Back to resources

Virginia Medicaid Memory Care Coverage in Virginia Beach

Virginia's Medicaid covers dementia home care for eligible Virginia Beach seniors — application, coverage, and how to combine with VA and private pay.

Dr. Linda Patel, MSN, CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner)

Memory Care Specialist

Reviewed by Carol Bradley Bursack, NCCDP-certified — Owner of Minding Our Elders

2 min read

Updated May 13, 2026

In this resource guide

Virginia’s Medicaid pays for memory care at home and in facilities through Virginia’s Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver for income-eligible Virginia Beach seniors. Coverage typically includes companion and personal care hours, adult day enrollment, home modifications, and some respite. Application processing takes 2–6 months through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS); some specific waivers have multi-year waiting lists.

Who qualifies for Virginia Medicaid dementia coverage in Virginia Beach

Three eligibility tests:

Income typically near SSI level (varies by waiver)
Assets under $2,000–$10,000 (excluding primary home and one vehicle)
Clinical need for help with ADLs OR substantial cognitive impairment requiring supervision (dementia diagnosis satisfies)

Cognitive impairment is often sufficient by itself for Virginia’s Medicaid programs — your Virginia Beach parent doesn’t need to also have ADL impairment.

What Virginia’s Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver covers in Virginia Beach

Typical coverage for income-eligible dementia clients:

In-home personal care hours (often 20–40 per week)
Adult day program enrollment (memory-care specialized)
Short-term respite for family caregivers
Some home modifications (grab bars, ramps, locks)
Assistive technology (GPS for wandering, medication dispensers)
Memory care facility placement (for those who need it)

How to apply in Virginia Beach

Step-by-step for Virginia applicants:

Call Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia for initial intake (free).
Gather documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, 12 months bank statements, income proof, physician’s dementia diagnosis.
Submit through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) at https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-members/managed-care-programs/ccc-plus/.
Complete in-home assessment by Medicaid case manager.
Wait 2–6 months for processing; respond to information requests within deadlines.
Once approved, work with case manager to develop care plan.

Combining Medicaid with other funding in Virginia Beach

Common stacking:

Virginia’s Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver primary hours
National Family Caregiver Support Program (via Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia) supplemental free hours
VA Aid & Attendance for eligible veterans
Private pay for premium hours outside Medicaid coverage
Long-term care insurance benefits

Estate recovery in Virginia

Virginia (like most states) participates in Medicaid estate recovery: after death, the state may seek reimbursement from the estate for Medicaid-funded care during life. Primary residence is excluded during life but may be subject to recovery after death. Virginia Beach families should consult an elder law attorney before relying on Medicaid for long-term planning — particularly when significant home equity exists.

A 15-minute call with a dementia care advisor can confirm Medicaid eligibility for your Virginia Beach parent and walk through the application. Talk to a TrustedMemoryCare advisor when you’re ready.

Frequently asked questions

Does a dementia diagnosis alone qualify for Virginia Medicaid in Virginia Beach?

Yes, in most Virginia Medicaid waiver programs. Cognitive impairment requiring substantial supervision satisfies the clinical-need test for Virginia's Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) waiver — you don't need additional ADL impairment. The physician's dementia diagnosis is key documentation. Income and asset eligibility still apply separately. Apply through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia.

What's the waiting list for memory care Medicaid in Virginia Beach?

Varies by specific waiver. Some Virginia programs have immediate slot availability; others have multi-year waiting lists. Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia can clarify current wait times for Virginia Beach applicants. Apply as early as possible — don't wait until you need the care to start the application. Some families apply while still self-funding to secure a future slot.

Can Virginia Beach families combine Medicaid and VA benefits for dementia?

Yes, with caveats. VA Aid & Attendance income is counted for Medicaid in most states, which can push some veterans over income thresholds. However, medical expense deductions usually preserve eligibility. The two systems coordinate but the interaction is complex. A geriatric care manager or elder law attorney familiar with both systems is worth the consultation fee for complex Virginia Beach cases.

Does Medicaid pay for memory care facilities in Virginia Beach?

Yes, in Virginia-Medicaid-certified facilities. Not all Virginia Beach-area memory care facilities accept Medicaid. The the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) maintains a list of Medicaid-certified facilities. Eligibility requires meeting Medicaid's income and asset tests plus clinical-need documentation. Some facilities have a small waiting list for Medicaid-funded beds because the reimbursement rate is lower than private pay.

Will Medicaid take my Virginia Beach parent's home?

Not during life — primary residence is excluded from asset calculation. But Virginia's estate recovery program may seek reimbursement from the estate after your parent's death for Medicaid-funded care. Home equity in particular may be subject to recovery. Consult an elder law attorney in the Virginia Beach area before relying on Medicaid for long-term planning, especially with significant home equity. Some Virginia planning strategies can protect the home.

About the author

Dr. Linda Patel, MSN, CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner)

Memory Care Specialist

Linda has worked alongside families managing dementia and Alzheimer's at home for over 15 years. A Master of Science in Nursing and a Certified Dementia Practitioner, she writes about what families actually face — sundowning, communication shifts, safety-proofing, and the moments when memory care at home becomes a real, sustainable path forward.

View full bio