Overview of Virginia Assisted Living

With one of its cities, Jamestown, being the birthplace of a nation, the Commonwealth of Virginia is also known as the “Old Dominion.” The state is host to a number of state parks and gorgeous landmarks, and the major cities of Jamestown, Richmond and Arlington provide great tourist destinations, including the historic Jamestown Settlement, Civil War Trails and the Pentagon.

As of 2010, the population of Virginia was just over eight million residents, making it the twelfth most populated state in the country. Virginia is both busy and bustling, and plays host to a deeply rooted and historic culture. With so many places to explore, assisted living in Virginia promises there will never be a dull moment.

The average cost of assisted living in Virginia is $3,933 per month. This is higher than the national average which is $2,877 per month.

 

Assisted living facilities in Virginia are more commonly known as “adult care facilities.” The Virginia Department of Social Services defines adult care facilities as:

“Any congregate residential setting that provides or coordinates personal and health care services, 24-hour supervision, and assistance (scheduled and unscheduled) for the maintenance or care of four or more adults who are aged, infirm or disabled and who are cared for in a primarily residential setting” (22 VAC 40-72-10).

Unlike nursing homes, adult care facilities do not provide ongoing, medical-based care for dependent patients, and are not monitored by the Virginia Department of Health. They are also unlike retirement communities, where seniors live independently and without any additional support. You can find retirement communities in Virginia in our Retirement Communities category.

Rather, adult care facilities offer a level of independence greater than that of a nursing home, while still providing assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, toileting, dressing and administering medication. You can find nursing homes in Virginia in our Nursing Homes category.

Assisted living in Virginia is regulated by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services is responsible for administering licenses to assisted living homes, as well as for investigating allegations of abuse. To obtain a license in Virginia, an assisted living community must fulfill two basic requirements:

• Provide coordinated healthcare for four or more aged or disabled residents
• Offer 24-hour supervision

Every assisted living facility employee must undergo a background check, including the completion of a criminal history report. When obtaining a license, and during annual review, the facility itself (including food service and sewage disposal) is inspected by local health authorities.

All adult care facilities must renew their license every one to three years. Additionally, to ensure a quality facility, each community is inspected twice (at least once unannounced) within six months after applying for a license.

In February 2011, House Joint Resolution No. 580 authorized the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the feasibility of third-party payments for assisted living services. These third-party payments are in the form of auxiliary grants funded by state general fund or local funds. In 2009, of the 561 assisted living facilities in Virginia, just over 300 facilities accepted individuals who received auxiliary grants.

The following year, House Bill 1211 was enacted, allowing assisted living facilities and adult foster care homes to accept payments from third parties for certain goods and services provided to auxiliary grant recipients. Also included in the bill is the requirement that these facilities must provide an auxiliary grant recipient a list of goods and services that are covered under the auxiliary grant payment and that the resident will not be charged extra for these goods and services.

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.