Welcome to the Virginia Division for the Aging
Mission Statement:
The Virginia Division for the Aging fosters the independence and well-being of older Virginians and supports their caregivers through leadership, advocacy and oversight of state and community programs, and guides the Commonwealth in preparing for an aging population.
Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
The Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program will provide reimbursement vouchers to home-based family caregivers for the cost of temporary, short-term respite care provided to their family members with disabilities. Virginia families who care for a loved one of any age with disabilities or chronic conditions can apply for up to $400 reimbursement for respite care under this limited voucher program. Click here to learn more.
Virginia Easy Access
Virginia Easy Access is an easy to use and easy to understand resource available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide information about topics and programs of particular interest to seniors, adults with disabilities, and those who care for them. Virginia Easy Access provides a simple method to search for specific services anywhere in Virginia. Virginia Easy Access is a gateway to VirginiaNavigator (which lists over 21,000 programs and services throughout the Commonwealth) and to the 2-1-1 Virginia Call Center.
Click on the logo or this text link to access the site at easyaccess.virginia.gov.
No Wrong Door
The vision of No Wrong Door/Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRC) in Virginia is to provide older adults and adults with disabilities with comprehensive information and streamlined access to available long term supports through collaborative partnerships and shared technology. Partners within each community contribute their unique expertise, collaborate and share client-level data, with consent, through a secure system in order to streamline access to supports and maximize efficiencies. No Wrong Door/ADRC is positioning Virginia to support an increasing population of older adults and individuals with disabilities in the environment of their choice.
Click on the image or this link to access vda.virginia.gov/nowrongdoor.asp.
Stay Current with DARS news on Facebook
To connect with Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services on facebook, click either link! https://www.facebook.com/vadars
Live Well, Virginia!
Chronic Disease Self-Management Education
Live Well, Virginia! workshops help people with chronic conditions learn practical tools for living a healthy life. If you are living with a chronic health issue such as diabetes, arthritis or high blood pressure, this workshop can help you feel better, be in control, and do the things YOU want to do.
For information on Live Well, Virginia! contact:
April Holmes
Coordinator of Prevention Programs
april.holmes@dars.virginia.gov
804-662-7631
To learn more about Live Well, Virginia! workshops, click here:
Participants
If you are a provider of Live Well, Virginia! programs, click here:
Providers
Project 2025: Enhanced Access to Legal Assistance for Older Adults in Virginia
According to various projections, there will be over one million more Older Adults in Virginia by the year 2025. We are preparing now to ensure that seniors and their caregivers have adequate access to legal information and legal assistance when needed. Read more about Project 2025 on our site in this PDF document.
State Plans For Aging Services
In accordance with the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended and pursuant to Virginia Code § 51.5-136, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), as the designated state unit on aging, is mandated to submit a state plan on aging services (State Plan) to the U.S. Administration on Community Living, the Governor and the General Assembly. DARS developed the State Plan in collaboration with the state’s aging network, including the Commonwealth Council on Aging, the Area Agencies on Aging, the Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and other state agencies, stakeholder organizations, and the older adults DARS serves. The State Plan describes the agency’s goals and strategies to achieve its mission, emphasizing the common themes that will enhance the lives of older Virginians moving forward.
DARS wishes to especially thank the Commonwealth Council on Aging and the Four-Year Plan Workgroup for its invaluable assistance in crafting the State Plan. The State Plan is found on the following hyperlink: Virginia’s State Plan for Aging Services 2015-2019
Virginia GrandDriver
While most older drivers are good drivers, the physical changes associated with aging can ultimately affect our ability to drive safely. The Virginia GrandDriver web site provides information about aging and its effects on driving.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) makes Prescription Drug Coverage available to Medicare beneficiaries. This prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) is designed to help individuals who qualify for Medicare pay for the prescriptions they need.
Other (Non-Medicare) Prescription Drug Assistance
In addition to Medicare Part D, there are other types of prescription drug assistance programs available, such as those offered by non-for-profit organizations, membership groups and pharmaceutical companies.
Click on the image or text link to access vda.virginia.gov/PrescriptionDrugAssistanceProgramsInVA.pdf.
Aging News
The News page contains items of interest to Virginia's aging population, their families and caregivers, or to individuals who work or volunteer in the aging field. Click the "News" icon at right to see the latest updates.
