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

Ranking 84th out of 302 on the Caring.com 2022 Senior Living Report, Richmond is a dynamic city that offers a range of benefits for seniors. It’s among the more affordable cities on the report with comparatively low housing prices, enabling many seniors to maintain their standard of living throughout retirement. Good air quality and a low crime rate make it a safe community for older residents, and nearly 80% of houses offer zero-step entrances, making them convenient for those who rely on mobility aids. On average, home care agencies in Richmond charge $5,148 per month for services. Home health care, which is similar but includes skilled nursing services, is a little costlier.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Richmond area – 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 Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, which highlights long-term care rates in communities across the country, reports that home care agencies in Richmond charge $5,148 per month for services. This is high compared to the state rate of $4,767 and the national average of $4,957. Even so, home care rates in Richmond are competitive compared to care costs in Charlottesville, where older adults pay $6,292, and Staunton, where fees come in at $5,339. In Virginia Beach, rates are consistent with the state rate at $4,767, and in Lynchburg, care costs are roughly $1,000 lower than in Richmond at $4,185. 

Home care agencies in Richmond charge $5,148 for basic personal care, and agencies that provide skilled nursing services charge $5,243. Seniors may save a couple hundred dollars per month by opting for assisted living, which costs $4,901 per month, and those seeking the most affordable care may be good candidates for adult day health care, where seniors pay $1,712. Nursing homes charge the highest rates locally of $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.