The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Lynchburg, VA for 2024

Lynchburg, VA is home to just under 80,000 people, 14% of whom are aged 65 and older. Lynchburg's senior population is at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's or dementia. Currently, around 150,000 seniors 65 or older live with Alzheimer's disease in Virginia. This number is expected to rise to 190,000 by 2025. With Alzheimer's deaths in Lynchburg increasing by nearly 70% between 2016 and 2020, memory care and supportive services are more important than ever in caring for this vulnerable senior demographic.

Seniors in the later stages of memory-loss disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia require 24/7 care, and remaining at home is often not a safe option. Fortunately, dementia care communities provide a safe and welcoming environment, with facilities and amenities specially designed to meet the complex needs of their residents. Trained staff provides 24/7 care and support while employing treatment methods and therapies designed to slow cognitive decline and improve general quality of life. This guide serves as an introduction to memory care options and the costs of care in the Lynchburg area.

Lynchburg sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has 79,000 residents, making it the 11th most populous city in the state. Seniors seeking dementia care in this city have 3 memory care communities to choose from, along with 1 facilities nearby. This type of care costs approximately $5,781 per month, which is a little higher than the national norm of $5,625 but substantially lower than Virginia’s average rate of $6,563.

In our directory, we highlight 39 reviews reviews of memory care communities in the Lynchburg region. On average, local facilities earn a satisfaction rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars stars.

• Virginia doesn’t impose income taxes on Social Security income for any taxpayers, regardless of their total annual income. It has a deduction of up to $12,000 to cut down on what seniors owe to the state on other forms of retirement income. This promotes seniors’ financial stability and helps many afford memory care expenses.
• Lynchburg General Hospital, part of Centra Health, sits in the city proper and provides primary, specialty and emergency care. It houses the region’s PACE program, which delivers medical and social services to qualified seniors, and offers a walk-in clinic where patients can access urgent care services. The hospital also provides recommendations and referrals for dementia screenings and services.
•  Out of 133 ranked communities in Virginia, Lynchburg ranks 74th for health. The city reports a preventable hospitalization rate of 3,179 per 100,000 Medicare patients, which is higher than the state norm of 2,902 and may indicate limited access to outpatient care. However, the local air quality is better than state and national norms, promoting seniors’ health.
• Overall, the cost of living in Lynchburg is about 5.9% lower than the national norm, promoting competitive memory care rates and making it a budget-friendly option for retirees with budgetary constraints. Food costs come in 28.8% below the national norm and utility expenses are 18.2% less, and seniors spend about 10.6% less on health care here than in a typical U.S. city.
• Lynchburg reports about 28 incidents of crime per 1,000 residents, with property-related offenses accounting for about 87% of incidents. Altogether, residents have a one in 35 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime, which is higher than 89% of cities in Virginia and 88% of communities across the United States. Fortunately, memory care communities have features, such as professionally monitored surveillance cameras and fully enclosed courtyards, to promote residents' safety.
• The AARP Livability Index gives Lynchburg a score of 52 compared to the national average of 48. This score reflects the city’s air and water quality, reliable public transportation and access to grocery stores and parks, creating an enriching environment for those with dementia.

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Seniors in Lynchburg pay approximately $5,781 monthly for residential memory care services.

Memory care residents in Lynchburg pay about $5,781 monthly for specialized residential services. This rate runs a little higher than the national norm of $5,625, but it provides a monthly savings over Virginia’s cost of $6,563. It also compares favorably to rates in other cities in the western region of Virginia, including Staunton, where facilities charge $5,885 for care. In Blacksburg and Charlottesville, monthly rates are even higher at $6,994 and $7,125, respectively, and in Roanoke, memory care communities charge $7,406 for services.

 

In Lynchburg, memory care facilities charge around $5,781, which is more than most senior care alternatives. For example, nonresidential adult day health care facilities, which provide personal care, skilled nursing and often dementia support, charge considerably lower rates of $1,625 for care. Seniors who obtain individualized care services in their homes from private caregivers pay $4,185 for in-home care, which includes nonmedical assistance with personal care and day-to-day activities, and $4,290 for home health care, which includes skilled nursing. Additionally, seniors who don’t require dementia support pay $4,625 for assisted living, a residential option that includes personal care, meals and recreation. Only nursing home care, which is for seniors who need around-the-clock medical assistance, costs more than memory care at $6,729.

 

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

 

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

 

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Virginia page.