Which type of care actually fits?

How do I know which level of care a parent needs in Virginia?

Start with what help the person needs each day and whether they are safe alone: help with one or two daily activities often fits home care or residential living care, dependency in two or more points to assisted living care, serious cognitive impairment with safety risk points to a special care unit, and daily skilled nursing needs point to a nursing home.

A doctor's evaluation and, for assisted living, the Uniform Assessment Instrument confirm the level.

How do Virginia's payment programs change which option makes sense?

Payment often decides between two settings that both fit clinically: the CCC Plus Waiver favors care at home for Medicaid-eligible people, the Auxiliary Grant makes licensed assisted living possible on SSI-level income, and Medicaid favors nursing homes for long-term skilled needs.

Read the comparison guides with the costs section open alongside; the cheapest-looking option on paper can be the most expensive once hours or care levels are added.

Where do the comparison figures come from?

Costs come from CareScout's 2025 Virginia survey, licensing definitions from the Code of Virginia and 22VAC40-73, and program rules from DMAS, DARS and VA; no comparison uses a Richmond-specific price, because none is published.

Do these comparisons apply outside the Richmond region?

The licensing definitions and payment programs apply across Virginia, while the facility counts, agencies and hospitals referenced are specific to Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and the Tri-Cities.