6 Assisted Living Communities in Suffolk, Virginia

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,676 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 6 Assisted Living Communities in Suffolk and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Suffolk, VA

• Assisted Living: $4,676
• Nursing Home Care: $7,772
• In-home Care: $3,623
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,560

The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care survey complied senior care cost data from across Virginia and the United States. It reveals that, at $4,676, seniors in Suffolk pay the second-highest price for assisted living in the state, topped only by the $5,049 average rate in Richmond. The cost here is $225 above the state median rate and $676 over the average per-month price paid nationwide.

Costs for assisted living are more affordable in other cities such as Charlottesville ($4,577), Staunton ($4,250), Roanoke ($4,138) and Harrisonburg ($4,100). The drop in price is most noticeable in comparison to Lynchburg ($3,695), where assisted living costs almost $1,000 less per month.

Note: Cost data for senior care in Suffolk wasn’t available, so data for the nearby city of Virginia Beach was used instead.

There’s a wide price variance between the different senior care options available in Suffolk. Adult day health services are on the low end at $1,560, and nursing home care is on top at $7,772 per month. Assisted living and in-home services from homemakers and home health aides are the midrange options at $4,676 and $3,623 per month, respectively. Although it appears that assisted living costs $1,000 more than in-home care, these average monthly rates don’t reflect the value of room and board typically provided by assisted living facilities. Plus, the price for in-home care services doesn’t include any allowance for food or housing, so these costs should be added on for a more accurate rate comparison.

 

Medicaid, the national health care program that serves needy residents in each state, provides low-cost or free health care for Americans with limited income and few resources who can’t afford health insurance.

In Virginia, over a quarter of a million elderly, blind and disabled residents receive essential health care services through the state Medicaid program administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. The benefits provided under the program include doctor and specialist visits, inpatient, outpatient and emergency hospital care, prescriptions, lab tests and X-rays, preventive services and long-term nursing home care.

Qualifying for Medicaid

Suffolk residents can qualify for Virginia Medicaid long-term care services if they have no more than $2,313 in monthly income per individual and $2,000 in assets if single or $4,000 if married and both spouses apply. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or legal immigrants and aged 65 or older or aged 64 or younger and disabled.

When a married applicant’s spouse doesn’t apply, their income is disregarded. If the applicant is over the income and asset limits, they may become eligible for coverage after the calculation of living and resource allowances, which protect their spouse from impoverishment. As mandated by federal law, a non-applicant spouse may be entitled to up to $3,160.50 of an applicant’s monthly income and up to $126,420 of the couple’s jointly owned assets.

Virginia Medicaid also has a spend-down provision that may help applicants who meet all the eligibility requirements except for income. Those who qualify are given a spend-down liability figure from Medicaid, and when this amount has been spent on allowable medical expenses, the applicant receives up to six months of health care coverage. Acceptable expenses may include physician, dental and hospital bills, prescriptions, health insurance premiums and certain medical supplies.

Applying for Medicaid

Seniors can apply for Medical Assistance online, by phone at (855) 242-8282 or in person at the Suffolk Department of Social Services office located at 135 Hall Avenue, Suite B.

Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver

Medicaid-eligible Suffolk residents who require long-term care services but prefer to stay in their home or a community setting such as an assisted living facility can apply for the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver. Medicaid offers this waiver program to reduce nursing home admissions and the cost of long-term care. Those who qualify for the program are enrolled in their choice of approved managed care plans that provide all-inclusive medical and long-term care. Along with the benefits provided through regular Virginia Medicaid, CCC Plus participants receive case management and a range of other support services to meet their care needs such as:

• Relocation assistance to move from a nursing facility
• Personal care
• Nursing care
• Assistive technologies
• Medical equipment
• Prescriptions
• Medical transportation

Suffolk residents who apply for Virginia Medicaid for long-term care and are aged 65 or older are enrolled in the CCC Plus program automatically if they qualify. Those who apply should have a monthly income at or below 300% of the federal benefit rate, which is currently $2,313, and assets worth $2,000 or less.

To learn more about the program or schedule a screening assessment, senior residents of Suffolk can contact the CCC Plus enrollment helpline at (844) 374-9159.

Virginia Auxiliary Grant Program

Seniors in Suffolk who have few resources and limited income may qualify for monthly benefits from the Virginia Auxiliary Grant program managed by the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal immigrants currently residing in a licensed assisted living facility and:

• Be aged 65 or older or blind or disabled if younger

• Be assessed and meet the grant program’s functional requirements

• Have no more than $1,296 in monthly income

• Have assets worth less than $2,000 if single or $3,000 if married

• Apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits

Those approved for the program receive a monthly personal needs allowance, and a payment is sent directly to their assisted living facility that covers a number of services and benefits such as:

• Furnished accommodations

• Prepared meals and snacks

• Laundry and housekeeping services

• Personal care services

• Help completing activities of daily living

• Social and recreational programming

• Medication oversight and administration

• Supervision for enhanced safety

• Transportation to medical appointments

To learn more about the Auxiliary Grant program or apply, seniors can contact Suffolk DSS at (757) 514-7450.

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors delaying a move to assisted living due to a shortage of cash while waiting for benefits to begin or assets such as a home to sell may find that a bridge loan provides a viable short-term solution. Elderlife Financial offers bridge loans with a 12-month term and structured as a line of credit so a borrower can draw out funds as needed to cover assisted living rent or care costs. Only interest payments are required during the loan term, and there are no application fees or other upfront costs. Elderlife loans also don’t have early repayment penalties, so the balance can easily be paid off once long-term funding is arranged.

Suffolk seniors can contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500 to learn more about bridge loans, or they can begin an application online.

As the designated Area Agency on Aging serving Suffolk, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia helps elderly residents access resources that promote independence, well-being and quality of life. The agency provides information and referrals for a variety of programs and services, including care coordination, home-delivered meals, senior and disabled transportation, wellness education, health care benefits counseling and long-term care advocacy. Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
1707 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-1449

Suffolk veterans with health care needs can visit the Chesapeake VA outpatient clinic for primary care, lab and pharmacy services, and referrals for specialty care at the VA Medical Center in Hampton. The Virginia Veterans Services field office in Chesapeake can help senior veterans understand and apply for state and VA benefits and pensions.

Virginia Department of Veterans Services Chesapeake Benefits Office
1428 Cedar Rd., Rm. 158, Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757)- 822-5298

Chesapeake VA Clinic
1987 S. Military Hwy., Ste. B, Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 722-9961

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.