Assisted Living near Richmond, VA

Assisted Living in Richmond

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living housing is a long-term senior care option that includes support for the activities of daily living such as meals, bathing, dressing and medication management. It is not the same as a nursing home, where residents can expect round-the-clock skilled nursing care. Every assisted living community has its own mix of services, amenities, activities and culture. Many also offer support for seniors with specific needs such as diabetes, incontinence care or the early stages of cognitive loss due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Assisted Living Vs. Memory Care

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, nearly one in four residents currently in assisted living in the state of Virginia have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. In addition, many assisted living communities offer support for residents with cognitive issues. So how do you know if designated memory care or simply assisted living is what your loved one needs?

Although many assisted living facilities offer memory care onsite, the two kinds of care are not the same. Memory care provides full-time specialized support for someone with dementia while assisted living is designed to meet the needs of people who need help with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing or eating. Assisted living can be a good option for people in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s but for those who have experienced wandering issues or who have caused harm to themselves or others, a secured memory care environment is probably a better choice.

If you have specific questions about what kind of care your loved one needs, talk to a physician. They can help you determine whether assisted living will work or if you need to search for memory care. You can also talk to one of our Senior Living Advisors. They have helped many families with questions about what kind of care is the best fit for their family member or friend and they can help you, too.

What Services Are Offered in Assisted Living?

While each facility is unique, most assisted living facilities offer a variety of living arrangements, a wide range of meal options, common areas and complimentary transportation, among other services and amenities. These include:

• Activities, entertainment and events, both on-site and off
• Exercise and wellness programs
• Housekeeping, including linen service
• Access to medical professionals

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Virginia

The state of Virginia offers exceptional access to its records for assisted living facilities through the Virginia Department of Social Services website. Data available to review includes the dates of inspection, whether an inspection was prompted by a complaint, whether the inspector found any violations and what the plan of correction was to address a violation. You can search by facility name or zip code to find the communities in the areas you are considering.

In the state of Virginia, assisted living facilities are required by law to:

• Allow only two people to live in one bedroom
• Provide handrails, non-skid surfaces and grab bars in every bathtub and shower
• Equip all bedrooms with connecting bathrooms with signaling devices that residents can use in case they need help.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Richmond?

According to the A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index, the average cost of assisted living in the greater Richmond, Virgina, metropolitan area in 2018 was $3,843. This is about 7% less than the average cost for assisted living in the state of Virginia, which cost $4,128 in 2018. Costs for assisted living can vary widely based on services, amenities and location, so it pays to look in nearby suburbs and towns if you have that flexibility.

The Senior Living Cost Index is based on the actual prices families pay when they move into assisted living and it is the only cost index of its kind. To learn more about senior living costs, visit the A Place for Mom Senior LIving Cost Planner.

How to Pay for Assisted Living

Many families finance a move to assisted living through the sale of a home or personal savings, but for some people, this may not be an option. Here are three other resources that may help you pay for assisted living:

• Veterans Benefits: Many seniors may qualify for veterans benefits that they don’t know about. One benefit in particular, Aid & Attendance, has helped thousands of families afford assisted living. To qualify, veterans must be at least 65 years old and have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during what the Veterans Administration considers active wartime periods. Qualifying widows and widowers of veterans may also be able to receive benefits. With the current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it to find out if your loved one may qualify for benefits. See our Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care for more details or contact the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to learn more or go to va.gov.
• Life Insurance Policies. If the senior you are helping move into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may be able to liquidate the policy and receive funds now. Different restrictions and regulations apply depending on the kind of policy you have, so contact a financial advisor or eldercare attorney to find out more about your options and to assess what’s best for your situation.
• Reverse Mortgages. For senior couples who may have different needs, a reverse mortgage can be a good way for one person to move into assisted living while another remains at home while his or her partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow against their home equity. For more information, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find a reverse mortgage counseling agency near you or contact the HUD Richmond Field Office.

For more ideas about how to finance your move to senior living, contact A Place for Mom to talk to a Senior Living Advisor today.

5 Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Facility

Finding the right assisted living facility is a big decision, both for a senior and for their family. Here are five things to consider when thinking about making the move to assisted living:

1. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Will this community provide your loved one with the support they need? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of one personal care assistant for each 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the community, so be sure to ask about the facilities you are looking for.
2. Is there outdoor space? For many residents making the transition from a private residence to assisted living means giving up a beloved garden or outdoor area, so having access to a gardening area, a patio or a courtyard is important. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of outdoor space, with features such as walking paths, gardens and BBQ spaces for community events.
3. How many staff are available to assist at night? Some assisted living facilities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while others may have more generalized help available after hours. In the state of Virginia, assisted living facilities are required to have a minimum of two direct care staff members awake and available at all times.
4. Is there a wait list? Popular communities can fill up fast. If the one you like is not available, inquire about the wait list and what the community’s policy is for managing it. Many communities will ask for a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special care needs. Here is where doing your homework can really pay off -- plan ahead!
5. What services are included in the monthly fee? Before signing the contract, it’s a good idea to understand what is included in the basic fee structure and what might incur additional cost. Some facilities employ a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they charge a monthly fee for rent and meals but additional costs for things like medication management. Others may use a tiered pricing model where different levels of care are charged different fees.

For more information about what to look for when visiting an assisted living community, download our Assisted Living Residence Checklist.

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility?

With so many options to choose from, finding the right assisted living community can seem like a daunting task. That’s where our Senior Living Advisors can help -- they are expert in helping match seniors to the facilities that are the best fit for their care needs, personality and budget.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during your search:

• Be sure to look for your loved one, not you. Today’s assisted living communities offer everything from homey environments to upscale resort-style luxury living. It can be easy to be swayed by the features and amenities you might choose for yourself, but ultimately it comes down to what will work best for your loved one.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Does your loved one need help bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited vision or special diets? Would they enjoy the benefits of a larger community or be more comfortable in a smaller, more intimate setting? Think about the here and now, not what might have been their choice ten or 15 years ago.
• Plan to tour at least three to five facilities, if you can. Start with scheduled tours and consider having a meal with the residents. If none of them seems like a good fit, ask your Senior Living Advisor for more options. And don’t hesitate to ask questions and take notes while you’re there.

The process of choosing the right assisted living community can be overwhelming, but there are resources that can help. Call A Place for Mom today -- we can help save you time and money and make sure you make the right choice.

About Senior Living in Richmond, Virginia

Virginia’s capital city offers more than 50 assisted living options to choose from, with a wide range of prices, styles and amenities. Whether you are looking for down-home atmosphere or resort-style living, you can find it in the greater Richmond area. Richmond boasts one of the oldest municipal park systems in the country and a long list of historic and cultural landmarks for easy day trips. The city is home to the Greater Richmond Agewave Coalition, which is dedicated to making Richmond a great place for people to age. For more information about services for seniors in the Richmond area, visit SeniorNavigator, a website that features links to community resources across Virginia that’s searchable by city or zipcode.