The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Portsmouth, VA for 2024
Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Portsmouth, VA, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 23 options below.
Home Care Services in Portsmouth, Virginia
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Paying for Home Care in Portsmouth, VA
The Cost of Home Care in Portsmouth, VA
As part of the Hampton Roads metro, Portsmouth shares similar home care costs with the Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News area at $4,767 per month. According to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, Portsmouth is average-priced in Virginia, as it’s also on par with the state average, and nearly $200 below the U.S. median of $4,957. State capital Richmond, at $5,148, is nearly $400 more expensive. In Central Virginia, Charlottesville, at $6,292, costs Portsmouth seniors over $1,500 more per month, while Lynchburg, at $4,185, is more affordable by about $600.
Portsmouth
$4,767
Virginia
$4,767
The United States
$4,957
Richmond
$5,148
Charlottesville
$6,292
Lynchburg
$4,185
Greenville, NC
$4,004
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Portsmouth, VA
Home care shares similar costs with home health care, at $4,767 per month, with the latter option involving licensed health aide support. Assisted living is slightly more affordable at $4,690 and covers accommodations, meals and round-the-clock supervision. Nursing home care costs the highest at $8,410, as it pays for 24-hour skilled clinical services. Seniors who are able to receive nonresidential care may consider adult day health care, which is the cheapest option at $1,690 per month.
Home Care
$4,767
Home Health Care
$4,767
Adult Day Care
$1,690
Assisted Living
$4,690
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
$8,410
Note: Data for Portsmouth was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Virginia Beach, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Portsmouth, VA
Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
- Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
- Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
- Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
- Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.
Portsmouth Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Portsmouth:
Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
---|---|---|---|
I-Ride Transit | (757) 222-4513 | SSSV Transportation Department, Interstate Corporate Center 6350 Center Drive, Building 5, Suite 101, Norfolk, VA 23502 | Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia provides this inexpensive transportation option for seniors in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. Fares are as low as $1 on fixed routes, and transportation to the Western Tidewater Free Clinic in Suffolk is available three days a week. Seniors 60 years and older and anyone who is disabled can schedule a ride to see their doctor, and the suggested $4 payment is voluntary. |
East Ocean View Community and Senior Center | (757) 441-1785 | 9520 20th Bay Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23518 | This facility is a community center that serves all ages. There’s a gym with a locker room to help seniors keep up with exercise, and the center hosts multi-generational activities such as beading class and chess tournaments. Senior coffee hour is held four mornings a week, and retirees can also enjoy fishing at the adjacent pier with no fishing license required. The complex includes picnic shelters on the water, and adventurous seniors can even rent canoes or kayaks. |
Primeplus Norfolk Senior Center | (757) 625-5857 | 7300 Newport Avenue, #100, Norfolk, VA 23505 | This United Way-sponsored senior center in nearby Norfolk is designed to meet the recreational and health needs of local seniors. Over 50 different fitness classes are offered, and seniors can choose activities that match their interests and fitness levels. Classes in art, music and dance help seniors stay active and in their own homes for as long as possible. Health screenings and seminars are also held regularly. Access to all programs at the senior center is $120 a year per person, with a limited number of free or discounted memberships based on need. |
Virginia Office of Aging Services | (800) 522-3402 | 1610 Forest Avenue, Suite 100, Henrico, Virginia 23229 | This state organization helps seniors remain independent and healthy. The organization sponsors a number of free services: |
Portsmouth Real Estate Abatement Program | (757) 393-8000 | Portsmouth City Hall, 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 | Portsmouth has a senior/disabled property tax abatement for residents who meet these criteria: |
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
![Checklist for determining the need for in-home care](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdlyhjlf6lts50.cloudfront.net%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F04%2FHome_Care_Checklist_Preview-1.png&w=256&q=75)
![Checklist for determining the need for in-home care](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdlyhjlf6lts50.cloudfront.net%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F04%2FHome_Care_Checklist_Preview-1.png&w=256&q=75)
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
![Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdlyhjlf6lts50.cloudfront.net%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F04%2FTalking_With_Family_Preview.png&w=256&q=75)
![Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdlyhjlf6lts50.cloudfront.net%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F04%2FTalking_With_Family_Preview.png&w=256&q=75)