Senior-Living, Assisted Living in Virginia

Single applicant

$17,131

$2,000

Two-person household (only one person applying)

$23,169

$137,400

Two-person household (both people applying)

$23,169

$4,000

Virginia Medicare

(833)522-5582

Operated through the Department of Medical Assistance Services, this organization provides any information that you require about enrollment or available options at the Virginia Medicaid site

Department of Social Services

(804)726-7000

You can learn more about Medicaid by visiting your local Social Security office. They can tell you how to determine your eligibility, how to apply, and the information you’ll need to provide during the application process.

Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

(804) 565-1600

While the ombudsman’s office may best be known for helping seniors prevent abuse in long-term care facilities, it can also provide seniors with information on their health care choices, including Medicaid. If a senior is denied Medicaid, an ombudsman, acting as an independent third-party, can help them reapply.

Aid and Attendance

Learn more and apply online at va.gov.

Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for Assisted Living.

Reverse Mortgages

Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov

If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for Assisted Living. Reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home’s equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.

Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance

Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov.

Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for Assisted Living. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of Assisted Living will not typically be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy.

Virginia Department of Veteran Services

(804) 786-0286

The department helps veterans and their dependents with health care, suicide prevention, mental health issues, homelessness and employment. The department also determines eligibility for senior veterans, their spouses and their survivors looking for assisted living in one of the four Veterans Homes in the state.

Virginia Association of Agency on Aging

(804) 545-1644

The agency operates 27 different offices in Virginia that work with other organizations to coordinate services to ensure seniors have the resources they need. Services include nutrition, transportation, wellness programs, elder justice, advance care planning and helping seniors find appropriate assisted-living facilities and caregiver support.

Senior Legal Aid Helpline

(844) 802-5910

Seniors aged at least 60 can use the helpline for help with legal issues in civil law areas such as Medicaid issues, alleged abuse in long-term care facilities, alleged age discrimination, power of attorney directives, guardianship, advanced medical directives, financial exploitation and other consumer issues. Legal Aid attorneys cannot help with matters of criminal law, divorce proceedings or lawsuits

VA Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VACAP)

The trained volunteer consultants who work for VACAP provide seniors or their families with information on all aspects of Medicare and help with some issues involving Medicaid. They can provide details of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage programs, long-term care Insurance, Medigap insurance and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Counselors can also help seniors protect themselves against Medicare fraud and assist with billing issues. Counselors don’t work for any commercial health care company, and their consultations are free, unbiased and confidential.

The Virginia Auxiliary Grant Program

(804) 545-1644

Seniors who live in assisted living or in adult foster care can receive direct financial assistance under the Auxiliary Grant Program from the Virginia Department Of Social Services. Financial aid helps adults maintain a standard of living that meets a basic level of need. Seniors who apply for the program need to live in an approved facility and meet other criteria. Applicants need to be at least 65 and be a resident of Virginia for at least 90 days. Applicants must also need help with 1-2 ADLs. Seniors should contact their local Social Security office to learn more.

Are loved ones allowed to visit to provide emotional support?

Are relatives allowed to visit for end-of-life care?

Are residents required to quarantine after visiting with a loved one?

Are visitors required to wear PPE (including masks) in order to visit residents?

Are non-medical contractors (such as hairdressers and entertainers) allowed in senior living facilities?

Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives?

Are visitors checked for elevated temperatures?

Are visitors required to answer questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?

Are residents allowed to leave (errands, visiting family, etc.) for non-medical reasons?

Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they return?

Are senior living communities required to cancel all group outings?

Are residents allowed to eat meals together in a common area?

Are residents allowed to gather in common areas for group activites?

Are staff members regularly required to do a temperature check?

Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?

Are staff members members regularly required to do a health and safety screening, including questions about travel, contact with positive cases, etc?

Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?

Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?

Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?

Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements

Assisted living staff are required to create an individual service plan for each resident. Usually, this is accomplished when the resident moves into the facility. Facility staff, the resident, the resident’s doctor, the resident’s family or caregiver and other concerned parties create the care plan, which must be updated at least once a year

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Before a senior can move into an assisted living facility, staff must certify that they meet specific requirements for admission. Staff must certify that an individual treatment plan has been completed and submitted, that the senior’s physician has agreed that assisted living is the right choice, that the senior has had a mental health screening, and that a person who can act as a contact in the case of emergency or incapacity has met with the staff.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Virginia licenses ALFs to house and provide measured amounts of nonmedical assistance. These communities must stay within this designated scope of care. At a minimum, ALF’s must provide safe, clean and comfortable living conditions, regular meal service, assistance with ADLs and emergency assistance if the resident has a fall or other injury.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Some, but not all, ALFs in Virginia accept Medicaid as a form of payment for residents who qualify for benefits under PACE. Seniors who receive SSI/SSDI may use this to cover housing costs.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Virginia ALS must meet facility requirements that ensure accessibility and safety for residents and visitors. These requirements must meet or exceed the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code standards.

Medication Management Regulations

ALF staff may be required to assist some residents with medication management. Therefore, all staff must be trained in the appropriate procedures and scope of care for assisted living in Virginia. Staff can assist seniors with largely self-administered medication. Staff may remind residents to take medication on time, help them apply topical medications and provide them with over-the-counter medications.

Staffing Requirements

Virginia law requires at least two staff members to be awake and on duty at all times, one of whom should be trained in CPR. The larger the facility, the more staff required. In most cases, enough staff must be on hand to operate the facility without leaving any resident who needs immediate assistance in need.

Staff Training Requirements

Administrators at an ALF in Virginia who are not licensed must undergo at least 20 hours of training within 12 months of their hire. At least six hours of that training involves working with residents who have memory care issues. If an administrator has not received this training previously, they need to complete it within two months of their hire. Direct care staff must either have a certificate as a nurse’s aide or successfully complete the approved 40-hour direct care staff training program provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Background checks for assisted living

All employees who work at a Virginia ALF must undergo a background check before hiring. Any individual with a felony or domestic violence conviction or offenses related to moral turpitude, such as sex crimes, is permanently barred from employment in a Virginia ALF.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Any allegation of elder abuse, including physical, sexual or emotional, financial abuse or caregiver neglect, must be reported under Virginia state law. Managers of ALF’s must notify the authorities about the alleged abuse, regardless of their opinions about the allegation’s credibility or the evidence. Staff members must be trained to recognize and report abuse and neglect cases.