The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Richmond, VA for 2023

Richmond, VA, is home to more than 226,600 people, of which 13.2% are 65 years old and up. Seniors are at a higher risk for developing memory loss disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. According to data from the CDC, deaths in Richmond resulting from Alzheimer’s disease have gone up 22.22% from 2016 to 2020. The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is increasing yearly, with 6.5 million Americans currently living with this disease. Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss result in more deaths than both breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. By the year 2050, it’s projected that 12.7 million seniors will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and require memory care.

Seniors in Richmond have access to dementia care communities that offer resources and services to support those impacted by this disease. Residents in these communities receive around-the-clock care and treatment provided by specially trained therapists who help retain seniors’ cognitive function for as long as possible. This guide provides information on care options, costs and resources available in Richmond.

In Richmond and throughout the State of Virginia, assisted living facilities (ALFs) are licensed and regulated by the Virginia Department of Social Services. This includes facilities that offer residential living care, assisted living care and specialized dementia care in special care units. ALFs that provide care for seniors with cognitive impairments are subject to additional licensing requirements.

• Compared to other cities in Virginia, Richmond is an affordable option for seniors looking to maximize their retirement income. Housing and transportation costs are the biggest factors that bring the overall cost of living nearly 5% lower than the U.S. national average.
• The state of Virginia is also very tax-friendly towards retirees, which could further lessen the financial burden of care costs. Richmond seniors will not be taxed on their Social Security retirement benefits, and the state offers seniors a deductible of up to $12,000 on other forms of retirement income, including pensions and retirement account withdrawals.
• The weather in Richmond receives an overall comfort index of 7 out of 10. Summers are generally quite comfortable, though some days can be very hot and muggy. Winters are characterized by cold temperatures, an average amount of snowfall and cloudy skies.
• Seniors in Richmond have access to world-class health care facilities, including VCU Medical Center, which offers specialized geriatric care services, and Johnston-Willis Hospital, which is widely known for its innovative neuroscience center.
•  Richmond is a vibrant city with plenty of opportunities for recreation and entertainment. The city is full of culture, with a number of museums and historic attractions for seniors to visit, and it has a vibrant arts scene with numerous performance venues and galleries such as the Institute for Contemporary Art. Active seniors can enjoy the city’s many trails and park spaces.
• Crime rates in Richmond are slightly above average. On a scale to 100, with 100 representing high crime, the city receives a 24.6 for violent crime and a 55.9 for property crime, both of which are higher than the national averages of 22.7 and 35.4 in the same categories, respectively. 
• The GRTC Transit System makes it easy for seniors to get around the city. It offers regular fixed-route services as well as the Pulse bus rapid transit line. Both options offer reduced rates for senior riders. GRTC also offers a CARE specialized transportation program, which provides curb-to-curb transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Memory care in Richmond costs an average of $6,126 per month. While higher than the national average, it’s a less expensive option than some communities in Virginia. Memory care includes an enhanced level of care and programming compared to traditional assisted living, so costs are often 20-30% higher. Specific memory care data is not available, so these costs were calculated by using assisted living costs as reported by Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2021, plus 25%.

Richmond is an affordable option compared to other cities in Virginia such as Charlottesville ($7,125) and Roanoke ($7,406). However, there are less expensive options, including Lynchburg at an average of $5,781 per month and Virginia Beach at $5,683.

Seniors have several other care options available to them. Adult day care is the least expensive at $1,712, though it includes the least amount of assistance. Homemaker and home health aide services are also affordable options for seniors looking to age in place at $5,148 and $5,243, respectively. The most expensive option is nursing home care, which can cost up to $9,749 depending on the type of accomodations.

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.