Virginia Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Finder

Aging in Place requires careful planning. Considerations include how to access needed resources, how to make your home safe and accessible, what in-home service supports are available,  and what costs will be involved. Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home explores these factors in detail. 

Start by determining what type of care you and your family need. Do you need help with personal care or household tasks? If so, then home care agencies can provide help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and household assistance. If you need more in depth care then look for a home health agency that provides health care and medical services including nursing care in the home for the treatment of an illness or injury. The term home health agency often indicates that a home care provider is Medicare certified.  

Overwhelmed by all the senior housing possiblities? The article Housing Options for Older Americans provides a helpful overview of the various living situations and factors to consider in your decision making.

Sometimes taking the first step is the hardest. As you explore housing options, here are helpful strategies to make having difficult family conversations more comfortable and productive. 

A Life Plan Community offers all levels of care in one community including independent and assisted living and nursing care. To find out more, this article provides a great overview! 

Use this Consumer Guide to help you choose an assisted living residence to meet your needs. 

When looking for nursing home care, it's a good idea to do your research both online and in-person. This article can help you determine which facility will best meet your family members needs. 

For individuals living with serious illness, and for their family and friends, palliative care offers medical and related treatment towards enhancing quality of life as much as possible. Hospice is comfort care provided at the end of a person's life and does not seek to treat a condition, but instead provides a supportive environment for those who wish to die at home. Hospice also provides needed support and resources for family members.  

There are many options! Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may be able to provide information, support and care coordination for your specific needs.  Also Geriatric Care Managers can help with long term care planning and options for an hourly fee.