Located in Loudoun County, Virginia, Ashburn is a thriving census-designated place located just 26 miles west of Washington, DC. Ashburn ranked 5th on Money’s Best Places to Live 2021 list, thanks in part to the abundance of parks, independent restaurants and services in the area. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 14.5 percent of Ashburn’s population, which currently sits at just over 46,000.
There are a number of top-ranked hospitals and medical centers in Loudoun County, including Inova Loudoun Hospital. This modern facility was recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as one of the best regional hospitals, and one of the nation’s best hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery. Comprehensive acute and emergency care is also available at the StoneSprings Hospital Center, which offers specialized stroke care, rehabilitation and women’s care.
Ashburn is an ideal place for seniors who want to age-in-place at home while enjoying easy access to health care services and a mix of small-town charm and urban amenities.
According to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care and home health care services in Ashburn cost an average of $5,339 per month. Home care includes nonmedical assistance with day-to-day activities, while home health care is designed for individuals who need rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.
The figures listed by Genworth are based on 44 hours of care weekly. This works out to a weekly average rate of $1,232, and an hourly average of $28.
At a monthly average of $5,339, home care and home health care rates in Ashburn are well above the statewide average of $4,767 and $4,954. To the southeast, seniors in Richmond pay about $5,148 for home care and $5,243 for home health services. In Charlottesville, either type of care costs about $6,292 per month. Rates in Virginia Beach are notably lower at $4,767 for home care or home health care services.
In Ashburn, median home care and home health care rates are below the median rate for assisted living, $5,948. Adult day care is the lowest-priced senior care option at $2,282 per month, while a semiprivate room in a nursing home costs an average of $11,467.
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Ashburn, VA.
What You Should Know
The Home-Delivered Meals Program is a nutritional support program for homebound seniors who need help maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, and who can’t participate in community-based congregate dining programs.
Also known as Meals on Wheels, this program can provide you with a hot, home-delivered midday meal each weekday, plus extra frozen heat-and-serve meals to use on the weekends. Volunteer drivers distribute the meals, and each delivery includes a hot entree, a portion of fruit and vegetables, bread and milk.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for the Home-Delivered Meals Program, you need to be a resident of Loudoun County who’s aged 60 or older. You’ll also need to complete a free in-home assessment through the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging to make sure this program is right for you.
Seniors who can afford to donate towards their meal costs are encouraged to do so, but no eligible senior is ever turned away for financial reasons.
How to Get Started
To find out more about the Home-Delivered Meals Program, call (703) 777-0257.
What You Should Know
Keeping up with home maintenance projects can be a challenge, especially if you’re a senior living on a fixed income. Loudoun Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program helps low and moderate-income homeowners by providing homeowners with low-cost home repairs completed by volunteers and contractors.
You may be able to use this program to resolve outstanding code violations and make your home more accessible. Other eligible projects include minor electrical and plumbing repairs; replacement of broken windows; fixing holes in floors and drywall; and eliminating trip-and-fall hazards around your home.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance through the Home Repair Program, you need to have owned and occupied your home for at least one year, and you should plan on remaining in your home for at least three more years.
You also need to be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent residency. Your household income must be less than 60 percent of Loudoun County’s median household income, and you’ll need to agree to pay back a portion of the material costs.
How to Get Started
To contact the Home Repair Program coordinator, call (703) 737-6772.
What You Should Know
The Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging provides free case management services to seniors aged 60 and older who need help accessing home care services, government benefit programs and long-term care.
Case managers can help you and your loved ones understand the various supports available to older adults. These supports may include help with transportation to medical appointments, assistance with prescription drug costs, and resources for individuals who have chronic health conditions.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for case management services through the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging, you need to be a resident of Loudoun County who’s at least 60 years old.
How to Get Started
To book an appointment with a case manager, call (703) 777-0257.
What You Should Know
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally-funded initiative designed to help reduce household energy costs. In Loudoun County, the WAP is administered by Community Housing Partners through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Free services available through the WAP include a comprehensive home energy audit to locate air leaks, problems with your heating and cooling system, and areas in your home that need additional insulation. WAP contractors will then complete repairs to improve the energy-efficiency of your home, such as adding weatherstripping around doors and windows; repairing your HVAC system; and upgrading the insulation in your attic and walls.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for free weatherization services through the WAP, you need to have an annual household income of $35,592 or less if you live alone, or $46,544 if you share your home with another adult.
How to Get Started
For more information on the Weatherization Assistance Program, call Community Housing Partners at (540) 382-2002.
What You Should Know
Loudon county homeowners aged 65 and older, and any homeowner with a qualifying permanent disability, may be eligible for an exemption on their property taxes for their owner-occupied home and up to three acres of land.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for a 100 percent exemption, your maximum gross annual household income must be below $77,000, and your net financial worth must not exceed $440,000. Seniors with assets valued over $440,000 may be eligible for a 50 percent tax exemption if their household income is at or below $70,000 per year.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Loudoun County Real Property Tax Exemption, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue, Exemptions and Deferrals Division at (703) 737-8557.