10 Best Nursing Homes in Virginia Beach, VA
With the boardwalk and beach right at your fingertips, Virginia Beach, Virginia, provides a vast range of luxury stores, restaurants, and more. Virginia Beach pleasantly blends its suburban atmosphere with vibrant coastal features and attractions, making the populous city a well-loved destination for seniors and their families alike.
In terms of senior care, the term “nursing home” is often generalized to encompass facilities that offer assisted living services, memory care services, or a combination of both. However, a nursing home is a specific type of facility that offers 24-hour medical supervision and skilled nursing care. It’s not a catch-all term for senior care.
A Place for Mom does not partner with or refer to nursing homes, but if your loved one needs assistance with daily tasks or requires care for memory loss, we have seven partner facilities in Virginia Beach that could be the right fit. Virginia Beach also has unique facilities that offer a combination of assisted living, memory care, and independent living services all within one facility — which provide progressive care arrangements to their residents.
Within a 10-mile radius of Virginia Beach, we partner with seven assisted living and memory care facilities, giving seniors various options to suit their individual needs. This comprehensive guide from A Place for Mom can help you locate your family’s ideal housing choice. This guide has covered all the necessary information, from regulations and payment methods.
How do we rank Virginia Beach assisted living and memory care facilities?
Our goal is to help you find high-quality senior care facilities that fit your needs. Using our 20+ years of experience in senior living, we developed a proprietary rating system based on the following:
- Recent, high-quality reviews. We take into account reviews from the past two years. Then, we look for assisted living and memory care facilities that people prefer. Communities that have mostly positive ratings in the past two years are prioritized over facilities that have low or no reviews in the past two years. Reviews also help us understand what matters most to families like yours and how you rate communities based on subcategories like meals and dining, staff, and cleanliness.
- Facility transparency. Communities that have robust information are prioritized over facilities that don’t offer the same level of transparency.
- Location. Senior care options vary based on proximity to your desired location.
Nursing Homes Facilities near Virginia Beach, VA
Bay Lake is a very nice assisted living. The staff are like family to us. I feel safe and well cared for. I'm proud to call Bay Lake my home.
Moms Healthcare needs are being taken care of she is in the best health I have seen in years the staff is so accommodating always friendly and make you feel right at home here. Mom is very happy here, we...
It was a smaller community that made it much easier for the resident to get around. They had great activities. Staff is very caring and helpful. They have great patience.
What is most important to me is the care services that the staff provide. Everything is going great with my Mom. The agency that is working with her is doing a great job.
All categories rate a score of 5. It's been a great relationship for sure with my Mom ultimately being the greatest benefactor. We would recommend this community to other families based on the experience we...
So far it’s been pretty good. There’s a few people there that could change their disposition.. I wish there was friendlier people there not so much the staff, but the residents. you can say hi and they...
Overall the place has positive energy that our Mother thrives on. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The facility is really nice and we all love the outdoor courtyard. Lots of fun and engaging...
The facility is small and does not have the feeling of an institutional operation. As you get to know staff and residence it becomes more like a family setting. We have a smaller room with a queen size bed,...
Chesapeake Place was great for my dad. He did well there. He was treated with kindness and respect by all staff members. I would highly recommend them to anyone. The price is a little steep but then...
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I had a pretty great experience moving my elderly friend here from his apartment for safety reasons. The administration was helpful with a smooth transition. He has made friends and likes the nursing staff....
The communication is excellent, they call frequently to give updates and let us know anything we need to. The room sizes are wonderful, and the food is very good. I would recommend this facility to...
The community has been in the area for a very long time. The aesthetics don't have the newer decorations like new communities, and it is a little bit on the older side for decor. I believe they should have...
There is many Care buildings in the Chesapeake area, however I find this one to be above all others. The people working there seem to actually care about my loved one and myself. Thank you for all the great...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Virginia Beach community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Virginia Beach community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of Nursing Homes in the Virginia Beach area
- How people pay for a nursing home in Virginia Beach
- Understand Virginia laws and regulations for nursing homes
- What to expect from nursing homes in Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach nursing homes services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Virginia Beach? Highlights for seniors
Costs of Nursing Homes in the Virginia Beach area
Since nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, provide 24-hour medical care, they’re typically much more expensive than facilities for more independent seniors. According to Genworth’s most recent cost of care survey, the average monthly cost for a skilled nursing facility is $7,908 for a semi-private room and $9,034 for a private room.[01]
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data in Virginia Beach, assisted living costs average around $4,470 a month for a private room. And memory care averages about $5,924 per month.[02] These prices include associated fees and care services in addition to room and board.
With these costs for assisted living, you can expect that your loved one will have help with the following:
- Personal care
- Medication management
- Mobility assistance
- Nutritious meals and snacks based on dietary needs
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Transportation
- Scheduled activities and events
- Socializing
For memory care, your loved one will have assisted living services as well as the following specialized services:
- 24-hour observation from specialized staff
- Memory-enhancing therapies and activities
- A secure environment with space to safely move around
How people pay for a nursing home in Virginia Beach
Most seniors and their families use a combination of private finances and state funding to help pay for nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care.
Medicare or Medicaid are nearly always included in public assistance, but VA benefits are also sometimes included. You can find an overview of Virginia Beach’s private and public senior living payment options here.
Concerning taxes, Virginia requires all residents to file an income tax if they meet certain residential and financial criteria.[03] However, Virginia doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, nor do they have an inheritance tax. You can learn more about this by reading the Virginia Estate and Inheritance Taxes section of the Public Document 15-93.[04]
There are numerous payment options that families use to cover the costs of long-term care, like savings, pensions, Social Security benefits, investment earnings and any of the following:
Number of veterans who live in Virginia Beach
About 14% of Virginia Beach veterans are 75+.
Veterans benefits may cover some costs of your loved one’s skilled nursing, assisted living, or memory care costs. For Virginia Beach, disabled veterans or their surviving spouses may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit to help with long-term care costs. The VA Aid and Attendance provides monetary assistance for anything that improves a disabled veteran’s quality of life. The Aid and Attendance benefit is an addition to the VA Pension, so the veteran must already receive the VA Pension and be enrolled in VA health care to apply for the Aid and Attendance.
If you have questions about your or your loved one’s VA benefits eligibility, you can reach out to the VA office or a local veterans service organization (VSO). VSOs are organizations that have been vetted and recognized by the VA to help veterans navigate the complex benefits system. Both the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and American Legion are VSO resources in the Virginia Beach area. Veterans can also find additional resources and benefits information at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. It’s worth the time to seek out these benefits with a qualified VSO, as the payout can be generous and life changing.
Resources for Virginia Beach veterans
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Virginia Beach — Oceana Benefits Office
1232 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 202
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Phone: 757-689-3729
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Veterans will be seen 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Walk-in hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Appointments: Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services (Regional Office)
James Monroe Building
101 N. 14th St., 17th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-786-0286
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
4896 Kempsville Greens Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-519-9931
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
American Legion, Princess Anne Post 113
Phone: 757-635-1552
Medicaid — called Cardinal Care in Virginia — is the health care program for low-income seniors. For those who qualify, it will cover the cost of a nursing home, including rent, meals, and care services, if it’s considered medically necessary for your loved one.[06] For those in assisted living or memory care, Medicaid may be more limited. However, Medicaid’s home and community-based services waivers could provide coverage for health care services.
If your loved one is over the age of 65 or has a disability, they should enroll in the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+) Medicaid Waiver. The CCC+ is a subprogram through Cardinal Care that can help cover the costs of health care and long-term care for eligible seniors who meet age, disability, and income level criteria. There is, however, an enrollment cap, meaning that even if your loved one is eligible, they may be waitlisted.
To get help with determining eligibility or the application progress, contact the Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (the Local Area Agency on Aging covering Virginia Beach). They also have an ombudsman, Willie Alston, for answering questions and mediating existing concerns surrounding long-term care options.
Additional resources
600 East Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 833-522-5582
TDD: 888-221-1590
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (Local Area Agency on Aging)
2551 Eltham Avenue, Suite Q
Norfolk, VA 23513
Phone: 757-461-9481
Fax: 757-461-1068
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In many assisted living, and memory care facilities, assistance with daily living activities is the main type of care provided, which doesn’t always necessitate specialized training like the medical care provided in a skilled nursing home. The type of care found at assisted living and memory care facilities, along with room and board, is not covered by Medicare.[06]
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) can cover care in a qualified skilled nursing facility (SNF) as long as it’s medically necessary and requires skilled nursing care, like changing sterile dressings.[07] But even that coverage is limited to a short-term stay.
Medicare-covered services in a skilled nursing facility include, but aren’t limited to: [07]
- A semi-private room
- Meals and snacks
- Skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology services
- Medical social services
- Medications
- Medical supplies and equipment used in the facility
- Ambulance transportation
- Dietary counseling
To qualify for benefits, one must be 65 and older, under 65 receiving Social Security Disability benefits or an individual with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) or end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant). To confirm your loved one’s Medicare coverage, check online, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or talk to someone at the local Social Security Administration.
In Virginia, one of the four levels of Medicare Savings Programs may be able to assist you in paying for Medicare copays or premiums. While help covering certain medications might be found through the Virginia Medication Assistance Program (MAP). Virginia’s Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) is available to qualified individuals to bring together a care team to connect your loved one with various medical and social services.
To get help figuring out what your loved one might qualify for and how to apply, reach out to Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) for free counseling. Your local Area Agency on Aging, called Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, can connect you with a VICAP counselor. For assistance navigating questions about long-term care options, reach out to your local ombudsman, Willie Alston, who’s trained to assist seniors and their families with their Medicare or Medicaid needs.
Virginia Beach resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration
2875 Sabre St., Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
Ombudsman: Willie Alston
2551 Eltham Ave., Suite Q
Norfolk, Virginia 23513
Phone: 757-222-4542
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Email: walston@ssseva.org
Offices for Aging Services (VICAP)
1610 Forest Ave., Suite 100
Henrico, VA 23229
Phone: 804-662-9333
Sentara Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 260
Norfolk, VA 23502
Phone: 757-252-7800
Fax: 757-390-4375
Understand Virginia laws and regulations for nursing homes
Virginia nursing homes must be licensed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and meet Board of Health standards. The regulations define minimal requirements to safeguard residents’ health, safety, and welfare. Skilled nursing facilities in Virginia must meet specific standards to get a license, including the following:[08]
- Completing an application process and paying the requisite fees
- Achieving minimal staffing requirements, including having a qualified nurse on duty 24/7
- Offering a physically safe and secure environment for residents
- Creating and carrying out resident care plans
- Giving necessary medical care, like medication management and wound treatment
- Providing an activity program designed to meet residents’ physical, social, and emotional needs
- Conducting criminal background checks on employees and volunteers
- Maintaining proper records and documentation
Virginia Beach nursing homes are federally regulated
The federal government regulates nursing homes in the United States through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CMS enforces federal care standards at nursing homes using various methods.
Virginia Beach nursing homes must pass quality and safety inspections
CMS-certified nursing facilities accepting Medicare/Medicaid must comply with federal quality, staffing, and resident rights standards to receive reimbursement. CMS regularly inspects skilled nursing facilities to ensure compliance with federal standards, including quality of care, safety, cleanliness, staff numbers, and the adequacy of personnel numbers. [09]
Nursing homes must report certain quality measures, like fall and pressure ulcer rates among residents, to CMS. CMS uses this data to spot service gaps and can penalize non-compliant nursing homes — these penalties include fines, payment refusal, or even Medicare/Medicaid participation termination.
Virginia Beach assisted living and memory care facilities are held to similar standards
The federal government doesn’t establish requirements for memory care or assisted living facilities. Individual states regulate these facilities, including building and safety rules. The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Licensure and Certification licenses and regulates assisted living and memory care facilities in Virginia Beach. Memory care — referred to as a special care unit in Virginia — falls under assisted living with some additional requirements.[10]
A few examples of these regulations include the following:[10]
- All care programs provided by an assisted living facility must meet each resident’s physical, mental, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs; protect guide and supervise the resident; and promote a sense of self-worth and independence.
- All staff are required to be respectful and considerate of the rights and dignity of residents who are aged or disabled.
- All staff have to pass background checks and undergo staff orientation and initial training, which includes emergency and disaster procedure training, first aid training, standard health precautions, how to handle resident information with confidentiality, and how to detect or report any instances of elder abuse or neglect.
- Direct care staff are required to meet certain qualifications, including certification as a nurse aide, first aid and CPR certification, completion of a Virginia Board of Nursing-approved nurse aide education program, and completion of appropriate all personal care aide training.
The Virginia Department of Health regularly inspects facilities to ensure they comply with licensing standards and regulations. Failing to meet these requirements results in VDH investigation and enforcement. You can find inspection records for specific facilities using the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Assisted Living Facility Search Form. You will have to search for standalone memory care facilities as a special care unit.
Virginia Department of Health contact information
109 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone Number: 800-533-4148
COVID-19 regulations for Virginia Beach nursing homes
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health both advise seniors to maintain their vaccination status.
Vaccinations. Anyone six months or older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. See the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-10 Vaccination Response for the state’s updated recommendations.
Masking. Visitors of senior care facilities do not need to wear masks. If they’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, it’s recommended they mask for 10 days.
Facility cleanliness. Staff of facilities should follow basic hygiene practices such as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces.
Staff safety. Employees should be tested if they have come into contact with infected people or exhibit symptoms.
CDC guidelines. Improve ventilation in enclosed spaces of facilities, keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, and avoid those who may have been infected.
What to expect from nursing homes in Virginia Beach
Remember that the term “nursing home” is generally used to cover many types of senior care facilities but our usage refers specifically to skilled nursing homes. Unlike skilled nursing homes, general senior care facilities don’t typically offer skilled nursing or medical care on-site. General senior care communities are considered assisted living and memory care communities.
While memory care communities offer Virginia Beach seniors with a dementia diagnosis a safe and secure environment, the city’s assisted living communities offer seniors a little more independence and activity. Larger assisted living and memory care facilities also often have additional skilled nursing wings, so the resident doesn’t have to move if they ever require skilled nursing care.
While A Place for Mom does not partner with or refer to nursing homes, we do refer to assisted living and memory care facilities in Virginia Beach, some which may have a skilled nursing unit on-site.
Assisted living and memory care
Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Virginia Beach, there are seven in-network facilities that offer assisted living or memory care. One is a stand-alone assisted living facility, and one is a stand-alone memory care facility. Three are combo assisted living and memory care facilities. And two are combo assisted living, memory care, and independent living facilities.[02]
If you widen your search to a 25-mile radius of Virginia Beach, there are 21 more facilities to choose from: 12 assisted living and memory care combinations and four facilities that offer assisted living, memory care, and independent living services all in one.[02]
Facilities that offer care from independent living all the way to memory care are very valuable options if your loved one would like to stay in one place and transition to more intensive care as they require it.
Help with memory loss
Memory care facilities provide specialized staff to accommodate memory loss patients along with their medical management. They also have someone awake 24/7 to ensure your loved one’s safety. With multiple indoor and outdoor areas, seniors can enjoy getting out and about in a secure environment. Special activities are also planned that are specifically tailored to people with memory impairments.
Amenities for everyone
Activity directors can be found in almost all of our partner facilities. That means there will be no shortage of things to do from on-site activities to planned group outings. Bingo, trivia games, painting, parties, and religious services are just a few things your loved one can look forward to. Plenty of common spaces are provided for socialization from places to shoot pool to quiet libraries to movie rooms.
Virginia Beach nursing homes services and amenities
Availability of select care services in Virginia Beach nursing homes
Availability of select dementia care services in Virginia Beach nursing homes
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Virginia Beach nursing homes
Availability of select dining options in Virginia Beach nursing homes
Availability of select programs and activities in Virginia Beach nursing homes
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Unfamiliar with Virginia Beach? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Virginia Beach
14% of seniors are 65 and older within the Virginia Beach population
Median annual income for Virginia Beach seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in Virginia Beach
Residents of Virginia Beach have easy access to high-quality medical care that supports the environment of elderly citizens with disabilities. You can find everything you need to lead a healthy life, from specialty hospitals and clinics to options for home health care.
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital offers routine general surgical and medical care in Virginia Beach. It also has high ratings in eight adult treatments and diseases.
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility in Chesapeake, Virginia. It has excellent reviews for seven adult treatments and conditions.
Transportation for seniors in Virginia Beach
Most residents rely on the transportation services provided at all our partner assisted living and memory care facilities. But if a friend or family member comes to visit, there are some other options for getting around.
If you want to get into nearby Norfolk and back again, check out the light rail. For getting around Virginia Beach, there is a public bus system, too. Hampton Roads Transit’s (HRT) Paratransit services provide door-to-door transportation for seniors with disabilities or mobility issues.
The Senior Services Transportation Program offers low-cost shuttle services for seniors 60 and over and disabled individuals of all ages in addition to public transit. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and needs advance registration. The customized timetable is designed to provide dependable transportation services to seniors.
Senior activities in Virginia Beach
It’s nice to take your loved one out to enjoy the outdoors or find some entertainment, despite all the great activities provided by our partner assisted living and memory care facilities.
Virginia Beach features a lot of natural beauty, so getting out and taking in some fresh coastal air can be enjoyable. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is completely accessible and offers spectacular beach views.
If you want an even more picturesque viewpoint, First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge feature wheelchair-accessible nature trails.
Those looking for a more interactive experience can visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center which has marine animal exhibits, touch tanks, and educational events. Senior citizens have access to ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms in the center.
The Military Aviation Museum is a must visit spot for seniors and families who are interested in aviation history. With some exhibitions only being displayed for a limited time, there’s always something new to see.
The Norfolk Botanical Garden appears to be the ideal destination for relaxation, with its accessible strolling trails and lovely floral displays. The sights, sounds, and smells of a garden can be comforting to the elderly.
The Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department offers a wide range of cultural activities for seniors, like concerts, theatrical performances, and art exhibits. The majority of programs at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and the Virginia Museum of Modern Art are either free or inexpensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bay Lake Community, Acclaim at East Beach and The Waterford at Virginia Beach are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Virginia Beach, VA. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Virginia Beach is $4,708 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Genworth Financial. (2023). Cost of care survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Virginia Department of Taxation. Who must file.
Virginia Department of Taxation. Estate and inheritance taxes.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101): [Virginia Beach, Virginia]. [75 years and over]. American Community Survey.
Medicare.gov. Nursing home care.
Medicare.gov. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care.
Virginia Law: Code of Virginia. Article 1. Hospital and Nursing Home Licensure and Inspection.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Nursing home enforcement – Frequently asked questions.
Division of Licensing Programs: Virginia Department of Social Services. (2021, October). Standards for licensed assisted living facilities.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): [Virginia Beach, Virginia]. [65 years and over]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022.) Quick facts: Virginia Beach city, Virginia.
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