The Virginia Department for the Aging announced Tuesday that the federal government’s Administration on Aging has awarded the Commonwealth approximately $1 million in grants to help older Virginians and veterans remain in their homes and communities.

The funding includes $759,493 for a Nursing Home Diversion grant and $236,253 for an Alzheimer’s Disease grant. In addition, Virginia is one of nine states that will receive additional funding for a pilot program to provide similar services to veterans.

“The HHS funding is specifically designed to reach people who are not eligible for Medicaid, but who are at high risk of nursing home placement and spend-down to Medicaid, which often occurs when private pay individuals enter a nursing home,” says Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell. “The program will also offer consumers more control over their long-term care, including the ability to determine the types of services they receive and the manner in which they receive them, including the option of hiring their own care workers.”

In Virginia, this funding will be provided to three local Area Agencies on Aging for pilot projects to develop policies and services that demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach for all localities. The three AAAs are: JABA, serving Charlottesville and the surrounding area; Bay Aging, serving the northern neck and middle peninsula; and Valley Program for Aging Services, serving Waynesboro/Harrisonburg and the surrounding area.

“Our older Virginians should be able to live safely at home and remain in their communities for as long as possible, and they and their families should be able to choose the services that help them do just that. It is what seniors want and it is good for the Commonwealth.” says Linda Nablo, Commissioner of the Department for the Aging.

The Alzheimer’s Disease grant will provide support to five community organizations (four local Alzheimer’s Association Chapters and one Area Agency on Aging) to provide relief or respite to families dealing with dementia.

Funds will also be used to test the impact of interventions that help caregivers better manage stress while providing care to persons with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Finally, funding will enhance Virginia’s Virtual Alzheimer’s Center and AlzPossible website to address early stage dementia and to incorporate the Center’s resources into the Commonwealth’s ongoing systems change efforts in support of Virginia’s No Wrong Door initiative.