I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Hopewell, VA

Hopewell is an independent city in the Prince George County area of Virginia and is home to about 23,000 residents, nearly 16% of whom are aged 65 and over. Noted for its miles of scenic waterfront lined with boat launches and fishing spots, the peaceful Hopewell Riverwalk and cultural amenities such as the Beacon Theatre, Hopewell is a great option for your retirement years. Residents have access to the large Hopewell Library, which is part of the Appomattox Regional Library System, and cost-saving initiatives such as the Real Estate Tax Abatement Program. Age-friendly amenities at the Hopewell Community Center promote a social environment for older adults.

It’s among the most affordable places to live in Virginia with an overall cost of living that’s about 20% below the state and national averages, and the city’s low violent crime rates may provide you with peace of mind if you live alone. Summers are very warm with high temperatures in the 90s, and winters are chilly with lows around 30 degrees. These amenities and benefits may make the city an attractive option for older adults, particularly those who want to remain in their own homes throughout their retirement years.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Hopewell, VA

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home-based care in the Hopewell area costs approximately $4,671 per month. This rate applies to home care, which includes personal care services, companionship, transportation and meal planning and preparation, as well as home health care, which also includes limited skilled nursing services.

This monthly rate is based on 44 hours of care per week at a rate of $24.50 per hour. If you obtain free or low-cost services through local nonprofit organizations or you need less than six hours of daily assistance, then you may spend less per month on home-based care services.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

In Hopewell, seniors pay $4,671 for home care and home health care, which is high compared to the respective state medians of $4,195 and $4,385 and the national averages of $4,481 and $4,576. Hopewell is an affordable alternative to Charlottesville, where both types of care cost $5,148 per month. In Roanoke, agencies charge $4,338 for home care and $4,385 for home health care, and in Lynchburg, respective rates average $3,432 and $4,195. The cheapest surveyed city in the state for home-based care is Virginia Beach, where both levels of care cost $3,813 per month.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

Hopewell has a range of senior care options available depending on your budget and lifestyle preferences. Home-based services are among the most expensive options with agencies charging $4,671 for home care and home health care. You may save about $3,000 per month by obtaining services on weekdays in an adult day care setting, which provides personal care, meals, recreation and medical services for $1,679 per month. Assisted living is cheaper than home care at $3,645 and includes housing, meals, personal care and housekeeping services. The most expensive option is nursing home care, which costs approximately $9,064 per month for semiprivate accommodations.

Note: Data for Hopewell was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Richmond, was used instead.

III. How to Find Home Care in Hopewell, 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 Hopewell, VA.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Hopewell, VA

Crater District Area Agency on Aging

What You Should Know
The Crater District Area Agency on Aging is funded through the Older Americans Act and provides a broad range of services to older adults in Hopewell and the surrounding region. Through this agency, you can access mobility assistance programs, home-delivered and congregate meals and housing assistance. The agency has information and referral specialists who can help you access services in the community, and it offers options counseling to help you make informed decisions regarding your care. The agency also provides respite care and limited supplemental services.

Who Is Eligible?
Services through the Crater District AAA are available to those aged 60 and over who live within the agency’s service area. Individual programs may have additional requirements pertaining to income or functional needs.

How to Get Started
To find out more about available programs and eligibility criteria, you can call the agency’s main office at (804) 732-7020.

Feed More Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know
Feed More’s Meals on Wheels program serves 14 cities throughout the Richmond area, including Hopewell. This program provides you with home-delivered meals if you’re unable to shop for or prepare meals yourself due to age, injury or illness. Meals are prepared in the program’s state-of-the-art community kitchen and delivered by volunteers on Fridays between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The program also provides microwaves for those who don’t have a way to heat their meals, and it administers a range of services to meet your needs including box fans and air conditioning units, liquid nutritional supplements and connections to transportation services in the community.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re homebound, you qualify for Meals on Wheels regardless of whether you can pay. You must be unable to otherwise obtain food or prepare meals, either temporarily or on a long-term basis. You must also live within the program’s service area, which includes Hopewell and surrounding cities.

How to Get Started
To learn more about this program, you can call Feed More at (804) 521-2500, and you can apply for Meals on Wheels by submitting an online application.

Virginia Department of Veterans Services Petersburg Benefits Office

What You Should Know
The Virginia DVS’s Petersburg Benefits Office provides advocacy, assistance and referrals to those in the Hopewell region. Through this office, you can access local, state and federal benefits such as special license plates, hunting and fishing licenses and tax breaks. The office is staffed with benefits specialists who help you determine your eligibility and apply for programs that may help cover home care, including veterans’ and survivors’ pensions and the Aid and Attendance benefit. It can also help you obtain transportation, emergency financial assistance and medical services.

Who Is Eligible?
Veterans benefits are available to everyone who served in the military. For benefits such as pension programs, health insurance and Aid and Attendance, you must meet additional criteria.

How to Get Started
The benefits office provides services at American Legion Post 146 on City Point Road on Wednesdays by appointment only. You can schedule appointments on other weekdays at the main office in Petersburg, which is located about 10 miles south of Hopewell. To speak with a representative, call the office at (804) 691-4905 or (804) 773-0864.

Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People

What You Should Know
CAPUP is the Community Action Partnership in the Hopewell region. It administers a range of programs to those who meet eligibility requirements and operates the CAPUP Senior Center in Richmond, about 30 miles north of Hopewell. At this center, you can obtain nutritional assistance and health screenings. The center also hosts informational and educational classes in arts and crafts, health, money management and fitness.

Who Is Eligible?
As a senior living in the Hopewell area, you’re eligible for services offered through CAPUP.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs and services available through CAPUP, including eligibility information, call the main office at (804) 788-0050.

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 

What You Should Know
The Central Virginia Legal Aid Society is a regional nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to area residents aged 60 and over. Through this organization, you can get personalized help from licensed legal professionals who can assist you in obtaining public benefits that may cover home care, including Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The office can also help you resolve issues such as Social Security overpayments and denied health insurance claims, and it can advocate on your behalf in cases related to the quality of care you receive from a home care agency.

Who Is Eligible?
To get services through CVLAS, you must be at least 60 years old and live within the organization’s service area. The law firm only accepts civil legal cases.

How to Get Started
There are several intake phone numbers you can call to arrange services, including (800) 868-1012, (800) 390-9983 and (866) 534-5243. The agency requests that you leave only one message in one intake voice mailbox. Alternately, you can submit an online application.