Assisted Living In Virginia

Virginia is a great state in which to retire – especially for seniors who are on a fixed income. Social security income is exempt from state tax, and seniors 65 or older with other retirement income that’s less than $12,000 won’t have to pay state tax on it. Additionally, sales tax isn’t charged on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Virginia

As you start your research for a quality assisted living facility in Virginia, knowing the types of services each facility provides and the financial help available to help pay for those care services, is important. The registry below can aid you in your research by providing details and information on more than 400 facilities in the state of Virginia.

Paying For Assisted Living in Virginia

The Cost of Assisted Living in Virginia

The monthly median cost of assisted living in Virginia is $4,451, which is higher than the national average of $4,000. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Virginia is less expensive than the median in all neighboring states except for Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

 

While the cost of Assisted Living is fairly consistent throughout the state, Lynchburg is the one exception coming in at $756 below the state average. Richmond is the most expensive region in the state at $1,048 above the national average of $4,000.

 

While nursing home care is slightly higher in Virginia when compared to the rest of the nation, it’s still considerably more expensive than assisted living. Other than independent living, which doesn’t provide assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living communities are the cheapest solution for long-term care in the state.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Virginia

Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Medicaid Waiver

Nursing home-eligible seniors in Virginia who prefer to live independently in an assisted living facility may be able to get financial help via the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Medicaid waiver, which is a combination of the old Elderly or Disabled With Consumer Direction and Technology Assisted waivers. Currently, there is no waiting list for the CCC Plus waiver.

Who Is Eligible?

Residents interested in applying for the CCC Plus waiver need to meet the following qualifications:

• They must be age 65 or older.
• They must have a medical or nursing need.
• For single residents, monthly income not exceed $2,250 (in 2018), and countable assets must be worth $2,000 or less
• For married residents, monthly income must not exceed $3,375 (in 2018), and countable assets must be worth $3,000 or less.

A screening team consisting of a nurse from the Virginia Department of Health and a representative from the Department of Social Services will use the Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) tool to determine if an applicant meets certain eligibility requirements.

How to Enroll

To enroll in the CCC Plus Medicaid waiver, you must contact your local Department of Family or Social Services office to schedule a screening.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Virginia

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Virginia’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program launched in 1978. The program, funded through charitable contributions, helps older adults who reside in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or those who receive long-term care services in their home. Paid staff, as well as volunteers, work hard to ensure the elderly are treated with dignity and respect.

Some of Ombudsman’s services include:

• Assisting CCC Plus participants to resolve problems they may have with their coverage, benefits, and more
• Advocating for residents whose rights may have been violated
• Investigating and working to resolve complaints related to the quality of care a resident is receiving

Area Agencies on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) offers information, education, training, and technical assistance to older adults and caregivers in their local areas.

Veterans Affairs

Veterans and their spouses can get assistance from their local VA offices with various services, including help with VA benefits that can be used to finance assisted living. Visit or contact a center near you for guidance.

Social Security Offices

By reaching out or visiting a Social Security office, you or your aging loved one can gain a better understanding of social security benefits as well as other types of assistance that can help with assisted living costs. Use the table below to find the office nearest you.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Virginia

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Before admission in an assisted living facility, the resident is required to have a physical examination by an independent physician. In order to determine the resident’s care needs, the Assisted Living Facility (ALF) must also complete a Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) on the resident.

The UAI must be completed on an annual basis or when there is a significant change in the resident’s condition, whichever comes first.

ALFs cannot admit or retain residents who:

• Require a level of care that the facility is unable or unlicensed to provide
• Are dependant on a ventilator
• Have stage 3 or 4 dermal ulcers, unless the stage 3 ulcers are determined by an independent physician to be healing
• Require intravenous therapy injections directly into their vein (some exceptions apply)
• Have an airborne infectious disease that requires the resident to be placed in isolation or the caretaker to follow special precautions
• Are an imminent physical threat or danger to self or others
• Requires continuous licensed nursing care

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities in Virginia provide health care services, protection, guidance, and supervision based on what is specified in the resident’s service plan. They also offer assistance with medication, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and walking.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Virginia’s Medicaid doesn’t directly pay for assisted living, but the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) can provide financing. While the CCC Plus waiver is not an entitlement program (meaning not everyone who qualifies is guaranteed acceptance), there is currently no waiting list.

Assisted Living Requirements

ALFs in Virginia are required to meet a variety of specifications required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Some requirements include the following:

• A maximum of two residents are allowed to live in one bedroom.
• Bathtubs and showers must have handrails, non-skid surfaces or strips, and grab bars.
• All bedrooms with connecting bathrooms are required to have easily accessible signaling devices that will alert direct care staff when a resident needs assistance.

Medication Management Regulations

Licensed staff or medication aids may administer medicine as instructed in the resident’s written plan for medication management. Residents who are able can self-administer their own medications.

Staffing Requirements

Two direct care staff members must be present and awake at all times. The direct care staff is responsible for the care and supervision of all residents in the building. Additionally, all assisted living facilities are required to have an acting administrator who will be responsible for the admission and management of the facility and overseeing the day-to-day operation.

Staff Training Requirements

Administrators must be:

• 21 or older
• Licensed as an assisted living facility or nursing home administrator by the Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators
• High school graduates
• Experienced in caring for adults in a health or long-term care facility for at least one year

Administrators who supervise medication aides must first complete a Virginia board of nursing-approved training program for the registration of medication aides. The program is required to include at least 68 hours of student instruction and training.

Direct care staff must:

• Be at least 18 years old, unless they are certified in Virginia as a nurse aide
• Successfully complete the 40-hour direct care staff training taught by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
• Attend 18 hours of training each year
• Be trained in first aid and CPR
• Be trained on how to deal with aggressive residents and how to properly care for residents in restraints if employed in an ALF that has or accepts aggressive or restrained residents

Background Checks for Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities in Virginia cannot employ anyone convicted of a barrier crime as defined in 22 VAC 40-90-10.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Suspicion of any form of elder abuse or neglect should be reported to the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Adult Protective Services (APS). You can report the abuse by calling your local department of social services or the 24-hour APS hotline at (888) 832-3858.

If you suspect an assisted living facility is in violation of any rules and regulations, you can anonymously report the facility to the Virginia Ombudsman by calling (804) 565-1600 or filling out their online form.

Virginia COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/15/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Rules in Virginia
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit?	No
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities?	Yes
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community?	Yes
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?	Yes
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

 

Sources: www.vdh.virginia.gov www.cdc.gov