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Memory Care in Virginia

A quick look at statistics from the Alzheimer Association shows that Alzheimer’s and dementia are serious concerns in Virginia. In 2018, over 150,000 Virginia residents 65 years of age and older had Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to rise to 190,000 by 2025 as the population of the state ages. A total of 2,592 Virginians died of Alzheimer’s in 2018, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the state.

Memory care is an important component of treating Alzheimer’s. When treated within an assisted-living facility (ALF), the goal is to provide a structured environment that is safe and reduces stress for an Alzheimer’s patient. Staff in an ALF receive special training on working with Alzheimer’s patients, often helping them with personal care and preparing meals while checking in more often to help with needed tasks. The average cost of memory care in Virginia is $6,000 a month, while the national average is $5,063 a month.

This guide presents some of the issues concerning memory care in Virginia. It includes cost guides based on statistics from government and private sources, as well as suggestions on where Virginians aged 65 years or older and their families can find both financial help and access to other important resources.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Virginia



SeniorScore is a livability index created by SeniorAdvice specifically for seniors. It uses over 100 data points collected from government and private databases. Its goal is to show seniors how well a specific town, city or state provides for their needs. It encompasses four areas: Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finance and General Quality of Life. The SeniorScore for Virginia is 78, which is six points above the national average of 72.

Virginia’s score for Health & Safety is 65. Virginia received the score because it has high access to health care providers who are registered with Medicare, many senior assisted-living facilities and an average number of hospitals throughout the state. Its property crime rate and its violent crime rate are high, however, compared to national averages.

The state received a 63 for Recreation & Leisure. One reason for this score is that 30% of the state is above the age of 55 while 15.9% are above the age of 65. The high number of seniors in the state means there are more recreational opportunities. Virginia has 325 golf courses, many municipal and national parks and 3,168 churches.

General Quality of Life receives a score of 72. This score is much higher than in many nearby states. Virginia has average rainfall, mild winters and long springs and summers. Virginia also has many high-quality institutes of higher education and the state sponsors a plan where seniors can register at any university and take a course for free if their annual income is under $23,850. Any senior can audit a course for free.



Top Memory Care Communities in Virginia



Ashby Ponds - Ashburn, VA

Ashby Ponds

21160 Maple Branch Terrace

Ashburn, VA 20147

1-855-229-7494

15 Reviews  

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 ...

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The Cost of Memory Care in Virginia



While there is no official dollar figure for the actual cost of memory care, this cost is estimated to be 20 to 30% higher than assisted living. This increased cost is the result of the extra care, staff time, personalized activity programs and extra security features needed for memory care patients.

In Virginia, assisted living costs $4,800 per month, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2019. We added 25% to that cost to get $1,200 in additional memory care costs. This figure will vary throughout the state of Virginia, but the average cost for memory care in an ALF in Virginia is $6,000 a month.

The monthly cost of memory care in Virginia is almost $1,000 higher than the average for the country and, in some cases, more than $1,000 higher than in nearby states. Maryland has the next highest cost for memory care in the region of $5,375, but even that is $625 less than Virginia. North Carolina and West Virginia are quite affordable compared to Virginia, costing $5,000 and $4,687, respectively. Kentucky has the lowest memory care costs in the region, coming in at $4,371 per month.

  • Virginia: $6,000
  • Maryland: $5,375
  • West Virginia: $4,687
  • Kentucky: $4,371
  • North Carolina: $5,000
  • United States: $5,063

The Cost of Memory Care in Virginia’s Top Cities

While the overall cost of memory care in Virginia is $6,000 a month, this figure can vary from city to city and town to town. Virginia's three largest cities are concentrated in the Virginia Beach area, and all share the same cost of memory care cost estimate of $5,783 a month. The highest cost for memory care is in cities close to Washington DC, such as Arlington, which costs $6,375 a month, and locations near the state’s capital, Richmond, which costs $6,060 a month.

  • Virginia Beach: $5,783
  • Chesapeake: $5,783
  • Norfolk: $5,783
  • Arlington: $6,375
  • Richmond: $6,060

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Virginia

While there are several other methods of care for seniors in Virginia, memory care at an ALF remains at the higher end, costing about $1,200 more than the basic monthly cost of an ALF of $4800. Nursing care in a semiprivate room is the most expensive option costing $7,350 a month. In-home care, usually provided by homemaker, and home healthcare, which includes the assistance of a home health aide, cost $4.195 and $4,382, respectively. Adult day care remains the most inexpensive option at $1,603 a month. 

  • Memory Care: $6,000
  • Assisted Living: $4,800
  • In-Home Care: $4,195
  • Home Healthcare: $4,382
  • Adult Day Care: $1,603
  • Nursing Home Care: $7,350

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Virginia



Virginia Adult Services

Address: 8004 Franklin Farms Dr., Henrico, VA 23229-5019
Phone Number: (804) 662-7000 or toll-free (800) 552-5919
Website: https://www.vadars.org/aps/AdultServices.htm

The state sponsors this program that aims to help adults with memory care issues gain greater independence and improve their quality of life. The program helps those caring for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients at home or within an ALF. Since this program is primarily intended to help low-income individuals, eligibility will be determined by that individual’s financial status and the availability of memory care services in their area. Individuals interested in applying can fill out an application for adult services. This can be done by the individual or someone on their behalf.


Auxiliary Grant Program

Address: 801 E. Main St., Richmond, VA 23219
Phone Number: (800) 522-5019
Website: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/dfs/as/auxillary_grants/intro_page/faq/Aux_Grant__flyer_ac.pdf

This program, also sponsored by the state, is for any senior Virginian who lives in one of the Commonwealth’s ALFs. Individuals who qualify will receive monthly payments from the local branch of the state’s social services department. The grant may be used to help pay for all memory care treatment received within an ALF, as well as medical transportation and room and board. (Not all ALFs except the program.)

Eligibility for Auxiliary Grant is determined by an individual’s age and medical condition. They must’ve lived in Virginia for at least 90 days and be a resident of an ALF. Their taxable assets must not be valued at more than $2,000 per individual or $3,000 per couple. Individuals need to fill out an auxiliary grant application and must currently be on Supplemental Security Income. Seniors who qualify for the grant are still required to pay for the cost of living in an ALF until the grant funds are available.



Virginia Memory Care Rules and Regulations


The Virginia Department of Social Services-Divisions of Licensing Programs regulates and licenses all assisted-living facilities and other institutions that provide memory care. A licensed ALF must admit and provide care for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other serious cognitive impairments. The ALF must also follow special state guidelines that outline safe and monitored indoor and outdoor areas for seniors living at the facility. Staff members also need to receive special training and continuing education on how to care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Scope of Care

If an individual has a physical or mental impairment and requires a moderate level of care to complement their daily activities, licensed ALFs need to provide 24-hour supervision, coordination, and assistance to these individuals. A moderate level of care is defined as an individual who is dependent on a caregiver for two or more of their daily living activities. An ALF cannot admit any individual who requires advanced or continuous nursing services.

Admission Requirements

Any individual who wishes to be admitted to an ALF must meet certain requirements.

Individuals who may be admitted:

  • Dementia
  • Mental health conditions
  • Physical disabilities
  • Cognitive disabilities

Individuals who may not be admitted:

  • Those who present an imminent physical danger to the staff or to themselves
  • Require constant skilled nursing care
  • Have a need for maximum physical assistance and meet the Medicare level of care criteria for a nursing facility
  • Need to use a ventilator
  • Under the age of 18

Care Plan Requirements

Applicants need to complete an in-person assessment within 90 days of being admitted to an ALF. This assessment determines their mental and physical condition as well as essential care needs. These assessments are done annually or anytime the individual displays a significant change in behavior.

A licensed ALF care provider needs to develop a preliminary plan to deal with any new resident’s care needs and must identify ways to protect their welfare and safety. This needs to happen on or within a week prior to that individual being admitted to an ALF.

A comprehensive plan for that individual needs to be done within 30 days of their admission. It must also include a behavioral assessment and a fall risk rating.

Medication Management Requirements

Each resident of an ALF must have a written medication management plan. Residents can administer their own medications if they are competent. Otherwise, this will be handled by staff. Staff-administered medications need to be reviewed every six months, but this is not necessary for residents who administer their own medication.

Facility Requirements

ALFs constructed after December 28, 2006, or ALFs that have improved their facilities after this date can offer private or double occupancy rooms. Resident room floors must have at least one toilet and sink for every four residents and one shower or bathtub for every seven.

In older license facilities, four residents may share a bedroom. They need to have one toilet and sink for every seven residents and a shower or bathtub for every 10.

Staffing Requirements

All staff involved in patient care are subject to a background check. Staff dealing with residents suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia receive six hours of specialized training. ALF administrators are required to take an additional 12 hours of training.

If an ALF has more than 10 residents, at least two staff members must always be on duty and awake. All staff needs to be familiar with the facility's plan for emergency preparedness.

Reporting Abuse

Elder abuse or neglect in an ALF facility in Virginia can be reported on the state’s 24-hour toll-free hotline at (888) 832-3858. Visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website to file a complaint against an ALF. Reports can be filed anonymously. If concerned about abuse, individuals or families can contact the office of the state long-term care ombudsman at (800) 552-3402.


Free Memory Care Resources in Virginia



Alzheimer’s Association

Through its local chapters, the Alzheimer’s Association offers support and education to individuals who have Alzheimer’s or dementia as well as health care professionals, caregivers and family members. In Virginia, there are two local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, Central and Western VA and the Greater Richmond Area.



Virginia State Agencies


Dementia Services-Office for Aging Services, Division of Community Living

Address: 1610 Forest Ave., Suite 100, Henrico, VA 23229
Phone Number: (804) 662-9154
Website: https://vda.virginia.gov/dementia.htm

The goal of Dementia Services and the Dementia Services Coordinator is to monitor and coordinate Virginia’s Dementia State Plan and to support the activities of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission. The commission operates a website, AlzPossible, which provides links to resources such as education and training for caregivers and family members and opportunities for funding for institutions researching memory care in Virginia.



Association of Area Agencies on Aging in Virginia


The Association of Area Agencies on Aging (4A) was created by Congress in 1976. It is a non-profit network of agencies designed to provide seniors with information about local programs and services offered in their communities. There are 25 local AAA offices in Virginia. The Virginia 4A works with government organizations to ensure that resources exist to maintain locally needed support services for older Virginians.



Veterans Affairs Offices in Virginia


The Virginia Department of Veteran Services helps veterans of all ages with issues such as health care, mental health issues, homelessness, suicide prevention and transitioning veterans and their families back to civilian life.

The department can help senior veterans or their families with disability compensation or non-service-connected pensions for veterans with low incomes. These funds can be used to help pay for the cost of transition to an ALF for memory care. The department also helps senior veterans ensure they receive all the benefits they are entitled for their service.



Social Security Offices in Virginia


The Virginia Department of Social Security offers a variety of resources for seniors, including information on where to find assisted-living facilities in Virginia, how they are regulated and how to make a complaint if there is a problem.

The Department of Social Services can also provide seniors with information and resources on financial, food or medical assistance. This includes access to programs designed to provide medical care for seniors who otherwise could not afford it.

 

Other Cities in Virginia

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