Home Care in Roanoke, VA

With a population of just under 100,000, Roanoke is a thriving city that offers a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm. Located in the scenic Roanoke Valley and bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city and the surrounding region is home to a growing number of retirees. By the year 2040, an estimated 1 in 4 residents of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Region will be aged 65 and older.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll love the dozens of public parks in Roanoke, many of which feature sheltered picnic areas, ADA-accessible restrooms and level walking paths. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department also operates two large outdoor swimming pools where you can swim laps and participate in adult aquafit classes. The department also offers dozens of year-round programs geared toward adults 50 and older, such as cooking classes, drop-in bridge tournaments and guided day trips to local attractions.

There’s plenty of indoor activities to enjoy as well, and the area is filled with one-of-a-kind shops, museums and galleries. Black Dog Salvage, the sprawling 40,000-square-foot antique shop featured on the television show Salvage Dawgs is a must-see for anyone who loves unique furniture, art and architectural elements.

Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average monthly rate for home care in Roanoke is $4,338. Home health care services, which also include some limited medical care such as blood pressure checks and medication management, cost slightly more at $4,385 per month.

These rates are based on 44 hours of care each week, which may be more or less support than you require. To get an idea of what your actual home care costs will be, you can multiply the number of hours of support you’d like by the average hourly rate in Roanoke, which is $22.75.

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

Roanoke’s home care rates are slightly higher than the statewide average of $4,195, while the city’s home health care rates, $4,385, match Virginia’s average. Just west of Roanoke, rates are lower in the Blacksburg area at $3,813 for home care and $4,195 for home health care. In Staunton, seniors can expect to pay about $4,385 per month for home care and $4,862 for home health care, while in the state capital of Richmond, either type of in-home care costs an average of $4,671 per month.

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.

RADAR Transit

What You Should Know
RADAR is a nonprofit corporation that provides affordable, accessible public transit services throughout the Greater Roanoke Valley. Rides are reserved at least one day in advance, and service in most areas is available Monday through Saturday from 5:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., except on national holidays.

If you have mobility issues, you’ll be pleased to hear that most RADAR vehicles are wheelchair accessible and drivers are specially trained in assisting riders who live with physical or cognitive challenges. You can use RADAR to travel to and from medical appointments, run errands and visit destinations throughout Alleghany County, Clifton Forge and other neighboring areas.

Who Is Eligible?
Anyone living in the Greater Roanoke Valley who needs safe, affordable transportation can use RADAR Transit services. Riders who are seniors, living with a disability or have a low income are prioritized.

How to Get Started
To learn more about RADAR Transit services and schedules, call (540) 343-1721 or (800) 964-5707.

A Matter of Balance

What You Should Know
Approximately 1 in 4 seniors has a fall each year, and those falls often lead to a loss of independence. A Matter of Balance is an eight-week fall prevention program that teaches you how to reduce your risk of falling, improve your balance and increase your physical activity in a way that’s safe and enjoyable.

When you sign up for this fall prevention program, you’ll attend weekly classes along with between 8 and 16 other seniors. Two trained coaches lead discussions around fall prevention, teach exercises and provide you with a manual with at-home exercises. A rehabilitation therapist also attends one session to show you how to get up if you should fall.

Who Is Eligible?
A Matter of Balance workshops are open to older adults who want to learn how to avoid falls, remain independent and safely increase their physical activity levels.

How to Get Started
To learn more about this fall prevention program, call the Local Office on Aging in Roanoke at (540) 345-0451 or (888) 355-6222.

Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is important, but that can be tough to do if you’re only cooking for one or you have difficulty shopping for groceries. The Meals on Wheels program can help ensure that you’re eating well and someone is checking in on you each weekday.

Meals on Wheels provides you with a hot, home-delivered lunchtime meal that contains one-third of the FDA-recommended daily nutritional values. Your meals are brought right to your door by a volunteer driver who will take a moment to ensure you’re safe and see if you need any other services or assistance. If you’re a low-income pet owner who could use some help with animal care costs, you can also sign up for Pets Eat Too, a program operated in partnership with the Roanoke Valley SPCA that brings donated dog or cat food directly to your home along with your hot lunchtime meal.

Who Is Eligible?
Any Roanoke senior who is housebound or struggles to maintain a healthy, balanced diet due to age, disability or social isolation can sign up for the Meals on Wheels service. There are no financial qualification criteria, and you’ll be asked to pay a small fee for each meal to help cover food costs.

If you’re unable to pay for Meals on Wheels, staff can help you access food subsidy programs for low-income seniors who need nutritional supports.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the Meals on Wheels program, call LOA Meals on Wheels at (540) 345-0451.

Limited Home Repair

What You Should Know
Hiring an electrician, contractor or carpenter can be cost-prohibitive, particularly if you’re a low-income senior or adult living with a disability. The Limited Home Repair program, operated by the community action agency Total Action for Progress, is designed to help low-income homeowners stay safe by providing free home repair services.

Services offered through the Limited Home Repair program include electrical repairs and upgrades, replacing rotting floors, fixing leaky roofs and other home maintenance problems that, if left unresolved, could be hazardous to your health.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for free home repairs through this program, your gross household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. As of 2021, the income limit in Roanoke was $43,900 for a one-person household and $50,200 for a two-person household.

How to Get Started
For more information, call TAP at (540) 283-4899.

Legal Services Program

What You Should Know
The Local Office on Aging operates a Legal Services Program for seniors aged 60 and older who need help with a civil (noncriminal) legal matter and are unable to afford a private attorney.

You can use this program to get help with your power of attorney, will and advanced medical directives. Attorneys can also assist with issues related to Medicaid and government-sponsored financial aid programs.

Who Is Eligible?
Any Roanoke senior 60 and older who doesn’t qualify for Legal Aid and can’t afford a private lawyer can access help through the Legal Services Program.

How to Get Started
For more information, call (540) 345-0451.