The 5 Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in Hopewell, VA for 2023

Hopewell, Virginia, is a community of approximately 23,000 people on the James River just northeast of Petersburg. The percentage of seniors in this little city comes in at 15.4%, which is a bit less than the national average of 16.8%. Hopewell’s economy is strong with an overall cost of living significantly lower than both the national and state averages. Housing costs are also low by comparison, as are violent crime rates. The health cost index is just a little below the national average, and the John Randolph Medical Center, which includes emergency care, primary care, cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, orthopedic care and behavioral health departments, is conveniently located on the north end of the city. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Hopewell can expect to pay $5,148 a month for home care services. This is somewhat higher than the state average and even a bit higher than other care options in the city. Yet, it might be the right choice for seniors who want to remain in their homes.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Hopewell– 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.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveals that home care costs in Hopewell are $381 higher than the state average and $191 higher than the national average. In comparison with other cities in Virginia, though, it lies somewhere in the middle of the curve. Lynchburg to the west and Chesapeake to the southeast (in the Virginia Beach area) come in under Hopewell’s cost, while Fredericksburg in the north (in the Washington, D.C. area) is nearly $200 higher, and Charlottesville to the northwest is over $1,000 higher.

Home care in Hopewell is actually in the middle of the range of care costs. It is slightly less expensive than home health care, even though it involves light medical services including vital signs and physical or occupational therapy. Somewhat surprisingly, assisted living is less expensive than home care by $247, but seniors may still choose home care to remain in a familiar environment. Skilled nursing care in a home costs significantly more than home health care, at $8,654.

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.