These are the questions that come up on real calls with families in Richmond and the Tri-Cities. Each answer is deliberately short; follow the link for the detail and the source.
Licensing and rules
Does every assisted living facility in Virginia need a license?
Yes, any congregate residential setting that provides or coordinates personal and health care services and 24-hour supervision for four or more aged, infirm or disabled adults must be licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services, with limited exceptions such as homes caring only for relatives.
Does Virginia give assisted living facilities star ratings?
No. Virginia does not rate assisted living; the public record is the VDSS inspection history. Only nursing homes carry official star ratings, and those come from CMS.
Is memory care a separate license in Virginia?
No. Memory care is a special care unit, which the regulation calls a safe, secure environment, operated under an assisted living facility's VDSS license with extra staffing and training rules.
What is the difference between a 1-year and a 3-year license?
Both are regular licenses for facilities in substantial compliance; VDSS sets the length, and every facility on a regular license still gets at least one unannounced inspection a year.
Paying for care
Does Virginia Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Not for room and board. Virginia's CCC Plus Waiver pays for care at home and in the community, and the Auxiliary Grant is the public program that helps SSI-eligible people pay a licensed assisted living facility.
How much is the Auxiliary Grant in 2026?
$2,130 a month outside Northern Virginia, effective January 1, 2026, with a personal needs allowance of $87 a month.
Is there a Richmond-specific assisted living cost?
No published one. CareScout reports Virginia statewide only, about $6,944 a month for assisted living in its 2025 survey.
Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Only short-term skilled nursing or rehab after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay, for a limited number of days; long-term custodial care is private pay or Medicaid.
Local help
Who is the Area Agency on Aging for Henrico and Chesterfield?
Senior Connections - The Span Center, 1300 Semmes Avenue, Richmond, 804-343-3000, which also covers Richmond City, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent and Charles City.
Who covers Petersburg and Hopewell?
The Crater District Area Agency on Aging in Petersburg, 804-732-7020, which also runs the local long-term care ombudsman.
How do I report suspected elder abuse in Virginia?
Call the 24-hour APS hotline at (888) 832-3858, file online through the DARS portal, or contact the local Department of Social Services; call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.
How do I start Medicaid long-term care in Virginia?
Request a Long-Term Services and Supports screening through the local Department of Social Services (or the hospital discharge planner) and apply for Medicaid through CommonHelp, Cover Virginia or the local DSS.
