10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach, Virginia, is more than just a coastal city with beautiful beaches. It offers a range of senior communities and neighborhoods, each with its own character. Virginia Beach’s memory care facilities provide customized activities and therapies to reduce confusion and agitation among residents with memory loss. Virginia Beach’s memory care communities offer a safe environment, with skilled employees providing security and supervision.
With six memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of Virginia Beach’s downtown, seniors have various options to fit their particular needs and requirements. Whether you’re looking for luxurious or more modest dwellings for your loved one, this comprehensive guide from A Place for Mom can help families find ideal housing options. This guide covers everything from costs to rules and regulations to features and activities at memory care facilities in the local area. We also provide valuable information on senior-specific long-term care resources in the area.
How do we rank Virginia Beach memory care facilities?
Our goal is to help you find high-quality memory care communities 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 the memory care facilities 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. Memory care communities that have robust information are prioritized over facilities that don’t offer the same level of transparency.
- Location. Community options vary based on proximity to your desired location.
Virginia Beach Memory Care Facilities | 380 Reviews
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...
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....
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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...
They are great! We are very happy with them. They are clean and friendly. And they do a good job taking care of my loved one. I can breathe easy at night knowing that he is well cared for.
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 memory care in the Virginia Beach area
- What families are saying about memory care in Virginia Beach
- How people pay for memory care in Virginia Beach
- Understand Virginia Beach laws and regulations for memory care facilities
- What to expect from memory care living in Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach memory care services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Virginia Beach? Highlights for seniors
Costs of memory care in the Virginia Beach area
Memory care facilities in Virginia Beach cost an average of $5,924 per month.[01] This figure includes add-on amenity and service fees.
Memory care is typically more expensive than most other care types because it involves more high-level, specialized care. Some memory care residences may charge an admittance fee. The costs of the communities vary depending on location, floor design, extra services (such as outsourced treatment programs), and additional services.
This chart below represents the average cost at our partner communities according to our proprietary data. It doesn’t take into account the fees that are included in our figure above.
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Virginia Beach, VA vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Virginia Beach, VA vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Virginia Beach vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Memory Care in Virginia Beach, VA by room type
Average cost of Memory Care in Virginia Beach over time
What families are saying about memory care in Virginia Beach
Recent reviews for memory care in Virginia Beach
Arden Courts of VA Beach in Virginia Beach, VA
Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine in Norfolk, VA
Harmony at Independence in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach review score based on 146 family reviews
This proprietary review score is based on 146 reviews of 16 Virginia Beach memory care communities. All reviews were submitted in the past two years by verified community residents and family members.Virginia Beach review score compared against nearby cities
Review subcategories for Virginia Beach memory care
When memory care residents and family members submit a review on our site, they rate each community on categories such as cleanliness, activities, meals, and more. The chart below is based on 146 reviews of 16 Virginia Beach memory care communities. This chart helps you compare Virginia Beach resident and family memory care satisfaction rates against national averages. Use it to assess your needs and develop criteria for your own search. If you know that one of these categories is important to you or your loved one, our senior living advisors can help you find communities to match your needs.How people pay for memory care in Virginia Beach
Virginia doesn’t tax Social Security benefits. Virginia also does not have an inheritance tax. Visit the Virginia Estate and Inheritance Taxes section of the Public Document 15-93 for more information.[02] Virginia does, however, require residents who meet certain criteria to file an income tax return.[03]
In Virginia Beach, there are several financing options for memory care. Seniors and their families can select from a number of payment options to meet their specific long-term memory care needs.
Here you can find Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefit resources for seniors in Virginia Beach, as well as some of the private pay methods common to our partner residents in Virginia Beach.
To pay for your ideal private memory care community, most people pay with personal savings as well as long-term care insurance programs. In Virginia, residents utilize many different payment methods, including savings, pensions, Social Security payouts, investment returns, and freed up case from the following:
Number of veterans who live in Virginia beach
About 14% of Virginia Beach veterans are 75+.
Veterans or their surviving spouses have options to help them pay for some or all of their memory care costs. The VA Assistance and Attendance disability benefit is an add-on to the basic VA Pension. It’s the most generous option and may be available to qualified veterans and their spouses who served during a certain time of war and require assistance with daily living activities.
There are many veteran service officers in the Virginia Beach area that can often be found through your local veterans service organizations (VSOs). These organizations include American Legion’s Princess Anne Post 113 and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Both of these organizations offer benefit assistance resources to senior veterans.
Eligibility requirements and the application process is complex and confusing. It’s in your families best interest to find advocacy and application assistance in order to file successful claims. For assistance with the process, consider reaching out to VSOs and any of the benefits counselors below for help. They can help you navigate the VA benefits system and access your eligible resources.
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. to 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
In Virginia, Cardinal Care is the name of the state Medicaid program. Medicaid is a health care program for low-income residents who struggle to cover health care costs. Depending on the type of care and the person’s income, Cardinal Care may pay for some or all of the care. It doesn’t, however, cover room and board fees in private memory care facilities.
Home and community-based services waivers help cover some care costs for seniors in a need of memory care. Because it’s a state-federal program, remember that the benefits and qualifications differ by state. Options for applying include the following:
- Apply online via commonhelp.virginia.gov.
- Call 1-833-5CALLVA. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Deliver a printed application to your local Department of Social Services.
Seniors over the age of 65 and people with disabilities should enroll in the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus Medicaid Waiver. This is a subprogram under Cardinal Care that helps cover health care costs and long-term care services for eligible seniors. While eligibility is based on income, age, and disability, there’s still an enrollment cap and you may be put on a waitlist.
If you’re looking for guidance about long-term care, you can reach out to the Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and your local ombudsman, Willie Alston. An ombudsman is someone who’s trained to guide seniors and their caregivers through questions about long-term care and can mediate issues with providers.
Virginia Beach resident Medicaid resources
Cardinal Care
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 Ave., 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.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older receiving Social Security retirement benefits or those younger than 65 receiving Social Security disability payments for at least 24 months. Medicare only covers medically necessary and short-term care expenses. If the individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a Medicare beneficiary, Medicare will cover some, but not all, care costs.
Medicare doesn’t cover the costs associated with assisted living for people with dementia. If a loved one is admitted to a memory care unit, Medicare may, however, pay for some of the medically necessary costs of that care, which is different from help with general activities of daily living.
Medicare may help pay for medical services such as inpatient hospital care, physician costs, some medically essential products, and short-term skilled nursing care for up to 100 days. Several prescription medicines are also covered by Medicare Part D. Some hospice care, whether provided at home, in a skilled nursing facility, or an inpatient hospice facility, may also be funded. Your loved one might also be able to get medication help from the Virginia Medication Assistance Program (MAP).
Your loved one may also be eligible to participate in the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model. This program provides additional benefits, lower cost sharing, and more flexible plans to subscribers with chronic diseases (such as dementia) from Medicare Advantage providers.[05]
To confirm Medicare coverage, visit the Medicare website, contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or travel to the nearest Social Security Administration office. The following Medicare saving and assistance programs are also available for Virginia Beach residents:
- One of Virginia’s four Medicare Savings Programs might help you pay for Medicare premiums and copayments.
- The Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) can help with health care needs for those who qualify.
- The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) provides free private counseling and help to Medicare recipients. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find a VICAP counselor in your region.
- You can also contact your local ombudsman with questions about Medicare and long-term care.
Find the contact information for these resources in the resource section below.
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
Virginia Medication Assistance Program
Virginia Department of Public Health
4452 Corporation Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-518-2700
Understand Virginia Beach laws and regulations for memory care facilities
Memory care communities in Virginia Beach are legally bound by the state of Virginia to maintain resident freedoms and standards of care. The Virginia Department of Social Services requires memory care facilities to be licensed. Memory care is referred to as a special care unit in Virginia, and, although it has additional care requirements, it’s a subset of assisted living. Therefore, memory care facilities in Virginia Beach follow the state’s Standards for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities (ALF).
The ALF regulations cover staffing requirements, medication management, patient assessments, and resident care plans. The requirements are intended to ensure that memory care facilities give people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease a safe and secure environment.
To be licensed, memory care facilities in Virginia must meet the following specific standards, including completing an application process and paying the required fees.
- Quantity of workers. Memory care facilities in Virginia must have enough staff to care for residents. At least one staff member must always be awake and on duty, and a licensed nurse must be on hand to provide care.
- Regularly revised care plans. Memory care facilities must conduct initial and ongoing assessments of each patient to identify their care needs and build a care plan. The care plan must be reviewed and revised regularly.
- Address specific needs. Memory care communities must give appropriate care to each person based on their specific needs. This involves support with daily routines such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, and other health care needs.
- Safe environment. Memory care communities must provide residents with a physically safe and secure environment. This includes taking steps to minimize wandering.
- These facilities must provide an activity program tailored to the needs of residents with memory impairment. The activities should be tailored to the abilities and interests of each person.
- Trained in memory care. Memory care facilities in Virginia must verify that their staff is properly trained in memory care techniques. This involves instruction on managing problematic behaviors, providing individualized care, and identifying indicators of cognitive loss.
- Background checks. To guarantee the safety of residents, memory care facilities in Virginia must conduct criminal background checks on all staff and volunteers.
- Lastly, they must keep detailed resident care records, medication administration, and other important information.[06]
Additionally, memory care facilities in Virginia are subject to frequent inspections to verify that they continue to meet licensing standards and ALF laws. You can find records on specific providers by viewing Virginia’s Department of Social Services Assisted Living Facility Search Form. For a full list of residents’ rights and the standards facilities are bound to, you can view the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Standards for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities.
Virginia Department of Health contact information
109 Governor St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone Number: 800-533-4148
COVID-19 regulations for Virginia Beach memory care facilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health advise staying up-to-date with vaccines to avoid fatal illnesses, hospital stays, and serious diseases. You can view Virginia Beach’s updated vaccination recommendations via the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Response. The CDC also has a list of general COVID-19 guidelines with up-to-date recommendations. We’ve outlined a few of those below.
Vaccinations. To receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funds, facility personnel must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Virginia Beach.
Masking. Visitors don’t have to use masks unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Facility cleanliness. Basic hygiene procedures such as handwashing and surface disinfection should be practiced by staff.
CDC guidelines. Increased ventilation is required in enclosed spaces. And residents are recommended to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and to stay away from people with the illness.
What to expect from memory care living in Virginia Beach
Memory care facilities provide everything that assisted living does in terms of care services, with additional specialized care and staff for seniors with memory care needs.
Safe and secure environment
All memory care facilities in Virginia Beach in A Place for Mom’s network have someone on staff who’s awake at all times. All staff have been specially trained to assist people with memory loss. Enclosed outdoor spaces are available to be safely enjoyed at all facilities.
Additionally, 21% of our memory care facilities offer monitoring devices that detect wandering. This allows your loved one to have as much freedom as possible, while still maintaining safety. Staff will be alerted if your loved one tries to move out of a secure area.[01]
Aging-in-place options
Within a 10-mile radius Virginia Beach’s center are six in-network memory care facilities, three of which combine assisted living and memory care, while one offers solely memory care. Two combine assisted living with independent living and memory care. These multi-care communities are useful if your loved one is more independent now but may need more assistance over time.
Expanding out to a 25-mile radius, you have even more community options. There are three stand-alone facilities, 12 combination assisted living and memory care, and four combination assisted living and independent living and memory care facilities available.[01]
Amenities and options
Nearly all our partner facilities have an activity director to make sure your loved one has something interesting to do. With a beautician at all of our facilities, getting some pampering is easy, too. There are also plenty of places to enjoy socialization, such as TV and game rooms, libraries, or other common areas.[01]
Virginia Beach memory care services and amenities
Availability of select care services in Virginia Beach memory care
Availability of select dementia care services in Virginia Beach memory care
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Virginia Beach memory care
Availability of select dining options in Virginia Beach memory care
Availability of select programs and activities in Virginia Beach memory care
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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
Virginia Beach residents have easy access to high-quality medical care to help your loved one when they need care outside of their memory care facility.
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital provides general surgical and medical care in Virginia Beach. Furthermore, it has high ratings in eight adult treatments and conditions.
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
The general medical and surgical institution, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, is in Chesapeake, Virginia. It ranks high in seven adult treatments and situations.
Transportation for seniors in Virginia Beach
Complimentary transportation services for residents are available at nearly all of our partner memory care facilities.[01] This is the best option for memory care residents to ensure that they are always attended to during travel.
There are also public transportation choices for seniors with dementia in Virginia Beach, including public transit systems tailored to suit the requirements of those with disabilities and cognitive impairments. If headed to a medical appointment, seniors can use transportation services through the hospital or their memory care facility.
If your loved one has a personal care attendant and you’re looking for public transportation, the city also offers transportation services through the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) website. This comprises buses and light rail service between Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
Those with disabilities, especially those with dementia, are eligible for HRT’s paratransit service, which provides door-to-door service. Elders with dementia — or otherwise receiving memory care — should always ride with a personal care attendant. Personal care attendants are allowed to ride free while attending to a senior.
HRT buses also have features that can aid people with dementia and other disabilities, such as easy-to-read signage and announcements, priority seating for people with impairments, and wheelchair accessibility. Furthermore, the city maintains a Senior Services Transportation Program, which provides low-cost shuttle services for seniors 60 and older and disabled individuals of all ages. The shuttle program is first-come, first-served and requires previous registration.
Senior activities in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach memory care residents can enjoy plenty of activities in their own facility. If a friend or family member would like to take a loved one out and about, there are plenty of options for that, too.
Virginia Beach is a populous coastal city with a lot of natural beauty to enjoy. The following parks and beaches offer wheelchair accessible trails with scenic and seaside views:
The Boardwalk’s Visitor Center also offers free beach wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re interested in renting one for the day, you can make a reservation at the visitor’s center or call 757-385-1100.
A garden can be a relaxing place to visit for seniors with memory impairment. The Norfolk Botanical Garden also has accessible walking paths and beautiful floral displays.
Seniors can enjoy the wondrous beauty of marine life at The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, which features touch tanks and educational programs. The Military Aviation Museum is also a must for those looking for an immersive experience.
Seniors can also participate in other creative pursuits at their community or local senior center, including taking a cooking class and going to outdoor music events. Events like these promote mental stimulation and encourage social interaction.
For those looking to connect with the community, Virginia Beach’s senior centers offer engaging programs designed to improve seniors’ quality of life through advocacy, education and a range of services. Be sure to check out the following local senior centers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Bay Lake Community, Acclaim at East Beach and The Waterford at Virginia Beach are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Virginia Beach, VA. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Virginia Beach is $4,576 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Virginia Department of Taxation. Estate and inheritance taxes.
Virginia Department of Taxation. Who must file.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). American community survey: Virginia Beach, Virginia, 75 years and over, veteran status (S2101).
Haupt, A. (2023, January 12). Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living Costs In 2023? Forbes Health.
Division of Licensing Programs: Virginia Department of Social Services. (2021, October). Standards for licensed assisted living facilities.
Local nursing homes respond to the federal requirement to vaccinate staff. (2021, August 19). News 3 WTKR Norfolk.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). American community survey: Virginia Beach, Virginia, population 65 years and over (S0103).
United States Census Bureau. (2022.) Quick facts: Virginia Beach city, Virginia.
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