Need Assistance? Call 1-800-334-9427
Based on U.S. census data, the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University Virginia projects that seniors will make up 18.3% of the state's population by 2040, an increase from 15.4% in 2019. Many seniors choose to retire in Virginia because there's no state tax on Social Security benefits. Virginia also offers seniors a $12,000 tax exemption on some forms of retirement income. These tax benefits, along with easy access to the nation's capital, an abundance of fresh seafood and several nationally ranked hospitals, make Virginia a desirable place to retire.
According to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living facilities in Virginia cost an average of $4,800 per month, which is approximately 18.4% more expensive than the national average of $4,051.
This guide provides an overview of how much seniors can expect to pay for assisted living and other types of care in Virginia. It also contains information on programs that may make assisted living more affordable for seniors.
Virginia currently has a SeniorScore of 78%, which is higher than the national average of 72%. The SeniorScore metric indicates how well an area accommodates the needs of seniors. It's based on 100 data points across four categories: recreation and leisure, health and safety, finances and overall quality of life.
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
Virginia received a score of 72 for General Quality of Life, which is higher than the scores of all nearby states. The state scored well on this metric due to its temperate climate and high-quality schools.
Although some areas of Virginia have a high cost of living, the state received a score of 75 for Finances. In Virginia, sales and property tax rates are both below the national average. The state also has an average household income of $86,407 per year, which is more than $20,000 higher than the national average of $64,580.
Another reason Virginia received a high score for Finances is because the state unemployment rate is lower than the national average, while the median annual household income and per capita income are higher than the national averages.
Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 120 bed nursing facility situated nearby the West Springfield neighborhood of Burke, Virginia. The neighboring area is densely populated, with roughly 44,000 poeple living in the 22015 zip code. With an ...
Situated in the North Springfield neighborhood, Aarondale Retirement Community is a senior care facility serving Springfield, Virginia. The neighboring area has an average population density, with approximately 18,000 individuals living in the 22151 zip code. It is a ...
Fairfax Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is located at 10701 Main St in Fairfax, Virginia. It is a 200 bed skilled nursing facility. The surrounding area has a dense population, with around 56,000 residents in the 22030 zip code. ...
Located in the Glencarlyn neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, ManorCare Health Services-Arlington is a 161 unit nursing care facility. With roughly 48,000 residents in the 22204 zip code, the encompassing area has a dense population. It is a mostly ...
Heatherwood is a senior care facility located close to the West Springfield area of Burke, Virginia. With an average per-family income of $118,292, the facility is in a predominantly wealthier area. It has a dense population, with about ...
Iliff Nursing and Rehab is located in the Idylwood neighborhood of Dunn Loring, Virginia. It is a 130 unit nursing facility. The neighboring area is sparsely populated, with roughly 3,000 people residing in the 22027 zip code. ...
Paul Spring Retirement Community is a senior care community located close to the Southwest Quadrant area of Alexandria, Virginia. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with around 11,000 poeple living in the zip code of 22307. It ...
Leewood Healthcare Center is a 132 bed nursing home facility. It is situated within the North Springfield area of Annandale, Virginia. The surrounding area has a dense population, with approximately 57,000 poeple living in the zip code of ...
Ashby Ponds is located at 21160 Maple Branch Terrace in Ashburn, Virginia. It is a 44 unit senior care facility. The community is in a generally upscale area, with an average per-family income of $124,031. With about ...
The Laurels of Willow Creek is situated around the Huguenot neighborhood of Midlothian, Virginia. It is a 120 room senior community. The facility is in a predominantly upscale area, with a median family income of $116,282. With ...
The Laurels of Bon Air is a 100 bed senior care facility located nearby the Hioaks area of Bon Air, Virginia. With about 31,000 residents in the 23235 zip code, the surrounding area is densely populated. It is ...
Lexington Rehabilitation and Healthcare is located at 1776 Cambridge Dr in Richmond, Virginia. It is a 190 unit nursing facility. With a median family income of $91,363, the community is in a predominantly well-to-do area. It is ...
Located at 1811 Jamestown Rd in Williamsburg, Virginia, Consulate Healthcare of Williamsburg is a 90 room nursing care facility. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-family income of $71,872. With around 47,000 ...
Heritage Hall - Leesburg is a 164 room senior housing facility. It is located at 122 Morven Park Road NW in Leesburg, Virginia. The community is in a largely upper class area, with an average per-family income of ...
Located at 245 North St in Bristol, Virginia, NHC Healthcare - Bristol is a 120 bed skilled nursing facility. The community is in a generally lower income area, with an average family income of $31,062. It has an ...
The Towers Retirement Community is a senior housing community located in the Hioaks area of Richmond, Virginia. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 40,000 poeple living in the 23225 zip code. With an average family ...
Envoy of Woodbridge is located at 14906 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Woodbridge, Virginia. It is a 120 room senior housing facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 59,000 people residing in the zip code of ...
Located within the Acredale neighborhood, Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a senior community in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The community is in a generally middle income area, with a median household income of $55,633. With about 63,000 residents ...
The Laurels of University Park is a 145 room senior community. It is located at 2420 Pemberton Rd in Richmond, Virginia. With a median per-household income of $91,363, the facility is in a generally upscale area. It ...
Carrington Place is a 90 room senior housing facility. It is located at 290 Commons Pkwy in Daleville, Virginia. The community is in a largely affluent area, with an average per-family income of $80,532. With approximately ...
Seniors in Virginia can expect to pay an average of $4,800 per month for assisted living, which is nearly $800 per month more than the national average of $4,051. Assisted living in Virginia also tends to be more expensive than in nearby states. Maryland has an average cost of $4,300 per month, a savings of $500, while Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia all have average monthly costs of $4,000 or less.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Virginia's Top Cities
Within Virginia, assisted living costs vary significantly by region. Seniors in Northern Virginia can expect to pay more than the state average due to the region's inclusion in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. For example, Arlington has an average monthly cost of $5,100. Costs tend to be lower in central and southern Virginia, with the average cost of assisted living ranging from $4,627 in Virginia Beach to $4,750 in Richmond.
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Virginia
Virginia seniors have five main options for care as they get older: assisted living, adult day care, nursing home care, home health care and in-home services. With an average monthly cost of $1,603, adult day care is the least expensive option. Nursing home care is the most expensive, with an average cost of $7,350 per month. At $4,800, assisted living is more expensive than in-home care or home health care, which have average costs of $4,195 to $4,382 per month, respectively.
Address: 8004 Franklin Farms Dr., Richmond, VA 23229
Phone Number: (804) 662-7531
Website: https://www.vadars.org/aps/AuxGrants.htm
The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services offers auxiliary grants to help seniors pay for assisted living. These grants cover room and board as well as medication administration, minimal assistance with personal hygiene and other services typically provided by an assisted living facility.
To qualify for an auxiliary grant, a senior must have lived in Virginia for at least 90 days prior to submitting an application. Applicants must also be at least 65 years old or have a qualifying disability, reside in an assisted living facility or other supportive housing residence and have nonexempted resources worth no more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. All applicants must undergo an assessment to determine if they qualify for the grant program. It may take up to two months for the assessment to be completed due to high demand for auxiliary grants.
Phone Number: (844) 374-9159
Website: https://www.cccplusva.com/home
The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver is a managed care program administered by Medicaid. One of the aims of the program is to provide long-term services and supports to seniors who require some assistance but don't need the ongoing medical care provided by a nursing facility. To be eligible for this waiver, a senior must meet the Medicaid eligibility requirements. Seniors under the age of 65 may qualify for Medicaid if they have household incomes totaling no more than 138% of the federal poverty level. Enrollment in this waiver program is mandatory for all eligible individuals.
Although the CCC Plus waiver doesn't cover room and board, it covers some services provided to seniors in assisted living facilities. For example, the waiver covers up to 56 hours per week of personal care assistance, which includes assistance with activities of daily living. The waiver may also cover assistive technology, up to 112 hours per week of skilled nursing services, durable medical equipment and help transitioning from a nursing home to a community setting.
Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Phone Number: (800) 827-1000
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
For veterans in need of assisted living services, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit may help cover the costs. This benefit is available to veterans who qualify for a regular VA pension and have a qualifying disability. Approved veterans receive a monthly pension supplement that can be used to pay for room and board at an assisted living facility.
To receive the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, Virginia veterans must fill out VA Form 21-260, Examination for Housebound Status and Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance, and mail it to the Pension Management Center in Philadelphia. Applicants may also submit documentation of their needs with VA Form 21-260, such as a doctor's report indicating that full-time care is required. VA Form 21-260 is available on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
The Virginia Department of Social Services Division of Licensing Programs regulates assisted living facilities. In Virginia, assisted living facilities are designated for residents in need of moderate assistance with their daily activities. The licensing standards are outlined in the Virginia Administrative Code, Title 22, Chapter 73.
Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities may provide personal care to residents in need of assistance with some activities of daily living. They may also coordinate health services provided by outside agencies. Virginia assisted living facilities aren't permitted to provide medical care. |
Care Plan Requirements | All facilities must have a program of care that meets each resident's physical, spiritual, mental and emotional needs. The program must also promote the resident's highest level of functioning, protect them from harm and promote their involvement in appropriate activities. |
Medication Management Requirements | Every facility must have a medication management plan outlining standard procedures and methods of preventing medication errors and ensuring that all medications are disposed of safely. Medications must be stored in a locked room or compartment, with Schedule II drugs and other drugs of abuse stored separately. Anyone who administers medications must have a valid RN or LPN license, or be registered with the Virginia Nursing Board as a medication aide. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Staff members are prohibited from having unsupervised direct contact with residents unless they have undergone a background check. |
Staff Training Requirements | All staff must complete an initial orientation that provides information on the purpose of the facility, the services provided, facility policies and procedures, daily routines and their individual duties. Staff must also be trained in responding to emergencies, preventing infections, maintaining confidentiality and other relevant topics. |
Medicaid Coverage | Virginia Medicaid doesn't cover room and board at an assisted living facility, although it may pay for some of the services provided by staff members. |
Reporting Abuse | Staff members are required to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to the Virginia Department of Social Services. Residents and their family members may also report suspected abuse by calling their local department office or the toll-free hotline at (888) 832-3858. |
Virginia DSS offers a free search tool to help seniors and their family members identify assisted living facilities throughout the state. Users can search for facilities by name, city or ZIP code. The search tool also allows users to narrow their searches to facilities with special care units.
Contact: Visit the Virginia DSS website to search for an assisted living facility.
The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for the rights of seniors in assisted living facilities and other long-term care settings. Staff members provide mediation and other services that can help resolve issues with the quality of care provided by a Virginia assisted living facility.
Contact: Call (800) 552-3402 during normal business hours to speak with an ombudsman, or visit the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman website to find a local office.
Virginia has more than two dozen Area Agencies on Aging where seniors can learn more about their options for assisted living. Experienced staff members provide referrals to local facilities and offer information on navigating the many care options available in Virginia. For seniors who need help paying for assisted living services, AAA staff members can also identify potential sources of funding, review the qualification requirements and help eligible seniors apply for each program.
Seniors can call (804) 545-1644 for assistance, or use the online directory to find a local AAA office.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a wide range of benefits for veterans and their surviving dependents. For example, a monthly pension is available to veterans who received honorable discharges and meet certain limits related to their income and assets. Veterans may use their pension to pay for room and board at an assisted living facility or pay for some of the services provided in assisted living.
To qualify for a VA pension, a veteran must be at least 65 years old, receive SSDI or SSI benefits, live in a nursing home due to a disability or have a permanent total disability. At least one of the following must also apply:
Veterans can access information and assistance with a pension application at their nearest VA benefits office.
The Social Security Office administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides monthly payments to seniors who meet certain financial criteria. To qualify for SSI, a senior must be at least 65 years old and a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible alien. Applicants must also have limited income and assets. Younger people may qualify for SSI benefits if they have a qualifying disability that prevents them from working.
In many cases, seniors are required to apply for SSI and other government benefits before they can receive assistance from state programs or nonprofit agencies. Therefore, SSI is an important resource for making assisted living more affordable. Seniors may even be able to use some of their SSI benefits to pay for the costs of assisted living. Virginia residents can find their local SSA office by visiting the agency's field office locator.
Your Information is Processing
