How Many Assisted Living Facilities Are in Virginia?

There are currently 558 assisted living facilities in Virginia. Assisted living typically includes services like help with personal care tasks, medication management and housekeeping and laundry. Some communities are quite small, with only a few residents in a private home environment. Others are much larger, with a variety of apartment choices and common areas for socialization and activities.

Assisted living is one of the most flexible care options for seniors. When new residents move into an assisted living facility, they work closely with staff members to create a personalized care plan. This identifies the services residents need as well as the proper level of care. Most of the time, seniors can choose to receive help only in the areas they require — perhaps assistance with showering or weekly housekeeping or medication reminders. This flexibility can also help seniors stay within their budget.

Assisted living allows for flexibility in living arrangements and activities too. Many communities provide several apartment floor plans so that seniors can choose the one that suits their space and budget needs. Most assisted living facilities also offer a wide variety of activities to keep residents busy and engaged. Seniors can get competitive with games, enjoy musical entertainment and social hours and pursue personal interests through crafts and classes. They can even gather for exercise sessions and join clubs, if they choose. There is usually something available for each resident’s tastes.

Choosing the right assisted living community is important for seniors’ ongoing well-being. The process should begin with research to learn about local facilities’ care offerings, amenities and activities. Reviews from current residents and their families provide important information about other seniors’ experiences.

When seniors and their families decide on two to four possible communities that seem like a good fit, they should contact those facilities and set up appointments to visit. A visit will allow potential residents to tour each community, talk to current residents, get a price quote and even participate in activities. It may also be a good idea to eat lunch at each community to get an idea of the quality of the food. Seniors should come to each visit with a list of questions. With this meticulous preparation, seniors will be better able to choose the right place to call home.