Note that eligibility criteria, including age and income, for listed services vary by program. 

General Services/Resources 

Hanover Council on Aging 

The Council is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Board of Supervisors to act as representatives and advocates for the needs of seniors. The Council partners with other county departments and local agencies to offer special events and promote resources for older residents. 

Contact Hanover Community Resources, 804-365-4300. 

Senior Connections, the Capital Area Agency on Aging

Senior Connections is the local Area Agency on Aging serving Greater Richmond including Hanover County. This agency is a non-profit, and receives federal funds from the Older American’s Act as well as state, local and other funding to provide a host of services and resources for older adults and caregivers. Services are free or in some cases depend on income and include: general assessment and service coordination, referrals or direct assistance with adult day care, caregiver support, socialization such as local Friendship Cafés, mobility management and more. 

Contact Senior Connections, 804-343-3000 or visit http://www.seniorconnections-va.org/ 

Events 

For more information about the events listed below, contact the Department of Community Resources at 804-365-4300, or use the registration details provided. 

Senior Law Day 

Offered twice annually, this event (a partnership of Hanover Council on Aging, Senior Connections and Williams Mullen Law Firm) provides assistance to low-income seniors with preparation of simple wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives. 

Finding Value in Your Prime Active Aging Event 

Offered each spring, this free event engages local seniors through presentations and resources around wellness and active aging. Past events have included opportunities to have small "treasures" appraised. 

The Finding Value in Your Prime Active Aging event is scheduled for May 16, 2024 from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Fairmount Christian Church located at 6502 Creighton Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.  The Event is FREE yet pre-registration is required.  Please contact the Department of Community Resources at 804-365-4300 to register and for more information.  

Finding Value in Your Prime Active Aging Event is a partnership between Hanover Council on Aging, Hanover – Ashland TRIAD, Department of Community Resources, Hanover and Mechanicsville AARP Chapters and Hanover Parks and Recreation.

CENTENARIAN RECOGNITION

The Centenarian Recognition Program that will be held on May 10, 2024. More information to come in January 2024.

Financial/Benefits 

Social Services Benefit Programs 

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, food assistance, food stamps)
• Medical Assistance
• Pre-screenings for nursing home or in-home personal care placement

Contact Cover Virginia! at 1-855-242-8282 or apply online 

Cooling / Heating Assistance

Seasonal financial assistance programs available through the Department of Social Services for low income, qualified, older adults. Assistance includes repair or replacement of inoperable primary heating or cooling source or assistance with payment of bills. 

Contact Department of Social Services, 804-365-4100 

Real Estate Tax Relief

To qualify for real estate tax relief, homeowners must be Age 65 or above or permanently disabled and meet income and net worth requirements. Percent of relief ranges from 100% to 25%. Contact Commissioner of the Revenue, 804-365-6128 

Fee Reduction for Water and Sewer

Homeowners determined eligible for real estate tax relief are also eligible for a fee reduction for county water and sewer rates. Contact Public Utilities, 804-365-6019 

Health and Wellness

Adult Protective Services (APS)

 Adult protective services assesses financial and physical needs for in-home services, adult day care, or long-term care for individuals to help them remain in their homes or, when necessary, prepare for nursing home care. APS also investigates reports of adult abuse or neglect. Contact Department of Social Services 804-365-4100. 

Hanover Community Services /Mental Health

One in five older adults experience mental health concerns that are not a normal part of aging – the most common of which are anxiety or mood disorders including depression. In most cases, these mental health issues respond well to treatment. Good mental health contributes greatly to an overall feeling of well-being. Untreated mental health disorders n older adults can lead to diminished functioning, substance abuse, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. Research shows mental illness can slow healing from physical illnesses. 

The Community Services Board (CSB) offers services to adults who live in Hanover County, have a mental illness, a drug or alcohol program, or developmental disabilities and who meet specific criteria. Some of the services offered include: 

• Case management-connections and referrals to resources in the community 
• Counseling-offer advice and support to help deal with problems and make important decisions 
• Crisis/emergency services-24/7 help for people in Hanover County experiencing a mental health emergency. Call 804-365-4200. 
• Education workshops that promote mental health and wellness for persons of all ages. 

Contact Hanover Community Services Board at 804-365-4200. The CSB Ashland Office at 12300 Washington Highway has  walk-in hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday except County Holidays. 

Every Woman’s Life

This program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings for those 46-64 years of age based on income. Contact Hanover County Health Department 804-365-4350. 

File of Life

Available through the Hanover Council on Aging or the Hanover TRIAD Program, the File of Life is a free magnetic envelope to post on home refrigerator or vehicle to provide important medical and emergency contact information for first responders in case of emergency. Contact Hanover Community Resources, 804-365-4300 or Hanover Sheriff’s Office 804-365-6110, email [email protected]  

Leisure, Fitness and Socialization

Parks and Recreation

This department offers a range of opportunities including senior trips for those 50 or older; Prime Timers (a club for those 50 and older); Diner’s Club, senior games and tournaments; classes, and parks and trails. 

Contact Parks and Recreation at (804) 365-7150 or [email protected]  

Gold Cards

The Hanover county public school system offers “Gold Cards”, a program provides Hanover residents (62 and above) with free admission to cultural/sporting events within Hanover schools Contact any Hanover High School. Program update, Large events are not being supported at this time. We will await further guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and apply the executive orders from the Governor’s office when determining if or how large events can take place in the future.

Safety

For more information regarding any of the safety related programs listed below, call Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 804- 365-6110 or email [email protected]  

Adopt a Senior Program

This program provides and coordinates officer visitation to isolated seniors. Officers offer personal connections, safety checks and connect individuals to local services as needed. 

Hanover/Ashland TRIAD

TRIAD engages community partners, seniors and law enforcement planning and promoting crime prevention activities relating to senior safety and reducing fraud and victimization of elderly individuals. 

Senior Citizen Police Academy

The Academy provides local seniors with the opportunity to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office through weekly workshops. 

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver offers free electronic bracelet locators for those with dementia or autism. Law enforcement can then locate individuals within a short period of time to increase safety and reduce anxiety for the individual and their caretakers. Contact the Hanover Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6110.

Transportation

Hanover DASH

This service was established in December of 2019 through funding from Hanover County and a grant administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to provide specialized transportation services to Hanover residents 65 years of age and older or those with a short term or long term disability. Riders pay a fee of $5 for a one way trip. Hanover DASH program eligibility is managed by the Hanover Department of Community Resources. Door to Door, on demand transportation services ( passenger vehicles and wheelchair accessible vans) are contracted through a third party specialized transportation network management by UZURV. For more details or to apply for rider eligibility visit the Hanover DASH webpage.

Hanover Senior Rides Transportation Program

This is a nonprofit volunteer driver program coordinated by ACES and MCEF that provides transportation to seniors 60 or over or persons with disabilities who are no longer able to drive and can not obtain other forms of transportation. The program’s goal is to assist seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible. Riders must be able to walk independently or with use of cane or walker.  Rides may be arranged for scheduled medical appointments, grocery shopping, and personal business such as banking. Contact Hanover Senior Rides for Mechanicsville Area riders (zip codes 23111 or 23116) at 804-357-9360 or 804-543-6115 for Ashland Area riders (zip codes 23005, 23059, or 23069).  For more information on Hanover Senior Rides for Mechanicsville  https://www.4mcef.com/   For more information on Hanover Senior Rides for Ashland https://aceshanover.org/services/