West Virginia Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities in West Virginia are referred to as Assisted Living Residences and Residential Care Communities for licensing purposes. The governing body that oversees licensure for assisted living residences and residential care communities in the state of West Virginia is Department of Health and Human Resources through the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. Assisted living residential care is for those needing ADL assistance and minor medical care. Note that assisted living facilities are different from retirement homes in West Virginia, which provide a greater level of nursing care.

There are two types of residential care living situations in West Virginia and they are licensed separately but are both considered assisted living facilities.

One of those types of assisted living is called assisted living residence, while the second one is a residential care community. There is only one difference between both of those licensed facilities: the residence in an RCC community must be completely capable evacuating an emergency situation with instruction only and no assistance.

Both of those facilities are allowed to provide Alzheimer's and memory care in West Virginia, but they must first obtain a separate license for that care and follow certain requirements that are different from a typical assisted living community.

One thing that is different in West Virginia when it comes to memory care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care from other states is this: if the facility does not advertise itself as an Alzheimer care facility or memory care facility, they can legally still give basic care, but only to early dementia patients.

Cost and Payment Options for Assisted Living in West Virginia

The statewide monthly cost for West Virginia assisted living is $3,619. this is not far below the national average of $4,000, but it's still lower, which is a big plus. The least expensive assisted living communities can be found in Parkersburg, Beckley, Morgantown, Huntington and Weirton at $3,210 to $3,600 per month. This is under the national average and makes the state much more affordable than other states. The most expensive assisted living homes are in Charleston at $4,357 average monthly cost. When you consider memory care, you could see an increase per month of $723 to $1,055 on top of base rates.

There is a Medicare Waiver Program call Medicaid Care Premium. Do keep in mind, however, that waivers do not cover room and board at senior living communities in West Virginia, and Medicaid never does. Medicaid is in place to simply keep the senior resident in their homes long enough to avoid or to delay going into any sort of assisted living facility or long-term care home. This is because it costs the state less money to pay for a certified nurse's aide or companion to come to the house or pay relatives and friends to take care of the senior than it does to cover all fees associated with assisted living or nursing home care.

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care in West Virginia

If your elderly parent loves the outdoors, then they may love West Virginia. This may be because the state is covered with lush Appalachian Mountains and forests. It is also home to beautiful lakes and streams, which are perfect for recreational activities such as kayaking, hiking, bird-watching, and canoeing. There are virtually no big cities in West Virginia, and this is why many older people choose this place so they can enjoy life at a relaxed pace. Moreover, the cost of living is significantly lower in WV than the national average.

Many West Virginia seniors may choose to live their later years in one of two places: assisted living or memory care facilities. In case you don’t understand the difference between the two, you should read this article to the end. This will help you make the right choice for your loved one when the time comes.

Overview of West Virginia Assisted Living Facilities

A West Virginia assisted living facility – or community – is one in which seniors or residents, for the most part, live independent lives. Of course, they get assistance for their various daily needs, including mobility, medication, meal preparation, bathing, or even transportation.

If you have an elderly one who finds it somewhat difficult to navigate the stairs or driving has become a risk, then they may be ready for assisted living.

Assisted living can be in a residential-style locality or a large building. A few of these places allow residents to keep pets. A few others offer additional services such as laundry, meal preparation, etc. for an extra fee or part of the charge.

What is Memory Care in West Virginia?

Memory Care communities in West Virginia differ – to an extraordinary extent – from assisted living facilities. They are designed to minimize the stresses of ailments related to memory loss, such as Alzheimer's. The residents in memory care usually have severe and specific memory-related issues or needs. They tend to forget things easily. Some can become utterly frustrated when they walk around spaces that they have lived for a significantly long time but that feel entirely unfamiliar.

These aged ones are inclined to wander off the premises and can pose a great danger both to themselves and to others, especially when they become aggressive as a result of frustration.

Is It Possible to Get Memory Care in West Virginia Assisted Living?

It’s possible, as most assisted living facilities in the state of West Virginia offer memory care alongside. For example, a few places offer a combination of memory care, assisted living, and nursing home care. Each type of care usually takes place at distinctive buildings or wings, but since your loved one will be in the same place, transitioning from one unit to another becomes more manageable and less stressful.

It is also easier for both relatives and friends of residents since they don’t have to go through the stress of traveling from one part of a community to another when visiting or when their loved one’s needs change.

By now, you should know the best assisted living option that is appropriate for your aged love one in the state of West Virginia, So, irrespective of whether you go for an assisted living facility or memory care unit in assisted living, you need to consider some factors such as the specific type of care your aged one requires, proximity of facility to family members, time of visitations and more.

Room Regulations at West Virginia Assisted Living Communities

West Virginia assisted living facilities are required to have 80 square feet per resident in an ALR, in an existing construction structure. In a smaller ALR facility in semi-private rooms, meaning there is a roommate involved and there are at least two people, there is a 60 square foot per resident requirement.  If the assisted living facility is new construction or if an old facility has been renovated, it will require at least 100 square feet of total floor area in the single-occupancy room and 90 square feet of total floor area for resident when there is a roommate, with a maximum of two residents allowed in one unit. There are common (shared) toilet facilities that are allowed in West Virginia assisted living units. There must be a toilet and sink for every 6 residents and one bathing facility bathtub or shower on each floor for every 10 residents.