Assisted Living in Virginia

Assisted living communities in Virginia provide long-term housing and personalized support for older adults who need help with daily activities but still want to maintain an active lifestyle. The average monthly cost of assisted living in Virginia is $5,489, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.

From the historic neighborhoods of Alexandria near Washington, D.C., to the coastal charm of Chincoteague and the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia offers a wide range of settings for assisted living. These communities combine essential care services with opportunities for social connection, making them a strong option for seniors and families seeking both support and quality of life.

In Virginia, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $5,489 (or $65,868 per year) according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This cost, which reflects base room and board at our partner communities, is about $740 higher than the national monthly average of $4,752.

Many actors influence assisted living costs in Virginia, including:

• Level of care needs
• Room square footage
• In-room features, such as furniture, TV, and luxury finishes
• Amenities and services

In the mid-Atlantic region, Virginia’s cost of assisted living is comparable to that of other states. Communities in Washington, D.C., and West Virginia cost more, while those in Maryland and North Carolina offer some savings. Within the state, communities in cities that are close to the nation’s capital or to the beach, such as in Virginia Beach, charge about $400 per month more than those in areas like Richmond and the historic city of Fredericksburg.

Seniors who can live on their own will find savings at Virginia’s independent living communities.

Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?

In Virginia, most families use a combination of private funds and public programs to cover the costs associated with assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. For an in-depth look at different payment options, visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

Private pay options

When first moving into assisted living care in Virginia, seniors and their families commonly use private pay resources first. These include personal savings and retirement accounts, Social Security benefits, and funds from family. A health savings account can help pay for medical expenses, and long-term care insurance can help cover personal care costs, such as help with activities of daily living (ADLs).

VA benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several benefit programs that can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses offset the costs of assisted living. Because the process of applying for benefits can be challenging, many families find it helpful to seek benefits counseling and support. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) offers guidance and resources at nearly 40 offices throughout the state. Call 844-838-7838 or find a local office that can connect you to a benefits counselor.

Medicaid

As a joint program of the federal and state governments, Medicaid provides health insurance and other services to people who have low incomes and certain disabilities. The Medicaid program in Virginia is called Cardinal Care, and while it doesn’t cover room and board in assisted living, it can potentially cover the following for eligible residents:^[02]

• Rehabilitative services
• Medical care
• Prescription drugs
• Personal care services
• Eligible medical supplies
• Vision and hearing services

These services and others are covered in two ways in Virginia: through Cardinal Care’s program for the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) and through a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver. The Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver, known as CCC+, allows adults who would otherwise need a nursing home level of care to receive care in their community of choice, including assisted living.^[03] Unlike ABD Cardinal Care, which is an entitlement, there may be a waiting period for services provided through the CCC+ waiver.

For answers to questions about Virginia’s Cardinal Care programs, call 888-221-1590, or visit the CommonHelp portal online.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older. Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of room and board in assisted living in Virginia. However, seniors can use it to pay for medically necessary expenses, such as doctor’s visits, prescriptions, medical supplies, and more if they need them while residents of an assisted living community.^[04]

If you or your loved one has questions about Medicare options, contact a local area agency on aging, which provides the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), a source of free and unbiased benefits information and advice.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Department of Social Services (VDSS) is responsible for licensing and overseeing assisted living facilities. There are two types of licenses for communities that offer assisted living services: residential living facilities (RLFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs).^[05]

• RLFs provide residents with minimal help in completing ADLs. Residents in these communities may need assistance with medication administration but are generally able to live on their own.
• ALFs provide 24/7 supervision and more intensive help with ADLs, as well as care coordination with other care providers.

Both types of communities are inspected at licensure and on an annual basis thereafter. This and other assisted living regulations in Virginia are designed to ensure that residents receive safe, cost-effective care.^[05]

How to check license status and inspection reports for Virginia assisted living facilities

Access information about a community’s license status, as well as their inspection results, through the VDSS Assisted Living Facility Search Portal.

Why do licensure and inspection reports matter to families?

State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.

Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.