Virginia, a southeastern coastal state, hugs the Chesapeake Bay to the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the west. One of the 13 original colonies, Virginia is home to around 8.5 million people, approximately 15% of whom are aged 65 and older. This senior population is expected to double between 2010 and 2030, with around 20% of the population over age 65 by 2030. This means that a significant number of seniors currently need and will continue to need assisted living care.

According to Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Virginia costs an average of $4,800 per month. This is around $750 higher than the national average of $4,051. However, there are several resources available to help Virginia seniors with assisted living expenses.
​
This guide serves as an overview of the costs of assisted living care in Virginia and financial resources that may help pay for care, as well as assisted living facility policies.

The following rules and guidelines were obtained from the Virginia Department of Health website, as well as other state-level government sites. Among others, these rules apply to assisted living.

This data has been most recently updated on 7/2/20, but keep in mind that COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, so all of the below information can change at any time. For additional questions and up-to-date information, you can contact your loved one’s senior living facility or your local Area Agency on Aging. ​

Medicaid is a nationwide resource intended for low-income seniors who require medical care. While options and coverage can vary from one state to the next, Virginia has several waiver programs that can benefit seniors. The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Medicaid Waiver, also called (CCC+) is a Medicaid waiver specifically intended to help seniors and individuals with disabilities remain within the community, as opposed to moving to a nursing home. Services covered by this waiver include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). This waiver is available to seniors aged 65 and older and those who have a qualifying disability and require a nursing home level of care. There is no waiting list for CCC+ waiver programs. Over 20,000 seniors in Virginia take advantage of this waiver.

Medicaid in Virginia is available for single seniors who earn less than $16,971 on an annual basis, or $22,930 for married seniors, and have less than $2,000 in countable assets. All seniors eligible for Medicaid can apply for the CCC+ waiver.

Contact: The Department of Medical Assistance Services in Virginia can be contacted by phone at 1-804-786-7933, by mail at 600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300, Richmond, VA 23219 and via the website contact form.

VA Aid and Attendance BenefitFor those in Virginia who served in the military, the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit program can offer assistance paying for assisted living resources. These benefits are available in addition to the monthly pension. To qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit, seniors must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Require assistance with standard ADLs, such as dressing, eating and bathing
• Have a disability that results in remaining bedridden, outside of any treatments prescribed by a doctor
• A current patient in a nursing home due to health complications
• Corrected eyesight with an acuity of 5/200 or worse or a concentric field equal or less than five degrees.

The benefit amount changes on an annual basis due to inflation. As of 2020, the payment benefit pays out a maximum of $1,788 per month for an eligible veteran, $1,149 for a spouse and $2,120 for couples.

Contact: Seniors interested in this benefit can contact the Virginia Department of Veterans Services at 1-804-786-0286 or mail VA Form 21-2680 to a local VA office.

Senior Living Laws and Regulations in VirginiaNote: All these rules typically apply to non-clinical senior living facilities, such as independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities. Nursing homes and other senior living facilities with a clinical setting may have additional or slightly different requirements and regulations.

Assisted living programs provide valuable care for seniors that extends into many areas, such as minor medical assistance and medication management. To ensure residents are as safe as possible, the Department of Social Services has implemented extensive rules and regulations pertaining to operating an assisted living facility.

Admissions and Scope of CareDue to the division between nursing homes and assisted living communities, seniors seeking admission in an assisted living facility must have staff certify that:

• A treatment plan has been written and submitted
• A primary care physician has determined that assisted living offers an appropriate level of care
• A mental health screening has indicated that assisted living is appropriate
• A designed contact person is available in case of emergencies and incapacity

In Virginia, assisted living communities are restricted to activities within the approved scope of care, including prescribed amounts of nonmedical assistance. This includes offering a clean and safe living environment, emergency assistance for injuries and falls, meal services and regular help with activities of daily living. True medical care is extremely limited in assisted living facilities.

Senior Living Service PlansAll seniors in assisted living require a service plan that relates to their individual needs while living in the facility. Plans are created by facility staff members, with the input of family members, caregivers and the resident’s doctors. These plans are divided into four general categories, such as activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, ambulation and hygiene and grooming.

For the purpose of residence in an assisted living facility, activities of daily living include bathing, toileting, dressing, transferring and eating. Instrumental activities of daily living include housekeeping, preparing meals, money management and doing laundry. Ambulation refers to whether a resident needs assistance moving around, such as with a walker or wheelchair. Hygiene and grooming includes shampooing hair, shaving, trimming fingernails and toenails and skin care. Some care plans may also address transportation, shopping and correspondence.

Service plans must be updated at least once a year.

Staffing and Training RequirementsIn Virginia, at least two staff members must be on-site and awake at all times when residents are present during daytime hours. This staffing level is suitable for 20 or fewer residents; an additional staff member must be present for every 10 additional residents. During night hours, two care team members must be on duty for facilities with less than 22 residents, three with under 32 residents, four care members with less than 40 residents and at least four care members for facilities with over four residents, with another team member for every 10 additional residents. An appropriate number of staff members must be available when accompanying residents on trips outside of the community.

Training is required for all staff members. Administrators in assisted living care communities must undergo at least six hours of training in memory impairment, and staff members must complete at least four.

Background checks are standard for employees in an assisted living facility. Those with felony records and whose who have been convicted of domestic violence and sex crimes are not permitted to be hired.

Medication ManagementStaff members at assisted living facilities in Virginia can help residents with medication management in a limited fashion. This includes supporting self-administered medication, such as reminding residents to take their medication, helping with the application of topical medication, offering OTC medication permitted by a resident’s doctor and emergency medication use, such as the use of a rescue inhaler. Residents may also be able to request help crushing up pills and mixing them with food or drink if requested or permitted.

Virginia Senior Living Free ResourcesVirginia AgenciesVirginia Office for Aging Services
The Virginia Office for Aging Services offers state-specific information to seniors about agencies that can assist with aging support services, Medicare and Medicaid enrollment, access to transportation, low-cost food and housing and living arrangements. The Office for Aging Services also offers a section on community living and caregiving, ranging from family caregiver support to community-based services.

All seniors, their family members and their caretakers can utilize the free resources provided by the Virginia Office for Aging Services.
Contact: Virginia residents can contact the Office for Aging Services at 1-804-662-9333 or toll-free at 1-800-552-3402.

Area Agencies on AgingArea Agencies on Aging provide access to regional resources across the state. Virginia is divided into 25 service areas, with AAAs covering the vast majority of cities and counties in the area. These organizations can connect seniors with local financial assistance programs that can make the cost of care more affordable.
​
Veterans Affairs Offices in VirginiaFor Veterans living in Virginia, the Office of Veterans Affairs can be an excellent way to access additional information about affordable care. Any eligible veteran can contact the Office of Veterans Affairs to learn more about military pensions and to apply for benefits.

Social Security Offices in VirginiaSocial Security income can be very valuable for seniors in retirement and contributes greatly to the cost of care for many people. Seniors with questions about benefits or applying for Social Security Disability can contact any of the offices located throughout Virginia.

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow much does assisted living cost in Virginia?
The cost of assisted living in Virginia averages $4,800 per month, which is approximately $750 more than the national average of $4,051. Virginia is more expensive on average than the surrounding states, including Kentucky, West Virginia and North Carolina.

Are there financial assistance programs for assisted living in Virginia?
Yes. Financial assistance programs are available to seniors living in Virginia. This includes the state Medicaid program and the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+) Medicaid Waiver. Military veterans living in Virginia can also take advantage of the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit to supplement the cost of care.

What are Activities of Daily Living?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) refer to tasks required to live a normal life on a daily basis. This includes getting out of bed, using the bathroom, getting dressed, eating and doing laundry. Assisted living facilities primarily provide support with activities of daily living.

What is the difference between assisted living and nursing homes?
The caliber of medical care is the primary difference between assisted living facilities and nursing homes. In assisted living facilities, care is usually limited to support with activities of daily living, medication management and basic first aid. More serious medical problems are more appropriate for a nursing home, in which 24-hour medical care is available.

Who should consider assisted living?
Assisted living should be considered by seniors who could comfortably live at home with the support of a caregiver to help with ADLs but would prefer to live in a community. An assisted living facility allows seniors to live with some semblance of independence while still getting the support necessary.

For more information, visit SeniorHousing.net 

Retirement is an exciting time for most of us. And although conventional wisdom says it is also a time to downsize your space, the opposite may be what you need to enjoy your golden years. Here are a few things you can do if you plan to upsize your lifestyle during your retirement. Keep these ideas in mind as you browse through Peter’s listings.
 
Start your own business.
 
Owning a business is the American dream. It is, after all, your best bet when you want to take control of your finances. If you spent your entire working life in a nine-to-five, retirement is a great time to prioritize your passions as a business. Whether you want to be a freelance writer, woodworker, or software developer, now is the perfect time to launch a home-based business.
 
When you buy a larger home, you will have room to separate your personal from your professional endeavors. But something to consider here is that launching a business may put your new investment at risk. Look into your state’s rules on forming an LLC. There’s not a ton of paperwork involved, and you can use a formations service to establish your LLC before you buy your home.
 
In addition to a few nifty tax advantages, this type of business structure legally protects your personal assets from being targeted in business disputes or financial missteps. This makes it more compelling than, say, a sole proprietorship structure.
 
Establish a farm homestead.
 
Have you ever wanted to live self-sufficiently? A great many of us have had that dream. Buying a larger home — and a few acres to go with it — can help you do just that. Your farm can include everything from a barn to a large garden that you can use to grow your own food, build your own furniture, or anything else you need to be self-sufficient.
 
A farm/homestead also makes a great foundation for a home business. You can sell fresh produce, offer homemade jams and jellies, or open up a farm-to-table bed and breakfast. The possibilities are truly endless, and you will have the room to engage in more than one passion should you choose.
 
Entertain friends and family.
 
Finally, buying a larger home will give you the freedom to spend more time with your friends and family. If you’ve never quite had the space for grandkids, now you do. You can build them their own personal playground, give them their own bedroom, or designate an indoor area just for arts and crafts.
 
For the adults (and the kids) you’ll have room to spread out outdoors, and you can even build an outdoor kitchen, movie theater, and covered patio — each of which will allow for outdoor social distancing until the pandemic has subsided. A larger home also means you can host family gatherings, and your children and grandchildren won’t feel as though they are imposing on you should they wish to come over for a weekend visit.
 
There are so many possibilities to life once you retire. Don’t fall into the belief that you have to move to a small condo to enjoy your golden years. Sometimes, buying a bigger home makes the most sense. If it’s in your budget, you might just find that a large estate actually gives you a purpose and allows you to live out your best years in a home you love surrounded by people that love you.
 
Peter Leonard-Morgan’s expertise in real estate in Loudoun County is second to none, and his dedication to his clients is unrivaled. Contact Peter today to discuss your real estate needs. 443-254-5530
​