The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Williamsburg, VA for 2024

Williamsburg, Virginia, is ranked among the best senior living cities in the country, according to Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report. Located between the York and James Rivers, Williamsburg is a beautiful, historic city that is home to the famous Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary. The city has a crime rate significantly lower than the national average. The city’s cost of living, however, is rather high when compared to both state and national averages, and housing is especially expensive. Health care costs also run on the high side, but residents can turn to the Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg, which is a certified Primary Stroke Center and offers an emergency department, primary care and many specialty services. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Williamsburg seniors will pay around $4,767 for home care as part of the Virginia Beach area. Home care provides assistance with daily living activities and housekeeping as opposed to the medical services offered by home health care.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Williamsburg– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

Home care costs in Williamsburg, as listed in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, are on par with the Virginia state average and about $200 less than the national average. Other Virginia cities run higher for home care costs. Richmond, not far to the west, is about $380 higher, and Fredericksburg and Staunton both come in around $570 more even though they are in different parts of the state (north and far west, respectively). Lynchburg in central Virginia offers prices that are lower by about $580.

Home care in Williamsburg and the surrounding area is more expensive than some alternatives but less expensive than others. Assisted living, for example, can save seniors an average of $77 per month, which is perhaps minor for those who would prefer to remain in their own homes. Home care is much less expensive than skilled nursing care by over $3,600. Home health care is equivalent and may be an option if one needs medical services like therapy or medication management.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.