Virginia’s population is growing older quickly. By 2040, more than 600,000 Virginians — about 7% of all residents — are projected to be over 80 years old, according to a recent JLARC study. The numbers represent a 38% increase compared to 2030 estimates.
Meanwhile, Southside and Southwest are already home to some of the highest concentrations of older adults in Virginia.
As people grow older — and to meet the needs of current Virginians — it’s critical we create pathways and policies to help individuals age with dignity and care.
In this process, strengthening our state’s nursing homes must be a priority.
Fortunately, lawmakers in Virginia’s General Assembly are currently considering several bills designed to enhance how nursing homes in the state operate.
As someone who leads a retirement community and serves on the board of an association supporting not-for-profit aging services in the commonwealth, I know these important changes would improve accountability and transparency across the state. Older adults and disabled Virginians deserve nothing less.
As legislators look to improve outcomes at nursing home communities, it’s prudent to look at teams that are performing well and creating enriching and safe communities for residents. One thing is clear: not-for-profit providers consistently deliver superior results across performance measures.
For context, there are nearly 300 licensed nursing homes across Virginia. Not-for-profit providers represent about 10% of total nursing homes. While they represent a small portion of the total field, not-for-profit best practices and policies can help us improve the overall sector.
Foundationally, the structure of a not-for-profit means it’s mission-focused with an eye towards providing the highest-quality and most compassionate care for the residents. Volunteer boards promote trust and transparency. Profits are often invested back in communities to support staffing and infrastructure. The structure contributes to consistently higher outcomes for older adults living in communities.
It’s important to note our state is home to many wonderful for-profit providers that provide exceptional care and attention to residents. But bad actors, often connected to private equity, create environments resulting in quality issues and deficiencies that can pose risks to residents.
Fortunately, several bills working their way through the legislature would help improve our overall system. Here are four items to look out for:
HB 605: Minimum staffing standards in nursing homes
Introduced by Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico County, HB 605 requires certified nursing homes eligible to participate in the Virginia Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program to provide at least 3.08 hours of nursing staffing per resident until 2027 and then increase to 3.25 by 2031.
On average, LeadingAge Virginia members maintain a ratio that’s 4.3 hours of nurse staffing per resident, which leads to better overall outcomes for patients.
Certified Nurse Aid Funding
A recent AARP Virginia analysis shows 91% of nursing homes in Virginia have open certified nurse aide positions. Budget amendments from Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington County, and Del. Willett would allocate $2 million over two years to provide no-cost training for anyone who wants to enroll in a CNA program within the Virginia Community College System.
The policy mirrors a similar initiative enacted in Minnesota in 2021. Facing a staffing crisis in nursing homes, Minnesota funded the training of 1,000 new CNAs. Virginia’s proposal would go a long way in supporting workforce challenges at aging services communities.
HB 717 and SB 247: Nursing home ownership disclosures
Another group of bills from Del. Willett and Sen. Favola would strengthen accountability in nursing home ownership, management and operational control in the commonwealth. The bills establish a clearer and more consistent framework for identifying who owns and operates nursing homes, particularly during transitions in ownership.
When it comes to finances, fiscal performance is publicly accessible through Form 990s and other documents at not-for-profit communities. The change would give all older adults and families more information when researching and vetting communities.
Funding support for Area Agencies on Aging
Several budget amendments seek increases to funding for the state’s 25 Area Agencies on Aging, organizations that serve as a vital lifeline for older adults and caregivers by connecting them to essential supports such as nutrition programs, transportation, caregiver assistance and long-term care planning.
With looming federal funding cuts, additional state investments would allow AAAs, including several based in Southwest and Southern Virginia, to expand access to home-and community-based services, strengthen caregiver support, enhance preventive health and support workforce development.
All older Virginians deserve to live full and vibrant lives, while having access to reliable services that offer dignity and compassionate care. The latest legislation helps strengthen aging services in the commonwealth this year and beyond. The good news is, Virginia is home to an innovative and talented network of aging service providers and nonprofits committed to excellence. Working together, we can expand the world of possibilities for older adults.
William Lester is a board member with LeadingAge Virginia and serves as the president and CEO at Warm Hearth Village. He can be reached at wlester@warmhearth.org.