Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Portsmouth's senior population continues to grow (6% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Portsmouth, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease decreased 24% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 16%, showing that while Alzheimer’s is a serious concern in the region, the associated deaths have decreased recently. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is lower than the rest of the nation (4.9% in Portsmouth vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
To help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive impairment find the support and care their loved ones need, we applied our unique methodology and spent dozens of hours researching senior living communities in Portsmouth. In addition to an overview of the communities’ best features, this guide highlights the best memory care facilities in the city, and gives information about pricing, types of care provided, residents’ reviews, and more.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in Portsmouth, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
The Commonwealth Senior Living at Churchland House is a 55+ senior community with independent and assisted living options alongside memory care. Residents are initially evaluated by a senior care expert and placed in the program that best fits their needs. Each resident receives a customized care plan. Churchland House staff emphasizes maintaining a quality lifestyle, and seniors are encouraged to participate in daily planned activities that include intellectual discussion groups and lectures, off-site day trips, games, exercises, storytelling and arts and crafts. The community uses the signature Sweet Memories program, which won the Virginia Assisted Living Association award, for memory care residents with Alzheimer's Disease, dementia or other causes of memory loss. Memory care residents live in a secured facility for their safety. Residents can choose from studio apartments or companion suites, and laundry and housekeeping services are included. Caregivers are on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to help with activities of daily living. Chef-prepared meals are provided. An emergency call system ensures residents get the help they need quickly.
One reviewer commends the community's tranquil and friendly environment, noting, "Very clean, very calm atmosphere. And an absolute joy and pleasure to be greeted by Miss. Mack every time I come in. She is always in an upbeat mood with a smile in her eyes."
Memory care at The Waterford at Virginia Beach follows the Magnolia Trails approach to create a person-centered community that offers full care in a joyful environment. Each resident receives a care plan tailored to meet individual needs. Caregivers monitor residents closely as they assist with daily living activities, medication and guidance. The community offers a soothing atmosphere with plenty of natural light, soft fabrics, calming colors and music. A full calendar of programs serves to provide stimulation, allow for movement and creativity and promote meaningful experiences. The Waterford recognizes the importance of family in residents' lives and offers plenty of resources for family members, including support groups and regular meetings. Finally, the Dining with Dignity program allows seniors to enjoy good food in a relaxing atmosphere.
Reviewers praise The Waterford at Virginia Beach for its caring staff, excellent food and fun activities. Staff members really "listen to you," one reviewer notes. "If you have a problem and go to the right people, you can get things fixed." She also remarks, "The food is fantastic," and there are plenty of activities, including parties, picnics and exercise sessions.
Residents entering the memory care neighborhood of Karolwood Gardens live in one- or two-bedroom private suites with a private bathroom and attached kitchenette. The community features a high ratio of caregivers to residents, ensuring there is always a licensed nurse or certified nursing assistant to assist residents with activities of daily living, medication management, memory care and diabetic care services. Karolwood hosts regular resident activities to stimulate mental activity and social interaction and facilitates a homelike atmosphere by providing ample common spaces and suites, including a dining room, living room, family room, courtyard and porch. Rehabilitative services are available through the community, and the kitchen staff is able to accommodate the individual dietary needs and preferences of residents.
Memory care residents appreciate the staff-to-resident ratio and the quality of care provided. One reviewer writes, "My father is [in] the memory care unit. The staff really are able to take their time and care for him the way we would [want] to ourselves. I really appreciate them. "
Memory care residents at Commonwealth Senior Living are part of the award-winning Sweet Memories program, tailored to residents who suffer from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. The program takes a holistic approach to memory care, combining homelike accommodations and a community layout with personalized care, a tailored activities schedule, familiar daily routines and individualized care from highly-trained and certified staff caregivers. Residents live in private suites in the memory care neighborhood with attached kitchenettes, and have access to nutritionist-approved meals in the community dining areas. In addition to memory care, the community also provides medication management and physical therapy services. Laundry and housekeeping are available on-site, and residents can choose to participate in various community-sponsored activities including music, games, stories, exercise classes, gardening, book clubs and arts and crafts workshops.
Residents and family members praise the community's activities program and the staff's attention to detail. One family member writes, "The staff is loving and available. Mom has received very good care and attention in the three years she has lived here."
At Harmony at Oakbrooke, seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia live in a secluded memory care neighborhood with secure indoor and outdoor spaces. Its 24-hour trained staff provides customized daily support, from help with the activities of daily living to basic health monitoring and medication management. Residents live in private, homelike surroundings with cozy, warm finishes, easy-to-navigate bathrooms and emergency call systems for safety. Chef-prepared meals are served daily, and the life activities director crafts a monthly calendar with stimulating activities designed for memory care residents. This community features a signature family-focused Reflections program, which centers on art and music therapies that engage residents's current experiences and evoke positive memories. Through validation techniques, caregivers can fully bond with seniors to minimize stress, build up dignity and increase happiness.
An online reviewer applauds the caring staff, saying, "Your loved one [will] be in excellent care under their roof and watchful eye, assessing any changes and growing needs to adjust care expectations as necessary!"
With its Harmony Square memory care neighborhood, Harmony at Independence allows residents with Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments to spend their golden years reminiscing on old memories and receiving the personalized attention they need. Seniors are placed in comfortable bedrooms within secured units, with easy access to a team of professionals that can provide around-the-clock assistance with home maintenance, medication management and personal hygiene tasks. Staff members work with residents and their families to create a customized care plan based on the community's Reflections program, which employs art and music therapy to combat signs of memory decline. It also emphasizes social engagement through a wide array of activities, such as exercise classes, board games, trivia and walking clubs. The bistro and dining room serve snacks and three chef-inspired meals per day, and seniors also benefit from an emergency call system and gated outdoor areas.
Residents and families appreciate the community's compassionate staff and warm, inviting atmosphere. One reviewer writes, "I am very impressed at the professionalism and cleanliness of the facility The nursing staff and food service has been spot-on as well, professional and well mannered."
The Legacies memory care program at Chesapeake Place Senior Living is designed for seniors with Alzheimer's or other conditions causing memory loss. Caregivers make use of into residents's preferences, likes and abilities to craft personalized daily support plans. The around-the-clock staff helps with ADLs, such as bathing and dressing
oversees diet needs
Harbor's Edge is located just blocks away from downtown Norfolk and has the distinction of being one of only a few communities in the area to provide IN2L technology that enables residents to connect with each other. The community provides 24-hour personalized memory care in a secure setting, with private rooms which include emergency call systems and housekeeping services. Staff is specially trained to care for residents with dementia and Alzheimer's with an approach that focuses on residents' independence while also addressing their unique needs. Residents can enjoy a variety of activities, as well as a full-service salon, and three chef-prepared meals are served daily in the dining room.
Residents praise the environment, particularly the views of the harbor, as well as the friendly staff and quality of life. One reviewer compares the community to a luxury hotel, writing, "The staff gives you Ritz Carlton treatment."
Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine offers independent living, assisted living and memory care. Memory care residents live in studio apartments with a closet and bathroom, whereas assisted living residents may have larger suites. The complex is a renovated historic mansion from1896 with high ceilings and a huge dining room. The facility is known for its award-winning Sweet Memories Program, which focuses on one-on-one bonding and tailored, personalized care. Staff are certified as Advanced Dementia Practitioners, and there is an RN on site at all times. The Sweet Memories program is designed to stimulate memory and cognition
residents can engage with kitchens and offices that might remind them of former occupations, and staff take time every day to show residents pictures of their life story. Assistance with bathing, dining, and dressing is included, as are three healthy farm-to-table meals, housekeeping and laundry.
Residents receiving memory care at the Bay Lake Retirement and Assisted Living Community have access to services and care developed around the central concept and program of Inspiritás. The concept, based on enriching residents' lives with a sense of spirit, guides the care team and the community's design. Designated Life Havens, like the Music and Memory Haven or the Art Haven, provide sensory stimulation in a comfortable environment. The care team provides personalized care, leaving the residents space for self-care activities within their capabilities while assisting with daily activities such as medication management or housekeeping as needed. Residents have access to the Life Enrichment Program, which provides a variety of activities each day that encourage both cognitive and physical activity. Residents can also take advantage of the enclosed courtyard, which offers outdoor walking paths and a landscaped view.
Residents and their loved ones appreciate the Inspiritás culture of Bay Lake. One writes, "Bay Lake is one of a kind in the area. The nursing staff go above and beyond for the residents. The community is well-kept and always lively."
The Gardens of Virginia Beach is managed by Five Star Living and offers three levels of care: independent, assisted and memory care. The memory care program is called Bridge to Rediscovery. Its Montessori-based approach gears all activities and the environment to suit the resident's preferences and abilities. Bridge to Rediscovery also includes everything at the assisted living level of care, including help with personal care (grooming, dressing and incontinence), transportation and medication management. All the services of assisted living are part of memory care, including three chef-prepared meals a day, utilities, basic cable, housekeeping, maintenance, laundry and accompanied transportation to doctor's and other appointments. There are wellness programs and emergency call systems in apartments. Pets are allowed, and there is a garden and patio for socializing.
Reviewers enjoy the overall atmosphere of The Gardens of Virginia Beach. One relative of a resident says, "I chose The Gardens of Virginia Beach for my mom because it has a very active activity department. The residents are very friendly, and it just seems like a nice place."
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is located just over 20 miles east of Portsmouth, VA. The memory care center of this community focuses on personalized support with the latest therapy techniques for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia. Memory care residents live in a secure community with common areas that consist of a sunroom, dining room and activity room. Residents have the option of either private or semiprivate suites. The specially trained memory care team provides art, music, pet therapies and sensory stimulation into daily life to enhance residents's engagement. Amenities include housekeeping and laundry services. Residents have the option to get outdoors whenever they like in the secure walking area provided.
Residents and their families appreciate the compassionate, highly trained staff at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. One reviewer says, "When you walk in the door, you just know this is home away from home for your loved one."
Harmony Care is a creek-front property located near the Nansemon River that provides assisted living, as well its signature memory care program Reflections. The focus is on art, music and engaging daily experiences using therapeutic tactile and visual aids. In the Memory Care Neighborhood at Harbour View, secure studios provide a cozy, homelike atmosphere with pet visitation available. Each unit has its own individually controlled central heat and air conditioning, as well as concierge service and an emergency call system. The expertly trained staff can assist with grooming, bathing and medication management. Memory care residents enjoy all the amenities included in Harbour View's assisted living program, including three healthy chef-prepared meals a day, movie viewings in the in-house theater, housekeeping and laundry. They also have access to physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The community is close to Sentara Healthcare and drugstores, and residents can schedule supervised transportation to nearby shopping centers.
Reviewers praise Harmony at Harbour View's attentive care team. One family member says, "The staff have gone above and beyond to help us with everything. They have really been top-notch."
Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall is a unique community that offers memory care, assisted living, and independent living services. Its memory care program, Sweet Memories��, is designed to provide comprehensive care and support to residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The program provides residents with a safe environment, stimulating activities, personalized care plans and 24-hour on-site support. An open-air atrium design allows residents to enjoy the beauty of nature while they relax and socialize. Residents can also benefit from the community's on-site amenities, such as a family resource center, Expressions Art Program for memory loss, fine arts offerings and a serenity room. The hygiene and well-being of the residents are a top priority at the community, and staff members are trained in providing personal care services such as bathing, dressing and medication management. An emergency call system ensures that help is always available.
A relative appreciates the compassionate care their loved one receives at the community, writing, "They seem to be good at working with us to ensure my mom is comfortable and getting the best care possible."
Commonwealth Senior Living is a lakeside community near downtown Virginia Beach that offers Sweet Memories��, an award-winning memory care program. The program delivers personalized care to residents with dementia and Alzheimer's, and caregivers are certified in Advanced Dementia Practitioner Training. Families participate in a Sweet Beginnings orientation, which introduces them to what to expect from the team. Memory care residents have kitchen and office stations that set up familiar environments to stimulate memories. Caregivers will also show residents photo albums of their life stories, and family are sent snapshots to update them on the resident's progress. There is a fine arts program for those who were once engaged in writing, art, theater or music. Aromatherapy is also used to awaken taste buds or promote a good night's sleep. Assistance with bathing, dining, dressing and toileting is included, as are three farm-to-table meals a day. The grounds have a landscaped patio, and housekeeping and laundry services are provided.
Reviewers express gratitude for the caregivers at Commonwealth Senior Living at Kings Grant House. One says, "We recently placed my brother in the Memory Center at KGH, [and] the staff could not be more caring and professional."
Residents entering into memory care at Commonwealth Senior Living at Cedar Manor receive access to the award-winning Sweet Memories�� program. This program provides support to residents and family members, who are kept informed on the resident's progress and told what to expect throughout the journey. Residents receive personalized, compassionate care in a home-like setting while benefiting from the supportive environment around them. Routine schedules and consistent staffing provide a high level of familiarity throughout residents's stay, while services like medication management and offerings such as the Program of Fine Arts and Sweet Melodies help to keep them engaged and healthy. Staff receives advanced dementia training and Certified Dementia Practitioner training, which enable them to give the expert care residents need to live a quality life. The secured community also provides residents with access to indoor and outdoor walking paths and an enclosed courtyard.
Loved ones appreciate the compassionate care the community provides, with one writing, "They are very attentive to [our loved one] and keep us well-informed."
Residents at Bickford of Suffolkin Suffolk Assisted Living & Memory Care have plenty of support and staff to assist them with their everyday activities, plus a memory care support group for residents who are struggling with memory impairments. The staff works hard to create memories, capture memories, and share those moments with loved ones to ensure that each moment is made special. Memory care residents live in warm, familiar and comfortable environments that stimulate memory cues for everyday tasks. The staff provides extra assistance with specific dietary needs and medication management. The community is kept safe and secure with 24/7 monitoring of the residents by the staff. Memory care patients have documents that inform their staff of important things in their history, hobbies and particular likes to encourage more positive and personal connections.
Reviewers praise the facility's care team. One says, "Bickford has a smaller number of residents than some other facilities, which offers a more customized care environment."
Oak Grove Health and Rehab, operated by Saber Living, offers a 40-bed secure building with skilled nursing and memory care. It is conveniently located close to downtown Portsmouth, in a natural setting with tall trees and fresh air. A highly trained staff of registered nurses, certified nurse aids and licensed practical nurses continually monitor resident wellness. The Memory Care Neighborhood program relieves stress and stimulates memories. It focuses on connection with others and one-on-one bonding with caregivers. Memory care residents also receive assisted living, including help with bathing, dressing and toiletry. Residents eat three meals a day in a common dining room, and nurses supervise dispensation of medication. Employees work closely with expert physicians and nurses, and will recruit therapists and other medical professionals to help the memory care resident as needed, including the special care required for diabetics.
Reviewers appreciate the comfortable environment at Oak Grove Health and Rehab. One says, "Oak Grove is the place you want to visit to see your family in a home setting. You walk in and my mom is laughing with her friends and being that person I knew years ago."
Atria Virginia Beach is a comfortable senior living community that offers a range of care services. The Life Guidance memory care program is located in a custom-designed neighborhood with secure entry and exit points. Each resident has an individual care plan that focuses on their interests and personal preferences. Trained caregiving associates are always available to assist seniors with the tasks of daily living and provide additional compassionate care at all times. The daily calendar of activities is designed to take residents's interests and preferences into account. Some offerings include arts and crafts, gentle fitness classes, supervised excursions to local points of interest, musical entertainment and cognitive games. Meals are served family-style in the spacious dining room to encourage social interaction between residents. The community hosts themed parties and events on a regular basis.
Family members praise compassionate staff who go out of their way to help. One writes, "They are very kind and considerate of [my mother]. We are very appreciative of everyone there."
Bickford Senior Living is located in a suburb of Virginia Beach known for its golf courses. The community's memory care program has a number of distinctive components
for one, all caregivers are certified with advanced dementia care training. During daily Lifesong sessions, caregivers reminisce with residents about the past. Stations are set up to engage a resident with their former occupation and current hobbies. Moments of Happiness surprise a resident with a non-routine event, such as a bubble bath or the chance to play an instrument. Family members have access to company and advice on the home's online Dementia Support Group. Memory care residents also receive all the amenities of the assisted living program, including check-ups by a registered nurse, medication management and a resident call and security program. Three from-scratch meals a day are served at the facility's kitchen, The Bread Basket. Residents also have access to the beauty salon, covered patios and supervised walks around the grounds.