‘Silver tsunami’ may swamp long-term care

Number of county residents who’ll need services climbs, facilities remain static

By Emily Rogers, Staff writer

January 8, 2026 8:03 am

Clark County, Health, News

Richard Kalmbach, from left, and Robert Mullan pause to chat in the hallway with regional health services liaison Dianna Kretzschmar at Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care on Dec. 4. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Melissa Munoz of Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care prepares fresh popcorn as residents watch a Christmas movie Dec. 4. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

A resident at Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care cuddles with soft and fuzzy friends while watching a Christmas movie Dec. 4.

Empty wheelchairs sit in the hallway at Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care in Vancouver on Dec. 4. (Photos by Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Ellie Landa, from left, and Melissa Allmaras of Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care assist resident Danny Ellefson while joined by colleague Dianna Kretzschmar on Dec. 4. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Ellie Landa, from left, and Melissa Allmaras of Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care assist resident Danny Ellefson on Dec. 4. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Dianna Kretzschmar, from left, of Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care pauses to talk with resident Danny Ellefson and colleague Melissa Allmaras on Dec. 4. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Melissa Allmaras of Vancouver Specialty and Rehabilitation Care, left, joins resident Danny Ellefson as he works on strength and flexibility exercises Dec. 4. In the past 10 years, Washington has lost 12.27 percent of its nursing facilities, or one closure every four months. Vancouver has had only one closure in the past 10 years, but Medicaid cuts could cause more. (Photos by Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)

Demographers have long warned a “silver tsunami” of baby boomers would overflow nursing home capacity. That time is nearing.

Already, 122,664 Clark County residents — 23 percent of the county’s total population — are older than 60, according to the most recent U.S. Census figures. Meanwhile, Clark County has eight skilled nursing centers with a combined 744 beds, according to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. There’s little prospect of adding more and strong possibility the number will dwindle.

Unprepared

Related Stories