Home Care in Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is a large city located 15 miles to the east of Norfolk along the North Atlantic coast. The sprawling city limits include countless golf courses, multiple military and naval bases, an aviation museum and many wildlife refuges in the southern parts. It’s home to roughly 450,000 people, according to U.S. Census estimates, and 61,646 of its residents are aged 65 and older.

The city is a relatively safe place to live, with a violent crime rate less than half that of the United States figure. The property crime rate is just slightly below average. Virginia Beach has a cost of living that’s also fairly average — it’s 5.6% higher than the national median but only 2.1% higher than the statewide average — and housing is the most significant increase.

Seniors who own a home are somewhat insulated from the high cost of living, and Virginia Beach has some of the most affordable home care services in the state. Virginia is moderately tax-friendly for seniors, with low tax rates on most forms of retirement income, and the city has below average property taxes. This makes Virginia Beach worth considering for current residents and potential newcomers who may need home care in the future.

According to the Genworth Financial 2020 Cost of Care Survey, both levels of in-home care in Virginia Beach share a cost of $3,813 per month. That’s not the case elsewhere in the state, however, as home health care is often priced slightly higher. It’s important to remember that the monthly costs stated here are based on 44 hours of in-home services per week. If you have fewer hours of assistance, your cost will be reduced. The rate for home care and home health care in Virginia Beach works out to approximately $20 per hour.

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

Lynchburg is the only surveyed Virginia city with more affordable home care than Virginia Beach, with savings of $381 per month. In the case of home health care, however, Virginia Beach remains the most affordable. The state itself is $382 more expensive than Virginia Beach for home care, at $4,195 per month, and the cost difference is even greater for in-home medical assistance. The national averages add roughly $650-$700 to the bill for either level of care. Costs in Richmond and Charlottesville climb higher still, with rates of $4,671 and $5,148 per month, respectively.

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.

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia

What You Should Know
SSSEVA is a nonprofit agency that’s designated by the state to help seniors and caregivers in Virginia Beach and the southeast area of the state. This region is also referred to as service/planning area 20. Agencies such as this are very useful if you or a family member needs help at home to remain independent. Virginia Beach residents may be eligible for nutrition programs, home-delivered meals and congregate dining at senior centers, transportation, benefits counseling, home care and companionship.

The basic idea behind each available service is that the state would rather help residents avoid nursing home care for as long as possible. That means you can often receive financial and other assistance, including prescription drug discounts, in-home care visits and more, because it costs the state much less than if you were to live in a nursing home.

Who Is Eligible?
Some services are reserved or prioritized for members of the community considered the most vulnerable, such as a frail, homebound senior or a person of any age with a disability. Many other services and assistance programs are available to all residents aged 60 and over, as well as those with disabilities.

How to Get Started
Visit the website to read more about the help available in Virginia Beach for you and your loved ones, or call (757) 461-9481 to speak to the agency’s staff. You can also use the contact form on the website if you prefer to discuss issues by email.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

What You Should Know
PACE is a comprehensive and structured method of providing health care and support to seniors living in the community. The goal of this program, as with SSSEVA, is to give you all the support you need to remain independent and thus delay or avoid the need for expensive nursing home accommodation. Sentara is responsible for PACE in this region and has program centers in Portsmouth and Norfolk. Residents of Virginia Beach are welcome to apply, but you must be willing to receive services at one of these centers. The program can coordinate transportation and most other needs you may have.

Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify for PACE services if you’re aged 55 or over and live within the center’s service area and can continue to do so safely with the additional support provided. You must also be assessed as needing the level of care provided in a nursing facility.

How to Get Started
Learn more about eligibility, the scope of services available and what’s required of each participant on the Sentara website or call (757) 252-7800.

Senior Resource Center

What You Should Know
This senior center in Virginia Beach is operated by a nonprofit organization and staffed mostly by local volunteers. It’s open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for regularly scheduled activities, classes, meals and events. Staff members can also help you and your family access other services in the area and discuss your options. The Senior Resource Center is partially funded by the city and its staff is knowledgeable on the various supportive programs available for seniors in the local area.

Who Is Eligible?
All residents of Virginia Beach are welcome to attend. Some programs or services may have eligibility requirements, such as age or maximum income, and certain events may have a small fee. Donations are always appreciated.

How to Get Started
To learn about the programs offered, you can visit the center’s website or call (757) 385-2175.

Virginia Beach Government Energy Assistance

What You Should Know
The city of Virginia Beach has several energy assistance programs available to help you cover the cost of heating fuel, water bills, cooling equipment and electricity. Additionally, the Crisis Assistance program may pay for repairs and/or replacements to heating equipment and cover any related heating costs during the winter months.

Who Is Eligible?
Each of the four programs has its own eligibility requirements. For the most part, you must show proof of a genuine need for assistance. Some programs aren’t available if your income is too high, and for others, you must be aged 60 or older to qualify.

How to Get Started
Details on income limits and other eligibility criteria can be viewed on the Financial Assistance Division website and applications for some programs can also be submitted online. Applications may also be submitted at the Department of Human Services at 3432 Virginia Beach Boulevard or by calling (757) 385-3200.

Virginia Department of Veterans Services

What You Should Know
The Pembroke Benefits Office in Virginia Beach serves veterans and their families in the region. The VDVS has knowledgeable staff who can help you apply for the VA and state and local benefits you’re entitled to. This includes VA disability compensation, health care benefits, pensions and supplements such as Aid and Attendance, which may help you pay for care services that allow you to age in place at home.

Who Is Eligible?
As a veteran and family member, you’re welcome to contact the office with any questions, and staff can help determine your eligibility for particular benefit programs.

How to Get Started
Visit the VDVS website for current operating hours for in-person visits or call (757) 552-1884.