Independent living provides the opportunity for seniors to remain connected to their home cities while living in a community with their 55-and-over peers. At A Place for Mom, we partner with 12 independent living facilities in the area that provide older adults with a wide variety of potential residential setups and, in some cases, access to third-party care services. Six of these are stand-alone independent living facilities; one is both an independent living and assisted living facility; and five are combination independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities.
The facilities listed here are all within 10 miles of downtown Richmond, providing easy connections to any social activities and sightseeing residents might want to do.
According to A Place for Mom data, most of these facilities are pet-friendly; provide complimentary transportation; and have recreational spaces such as game rooms, movie theaters, and fitness centers . This makes Richmond a great city for seniors who may need support while enjoying the perks of retirement.
In this guide, we’ll cover information on independent living facilities, financing options, residential laws and regulations, care types, and more to help simplify your housing search.
I would give them a 5 on all questions. My father was happy and extremely well taken care of. The folks there were amazing. He was in memory care so activities were more limited to in house but he enjoyed...
The community is always pleasant to visits, front office staff and nursing staff are always so welcoming. Residents seem happy and busy with frequent activities in building, I would place a family member...
MY wife was at Ginter Hall South from [date removed] to [date removed]. As indicated above, my wife was well taken care of. The staff was friendly from day one. During her staff the staff was very attentive...
Heritage Oaks is great on the sales end, not so good about after sale contracts. The daytime staff is great, as well the activities director. For value for cost, it's good but not great.
Minimal "issues" overall. Of course everyone/every place should never rest on their laurels. We are never perfect. So we should strive to always improve. I liked that they did Teepa Snow dementia training...
My father is I memory care and I think the aides do the best they can but they are understaffed, especially on the weekends. Their philosophy is to let the patients do their thing, whether it be up all...
Stay engaged, the squeaky wheel gets the grease in terms of care. My brother spent 6-7 months on the memory care floor. Great staff but not a great place to be. He is now placed in a private home on DD...
I can't recommend this place enough. The staff is friendly, responsive, and dedicated to caring for their residents. The facility is well-maintained. Having my loved ones here has been a blessing and a...
Aspire offers transportation and that was the deciding factor for my mom. She needs transportation to shopping and for doctors visits. Based on the experience we have had, we would recommend this community...
Heritage Green is a family "Family Atmosphere". The staff always strives to provide the best care possible for their residents. From the time you enter the facility you feel very welcomed. Plenty of care,...
My dad is in memory care and I’ve found the stuff to be very caring and attentive. My dad’s laundry, room and hygiene are looked after and the staff keeps me updated. If I have any negatives to report...
The facility is clean and usually adequately staffed. Food is fairly good. I do think they need to have a quicker response time when residents buttons are pushed.
Overall we are very pleased with the quality of care and the smooth transition for [name removed]. We appreciate so much the assistance we have received from A Place For Mom.
From the start August home has been a blessing for my family. They have ensured my mom’s needs are met, and have gone above and beyond to make this place feel like a home. They have adjusted her meds and she...
It's definitely a bit more hyped up than it really is, from the staff. I wish we had of asked about men/women ratio. And some of the activities really don't exist. There are an insanely amount of women...
My loved one was previously a resident at Lucy Corr and I visited her weekly. This facility was great. The staff were all very caring and helpful. Based on our experience, I would recommend Lucy Corr to...
I feel like this is a hard thing to answer because everyone is going to have complaints, but I feel like there's kind of a plateau in the industry standard where anywhere within a certain price point would...
There has been a significant improvement at Morningside of Bellgrade since last year. I was seriously planning on moving my brother from there last year, but the new ED asked me to give her team a chance so...
We chose Acclaim at Carriage Hill because it was the most affordable. Although the price is still a little high. I would recommend them to others.
If you are looking for a staff that sincerely cares about the well being of your parent and you - this is the place. They work with a heart and have a calling on their lives to do this. [name removed] is...
The office staff were so helpful. They helped me get my mom into a senior apt. there. She loves living in her new apt. The residence are all very friendly and kind to my mom. She has had a very positive...
The determining reason was that it was the closest to my sister and I. But more importantly we loved the facility and staff. My mom was very happy there . Also when my mom was on hospice at Sancerre, she...
Cleanliness is average. They have great staff. Quality of care is above average. The food is very good. The activities keep me busy every day. The value for cost is average.
Front desk staff is friendly and welcoming. Apartment is well-designed with space to negotiate with a rollator or wheelchair. Director of Nursing has been helpful in resolving any questions or clinical...
My mother has complained that the kitchen staff has had a lot of turnover and inconsistencies in quality of the food. The cost is extremely high. The cost of assisted living is just extremely high no matter...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Richmond community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, residents at our network communities paid an average of $3,294 per month for independent living in 2022. This figure includes service fees or other add-ons.
In addition to monthly rent, the costs provide residents access to on-site activities, parking, and chef-cooked meals for them and their guests. Seniors who select an independent living community with assisted living or memory care facilities on campus have access to senior care as they need it, such as memory care, diabetes care and medication management
The following chart presents Richmond’s baseline independent living fees, not including add-ons.
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 residents can pay for lodging through any number of private payment methods. Personal savings, investment returns, pensions, and Social Security benefits are just a few accepted ways seniors can finance their stays.
Veterans have multiple options for using benefits to finance their independent living stays in Richmond. Veterans who served during a wartime can apply for a VA Pension or seek VA Aid and Attendance to pay for independent living. To qualify for Aid and Attendance, a veteran must be on pension and have a service-connected ailment.
Veteran service organizations (VSOs) can help veterans navigate the complexities of VA benefits. Before beginning an application, contact vetted and recognized VSOs to access the best experts available in this area.
There are approximately 10,011 veterans who live in Richmond, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Percentage of veterans in Richmond that are over 55 years old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Resources for Richmond veterans
Virginia Department of Veteran Services
101 N. 14th St., Floor 17
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-786-0286
Office Hours: Visits are by appointment only
The American Legion Department of Virginia
1708 Commonwealth Ave.
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-353-6606
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6364
6502 Dickens Place
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-288-9597
Office Hours: Call for current hours
Richmond VA Medical Center
1201 Broad Rock Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23249-4915
Phone: 804-675-5000
Mental Health Care: 804-675-5411
Office Hours: 24/7
Henrico County VA Clinic
7702 E. Parham Road, Parham Doctors Hospital, MOB III, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23294-4372
Phone: 804-675-5000
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medicaid is available to Virginia residents through Cardinal Care. It does not cover a senior’s independent living costs, but it can apply to any necessary in-home care services via Home and Community-Based Services Waivers.
Virginia Medicaid accepts applications for health coverage year-round. You can choose from three different ways to apply:
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services agency can help Medicaid recipients with submitting state-sponsored health insurance applications and renewals.
Richmond resident Medicaid resources
Cardinal Care
600 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 833-522-5582
TDD: 888-221-1590
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
600 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-786-7933
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Office for Aging Services
1610 Forest Ave., Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23229
Phone: 804-662-9333
Toll Free: 800-552-3402
Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Virginia Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, VA 23229
Phone: 804-565-1600
Toll Free: 800-552-5019
Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Like Medicaid, Medicare does not cover independent living costs. However, seniors can use it to cover medical needs (e.g., doctor visits, drugs, and hospital stays). Medicare applicants are eligible if they’re at least 65 years old, under 65 living with certain disabilities, or diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. The enrollment period is three months before your birthday, during the month of your birthday, and three months after your birthday. Applying outside of this time could result in penalties [04].
Here are some programs and services that can help you offset Medicare costs:
Richmond resident Medicare resources
Richmond Social Security Administration Office
1834 W. Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 800-772-1213
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Office for Aging Services
1610 Forest Ave., Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23229
Phone: 804-662-9333
Toll Free: 800-552-3402
Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging
24 E. Cary St., Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-644-2804
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging
1300 Semmes Ave.
Richmond, VA 23224
Phone: 804-343-3000
Toll Free: 800-989-2286
Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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.
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:
Vaccinations. Employees and residents are encouraged to get vaccinations.
Facility cleanliness. Routine cleaning and handwashing are promoted.
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.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Richmond
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Richmond population
Median annual income for Richmond seniors 65 and older
This health care network has several facilities in town, including its VCU Medical Center and Division of Geriatric Medicine. An academic medical facility and Richmond’s top-rated hospital, VCU Medical Center is a renowned research and innovation center and provides several care options, such as senior-focused care and cancer treatments.
This medical provider network includes Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, Richmond’s second-best hospital and a high-performing general medicine and surgical provider, and Chippenham Hospital, which specializes in senior mental and behavioral health to make patients’ later years safe and enjoyable.
As the city’s fourth-ranked hospital , Bon Secours is a dedicated senior-care facility. Its Geriatric Assessment Center is a specialized center that provides seniors assessments, care planning, urgent care, and follow-up services.
Also known as Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, it is Richmond’s lone veterans’ hospital.
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.
Richmond has a multitude of activities and attractions for seniors, including outdoor excursions and indoor cultural expeditions.
Richmond offers seniors opportunities to stay active and move their bodies around. Seniors may enjoy hiking the James River Park trails or biking the Virginia Capital Trail.
Living independently in Richmond means you’ve got the Virginia State Capitol building in your own backyard. The building was designed by Thomas Jefferson over 230 years ago and is teeming with history. It’s open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Though famed poet Edgar Allan Poe is one of Baltimore, Maryland’s most famous residents, The Poe Museum in Richmond is chock-full of recreational activities for senior residents. With a calendar full of events and troves of Poe’s work on display, visitors will be tapping and rapping at the museum’s door. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Richmond also has several other prominent museums:
Interested in outdoor excursions? The 100-acre Maymont estate and park makes a great visit. Maymont features lovely gardens, an arboretum, native wildlife habitats, a nature center, a historic mansion, and more. Check out the website for operating times and more details. There’s also the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which was ranked America’s fourth-best public garden by USA Today. The botanical garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is only $14 for seniors and veterans.
Seniors can check out the Linwood Robinson Senior Center, a historical facility that offers fellowship and recreation activities to individuals who are 60 and older. The center provides a variety of programs, including arts and crafts, day trips, educational and cultural lessons, table games, piano lessons, community service opportunities, and more. You can call 804-646-3115 for operating times and days.
The Belmont Recreation Center has several senior-specific activities and is raring for more members. The Belmont Games Club invites participants ages 50 and over for card and board games, bridge, and pinochle. There’s also a bowling league at Shrader Lanes for seniors over 55, a golf club for seniors over 50, and two tennis clubs (Net Set and Racketeers) for seniors over 55.
Deep Run Recreation Center also offers a variety of drop-in games, such as bridge, canasta, cribbage, mahjong, and pinochle. There are also free fitness classes seniors can register for and open gym time where seniors can play pickleball. In order to participate in a gym activity, visitors just need to apply for a free access pass.
Looking for more entertainment? Rosie’s Gaming Emporium and Colonial Downs features casino games, betting, concerts, tastings, magic shows, and more. Check out the events page often for new events and experiences.
Sunrise of Richmond, Sunrise at Bon Air and Aspire at West End are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Richmond, VA. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Richmond is $3,939 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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The average cost of Independent Living in Richmond is $3,939 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Population estimates (V2017-2021): Richmond, Virginia; United States [Data set]. QuickFacts.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101): Richmond, Virginia; United States [Data set]. QuickFacts.
Office for Aging Services of the Division for Community Living. (2023). Medicare & Medicaid.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. News. (2023). Best Hospitals in Richmond, VA.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Population estimates (V2017-2021): Richmond, Virginia; United States [Data set]. QuickFacts.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101): Richmond, Virginia; United States [Data set]. QuickFacts.
Office for Aging Services of the Division for Community Living. (2023). Medicare & Medicaid.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. News. (2023). Best Hospitals in Richmond, VA.