and enjoy maintenance-free living with property tax, utilities, insurance, grounds work, and twice-monthly housekeeping covered, along with indoor parking, extra storage, and secure community entrances. The campus features walking paths, outdoor patios with BBQ, gardens, a greenhouse, and a putting green for leisure, while inside there's a wood shop, hobby and craft rooms, a game room, and a library.

A 6,000 square foot MJ Wicks Family Wellness Center supports fitness classes and personal training, and the calendar's busy with things like Zumba, outings, and events, plus there are salon and spa services, a beauty shop, a resident store, a Bistro Café, and common spaces to gather or entertain. Residents can use on-campus electric car chargers, have access to cable, internet, high-tech wiring, and emergency systems. Meals are chef-prepared and served in a private dining room, and transportation is available weekly for shopping, banking, and medical appointments in Pierce County.

For care, Franke Tobey Jones follows a life plan community (CCRC) model with about 200 residents, offering independent living, assisted living in the Lillian Pratt building, a memory care center for dementia and Alzheimer's, and a dedicated skilled nursing care facility with suites and private bathrooms, common lounges, dental and dining rooms, plus 24-hour healthcare. Memory care and skilled nursing provide secure, resident-focused environments with emergency response systems and help as needed. The campus also hosts the Senior University program, offering lifelong learning, mostly for free, with classes for those 55 and older. The Elderly Care Assessment service helps figure out care needs, and staff are available most hours, with the front desk open from early morning until late in the evening.

Rates for independent living start with a $1,000 application and range from $350,000 to $400,000 for the entrance fee, plus $6,710 to $7,300 per month. There's a $5,000 community fee for supported independent living, and housekeeping, maintenance, and meals are included in most plans. Safety features include grips in bathrooms, emergency call buttons, monitored fire and burglary systems, and secure guest entry. Franke Tobey Jones welcomes residents from different backgrounds, encourages social activities and outreach, and supports wellbeing with a holistic program. The campus has a history rooted in philanthropy, and old features like a solarium and fountain still stand alongside new additions. Virtual tours and campus maps are available for prospective residents who want to look around before visiting.