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Charleston is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers, in the south-central portion of West Virginia. It’s the state’s capital and has a population of just over 45,000 people, 18% of whom are 65 and older. The small size of the city makes it easy to navigate on foot or bicycle. Charleston has a subtropical climate with four distinct seasons featuring very warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Offering personal care services and as-needed support with activities of daily living, assisted living facilities are an intermediate long-term residential option for seniors not yet needing nursing home-level care. Assisted living costs often vary greatly depending on the location. In Charleston, for instance, seniors pay $4,750, which is less than a couple of other cities in West Virginia but more than the state and national averages.
Below, we share more detailed cost comparisons with surrounding areas, discuss local assisted living laws and provide potential financial assistance options.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in West Virginia. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
In Charleston, assisted living costs seniors approximately $4,750 per month, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
Charleston’s average assisted living rates are only $250 more per month than the United States average of $4,500. However, this is nearly $600 more than the state’s monthly median cost of $4,160.
From Wheeling’s low monthly rates of $3,675 to Morgantown’s $5,700 average cost, West Virginia offers seniors a wide variety of pricing options. Parkersburg is the second most expensive at $5,444 per month, and the Huntington area’s rates are just slightly higher than those in Charleston. On the other hand, prices in Weirton are only slightly more than Wheeling’s at $3,800 per month.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in West Virginia.
| Contact | Description | |
| Kanawha Valley Senior Services | (304) 348-0707 | Kanawha Valley Senior Services helps seniors achieve a high quality of life through collaboration with other local agencies to make health, educational, economic and recreational services easily accessible. It offers programs such as computer training, exercise classes and arts and crafts. Care services and caregiver training in first aid, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, meal preparation and errands are also provided. |
| West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services | (304) 558-3317 | West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services is a resource for seniors looking for programs and services throughout the state, including transportation, prepared meals, exercise classes and home-based services. It also provides seniors with information on aging and health and wellness services. |
| Council on Aging | (304) 294-8800 | Council on Aging is a nonprofit organization that seeks to assist seniors in preserving their quality of life by providing free and low-cost programs and services. It offers community resources such as in-home care services, nutrition, medical transportation and counseling. |
| Central West Virginia Aging Services | (304) 472-0395 | Central West Virginia Aging Services provides personal care services and companion care that assists seniors with the activities of daily living to prevent the need for nursing home admittance. Services provided include medication reminders, housekeeping, meal preparation, grooming, bathing, transportation and errands. |
| Metro Area Agency on Aging | (304) 720-6858 | The Metro Area Agency on Aging provides support in the southwestern region of West Virginia for advocacy on behalf of seniors 60 years of age and older, creating plans to meet the needs of older adults through in-home community services and delivery of meals. Its senior center programs include adult day care, employment services, Medicare counseling and transportation. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Charleston area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
