I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Midlothian, VA
Midlothian is a small, unincorporated former coal town located about 14.5 miles west of Richmond, VA, via US-60 in Chesterfield County. The latest data shows that Chesterfield County is home to just over 352,000 residents, and seniors aged 65 and older make up about 15% of the county’s population.
Thanks to its proximity to the state capital, Richmond, Midlothian has become popular among those seeking a quiet, friendly suburban home that offers easy access to urban amenities and services. Seniors in Midlothian are close to a number of top-ranked health care centers including the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, and the Chippenham Hospital.
If you enjoy staying active, you’ll find plenty of parks and museums to explore in Midlothian and the surrounding areas. The 44-acre Mid-Lothian Mines Park pays homage to the area’s mining heritage, and you can explore the cut stone mine ruins and historical markers along the park’s level, well-marked walking paths. A number of shopping centers are located nearby, including the sprawling Chesterfield Towne Center, which features more than 100 stores and restaurants.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Midlothian, VA
On average, seniors in the Midlothian area pay about $4,671 per month for home care services. Home health care also costs around $4,671 per month despite the fact that this type of care includes some basic medical services such as ostomy care, catheterization and diabetes care.
These average monthly rates are based on 44 hours of care per week, which means the average hourly rate for either home care or home health care in Midlothian works out to approximately $24.50. You can get an idea of what your home care costs will be by multiplying this hourly rate by the number of hours of care you think you need each week, or month.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Rates for home care and home health care services in Midlothian are slightly above the statewide average of $4,195 and $4,385 respectively, and the same as rates in nearby Harrisonburg. Southeast of Midlothian, seniors in Virginia Beach can expect to pay about $3,813 per month for either type of in-home care. In nearby Charlottesville, rates are notably higher at $5,148 per month for home care and home health care services.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Midlothian, in-home care costs are higher than assisted living, which runs around $3,645 per month. Adult day care services are the least expensive type of senior care at an average cost of $1,679 per month, while nursing home care is the costliest at $9,064 per month.
Note: Data for Midlothian was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Richmond, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, VA.
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 Midlothian, VA
Feed More Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a low-cost, nonprofit home meal delivery service designed to help homebound adults meet their nutritional needs. This program provides participants with a home-delivered, hot noontime meal each weekday, and additional heat-and-serve meals can be ordered for use on weekends and holidays.
In addition to operating a meal delivery service, Meals on Wheels helps seniors remain independent by providing free microwaves to clients in need, distributing donated fans and air conditioners to those at risk of heat-related illnesses during the summer months, and delivering pet food to clients who own cats or dogs. Meals on Wheels case managers can also help with medical supplies, medication costs and liquid nutritional supplements such as Ensure for those who are undergoing cancer treatments.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Feed More Meals on Wheels program, you need to be at least 18 years old, be housebound on a temporary or permanent basis, and have few options when it comes to accessing healthy, prepared meals.
The program has no financial criteria, so you can enroll in the service regardless of your income. You will be asked to contribute towards your meal costs on a sliding scale basis if you’re willing and able to do so. If you can’t pay, you’ll still be able to receive meals paid for through donations and sponsors, and Meals on Wheels also accepts SNAP (food stamps).
How to Get Started
To apply for Meals on Wheels service in Midlothian and throughout Chesterfield County, call (804) 673-5035.
Chesterfield County Mobility Services
Chesterfield County’s Mobility Services program provides enhanced public transportation services for seniors, people living with mobility barriers, and low-income individuals. All transit vehicles are barrier-free and equipped with wheelchair lifts to accommodate riders who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers.
These services include Access Chesterfield, a reservation-based, shared ride transportation service that operates county-wide. Its curb-to-curb service can be used to travel to medical appointments or for employment purposes. Access on Demand is a taxi-style service that can be booked up to two hours in advance, and used to travel to any destination within the service area. Medical and employment-related trips can be booked 24/7, while service for any other purpose can be scheduled Monday through Saturday.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify to use either Chesterfield County Mobility Services program, you must be either aged 60 or older, have a temporary or permanent disability or reside in a low-income household.
How to Get Started
All riders must preregister with Mobility Services before reserving a ride. You can register by calling (804) 706-2796.
Real Estate Tax Relief
If you’re having difficulty paying your property taxes, you may qualify for one of the real estate tax relief programs available to Chesterfield County homeowners.
The Elderly and Disabled program is a property tax relief program for senior homeowners aged 65 and older, as well as homeowners who are permanently disabled with a qualifying disability. Two tax relief programs are available for veterans and their families: the Surviving Spouse Exemption for survivors of armed forces members who were killed in action and the Virginia Veterans real estate tax exemption for vets with a 100% service-related disability.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Elderly and Disabled program, you need to own and occupy your own house, which may be a mobile home, and you must be aged 65 and older. Your annual income must not exceed $52,000, and your total assets, excluding your home, must be worth less than $350,000.
For the Surviving Spouse or Veterans programs, you must be either a survivor of a military member killed in the line of duty, a veteran with a 100% service-related disability rating, or the surviving spouse of a 100% service-related disabled veteran.
How to Get Started
To learn more about these real estate tax relief programs, call the Chesterfield County Commissioner of the Revenue at (804) 748-1281.
HOME Program
The HOME Program helps older homeowners remain in their homes by providing funding for safety-critical home repairs such as roof replacement, window and door upgrades, and installation of accessibility features. The program prioritizes repairs on homes owned and occupied by seniors and the disabled who are at-risk of institutionalization due to unsafe conditions in their homes.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility criteria changes on a year-by-year basis, but in general, individuals need to demonstrate financial need in order to qualify for home repair assistance through the HOME Program.
How to Get Started
For more information, call Chesterfield County’s Director of Community Enhancement at (804) 748-1500.
Telephone Reassurance Program
The Telephone Reassurance Program is a volunteer-run program that provides isolated seniors and housebound adults with disabilities with a daily or weekly wellness check.
Trained and screened volunteers phone program participants either every day or every week depending on volunteer availability and the participant’s preferences. Not only does this program help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation among housebound seniors, but it can also help to ensure that at-risk seniors are being monitored by a caring, trained individual who can contact the authorities if additional assistance is needed.
Who Is Eligible?
Any Chesterfield County senior or adult who is housebound due to disability can sign up for this free program.
How to Get Started
To learn more, call the Chesterfield County Office of Aging & Disability Services at (804) 768-7878.