10 Best Independent Living Communities in Richmond, VA

Because independent living facilities aren’t classified as senior-care communities, seniors can’t pay for their stay via Medicaid, Medicare, or a long-term insurance carrier. Public pay methods are an option for seniors to pay for any in-home care options they bring to their independent living facilities.

Here, we’ll detail how seniors can use private funding and VA benefits to finance their independent living stays.

Independent living facilities in Virginia do not have to be licensed or inspected. However, Virginia does license and maintain standards for assisted living facilities that provide residential living care (i.e., minimal assistance) or assisted living care (i.e., at least moderate assistance).

To be eligible for independent living in Richmond, applicants will have to be the facility’s agreed-upon age, be able to pay for their service, and be capable of independently managing care needs without involving community staff. Under the Fair Housing Act, independent living communities cannot inquire about a senior’s disability status when determining admission.

COVID-19 regulations for Richmond’s independent living communities

Richmond has its own COVID-19 guidelines, compiled by the state of Virginia. When it comes to independent living communities, the state encourages two factors:

A Place for Mom works with seniors and seniors’ families to find ideal independent living situations. From houses to condos, we work with people to get them what they want. Most of our partners fall in the mid-priced range, but do partner with a couple of budget-friendly communities. The majority of our Richmond communities feature apartment-style living.

Five of A Place For Mom’s independent living community partners also support assisted living and memory care. Within these communities, residents can expect in-house memory, incontinence, and diabetic care. These facilities also have staffing and ancillary services and can assist with managing medications.

If you or a loved one has a dog or a cat, then you’ll appreciate our 11 pet-friendly independent living communities.

Some communities have on-site bars, bistros, and cafes as well as chefs who can provide restaurant-style meals with little-to-no sodium or sugar for guests and their families.

Housekeeping, laundry, and dry cleaning are typically available on-site. Many apartment options also have high-speed internet, cable, and a kitchenette or full kitchen. Some units are handicap accessible with wheelchair-accessible showers, are available on the ground floor, or have respite or short-term availability.

There is often complimentary transportation available. However, there are other transit options and access to public buses and trains. Residents who drive may look into designated parking spaces.

Many of our partner communities offer recreational spaces and activities, including outdoor and indoor common areas, barber shops, beauticians, craft rooms, game rooms, movie theaters, and gyms. Generally, there are also rooms for residents to host larger groups for birthday parties, holiday celebrations, devotional activities, and more.

Available health care options for seniors in Richmond

Transportation for seniors in Richmond

Richmond is a town rich in history and space to explore. There are a variety of individual neighborhoods, including Carytown, Monroe Ward, and Jackson Ward. The city has dedicated cycling lanes throughout Downtown Richmond and the Virginia Capital Trail.

The city is large, so seniors looking to get somewhere fast can explore Richmond’s GRTC Transit System. This system includes buses and cutaway vans, 150 transit vehicles, and specialized transportation options, such as CARE, CARE Plus, and CARE On-Demand.

The following two ratings, presented by Walk Score, showcase the ease and accessibility of walking and biking in Richmond. Currently, there is no transit rating available. The highest possible score is 100.