The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fairmont, WV for 2024

 

Dubbed the “Friendly City,” Fairmont is a welcoming community for retirees seeking a low crime rate, access to public transportation and a low cost of living. This city has a large senior community that accounts for 17% of its 18,000 residents, promoting the need for diverse long-term care solutions, and it offers access to high-quality medical facilities, such as Fairmont Medical Center, to support seniors’ health and peace of mind.

Fairmont also has several assisted living communities, further fostering a welcoming environment for older adults. These residential facilities have trained caregivers who assist with day-to-day activities, such as showering and getting dressed, and they provide daily meals and housekeeping services. For added comfort and convenience, many assisted living facilities have on-site medical offices, fitness centers and libraries, and some let residents keep pets. On average, seniors in Fairmont pay $5,700 per month for assisted living, which is significantly higher than West Virginia’s norm of $4,160 and the national rate of $4,500. Fortunately, programs such as the Aged and Disabled Waiver help many qualified seniors afford local care expenses.

This guide provides more information on paying for assisted living in Fairmont and highlights resources that can guide prospective residents.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, regulates all assisted living facilities in Fairmont. This department publishes rules on minimum standards for the number of residents a facility must have, building requirements and care planning. It also provides information on residents’ rights.   

 

• On a 100-point cost of living index based on national norms, Fairmont scores 77.5. This is a couple of points lower than the state norm and 22% lower than the national average, indicating that seniors’ retirement income may stretch further to adequately cover living and care expenses.
• On an index that ranks crime on a 100-point scale, with a higher number indicating more crime, Fairmont scores 18.5 for violent crime and 25.7 for property-related incidents. These scores are several points lower than the respective national norms of 22.7 and 35.4, meaning that the number of crimes per 100,000 people is relatively low here. This may make the city an appealing option for active retirees.
• Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority provides safe public transportation services in the Fairmont region, reducing seniors’ reliance on private vehicles. This organization operates fixed routes, paratransit services, demand-response services and nonemergency medical transportation and can supplement the services seniors obtain through their assisted living communities.
• Fairmont Medical Center is located in Fairmont proper and features a full-service 24-hour emergency department and a range of primary and specialty care services. Additionally, this hospital provides telemedicine services, making prompt care more accessible for seniors.
• Seniors in West Virginia pay state income taxes on nearly all their retirement income at rates ranging from 3% to 6.5%. Fortunately, those aged 65 and over can claim a deduction of up to $8,000, which can significantly lower their tax bill and make long-term care in Fairmont more affordable.  
• Fairmont sees warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, offering changing scenery throughout the year. Average temperatures range from 24 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and rarely fall below 8 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. To help residents stay active throughout the year, many assisted living facilities host indoor activities, such as fitness classes and age-friendly sports.
• The American Lung Association assigns Marion County, where Fairmont is located, an A for 24-hour particle pollution. This indicates that the level of environmental irritants is low and can support the health of seniors with heart and lung conditions.

 

In Fairmont, assisted living residents pay an average monthly rate of $5,700 for housing and supportive services.

Fairmont is among the costliest places in the state and nation for assisted living, with local facilities charging $5,700 per month for this level of care. This is 37% above the West Virginia average and 27% higher than the national norm, and it’s high compared to rates in nearby cities. For example, seniors in Parkersburg generally pay $5,444 for care, and in Charleston, rates are 17% lower than in Fairmont. Similarly, rates in Weirton are 33% lower than in Fairmont, and in Wheeling, care costs are competitive at $3,675.

Assisted living is moderately priced compared to other local senior care options, with residents paying $5,700 per month for housing and care. Seniors who opt for private care at home pay about 46% less for in-home care and home health care, although they have living expenses that assisted living residents don’t have to worry about, such as housing and meals. On the other hand, assisted living costs less than half as much as nursing home care, which includes 24-hour medical support and monitoring in an institutional setting for $12,167 per month.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in West Virginia page.