Assisted Living in Virginia

Assisted living facilities in Virginia offer long-term housing and care for older adults who are generally active in their day-to-day life. The median starting cost of assisted living in Virginia is around $5,100 per month or $61,200 annually, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from its brand partners in the state.^[01] With the commonwealth’s geographic variety, assisted living communities in Virginia can be a great fit for seniors looking for proximity to Washington, D.C., picturesque beaches, or the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

In Virginia, the median monthly cost of assisted living is about $5,100, according to A Place for Mom’s internal data from its brand partners. However, assisted living in the commonwealth is only slightly more expensive compared to the national median monthly cost of assisted living in the U.S., which is about $4,800.^[01] However, this is in line with the higher cost of living in the state, especially in areas near large metros and tourist attractions.

When you take a look at assisted living expenses in Virginia, it’s generally a good idea to look at median costs instead of average costs. Medians normally aren’t influenced by extreme values, such as amenities-focused, luxury communities outside of Washington, D.C., or high-end communities near Virginia’s beaches.

It’s normal for there to be a significant variation of assisted living costs in the commonwealth. The lower 10th percentile monthly cost in Virginia is about $3,000, while the 90th percentile monthly cost is around $8,000 per month.^[01]

It’s important to understand the many different factors that influence assisted living costs in Virginia. One key factor is the level of care needed by a specific resident. The following may also play a role in pricing for assisted living in the commonwealth:

• Proximity to Washington, D.C.
• Proximity to tourist destinations, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia Beach
• Room square footage
• In-room features, such as provided furniture, complementary cable TV, and luxury finishes
• Amenities and services available in the community

In Virginia, assisted living communities tend to be more budget-friendly in rural, low-population density areas than those located near the nation’s capital in northern Virginia (NOVA). Regardless of where you choose to live in Virginia, it can feel like sticker shock when seeing the price of assisted living communities. However, there are many options for paying for assisted living. In fact, it’s possible for senior Virginians to qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, which can help cover the expenses related to assisted living in the commonwealth.

When considering assisted living in Virginia, plan ahead and figure out your loved one’s budget prior to needing care. Some Virginians can potentially combine private and public pay options to cover assisted living expenses. In the sections below, you can learn about the different ways families can pay for assisted living expenses in Virginia. To take a deeper dive into payment options, visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

In the commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) oversees Virginia’s assisted living facilities. The requirements outlined in Virginia’s Assisted Living Rules and Regulations are to be followed by assisted living communities operating in Virginia.^[02] These communities are typically subject to periodic inspections by commonwealth and local authorities as outlined in Virginia’s regulations.

You can access publicly available information about assisted living facilities in Virginia by using the VDSS’s Assisted Living Facility Search Portal. It’s worth noting that the commonwealth does not guarantee that the information available through their system is accurate, up-to-date, or complete.

When you’re looking at assisted living facilities, it’s important to realize that your loved one’s situation, needs, and preferences are unique. If you’re interested in your loved one living in a community with specific amenities and services, it’s a good idea to ask prospective assisted living facilities about these during a tour or exploratory phone call.

Moving into assisted living doesn’t mean that seniors lose their autonomy and independence. In the commonwealth, the above rules and regulations outline resident rights in assisted living communities. These rights include but are not limited to the following:

• Residents have the right to voice or file grievances.
• Residents can continue to exercise their rights as a resident and a citizen throughout their time in an assisted living community.
• Residents can expect their records to be kept confidential and stored in line with the commonwealth’s regulations.
• Residents can expect to have freedom of movement between their private units and public spaces in the community.^[02]

For further peace of mind, ask prospective communities about their policies and how they might affect your loved one. Remember: It’s always OK to ask questions when you’re determining if an assisted living community is a good fit for your loved one.

State licensing in Virginia

We developed a system to rate each state on how easy — or difficult — it is to find important assisted living records and reports, and we compiled tips to help you in your search.

States with the most transparent records allow you to look up important information about each assisted living facility online, including inspections, complaints, survey results, violations, capacity, and whether the facility accepts Medicaid.

Access to Virginia assisted living records: Exceptional

Public access to assisted living records and reports for the Commonwealth of Virginia is exceptional. A key findings that informed this rating is that Virginia has records of assisted living complaints and violations dating back to 2003.

How to look up Virginia assisted living licenses and records

• Use VDSS’s Assisted Living Facility Search Form to find records about providers.
• Narrow your search using facility name, location, ZIP code, or special services offered.
• From the results page, click a community’s name for more information, including access to all inspections reports.

How we arrived at our Virginia rating

We developed a standard methodology for state data collection and evaluation, and we based our rating primarily on the objective, state-specific accessibility criteria outlined in these questions:

1. Are licensed assisted living communities listed online in any form? Yes
2. If Yes to #1, is the information updated frequently? Yes
3. If Yes to #1, is the list of licensed communities searchable? Yes
4. Does the state post inspections, complaints, survey results, or violations online? Yes
5. If Yes to #4, is the information updated frequently (within 90 days)? Yes
6. If Yes to #2 and #4, is the enforcement information included in the same place as licensed communities? Yes
7. If Yes to #4 and No to #6, are violations and inspections searchable at all? Yes or N/A
8. Is information about special licensing for care shown? No
9. Is capacity shown? Yes
10. Are payment types shown (e.g., Medicaid, private pay)? No
11. Is the administrator/contact name shown? Yes
12. Can the state fine a facility? Yes
13. What is the frequency of inspections? Every 12 months
14. Does the website include pricing of facilities? No