Memory Care in Arlington, VA
Find Your Arlington, VA Care Advisor
Find the Best Memory Care Near Arlington, VA
Memory care communities in Arlington, VA, provide a safe and supportive environment for seniors living with memory impairments or dementia. In addition to helping with the activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, medication management, etc.), the staff is specially trained to handle the unique communication issues that come with dementia. They also arrange personalized activities to promote cognitive, social, and physical well-being. Memory care communities are often part of a larger senior living complex, but they can also operate as independent facilities.
Types of Memory Care
Many kinds of memory loss can affect seniors. The three most common memory disorders/forms of dementia in the United States are:
- Alzheimer’s Disease — Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition that affects the areas of the brain that control memory, thinking, and behavior.
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) — VCI results from reduced blood flow to the brain (such as during a stroke). Symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the blood flow restriction and affected parts of the brain.
- Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) — LBD is another form of degenerative dementia in which brain cells are damaged by abnormal microscopic deposits, leading to a decline in cognitive and motor function.
Choosing the right senior care option for someone with memory loss or dementia will depend on their specific condition. For example, someone diagnosed with early-stage dementia might be able to safely live in an assisted living community — possibly for years. However, as their condition progresses, they will eventually need to be moved to memory care to ensure their comfort and safety.
You have to do more than search for “best memory care in Arlington, VA” to find the right memory care placement for your loved one. After all, you want to move them into a memory care facility where they will be happy, safe, and well cared for. This means you need to think about factors such as your loved one’s specific care needs, budget, and personal preferences. You also need to consider a community’s services and amenities, availability, reviews, specific location, cost, acceptable funding sources, etc.
But you are not going to have the time to personally research and tour every memory care community in Arlington.
Fortunately, Assisted Living Locators® local care advisors can help. Unlike national placement agents, these senior care experts live and work in Arlington, VA, and are deeply familiar with all the local memory care communities. They can help you evaluate different memory care facilities and find the right placement for your loved one’s budget and care needs.
Finding Your Memory Care Advisor in Arlington, VA
Patricia Russell | 301-244-9632
Areas Covered:
Washington, DC & Greater Baltimore: Including Montgomery, Princes George’s Counties & Howard County, Maryland
Jennifer McAndrews | 410-507-4490
Areas Covered:
Serving Anne Arundel County including Annapolis, Severna Park, Pasadena, Gambrills, Crofton, Glen Burnie in Maryland
Ryan Majchrzak | 443-607-2345
Areas Covered:
Proudly serving Bel Air, Jarrettsville, Elkton, Rising Sun, Chestertown and Church Hill MD
Retta Young | 540-393-6009
Areas Covered:
Serving the following counties: Fredericksburg, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Orange, Caroline, King George, Essex, Westmore, Madison, Culpeper and Fauquier
Joanne Wigod | 800-267-7816
Areas Covered:
Serving Baltimore, Hereford, Timonium, Cockeysville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, Pikesville, Owings Mills, and Randallstown.
What is the Cost of Memory Care in Arlington, VA?
Based on data, the average monthly cost of memory care in Arlington, VA, is currently around $7,500. However, the exact cost will depend on several factors, including care services, community amenities, location, etc.
What Should Every Senior Know About Living in Arlington, VA?
Located on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, Arlington offers residents everything from eclectic theater to military history, to Bohemian cafés. Over 11 percent of the population is over the age of 65, and the city offers numerous services to help seniors enjoy healthy, active lives.
Arlington Weather & Climate:
Arlington has a warm and temperate climate with significant precipitation (either rain or snow) throughout the year. The average summer high is around 88 degrees Fahrenheit, while the winter low is generally around 27 degrees F. Air quality ratings in Arlington, VA, generally range between “moderate” and “good.” This means it is usually safe for seniors to spend time outdoors.
Local Hospitals and Notable Medical Care:
Seniors in Arlington, VA, have access to many high-quality hospitals and medical centers, including:
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center
- Johns Hopkins Medicine-Sibley Memorial Hospital
- Inova Alexandria Hospital
Transportation:
Arlington, VA, has multiple public transportation options that help seniors get around without needing to drive. Citizens aged 65 and older can ride the bus for half price. Moreover, Arlington County offers two programs, the Senior Center Adult Transportation (SCAT) and the Super Senior Taxi (SST), which are specifically intended to help seniors with their transportation needs.
Arts, Culture, and Recreation:
Thanks to its proximity to the nation’s capital, the city of Arlington offers plenty for seniors living with dementia to experience and enjoy. For example, there is the “See Me at the Smithsonian” program, which is an interactive program for adults with dementia. You and your loved one can also enjoy a peaceful outing to one of the area’s many military memorials or explore the Walter Reed Sensory Garden. The City of Arlington also offers a variety of in-person and virtual recreational programs specifically designed for senior citizens.
How Do I Pay for Memory Care in Arlington, VA?
Veteran's Benefits
The VA offers several benefit programs that can help qualified veterans pay for their long-term care. One example is the Aid and Attendance program, which helps cover the cost of personal care services provided in residential memory care.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Another way to help pay for memory care is long-term care insurance (LTCI). However, you will need to carefully research different policies, as not all of them cover memory care services. Most plans also have pre-existing condition riders, so the policy must be purchased before the policyholder is ever diagnosed with memory impairment.
Home Equity
Converting your property’s value into usable capital is another option to help cover the cost of memory care. For example, you can use your house as collateral for a home equity line loan, apply for a reverse mortgage, rent it out to generate a monthly income, or sell it outright for a lump sum.
Medicare
Residential memory care services are not considered medically necessary, so they are not covered by Medicare. However, the program can still help seniors pay for some costs related to memory care, such as, for example, cognitive assessments, speech therapies, medication, and other healthcare expenses to help manage dementia symptoms.
Medicaid
Virginia Medicaid covers many memory care services through the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Medicaid Waiver (CCC+). This program pays for an array of services, including personal care, assistive technology, and skilled private nursing, which can be provided in a residential memory care setting. To be eligible for CCC+, applicants must be 65 years or older and meet certain income and medical care requirements. Eligible seniors may be able to apply to the Auxiliary Grant Program to help cover room-and-board expenses.
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FAQ About Memory Care in Arlington, VA
Many of the expenses for treating conditions like dementia may qualify for a tax deduction. Visit www.irs.gov and consult with a tax professional to learn more.
Struggling with routine tasks, exhibiting personality changes, displaying poor personal hygiene, or having an increased tendency to wander are all indications that your loved one might need to transition to a memory care community.
In most cases, personal pets are not allowed in memory care properties. However, a facility might have a community pet or arrange therapy animal visits.
