West Virginia Health Care Association

The Consumer Guide: Helping Families Make Informed Choices About Care can be a useful first step in your search for the level of care that meets your or your loved one's needs. We encourage you to read through Help at Home and in Your Community and the Assisted Living Community and Nursing Facility Care sections to familiarize yourself with the types of care options available in West Virginia.

The West Virginia Health Care Association and WV Bureau of Senior Services contact information, table of contents, and information on how to use this book are available in the first tab: Help at Home and In Your Community.

The first tab, Help at Home and In Your Community, covers programs and services administered by the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services. This tab begins with an overview of the Bureau and agencies that partner with the Bureau to provide a wide array of programs that may help you or a loved one stay healthy, stay at home, and stay safe. That is followed by a brief summary of each of those programs and whom to call for more information. The section concludes with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about aging services and a statewide list of resource people to contact if you have other questions or need more information. The resource list includes the Bureau of Senior Services, all Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), county senior centers, and regional ombudsmen.

The second tab, Assisted Living Community and Nursing Facility Care, includes a summary of the basic services provided in the two different care settings, assisted living communities and nursing facilities. The assisted living community and nursing facility visit checklists are provided to assist you during a tour. An overview of the state nursing facility and assisted living inspection survey report, including a completed sample survey, is also provided. The admission agreements, Ombudsman Program, Hospice, payment options, and government-funded assistance programs (Medicare and Medicaid) are important items explained. Additionally, a list of the WVHCA member nursing facilities and assisted living communities are also provided within this section.

The third tab, Important Contact Information, includes a list of other useful organizations and agencies. This section also contains a list of helpful resources available to the public, including books, pamphlets and websites.