1 Assisted Living Community in Chester, Virginia

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,048 per month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 1 Assisted Living Community in Chester and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Chester, VA

• Assisted Living: $5,048
• Nursing Home Care: $7,917
• In-home Care: $3,813
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,452

In Chester, Virginia, seniors pay an average of $5,048 per month for assisted living. This is according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, which reveals that the city has the highest assisted living costs in the state. Local rates are approximately $500 higher than the state average of $4,451 and more than $1,000 above the $4,000 national average. Seniors in the Virginia Beach area pay the second highest amount in the state at $4,676, while seniors Harrisonburg ($4,100), Staunton ($4,250) and Lynchburg ($3,695) pay significantly less.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Chester, so data from nearby Richmond was used instead.

The cost of senior care in Chester varies significantly depending on the type of assistance the person requires. At the low end, adult day health services, where seniors receive care during the day at a center outside the home, cost $1,452 per month on average. Home health care, including homemaker services and home health aides, costs more at $3,813 per month followed by assisted living at $5,048 per month. It should be noted, however, that while the fees for care received in an assisted living facility often cover room, board and utilities, home health care services do not include these expenses. The most expensive type of senior care in Chester is full-time skilled nursing home care at $7,917 per month.

 

Virginia Medicaid provides eligible low-income residents of all ages with free and low-cost health care coverage. Medicaid services and eligibility requirements vary slightly for disabled individuals, children, pregnant women and adults who are under or over age 65. General Medicaid services, known as essential health benefits, are available to all Medicaid participants and include:

• Doctor and hospital visits
• Mental health care
• Prescription drugs
• Mental health care
• Laboratory services
• Emergency services

Regular Medicaid is available to Virginians who are aged 65 or older, blind, disabled or receive Supplemental Security Income. To qualify for these benefits, individuals must:

• Earn no more than $832.66 (individual) or $1,127.33 (couple applying jointly) per month
• Have assets totalling no more than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple applying jointly), not including certain items, such as one’s home, primary vehicle or personal belongings

Seniors who require long-term supports in a nursing home, assisted living facility or intermediate care facility for the intellectually disabled may qualify for additional Medicaid benefits. These individuals must require nursing home care or need assistance with at least two activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing or bathing. They must also meet the following income and assets limits:

• Earn monthly income of no more than $2,313 (individual) or $4,626 (couple applying jointly)
• Have assets totalling no more than $2,000 (individual) or $4,000 (couple applying jointly), not including one’s home, primary vehicle or personal belongings

If only one spouse is applying, the non-applicant is allowed to keep joint assets of up to $126,420 and the applicant is allowed to retain the previously noted asset amount of $2,000. Chester seniors can apply for Medicaid online or by calling (855) 242-8282.

Commonwealth Coordinated Care Waiver

The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver is a home and community-based waiver assisting seniors and people with disabilities who wish to receive long-term care in the community rather than in a nursing home. This waiver combines two previous programs, the Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction waiver and the Assisted Technology waiver.

To qualify for CCC, seniors must receive Medicaid long-term care and:

• Be at least 65 years old and have medical and/or nursing needs
• Be under 65 years old, have a disability and medical or nursing needs

CCC services include:

• Adult day care
• Personal care services
• Respite care
• Medication monitoring and management
• Transition services and coordination
• A personal emergency response system
• Consumer-directed care

Chester residents interested in applying for CCC must complete a screening assessment. To begin the process, they should contact the Chesterfield County Department of Social Services at (804) 748-1100.

Auxiliary Grants

Virginia residents who are aged, blind, disabled or receive SSI and live in an assisted living facility may receive additional financial assistance in the form of an Auxiliary Grant. Funds from the AG cover:

• Rent to cover a furnished room in a qualified facility

• Meals

• Cleaning services

• Personal care

• Medication administration

• Assistance with activities of daily living

• Generic toiletries

• Recreational activities

• Transportation for medical needs and appointments

• A monthly allowance for personal needs

To qualify for AG, seniors must meet the following conditions:

• Be at least 65 years old, blind or disabled

• Have been a Virginia resident for at least 90 days

• Fall below the current AG income limit

• Have assets totalling no more than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (married couple)

To apply for AG, interested seniors can contact the Chesterfield County Department of Social Services for an assessment at (804) 748-1100.

Elderlife Financial Bridge Loans

Seniors in Chester who are seeking short-term assistance paying for assisted living may be interested in an Elderlife Financial Bridge Loan. These loans have terms of up to 12 months and can be used to pay for assisted living costs, such as room, board and move-in fees.

Due to the loan’s short-term nature, applicants should have a long-term financial plan in place before applying. According to Elderlife, the application process can take as little as 20 minutes. To determine an applicant’s eligibility, Elderlife examines income and asset information as well as credit scores. Those with a low credit score may still qualify if they apply with co-applicants, which Elderlife allows.

The interest rate for these loans is currently prime plus 4.74%, and recipients can request that varying amounts be sent to a health care facility of their choice as needed. To apply for a bridge loan, Chester seniors should call (888) 228-4500 or complete an online application.

The Richmond Vet Center and the VDVS serve Chesterfield County veterans by offering bereavement support, individual and group counseling as well as benefits referrals. The Disabled American Veterans organization provides vets with volunteer opportunities and community outreach programs.

Disabled American Veterans
6221 Newbys Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 745-3453

Richmond Vet Center
4902 Fitzhugh Ave., Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 353-8958

Virginia Department of Veterans Services Headquarters
101 N. 14th St., Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-0286

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