I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Herndon, VA
Herndon is in Virginia’s Fairfax County and located within a half-hour’s drive of the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Just over 24,000 people live in this town, with roughly 2,400 of them over the age of 65. Herndon’s proximity to political power makes it quite expensive, with an overall cost of living that’s 50% higher than the U.S. average. Housing costs are also elevated at 133% over the U.S. average.
Some of those costs are offset by a sales tax rate of 6%, which is 1.3% below the national average. Fairfax County also allows certain seniors to apply for complete or partial property tax relief. The weather is fairly pleasant year-round in Herndon, with low humidity and mid-80s temperatures through the summer, and average highs remaining in the mid-40s through winter. Crime rates are slightly below national averages.
Herndon seniors have access to exceptional medical care from Inova Fairfax Hospital, ranked the top hospital in Virginia by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to garnering plaudits for its geriatrics and stroke care, it’s ranked sixth in the entire nation in gynecology. Herndon’s also home to VHC Health, ranked the eighth-best hospital in Virginia in the same report.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Herndon, VA
Genworth Financial reports that you can expect to pay an average of $5,339 per month for either in-home care or home health care if you live in Herndon. In some regions, home health care costs a bit more than in-home care, as home health care requires a higher level of medical assistance from your caregiver.
The estimate of $5,339 a month assumes that you’ll hire help for 44 hours a week, so your costs will rise or fall accordingly if your needs are greater or larger. The average hourly rate for home care in Herndon is $28.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Herndon’s in-home care is more expensive than most. Statewide, Virginia seniors pay an average of $4,767 monthly for in-home care and $4,954 for home health care. National costs are $4,957 for in-home care and $5,148 for home health care. Charlottesville is nearly $1,000 more expensive than Herndon at $6,292 for either type of care. Richmond seniors pay $5,148 monthly for in-home care and $5,243 monthly for home health care. In Lynchburg, it’s $4,185 monthly for the former and $4,290 monthly for the latter.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
There’s a wide price range for long-term care among Herndon’s options. Adult day care is the least expensive choice at $2,282, but its hours are limited. Assisted living provides round-the-clock access to help, but is slightly more expensive than in-home care at $5,948 a month. A semiprivate room in a nursing room brings with it the most robust supervision and medical care, but the average cost per month is in five digits at $11,467.
Note: Data for Herndon was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Washington, DC, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Herndon, VA
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 Herndon, VA.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Herndon, VA
Herndon Fortnightly Library to Go
What You Should Know
Herndon’s local library makes it easy for seniors to research, select and retrieve new reading material. By filling out a form detailing your reading preferences, you can have library staff choose books based on your interests; you can also request specific books. The branch’s librarians prepare your selections for pickup, and you or your caregiver can retrieve them within 72 hours of submitting an online request. The library offers regular-print reading material as well as large-print books, videos on DVD and audiobooks on CD.
Who Is Eligible?
Anybody who holds a Herndon Fortnightly library card can participate in the program. You may register for a free library card online.
How to Get Started
Complete the library’s online form or give the librarians a call at (703) 437-8855.
Statewide Senior Legal Helpline
What You Should Know
Run by the Virginia Poverty Law Center, this helpline provides free legal advice from experienced attorneys. Topics covered include entitlement programs, Medicaid and Social Security benefits, problems or concerns regarding quality of care, physical abuse, financial exploitation and age discrimination case. VPLC lawyers can also help direct you to resources in the event that your legal issues aren’t resolved by information from the helpline.
Who Is Eligible?
Virginia residents aged 60 and up may make use of this helpline.
How to Get Started
Call the helpline at (844) 802-5910.
Property Tax Relief
What You Should Know
The state of Virginia allows older residents who have a gross household income under $90,000 to qualify for income-based real estate tax relief. Seniors who have a gross household income under $60,000 may qualify for a complete waiving of real estate taxes. Those with a gross household income between $60,001 and $80,000 qualify to have their real estate taxes reduced by half, and those with a gross household income between $80,001 and $90,000 qualify for a 25% reduction.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re at least 65 years old or fully disabled, your gross household income is within the aforementioned ranges, and your household’s combined assets were under $400,000 in the previous year, you qualify for real estate tax relief. In most cases, you’ll need to submit your application previous to May 2 to receive this relief in that calendar year, although the deadline may be extended under certain circumstances.
How to Get Started
Call (703) 222-8234, download the online application or request an application via email from [email protected].
Fairfax County Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
This organization provides weekly delivery of meals for homebound Fairfax County seniors, with 11 meals provided every week. Meals on Wheels ensures that all meals are nutritious and healthy, and offers vegetarian-friendly meals for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. While there’s no cost for the service, you may make voluntary donations directly to the organization or through your delivery person.
Who Is Eligible?
You may participate in this program provided you’re at least 60 years of age and are unable to purchase or prepare your own food.
How to Get Started
Call Fairfax County Meals on Wheels at (703) 324-5409.
Home Repair for the Elderly
What You Should Know
This county program can help you make safety and accessibility-related upgrades to your home, as well as provide assistance with home repairs. Accessibility options may include the installation of railings, grab bars, ramps and other additions that make it easier to get around your home. General home repair options include window and door repair, plumbing work, gutter replacement and replacement of heating and cooling systems. Qualifying Fairfax County residents can get up to $1,000 in materials and a week’s worth of labor free of charge.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for this program, you must live in Fairfax County, you must be the owner and a resident of the home in question, and you must be at least 62 years old or have a disabled family member living with you.
There are also financial eligibility income limits based on the number of people in the household. As of 2022, limits start at $57,650 for a single-person household and increase by roughly $8,000 for each additional member. For example, a four-person household would have a total income limit of $82,300, while an eight-person household would have a total income limit of $108,650.
In addition, unless your household income is under $10,000, your current housing costs must be at least 25% of that household income. Your other assets, such as savings accounts, are also relevant; the first $20,000 has no impact, but a percentage of your assets over $20,000 are considered to be income for the purposes of determining program eligibility.
How to Get Started
Apply online on Fairfax County’s website, call (703) 246-5179 or email [email protected].