When the paperwork gets real
Richmond has a lot of good organizations doing the parts of continuity planning that belong to them. The trick is knowing where to look before you're standing in the middle of a crisis trying to figure it out.
This page pulls together local and official resources for caregivers, older adults, veterans, families, and business owners. Legacy Architect RVA does not provide legal, financial, medical, or government benefits advice. Use the right professional or agency for the job.
Companion care and family support
Faith & Focus Companion Care provides non-medical companion care, respite care, and homemaker or sitting support for families in Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield. It may be a useful place to start when an older adult or loved one could use companionship or a family caregiver needs some relief. Contact the provider directly to confirm current services, availability, and fit.
For older adults and caregivers
Richmond Office of Aging and Disability Services provides information and referral assistance, care coordination, and connections to community services for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families. The office also points Richmond residents toward resources including the SPAN Center, Senior Navigator, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter, and other community partners.
Circle Center offers caregiver support groups and programs for older adults and caregivers in the Richmond area.
Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter provides caregiver support groups, memory cafes, a 24/7 helpline, and other local dementia resources.
For veterans and their families
VA Richmond Health Care Caregiver Support connects caregivers with local support coordinators, services, benefits, and programs.
The VA Caregiver Support Program also provides eligible Primary Family Caregivers with access to certain legal and financial planning services, including support involving advance directives, powers of attorney, budgeting, insurance education, and retirement planning.
For business owners
ChamberRVA’s business directory is a useful starting point for finding Richmond-area businesses and professional services. If your continuity plan depends on an attorney, accountant, financial professional, IT provider, or other local partner, start with an established local directory and verify the professional directly.
For business continuity itself, Legacy Architect RVA’s Business Continuity guide covers the operational information a team may need when an owner or key person suddenly cannot work.
For legal and financial decisions
Legal authority, tax decisions, investment advice, insurance decisions, and estate planning belong with appropriately licensed professionals. A Life Manual can organize the information and point a successor toward the right people and documents, but it does not replace those professionals.
When something has legal authority attached to it, use the lawyer. When it involves investments or financial advice, use the appropriate financial professional. When it involves benefits or government services, start with the agency that administers them.
What Legacy Architect RVA does
Legacy Architect RVA helps Richmond families and business owners document the practical side of continuity: accounts, systems, household operations, contacts, records, instructions, and the information someone would need if the person who normally handles everything suddenly could not.