Adult Services: Home-Based and Other

Adult Services: Home-Based and Other Purchased Services

How this program helps people

Companion, chore, and homemaker services are provided by local departments of social services to adults aged 60 and older and adults with a disability. They are designed to help adults remain as independent as possible, in the least restrictive environment (preferably in their own homes), and to avoid more costly and restrictive institutional placement.

Companion services include assistance with activities of daily living, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and shopping.

Chore services include non-routine, heavy home maintenance tasks.

Homemaker services involve instruction in such activities as personal care and hygiene, home management, nutrition, or consumer choices.

Together, these services comprise "home-based services" (see Code of Virginia Section 63.2-1600). The "Other" purchased services category includes adult day services, adult foster care, adult protective services (APS), and nutrition services. Home-based services are paid from federal Social Services Block Grant and local funds, with a small amount of state funding for APS.

At the start of SFY 2014 (July 1, 2013), the Adult Services Program moved from VDSS to the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). DARS' Adult Protective Services Division oversees Adult Services and Auxiliary Grants as well as Adult Protective Services. Local departments of social services staff remain responsible for determining eligibility for Auxiliary Grants and service delivery for Adult Protective Services and Adult Services.

This program is now managed by DARS. Beginning with SFY 2022, VDSS will no longer report new statistics on this program. DARS activity reports can be found via the following link.

Data Notes                                                                             

• Other Purchased Services: includes adult day services, adult foster care, adult protective services, and nutrition services. 
• Prior to SFY 2007, the Sources for number of adults served were VACIS and an annual survey.  More recent counts are from ASAPS.                                         
• In 2009, revised table to display all three "home based services" (per Code of Virginia 63.2-1600) as a total.
• Represents duplicate services provided to AS/APS clients by homemaker, chore, or companion providers from ASAPS service plans.                                           
• Beginning in SFY 2009, counts are from ASAPS case type listings.                               

Data Sources

• Adult Services Program staff
• Adult Services/Adult Protective Services (ASAPS) automated system
• Locality Automated System for Expenditure Reimbursement (LASER)