Virginia Senior Living

Virginia offers and interesting mix of Jewish assisted living centers and others that are secular but set in Jewish communities where access to the local synagogue is easy. In fact, seniors are very likely to find a good set of options in the very community they call home today so there is no transition needed when it comes to following their faith. That can make a huge difference for seniors that will already be stressed by the idea that they are no longer going to be living as independently as they once did.

A good place to start is with Beth Shalom Senior Living in Richmond, Virginia. This is actually a group of two Jewish assisted living facilities that welcome all faith but maintain a focus on the Jewish faith. They have the added benefit of being part of a greater Jewish community as well so they have the support of various Jewish services that go well beyond what they can offer on their own.

If the best option is an assisted living facility that isn’t specifically Jewish but is in easy reach of a Jewish community, one of the many assisted living centers offered by Retirement Unlimited could be a good solution. These are all well respected assisted living centers where faith is withing easy reach of a local synagogue or other religious centers.

The best solution for faithful Jews may not be a Jewish assisted living facility. It may be a secular home that allows them to stay close to home and remain active in the congregation where they worship today.

Cost of Jewish Assisted Living in Virginia

Virginia’s Jewish assisted living centers are expensive when compared to the national monthly average of $4,000 for assisted living services. This include Jewish assisted living centers, and all others, with an average rate of $4,800. The only city in the state that is less than the national average is Roanoke, VA, where the average drops to $3,800+ per month. Otherwise every other city is well above the $4,000 mark, with Winchester, VA, topping the list at $5,600 per month.

Jewish Assisted Living Communities in Virginia - Amenities

Truth be told, there are many faithful that are happy to attend weekly services, and nothing more. For these seniors, just about any assisted living facility will serve their needs. But for those that are committed to growing a meaningful and personal relationship with God, there is much more to do and more support is needed. This is where a Jewish assisted living facility and the local Jewish community become such important factors in maintaining spiritual health.

Jewish Retirement Communities in Virginia - Religious Amenities

It all begins with the synagogue, which is at the core of Jewish life. The congregation is more like an extended family that can be counted on in both good and not so good times. It also a place where faith is strengthened through learning and spiritual health is supported through counseling. This is a critical link for Jews, especially seniors that are facing the challenges of aging, couples with the stress of relocating from independent to an assisted living facility.

Rabbis are another key to enjoying a healthy and meaningful life in the light of God’s good graces. They are the teachers and the counselors the congregation depends on in both good and bad times. In a Jewish assisted living center, they will be actively involved in daily life around the residence. In secular homes, seniors will have to seek them out in the local Jewish community.

The other things seniors will have to seek out in the local community are effective programs that offer opportunities to become active in the community and to provide meaningful service to others. This is all part of what Jews need for atonement, something they would be lost without.

Finally, seniors need to follow kosher guidelines in the meals they enjoy. In a Jewish assisted living facility this will be commonplace. They will have a certified kosher kitchen, staff that is properly trained and suppliers that can be counted on for kosher ingredients. In secular homes, seniors will have to depend on the local community and take responsibility for much of their own food preparation in order to maintain kosher dining habits.

Jewish Assisted Living in Virginia - General Amenities

From the day we are born, we are set out on a path that has only one possible ending, and for the faithful, that’s okay. What is important is the road we travel, the family we nurture and that nurtures us, how good a job we do taking care of the bodies we are blessed with, and of course, the commitment we make to leading a good life. This helps separate those that get “Old” and those that simply get older.

Helping seniors stay on the right path so they can age without losing their passion for life is what assisted living centers are all about. They provide ADL’S, or Assisted Daily Living assistance that helps seniors get older while still maintaining a young and healthy attitude. It is done with care that starts with help every senior remain as mobile as possible because getting around opens opportunities to stay active. Next, they provide daily assistance with personal hygiene that helps them launch into each new day with confidence. They will enjoy help with eating when required and medication management at all times to they can count of the best medical outcomes from their medical treatments. All of this, plus daily housekeeping and maintenance, make life in assisted living centers a wonderful alternative to living and battling alone.

When more serious illnesses, like Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia take hold, assisted living facilities are prepared to offer an extra layer of care. This is Memory Care, and it is designed to help seniors reconnect with lost memories, using unique therapies like pet and music programs. This care is delivered in areas of these assisted living centers that are more secure, less distracting and far more organized as well.

Great meals are served 3 times each day and if seniors were expecting hospital cafeteria type food, they will be very pleasantly surprised. This are restaurant-quality meals, prepared by professional chefs, that include many all-time favorites and almost as many new dining experiences so seniors may always be able to add to their list of the foods they love.

Seniors will have a portion of these assisted living centers, in the form of apartments, that they can call their own, without the need to pay property taxes or worry about paying utility bills. They are normally set out as one- and two-bedroom apartments and studio suite. They may also include semi-private room as well.

Virginia is truly a mixed bag of Jewish assisted living centers and secular assisted living facilities, but with the many Jewish communities across the state, there are plenty of good options for living a faithful life while enjoying the benefits of assisted living.