Guide to Senior Care Resources in Northern Virginia
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Northern Virginia Senior Care Resources
Virginia Area Agencies on Aging
Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging
24 E. Cary St.
Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23219
804.545.1644
The Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging (V4A) maximizes the capacity of its member agencies to enhance the quality of life for all Virginians by enriching the lives of older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers and communities in need of supports and services.
Who We Are
V4A is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1976 to provide the following:
- ADVOCACY
- Takes positions on relevant state & federal initiatives.
- Provides public education relevant to the needs of older Virginians.
- COMMUNICATION
- Acts as a liaison between national and state organizations and the Area Agencies on Aging.
- Serves as a link with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and other public and private organizations promoting aging issues.
- Provides a network of information exchange among the Area Agencies on Aging.
- TRAINING & EDUCATION
- Promotes training and education activities.
- Provides opportunities for development of creative ideas, resources and discussion of potential solutions to problems faced by older Virginians.
V4A believes that there should be resources necessary to maintain a range of locally determined support services for older Virginians and their families.
V4A believes these services should help supplement family care in the setting of choice with the assurance of quality.
V4A believes care of the elderly is a family issue, impacting lifestyles, job performance and financial well-being.
The Virginia Association on Area Agencies also utilizes federal, state, local and private resources to operate the statewide Senior Medicare Patrol.
What We Do
V4A is a network of the 25 local area agencies on aging in Virginia. Find your local AAA for more information on resources available in your community.
Advocate for the resources and policies that will allow its members to help provide the choices older adults need to lead meaningful lives.
Improve the capacity of its members to better serve and represent older adults and their caregivers through information, education, training and technical assistance.
Promote the critical roles AAAs play in helping older persons and their caregivers.
Be a focal point for its members in the development and implementation of a statewide system of home and community-based services and supports and long term care, building upon the existing aging network.
Facilitate cooperative relationships among the aging network, other public agencies, and private sector organizations to develop an accessible and comprehensive system of services.
Meals on Wheels Northern Virginia
The Fairfax Area Meals on Wheels Program provides meals to older adults who live in Fairfax County and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax.
Meals on Wheels five days a week – this includes:
- Two nutritious meals are delivered daily or three times a week, depending on where you live in the county.
- Vegetarian meals are now available. These meals include soy-based proteins and may include fish and eggs in the menu.
- Ethnic Vietnamese meals that are culturally familiar are available, depending on where you live in the county.
WHO WE SERVE
- Fairfax area residents age 60 and over and adults with disabilities who cannot shop for or prepare their own meals or have no one available to prepare meals.
- Services are targeted to persons 60 years of age and older and adults with disabilities with greatest economic and social need and older adults at risk for institutional placement.
- Services available to residents of Fairfax County, City of Fairfax and City of Falls Church.
HOW TO REQUEST MEALS ON WHEELS OR MAKE A REFERRAL
- Call 703-324-5409, TTY 711to request service, make a referral or get more information.
- Family members, caregivers, friends and medical professionals can make referrals.
- A social worker will arrange a home visit assessment.
COST OF SERVICE
- Meals on Wheels participants are given the opportunity to contribute toward the cost of the meals.
- People continue to receive meals as long as they are unable to safely prepare their own meals.
Transportation for Seniors in Northern Virginia
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Dept. of Transportation
Find information on the Fairfax Connector, Metro, Virginia Railway Express and more.
703-339-7200, TTY 703-339-1608
Human Services Transportation
Find information on Fastran Services, Taxi Voucher Program, Travel Training, Mobility Management, and other transportation resources for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.
703-222-9764, TTY 703-3247079
Nursing Home Ombudsman Virginia
Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
CALL US AT: 703-324-5861, TTY 711
Email: Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- If you are considering a long-term care facility
- Need assistance with a care issue
- Would like to file a complaint
Note: For long-term care advocacy services in Prince William County, call 703‑792‑7662, TTY 711.
ADVOCATING FOR RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES IN:
City of Alexandria
Fairfax County
Arlington County
Loudoun County
The program is part of a nationwide network established under the federal Older Americans Act to provide consumer information and help residents resolve problems related to care.
Senior Driving Laws in Virginia
Self-awareness is vital for safe driving at any age, but especially as we get older. Be aware of any changes in eyesight, physical fitness and reflexes, and any medications that impact driving ability. Be willing to compensate by making changes in driving habits or choosing alternative transportation.
Drivers age 75 or older must appear in person at a DMV customer service center to renew their driver's license. Find out more at Shifting Gears: Keeping the Drive at 75..
Driving and Age
Drivers may be safe or unsafe at any age. In general, young, inexperienced drivers tend to have the worst driving records, and experienced, middle-age drivers tend to have the best ones. In addition, driving skills tend to decline as drivers age, especially for mature drivers who take certain medications or have conditions associated with the aging process such as vision problems, arthritis or Parkinson's disease.
GrandDriver
The GrandDriver Program program helps drivers recognize the signs of declining driving skills and assists caregivers and healthcare providers with how to communicate and assess mature drivers. CarFit tests, professional evaluation centers, and an online driver safety quiz are some of the resources available from GrandDriver.
Safe Driving Courses
Online and classroom mature driver safety courses may help refresh driving skills and reveal new traffic laws. A driver may be required to take one of these courses as a result of a traffic infraction, and successful completion may be accepted in lieu of a conviction. In addition, some insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who successfully complete a mature operator's safety course. However, drivers cannot earn safe driving points by completing a mature operator's safety course.
Mature Operator Safety Course Listing
- AAA - RoadWise
- AARP - Driver Safety
- American Safety Council - Mature Driver Course
- Traffic School Online – Mature Driver Safety Course
Driver Fitness and Medical Review
DMV's Medical Advisory Board reviews an individual's ability to drive safely when necessary. Based on its assessment, the board may restrict or revoke an individual's driver's license.
For more information, refer to:
Mature Driver Safety Resources
Medicaid in Virginia
Who is eligible for Medicaid?
Medicaid was created to assist people who have lower incomes, but coverage is dependent upon other criteria as well. Eligibility was primarily for individuals falling into particular categories, such as low-income children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and parents meeting specific income thresholds. Beginning January 1, 2019, many more Virginians will now be eligible for the new Medicaid Health Coverage for Adults. In Virginia, income and resource requirements vary by category.
Some groups covered by Medicaid are:
Children,
Pregnant Women,
Adults aged 19 to 64 meeting new income and other eligibility requirements,
Individuals with disabilities,
Individuals age 65 and older,
Some parents and caregivers.
Medicaid has different levels of benefits:
- Full coverage- Provides the full range of benefits including doctor, hospital, and pharmacy services.
- Limited coverage- Men and women who have income 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may be eligible for limited benefits (family planning services) through Plan First
Services covered by Medicaid
FAMIS Plus (Children's Medicaid)
- Doctor visits
- Well Baby Checkups
- Hospital visits
- Vaccinations
- Prescription medicine
- Tests and X-rays
- Dental care
- Emergency care
- Vision care
- Mental health care
- Well Child Checkups
- Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program for children (EPSDT)
Medicaid for Adults
For detailed information about certain Medicaid covered groups, see the handbooks below.
Medicaid Handbooks
- Medicaid Handbook for Families and Children(English)
- Medicaid Handbook for Families and Children(Spanish)
- Medicaid Handbook for Aged, Blind and Disabled(English)
- Medicaid Handbook for Aged, Blind and Disabled(Spanish)
For information on how Medicaid members receive their benefits, visit the Health Plan Information page.
How Do I Apply?
To find out if you may qualify for Medicaid, answer the questions on the Screening Tool on the Am I Eligible? page.
If, after using the Screening Tool, you think you may qualify for Medicaid, FAMIS, or Plan First, follow the instructions on the Apply page.
For more information about how to appeal a decision, visit the Appeals page.