Area Agencies on Aging in Virginia (2026 Guide)

Last updated: April 28, 2026

Checked through April 30, 2026. Phone numbers, service areas, and program rules can change. Use the official DARS local finder before you apply or travel to an office.

Bottom line: Virginia has 25 Area Agencies on Aging, often called AAAs. They are local starting points for older adults, family caregivers, and people who need help staying at home. Your AAA may help with meals, rides, Medicare counseling, caregiver support, in-home help, benefits questions, and long-term care referrals. The right office depends on your city or county, not only the nearest office building.

Contents

• Urgent help
• Start here
• Virginia AAA list
• What AAAs help with
• Key Virginia programs
• What to ask
• Phone scripts
• Spanish summary
• FAQs

Urgent help in Virginia

If someone is in danger, call 911. Do not wait for an aging office to open.

To report suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of an adult age 60 or older, or an incapacitated adult age 18 to 59, use the APS report page or call the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-832-3858. Reports can be anonymous. If the person is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

For food, shelter, rent help, utility help, transportation, health care, or local crisis help, call 2-1-1. The 211 Virginia service is a free way to find local programs in the Commonwealth. Keep your city or county, ZIP code, and the exact problem ready when you call.

For aging and disability services that are not a 911 emergency, Virginia also uses No Wrong Door. The No Wrong Door site can connect older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and caregivers with local service providers.

If you need a wider crisis plan, our Virginia emergency guide can help you sort food, rent, utility, medical, and safety calls in the right order.

Start here: how to find the right Virginia AAA

Start with your city or county. Virginia has independent cities as well as counties, so do not guess by region name alone. For example, Richmond City is handled by The Span Center, while nearby counties may also be in that service area. Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, and Prince William each have separate aging offices.

The Virginia aging page calls the local AAA the front door to aging services. That means it is often the best first call when you are not sure whether the need is meals, rides, Medicare help, caregiver respite, in-home support, or another local program.

Virginia has more than 8.8 million residents, and 17.6% of the state is age 65 or older, according to Census QuickFacts. That is a large group, so some local services have waitlists. Calling the right AAA can save time, but it does not guarantee a service slot.

Virginia Area Agencies on Aging list

This table is based on the current DARS local aging finder. Use it as a quick map, then confirm details with the official finder before you send documents or visit an office.

Some agency names have changed over time. If an older page mentions a name you do not see here, use the current DARS finder instead of old notes. If you need statewide benefit links, our Virginia portal guide explains CommonHelp, Cover Virginia, and other official portals.

What Virginia AAAs can help with

AAAs do not give cash to every caller. They help you find local services, screen for some programs, and connect with the right office. Many services focus on adults age 60 and older. Some also help family caregivers, people with disabilities, and long-term care residents.

The DARS services page lists common AAA program areas, including caregiver support, wellness, transportation, in-home services, legal help, Medicare counseling, nutrition, and Senior Cool Care. Local rules and funding decide what is open in your area.

Key Virginia programs tied to aging services

Medicare counseling through VICAP

What it helps with: VICAP gives free, unbiased, and confidential Medicare help. Counselors can help with Medicare, Part D drug plans, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, appeals, denials, low-income help, and fraud concerns.

Who may use it: People with Medicare, people near Medicare age, people with disabilities who have Medicare, and caregivers who help with plan questions may ask for help.

Where to start: The VICAP page says counseling is available through your local AAA. Ask the AAA to schedule a VICAP meeting, especially before you change plans.

Reality check: VICAP counselors cannot sell you a plan. That is good for trust, but you may need to wait for an appointment during busy Medicare seasons. Our Virginia MSP guide can help you prepare questions about help with Medicare premiums.

Meals and Farm Market Fresh

What it helps with: Local aging programs may offer home-delivered meals, group meals, nutrition education, food referrals, and farmers market benefits.

Who may qualify: Most Older Americans Act meal services focus on adults age 60 and older. Home-delivered meals often look at whether a person can shop, cook, travel, or safely eat without help. Local rules can vary.

Where to start: Ask your AAA about meal screening. Virginia’s Farm Market Fresh program can give approved older adults a $50 benefit for fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs when funding and local participation are available.

Reality check: Meal routes, market vouchers, and food programs can run out of funds or close intake. If you need food this week, call 2-1-1 and ask about nearby pantries while the AAA checks longer-term help.

Senior Cool Care

What it helps with: Senior Cool Care can provide a fan, window air conditioner, or portable air conditioner for eligible older adults who need help staying cool at home.

Who may qualify: The Senior Cool Care page says the program is for older adults age 60 or older, below 150% of the poverty level, who need added cooling at home and live in a participating service area.

Where to start: Apply through the participating AAA in your region between May 1 and October 31. If your region is not listed, call your local AAA and ask about other cooling help.

Reality check: The program does not pay for electric bills, delivery, installation, repair, or replacement after the unit is provided. If you need utility bill help, ask 2-1-1 about energy aid and crisis options.

CCC Plus Waiver and long-term services

What it helps with: The CCC Plus Waiver is a Virginia Medicaid home and community-based services waiver. It may help older adults and people with disabilities get approved care at home or in the community instead of a nursing facility or long hospital stay.

Who may qualify: The CCC Plus Waiver page says a person must need a long-term services screening and must be eligible for Medicaid before Medicaid pays for waiver services. Cover Virginia says the CCC Plus Waiver serves all ages and does not have a waiting list.

Where to start: Ask your local Department of Social Services for an LTSS screening and a Medicaid application. The CoverVA LTSS page explains long-term services and support in plain terms.

Reality check: “No waiting list” does not mean instant care. You still need screening, Medicaid approval, a service plan, and available providers. If family caregiving is part of the plan, our Virginia caregiver guide explains consumer-directed care and family pay rules.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

What it helps with: The ombudsman helps people receiving long-term care in nursing homes, assisted living, or some home and community-based settings. This can include care complaints, rights questions, discharge concerns, food issues, money concerns, visits, and safety problems.

Who may use it: Residents, families, friends, and other concerned people may contact the program. The ombudsman is resident-centered and treats complaints with privacy rules.

Where to start: The State Ombudsman page lists the statewide contact at 804-565-1600 or 1-800-552-5019. You can also ask your AAA for the local ombudsman contact.

Reality check: The ombudsman is not a 911 line. If a resident is in immediate danger, call 911 or APS first. For help comparing nursing homes or care problems, our Virginia housing guide can point you to related housing and care resources.

What to ask before you apply

Before you call, write down the person’s age, city or county, ZIP code, living situation, monthly income, main health needs, and the help needed right now. If you are calling for someone else, ask whether the AAA needs permission to speak with you.

• Am I calling the right AAA for this city or county?
• Do you help with this need directly, or do you refer to another office?
• Is the service open now, waitlisted, or closed because of funding?
• Is there an age, income, disability, caregiver, or care-need rule?
• What papers should I gather before the first appointment?
• Can a caregiver, adult child, or trusted helper join the call?
• Is there a Spanish-speaking worker or language help?
• If you cannot help, which office should I call next?

Documents to gather

You may not need every paper for every service. Still, gathering basic papers early can prevent repeat calls.

• Photo ID, proof of age, and proof of Virginia address.
• Medicare card, Medicaid card, Social Security card, and insurance cards.
• Social Security, SSI, pension, retirement, VA, or work income proof.
• Rent, mortgage, utility bills, shutoff notices, or repair notices.
• Doctor notes, hospital discharge papers, medicine list, and care needs notes.
• Power of attorney, guardianship papers, or signed permission if a helper is calling.

If the problem is property tax, home repair, rent, or utilities, our Virginia tax guide and Virginia benefits guide can help you prepare a wider document list.

Phone scripts

Calling the AAA

“Hello, my name is ____. I am calling for myself or for ____. The person is ____ years old and lives in ____ city or county. We need help with ____. Are you the correct Area Agency on Aging for this address?”

Asking about meals

“Hello, I am calling about meal help for an older adult. The person has trouble shopping, cooking, or leaving home because ____. Do you screen for home-delivered meals, group meals, or food benefit help?”

Asking about Medicare

“Hello, I would like a VICAP appointment. I need help with Medicare, drug costs, plan choices, or a bill problem. What should I bring, and how soon can we meet?”

Asking about care at home

“Hello, I am calling about help at home. The person needs help with bathing, dressing, meals, walking, or safety. Should we ask for an LTSS screening, CCC Plus Waiver information, or another local service?”

Resumen en español

Virginia tiene 25 Agencias del Área sobre el Envejecimiento. Estas oficinas ayudan a personas mayores, cuidadores y familias a encontrar comidas, transporte, consejería de Medicare, apoyo para cuidadores, ayuda en el hogar, información sobre beneficios y recursos de cuidado a largo plazo. Para una emergencia, llame al 911. Para abuso, negligencia o explotación de un adulto mayor, llame a Adult Protective Services al 1-888-832-3858. Para comida, renta, servicios públicos o ayuda local, llame al 2-1-1. Use la oficina de su ciudad o condado, porque la agencia correcta depende de dónde vive la persona.

Official resources

• DARS local finder for current AAA contacts by city or county.
• No Wrong Door for local long-term services and support connections.
• 211 Virginia for food, housing, utility, crisis, and community referrals.
• CommonHelp for SNAP, Medicaid, energy assistance, and some state benefit applications.

FAQs