West Virginia Assisted Living

Overview of West Virginia Assisted Living

Back to top West Virginia, also known as the Mountain State, is located within the gorgeous Appalachian Region. Almost entirely mountainous, West Virginia is a hot spot for outdoor recreation of all kinds and is home to many state parks. These parks, along with the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, The New River Gorge National River and other stunning natural sites draw both tourists and residents to the state every year. When residents need a break from the outdoors, there are plenty of exciting cultural, historical and educational endeavors to be enjoyed. From the Huntington Museum of Art and Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences to the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and West Virginia State Museum, residents who choose assisted living in West Virginia enjoy the best of all worlds. Surrounded by gorgeous mountains with neighbors that embrace the warmth of southern hospitality, West Virginia is a great place to call home.

Assisted Living in West Virginia Defined

Back to top Assisted living facilities that are licensed by the state of West Virginia must house four or more residents and offer supervision and personal assistance to seniors who require assistance with the activities of daily living. Residents of assisted living facilities need help with bathing, eating, continence care, dressing and intermittent nursing care, but do not need 24/7 medical care. A group of 17 or more residential apartments that provide many of the same services and amenities as an assisted living facility are called residential care communities. Residents of a residential care community have access to limited nursing care and personal assistance and supervision, must not be bedridden, and be capable of self-preservation.

Regulation of West Virginia Assisted Living Facilities

Back to top Assisted living in West Virginia is licensed, regulated and overseen by The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). OHFLAC is responsible for the oversight of all assisted living, nursing home and residential care communities to ensure that they’re providing the correct care and services to the elderly. OHFLAC conducts annual surveys and investigates complaints. As part of the licensing process, the OHFLAC conducts criminal background checks on all assisted living licensees, owners or operators. Assisted living administrators for a small residence with a bed capacity of four must have a high school diploma. Administrators for a larger residence with a bed capacity of 17 are required to hold an associate’s degree. Once a facility and the administrator have been successfully licensed, all employees will required to pass the same criminal background check.