Cost of Assisted Living in Richmond, Virginia

Page Reviewed / Updated - April 26, 2024

In Richmond, the Medicaid program is available for eligible seniors who are low-income and in need of aging services. Continue reading to see detailed descriptions and contact information for programs that help pay for the cost of senior care. You can also read our guide to paying for senior care in Virginia for more extensive information on state programs and other resources. 

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Richmond

In Richmond, costs of senior care cost more across the board than in other areas of Virginia. Assisted living costs $5,916 a month on average, which is very expensive compared to the state average of $4,451. According to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Long Term Care Study, nursing home care, and adult day services all run around $500 more than the state averages. Home care is the same price as the state average at $3,813.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Richmond?

In Richmond, assisted living costs are the highest in the state at $5,048 monthly on average. Nearby Charlottesville is significantly less, at $4,577 a month. The least expensive areas for assisted living in Virginia are those lesser populated places that comprise the rest of the state, which averages at $3,238 a month.   

How much does Home Care Cost in Richmond?

Home care costs in Richmond average at $3,813 a month, which is also the state average. The more affordable areas include Virginia Beach at $3,623 and Roanoke at $3,384. The rest of the state averages at the lowest cost overall at $3,337, indicating home care can be found more affordably in towns with smaller populations.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Richmond?

Adult day health costs vary across the state of Virginia, and Richmond falls in the middle at an average of $1,452 a month. The state average is slightly higher at $1,517 monthly. The most expensive area for day services is nearby Charlottesville, averaging at $1,733. More affordable areas include Harrisonburg at $1,224 on average and the Blacksburg area, which averages at $1,203 a month. The rest of the state averages in this range as well, at $1,235.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Richmond?

The monthly average price of living in a nursing home varies widely across the state. Winchester, in the north, comes in as the most expensive for a semi-private nursing home room at $10,129. Prices drop considerably in other cities – the state average is only $7,452 and cities outside of more heavily populated areas average at $6,692 a month.

Financial Assistance Programs in Richmond

Virginia Medicaid Commonwealth Coordinated Care+ Waiver

The Medicaid program for seniors in Virginia is called the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus program. Eligible elders can apply for this home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver, though there may be a waitlist to receive assistance paying for services. This program provides long-term care services including:

• Personal care help with grooming, bathing, eating, and chores

• Skilled nurses

• Home modifications and durable medical equipment to help a person stay at home

This program is designed after the federal Money Follows The Person program, which was created to give elders in need of aging care the freedom to choose any service provider that costs as much as the classical model, a nursing home placement, would. In order to receive services through this waiver, a person must:

• Be considered part of the ABD population by being age 65 or older, blind, or disabled

• Meet federal income standards – aged adults may earn up to 80% of the area median income, which is $3,883 a month in 2019, though Medicare recipients are subject to different limitations

• Be determined to need a nursing home level care by needing help with at least two activities of daily living (ADL) and/or personal care services like cooking

To apply, visit the Richmond Department of Social Services website or call 1-855-242-8282 to find out more about services, eligibility, and how to apply.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Program

The Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, better known as PACE, provides aging services to income-eligible seniors in Richmond, including:

• Day health programs and social service referrals

• In-home care as well as care received while in a nursing home

• Medical care, including medications, dental, and radiology

• Transportation services

Services are not provided for people who require a private duty nurse unless it is medically required or live in a private room in a nursing home. To qualify, applicants need to be eligible for either Medicaid or Medicare, be age 55 or older, and need nursing home level care.

The PACE provider in Richmond is InnovAge, you can visit their website or call (844) 704-9613.

Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) Waiver

The Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) waiver, which does not currently have a waitlist, provides long-term care services for elders living in-home that meet financial requirements. Services provided include adult day health costs, personal care, and respite services. The program also pays for Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) and transition assistance, for those who need to move into or out of a higher-care facility.  

To qualify for this waiver, a person must not be living in an assisted living facility or nursing home but may be on a waiting list to receive long-term care services through another waiver and still receive EDCD services. Applicants that receive SSI may earn up to 300% of the area median income, which is $249,600 annually or $20,800 a month in 2018.

More Senior Living Resources in Richmond

Central Virginia Housing Authority

There may be opportunities to rent low-income available through the Central Virginia Housing Authority. Priority is often given to elders and those with disabilities. Call (804) 780-4200 to inquire about current openings for applications.

Many apartment buildings have been federally subsidized to provide rent to low-income seniors. In many cases, there are waiting lists for subsidized apartments. It is best to apply as early as possible. There are income limitations for subsidized apartments- you can find out the exact requirements for applying to rent a property by calling the numbers listed below.