Sequim Healthcare FAQ for Buyers & Retirees

By Chuck Marunde, J.D. — Exclusive Buyer’s Agent | iRealty Virtual Brokers

🏡 What is the quality and availability of local healthcare facilities in Sequim?

In Sequim, WA, retirees benefit from a supportive healthcare system anchored by the highly regarded Olympic Medical Center (OMC) in nearby Port Angeles (15 miles away), which provides 24/7 emergency care, comprehensive primary care, and specialties like cardiology and oncology, earning praise for its attentive staff and quality service. Local clinics, such as Jamestown Family Health Clinic and Sequim Medical Associates, offer personalized, senior-focused care, readily accepting Medicare and fostering strong patient-provider relationships that enhance the small-town healthcare experience. Assisted living facilities like Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation are well-respected for their compassionate care, supporting seniors’ long-term needs. While some advanced treatments may require travel to Seattle, the convenience of telehealth, community wellness programs, and Sequim’s mild climate complement a robust healthcare environment that many long-term residents, including those with decades of experience, find exceptional and reliable for their needs.

🏡 Are there specialists available for age-related health needs?

In Sequim, WA, seniors benefit from a caring and effective healthcare system for age-related needs, with Olympic Medical Center in nearby Port Angeles (15 miles away) providing high-quality cardiology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation services, complemented by personalized primary care at local clinics like Jamestown Family Health Clinic and Sequim Medical Associates, which are praised for their attentive, senior-focused approach and Medicare acceptance. While advanced specialties like neurology may require well-coordinated referrals to Seattle or Poulsbo, telehealth options and strong provider relationships ensure seamless access to care, aligning with the wonderful experiences of long-term residents. Sequim’s community wellness programs, such as senior fitness classes, further enhance health management, making the area a supportive and reliable choice for retirees’ medical needs.

🏡 What about dentists, dermatologists, eye doctors, laser surgery, and other specialies?

Sequim has every speciality that senior citizens could want, with neighboring cities like Silverdale having more doctors, more hospitals, and more clinics. Eye laser surgery is one specialty that senior citizens should approach with caution. National eye laser franchises often create "systems" in which they march people through with the efficiency of a NASA program and the progress of a chiropractor's 15-minute back to back appointments. Malpractice lawsuits can be found on the Internet describing laser surgery gone bad when a patient was blinded in the eye operated on, and another case in which a patient's eye was badly infected, and another who lost the vision he had before the surgery. While these are a small percentage of the patient outcomes, it emphasizes the need to select a surgeon who is not only competent but places his patients' welfare above money and volume.

🏡 How accessible are emergency and urgent care services?

Seniors in Sequim, WA, enjoy highly accessible emergency and urgent care services through the trusted Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles (just a 20–30 minute drive), which offers 24/7 emergency care with attentive staff and efficient ambulance services, ensuring rapid response for critical needs like falls or heart issues. Local clinics, such as Jamestown Family Health Clinic, provide convenient walk-in care for urgent conditions, with Medicare-friendly services and a welcoming, senior-focused approach that aligns with the exceptional healthcare experience of long-term residents. Telehealth options and community resources like Clallam Transit further enhance accessibility, while Sequim’s supportive, small-town healthcare environment ensures retirees feel confident and well-cared-for in both urgent and emergency situations.

🏡 How hard is it to find a primary care doctor in Sequim?

Primary care physicians are accepting new patients, at some are. Long time doctors are either not accepting new patients, or are now charging a monthly fee ($85) to be on their list and available. In the last few years because of the shortage of primary care doctors accepting new patients, new clinics have been built and many doctors have moved into the area. Both Sequim and Port Angeles have seen many new doctors and finding a primary care doctor is no longer a problem.

🏡 What are the options for long-term care and assisted living in Sequim?

Sequim, WA, offers a range of exceptional long-term care and assisted living options that cater to seniors with warmth and professionalism, including Sequim Health and Rehabilitation’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, and assisted living communities like Trustwell Living at Sinclair Place, Sherwood Assisted Living, The Cottages of Sequim, and Fifth Avenue Retirement Center, all providing personalized care, 24-hour support, and engaging activities in comfortable, home-like settings. With costs ($4,247–$5,750/month) below state averages, Medicare and Medicaid acceptance, and transportation for medical needs, these facilities ensure accessibility and affordability for retirees.

🏡 What is the availability of home healthcare and caregiver support?

Sequim, WA, offers a wealth of home healthcare and caregiver support services that empower seniors to age comfortably at home, with agencies like Home Instead, Family Resource Home Care, and Caregivers Homecare Team providing compassionate, personalized care (average $26.43/hour) for daily activities, medical needs, and dementia support, all widely accessible through Medicare and Medicaid. Caregivers benefit from robust resources like the Family Caregiver Support Program, offering free training, respite care, and support groups through the Area Agency on Aging, alongside Sequim’s senior centers and volunteer services that foster a nurturing community. This reliable, affordable, and caring network, praised by residents for its responsiveness and warmth, perfectly complements the wonderful healthcare experiences of long-term residents

🏡 Can you share a true story about a senior in Sequim who has a lot of experience with the healthcare system?

Yes. This Sequim resident of more than two decades shared this experience, although he preferred not to be named. I'll tell his story as he told it to me. "I was pretty darn healthy my whole life, ate well, very athletic, but the stresses of this life wore my body down slowly and by the time I was 65 I had a triple-bypass. The surgery was done at an incredible cardiology hospital in Silverdale, one hour from Sequim. It was a grand success, and the surgeon was amazing, but the entire staff was the best I've ever experienced. I was home in three days recovering, and that went quite smoothly, too. About two years after that I had full hip replacement surgery, also in Silverdale. That surgery was a tremendous success, and my left hip feels just as good as when I was young. By the way, the care by the surgeon and staff was stellar. My experience at the labs in Sequim and with my primary care doctor and the staff in Port Angeles has been nothing but wonderful. Medicare takes care of nearly all these costs.

📽️ Are there helpful videos about retiring and buying in Sequim?

• Living in Sequim is Wonderful
• Buyer Traps to Avoid
• Sequim Real Estate for Retirees

💼 Who is the most experienced exclusive buyer's agent in Sequim?

Chuck Marunde, J.D. — 40+ years in real estate, 20 as a real estate attorney, and author of over 2,000 articles for Sequim buyers. Owner of iRealty Virtual Brokers, Chuck represents buyers only — never sellers.

🛋️ Are there flat-fee MLS services in Sequim?

Yes. Options include Best Choice Flat Fee, MLS4Owners, and Congress Realty. These offer MLS access without full commission costs. That said, flat-fee listings often lack disclosures and buyer protections — use a skilled buyer's agent to review everything. Washington State Flat Fee Listing Service, which includes Sequim, WA, is found at WA State Flat Fee Listing Service.