CHAPTER 393
An Act to establish the policy of the Commonwealth concerning long-term care services for older adults.
Approved March 21, 2005
Whereas, in keeping with the traditional concept in our democratic society of the inherent dignity of the individual, the older adults in the Commonwealth deserve to enjoy their later years in good health, and with honor, dignity, and independence; and
Whereas, older adults should retain their ability to exercise free choice in planning and managing their lives; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth should coordinate the effective and efficient provision of community long-term care services to older adults so that those services will be readily available to the greatest number of people over the widest geographic area; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. Policy of the Commonwealth on long-term care services for older adults.
The Commonwealth shall seek to ensure that:
1. A balanced range of health, social, and supportive services exists to deliver long-term care services to older adults with chronic illnesses or functional impairments;
2. Meaningful choice, increased functional ability, and affordability are the determining factors in defining long-term care service needs and that these needs will be determined by a uniform system for comprehensively assessing the needs and preferences of these older adults;
3. Service delivery, consistent with the needs and preferences of older adults, occurs in the most independent, least restrictive, and most appropriate living situation possible; and
4. Opportunities for self-care and independent living by older adults grow significantly through strengthening the natural support system of family, friends, and neighbors and by encouraging all long-term care programs to maximize self-care and independent living within the mainstream of life in the community.