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Where Older Virginians Can Get Help

Learn where older Virginians and their families can turn for local services, Medicare counseling, Medicaid, relay calls and abuse reports.

Your local Area Agency on Aging

An Area Agency on Aging is a local office that plans and coordinates services for older adults and the people who care for them. The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) lists every agency in the state. Your local agency is a good first call when you are not sure where to start.

In Northern Virginia, you can reach:

  • Alexandria Division of Aging and Adult Services: 703-746-5999
  • Arlington Agency on Aging: 703-228-1700
  • Fairfax Area Agency on Aging: 703-324-7948
  • Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging: 703-777-0257
  • Prince William Area Agency on Aging: 703-792-6374

If you live somewhere else, check the DARS list. You can also call the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the federal Administration for Community Living, at 1-800-677-1116 to find the agency that serves you.

Help with Medicare choices: VICAP

The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) gives unbiased, confidential help with health insurance at no cost. The counselors do not sell insurance. They can help with:

  • Medicare, including Part D drug plans
  • Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap (supplement) plans
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Appeals and denials
  • Programs that help people with low incomes
  • Spotting and preventing health care fraud

They can explain your choices, help you compare plans and help with applications. To meet with a VICAP counselor, call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask for an appointment.

Medicaid: Cover Virginia

Cover Virginia is the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services website for health coverage, including Virginia Medicaid. You can learn about coverage, apply, and find local help. If you have Virginia Medicaid, remember that you must renew it each year.

  • Phone: 1-855-242-8282
  • TTY (text telephone): 1-888-221-1590

Some people have both Medicare and Medicaid. A VICAP counselor or Cover Virginia can help you understand what applies to you.

2-1-1 Virginia

Dial 2-1-1 to be connected with community resources across Virginia, such as help with housing, food and health care. The service is confidential and has no cost.

Calls for people with hearing or speech loss: Virginia Relay

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have trouble speaking can make phone calls through Virginia Relay. Dial 7-1-1 and give the number you want to reach. A trained relay assistant helps the call go through, for example by reading typed words out loud. Family and friends can also dial 7-1-1 to call a relay user.

Report abuse, neglect or exploitation

Adult Protective Services looks into reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults age 60 or older, and of adults 18 or older who are incapacitated.

  • 24-hour, toll-free hotline: 1-888-832-3858
  • You can also contact your local department of social services.

If someone is in danger right now, call 911.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own care.

Have a question about this? Willow can explain in plain words, in English or Spanish.

Last reviewed 2026-10-21. Checked against these sources:

  1. Find Your Local Area Agency on Aging (Virginia DARS)
  2. Medicare Counseling (Virginia DARS)
  3. Adult Protective Services (Virginia DARS)
  4. Cover Virginia (Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services)
  5. Virginia Relay Features (Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

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