Virginia Independent Senior Living Communities

Virginia independent living is quickly becoming one of the most popular senior care options for healthy and active older adults. Each unique location provides a socially enriching and supportive environment for seniors to live on their own terms without the added stress of maintaining a property. With optional transportation, meal services, and housekeeping you never have to worry about having enough time for the things you love. Flexible housing options give seniors an opportunity to explore their golden years and live among independent, like-minded peers.

Find INDEPENDENT LIVING Facilities In VIRGINIA

Find Senior Caring Options by County

Cost Comparisons of Virginia's Independent Living

City Monthly Minimum Monthly Maximum Monthly Median
Richmond $850 $2,000 $1,513
Norfolk $2,125 $3,245 $2,750
Glen Allen $2,450 $3,300 $2,875
Chesterfield $1,924 $2,365 $2,144

Virginia has 78 independent living communities with an average cost of $2,181 per month.

Every independent living community offers a unique range of amenities and services. You’ll likely find housekeeping and linen services, transportation, meal plans, and fitness centers anywhere you go. Medical services are available but usually come at an extra cost. Independent living is about sustainability - here you can compare several cities in Virginia to choose the best option!

Recreation & Attractions in Virginia

Virginia has many amazing attractions to keep residents and visitors entertained. Some of these include the Shenandoah National Park, Luray Caverns, American Civil War Museum, Virginia Living Museum, and more.

The Shenandoah National Park has over 500 miles of trails, and many consider it hiker-central. Beyond hiking trails, there are incredible views to be seen, waterfalls, and over 200,000 acres of land full of deer, songbirds, and more. Another park feature, Skyline Drive, runs the length of the park against the ridge of mountains encouraging visitors to enjoy the sights.

Luray Caverns are an underground cavern system with numerous rock formations such as stalactites and stalagmites along with mirrored pools. The Virginia Living Museum is an open-air museum with many living exhibits of Virginia’s native species such as bobcats, otters, pelicans, red wolves, and more. 

Virginia's Climate, Geography & Culture

Virgina is generally considered mild compared to other states, though differences can be seen throughout the state's various climate zones. The state sees potential hurricanes form near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, but the state also can experience massive snowfall when coastal storms called Nor'easters move up the coast.

In the summer you can expect temperatures in the 80s and 90s range while winter months will bring chilly temperatures of about 40 degrees. The state records about 43 inches of rain per year and snowfall will depend on your location. The coastal regions may get from 1 to 8 inches of snow in a year, while the mountainous regions may get anywhere from 20 to 50 inches.

As the first state to declare themselves independent from Britain, Virginia led the charge to create the first 13 colonies of what would eventually become the United States. Today, Virginia still has a lot of classic American colonial architecture and cities such as Williamsburg. The people here are known to be resilient outdoorsy types, but welcoming and hospitable once you've gotten to know them -- just be sure to never confuse them with West Virginians!

Virginia Independent Living Regulations and Laws

All rules and regulations of Virginia independent living communities are overseen by The Department of Social Services. These regulations ensure that all communities meet the appropriate health, safety, and medical conditions. Annual reports are made public upon request, detailing any past violations and the steps taken to correct them. Your safety is important, so always speak up if you think a violation has been made

Crime & Safety in Virginia

Crime in Virginia is lower than the national average in terms of both violent crime and property crime. There are also only 20 crimes per square mile compared to the national median of 32.8. Choosing a safe community can not only put your mind at ease but will ensure your experience is as wholesome as it can be. Below are some of the safest cities and towns found throughout Virginia.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Bridgewater0.172.36
Broadway0.003.43
Purcellville0.003.53
Lexington0.697.64

(source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for Virginia Independent Living

Medicaid and Medicare do not cover this care option in most cases, so many seniors end up paying for independent living with their own savings, pensions, or by selling their assets. Long-term care insurance is also a very efficient payment method, although it can be very expensive when purchased later in life. If these are unavailable to you it may be necessary to consider other options.

Opening a senior living line of credit is another popular option for independent living. Allowing up to $50,000 of unsecured credit, seniors are able to pay for their care options as needed with funds sent directly to their communities. These lines of credit usually have very flexible repayment options that require little to no collateral. 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Independent Living in Virginia

Generally speaking, all residents reserve the right to manage and oversee their own finances and medical care. Your community should never subject you to physical or mental abuse in any form and should respect your rights as a U.S. citizen respected at all times. If you encounter a violation while in independent living, don't hesitate to call a lawyer familiar with elder law. To learn more about your rights in senior living communities, you can review the Virginia Ombudsman

VA Independent Living: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Virginia state and federal HIPAA laws ensure that your medical records are kept confidential and accessible for up to 7 years following medical treatment or your discharge from a community. You can submit a request to view or receive a copy of your records by providing a small fee under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Generally, this information cannot be shared without your permission considering it is highly personal and private. 

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.