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 Suffolk's senior population continues to grow (10.5% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Suffolk, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease decreased 26% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 32%, 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 (5% in Suffolk 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 Suffolk. 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 Suffolk, 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:
At Harmony at Oakbrooke, seniors experiencing memory loss participate in the Reflections program. Reflections features five components. The first is family. Residents are encouraged to continually interact with their families and hold onto precious family memories. Families are also involved in care decisions. The second component is wellness. Exercise programs, brain stimulating activities and assistance with personal care and medication are available. The third element is art and music therapy. Creativity is central to Reflections, and the Echoes in Time art therapy program helps residents express themselves while Rhythms Music Therapy provides both stimulation and comfort. The fourth component, Dining with Dignity, recognizes the importance of delicious, nutritious food that is easy to eat and served in an appealing way. Finally, the neighborhood design, called Harmony Square, provides a secure familiar environment for the community.
Reviewers of Harmony of Oakbrooke are pleased with the loving care and comfortable surroundings. Staff members "extended kindness toward my father and our family," one reviewer notes, and they are "very close-knit." They support each other and the residents. Rooms are spacious, and common areas include a TV room for movies and a beautiful garden.
Harmony at Independence is conveniently located in Virginia Beach near Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, as well as a variety of shops and services. It offers seniors a continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living and memory care. The community's signature memory care program, Reflections, helps seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related illnesses remain engaged through art and music therapy. Memory care residents living here enjoy chef-prepared meals three times daily and benefit from 24-hour individualized support, daily access to a licensed nurse, secure indoor and outdoor common areas, and emergency call systems in every suite.
Family members appreciate the array of services and amenities offered to residents of this community. One visitor says, "It's new, very clean, and very modern They provide transportation, a workout room, and nice and clean dining rooms. I was impressed."
Chesapeake Place Senior Living is a memory care community located just 25 miles east of Suffolk in a convenient, suburban setting. Residents can easily access medical services at nearby 24-hour hospitals, including Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The community offers spacious living quarters where residents can unwind while benefiting from round-the-clock care. The licensed nursing staff is able to provide assistance with medication and other minor health issues, and physical therapy is available on-site. An in-house culinary team caters to any dietary restrictions, and meals can be enjoyed either in the company of fellow residents or with other guests. Residents can enjoy a leisurely and sociable lifestyle thanks to several amenities, including a party space, a garden and a range of offsite activities. Laundry and housekeeping services are provided.
Family members speak highly of the attentive staff as well as the general quality of life at this community. One reviewer writes, "My family member just moved in recently. The staff attends to him quickly, any and all concerns were immediately addressed, and the staff seems to work together for the good of the community. My family member appears to be adjusting well and participating in daily activities."
Harbor's Edge provides memory care through the Ghent Center for Memory Support. Staff members use the CARE approach to create an individualized care plan for each resident, allowing for the right amount of independence while providing help with daily living activities and medication 24 hours a day. The community immerses seniors in resort-style living. There are regular activities geared toward residents' skill levels and interests as well as three meals per day plus snacks. A secure veranda provides a lovely space for activities and meals. Housekeeping services are available as well as an emergency response system for peace of mind. The community even offers iN2L computer technology. This program is designed to help seniors connect with their interests and their loved ones. It is easy to use and can provide hours of entertainment and mental stimulation.
Residents and their families are pleased with the luxurious environment at Harbor's Edge. One resident remarks that the whole community is "done very nicely, first class, five star." He even calls it "a cruise ship that doesn't go anywhere." The community is clean and offers plenty of fun activities, too. Other reviewers praise the excellent food.
Sweet Memories at Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall is dedicated to memory care. The program is dedicated to providing quality care, engagement and support to those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia types. Memory care neighborhoods generate a warm, calmness in residents. The staff is trained to deal with residents experiencing memory loss. Programs used for training include Advanced Dementia Training, Virtual Dementia Tours and Certified Dementia Practitioner Training. Staffing is kept consistent enabling trust and familiarity with residents. Families receive Sweet Beginnings family orientation providing partnership between the community and family. They educate the family on what to expect as memory loss progresses. Programs include life stories, serenity rooms, special touch and sweet melodies to stimulate memory connections.
Residents are impressed with the quality of activities and the caring staff. One family member says, "All I can say is WOW!!! This place is AWESOME. My wife and I were very impressed with this facility and their employees. Their memory care program is exactly what we were looking for in a retirement place for my Father-in-Law. He will stay active and will be in a safe and caring environment."
Commonwealth Senior Living at King's Grant House offers quality care to seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer's through its award-winning Sweet Memories program. Professional caregivers, who have received specialized memory care training, are on-site 24/7 to assist residents with grooming, ambulation, medication management or toileting. Individualized care plans take into consideration each seniors' interests, histories and preferences to ensure that every senior is treated as the unique individual they are. Chefs at King's Grant House prepare fresh, nutritious meals with ingredients found from local farms. Housekeeping, laundry and maintenance are included. A full activities schedule offers unique experiences to help enrich the lives of residents. Some of these activities include Sweet Melodies, a music program designed to help seniors maintain memories, and Life Stations, which help seniors retain skills.
Families are happy with the care their loved ones receive at the community and the activities available to residents. One reviewer says, "King's Grant House is where I put my dad. It's good and clean. They have family nights, trips, and church services in the community. They have good food, too. Overall, King's Grant House is a nice, small community."
Brookdale Virginia Beach is a dedicated memory care community situated in a quiet suburb, with big-city amenities nearby. The certified staff takes a person-centered approach to dementia care through the Clare Bridge program, helping seniors maintain a sense of belonging and purpose while improving their current abilities. Tailored care plans offer flexible daily routines that involve stimulating activities such as brain games, dancing, cooking classes and music. As seniors' memory issues become more advanced, they can take advantage of the Solace program, which adds to Clare Bridge through extra grooming assistance and sensory therapies. The inviting campus is built for seniors with memory impairments, featuring secure outdoor areas and common rooms indoors to promote safe exploration. Seniors are served three dementia-friendly meals per day at set times to reduce stress and promote routine. Accommodations include concierge services.
Residents and family members appreciate the staff's warm attentiveness. One resident's child writes, "The management staff were incredibly friendly and supportive throughout the whole process from touring the facility up to bringing Mom in and settling her in her room. All of the staff treat the residents with respect and dignity; everyone there treats each person with friendliness and care."
At Commonwealth Memory Care at Chesapeake, caregivers are extensively trained in advanced dementia to understand their residents' conditions and struggles better. Virtual dementia training helps associates and resident families better understand memory care. With Chesapeake's award-winning expression art program and fine arts program, seniors can express themselves through various art forms such as music, creative writing and dance. They can also relax while enjoying soothing music, videos and pleasant scents in the community sensory room. Amenities include housekeeping, a beauty salon, a library and farm-to-table dining. Residents also enjoy music circles, cooking classes, arts and crafts projects and religious services throughout the week.
It makes family members feel good knowing their loved ones were well cared for and happy in the community. One reviewer comments, "My dad was here. They took very good care of him. He seemed to be happy there. The dining area was very clean. Food was very well-proportioned for what they needed. The staff was wonderful.
Commonwealth Senior Living at Cedar Manor is a memory care community located just 21 miles east of Suffolk. Residents have access to high-quality medical care with nearby 24-hour hospitals, such as the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Residents are able to enjoy a cozy, homelike setting with access to quality care from staff trained in Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia. The memory care program incorporates hobbies such as music and art in order to promote cognitive functioning. Seniors can receive assistance with medication management and receive physical therapy on-site. Nutritious farm-to-table meals are served daily and can be enjoyed in the company of other seniors. Residents can enjoy a social lifestyle thanks to the common area, which features a beauty salon, a television room and a shared outdoor space.
Family members appreciate the friendly staff and the range of activities offered at this community. One relative writes, "Caring, friendly, compassionate professionals at every level. My mother loves her home at Commonwealth Senior Living at Cedar Manor. She has bonded with the staff and made friends with the residents. She enjoys the programs and activities offered to enrich her stay and keep her involved both mentally and physically."
Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine provides memory care to seniors in Norfolk, VA. Trained caregivers provide 24/7 daily living assistance that is designed to comfort residents experiencing memory impairment. The staff creates personalized care plans that can involve grooming, medication management and mealtime assistance. Staff members coordinate care with each resident's family members and doctors. Residents can do exercises to improve their balance at the on-site fitness center, and the community provides activities that stimulate residents' memories based on past experiences. The SMILE program allows residents to digitally communicate with their family members. In their free time, residents can partake in cooking demonstrations and gardening, or they can relax and read in the community library. Staff provides weekly housekeeping and laundry, and chefs prepare three locally sourced meals each day.
Visitors compliment the caring staff members and clean community. One says, "At The Ballentine, the staff were wonderful, the chef was amazing, and the rooms were quite nice. They had lots of rooms with gardens available. They really seem like a well-rounded facility. For their activities, they had gardening. Most people come in to get lectures."
Bay Lake Retirement and Assisted Living Community offers memory care accommodations in the Inspirtas neighborhood. The memory care program focuses on holistic care to enable residents to enjoy a purposeful life within a safe and comfortable environment. Trained staff members provide assistance with the daily activities of living along with companion services to improve the quality of life of memory care residents. Throughout the day, residents can spend time in common areas within the secured neighborhood, such as interactive art displays, life havens and an enclosed courtyard and garden. There is an emergency call system in every room, and all residents receive three daily meals along with linens and housekeeping service.
Reviews of Bay Lake Retirement and Assisted Living Community are positive, with one person noting, "A friend of mine lives in the memory care unit at Bay Lake and it is always a joy to visit her here. The staff really goes the extra mile to make her feel included and important. They always have different activities going on at all hours of the day."
Memory care residents in the senior community of The Gardens of Virginia Beach receive 24/7 assistance with the daily activities of living from trained staff members. Daily programming is based on the Five Star Bridge to Rediscovery program for Alzheimer's and dementia care. The program emphasizes the use of regular recreational activities and occupational therapies to keep residents engaged. Memory care residents also receive three meals a day in a restaurant-style dining area and can walk down the hall to a full-service barber and beauty salon for pampering. All residents receive personalized care plans and receive regular health and wellness assessments from a supervisory nurse.
Many reviewers comment on the many activities and the caring staff, with one reviewer writing, "The place is well-kept and clean. They have activities for the seniors, and I saw the residents very active, happy, and well-kept. The outside structure looks nice, well-organized, very serene, and peaceful."
Residents experiencing dementia or memory loss can get help with bathing, dining, dressing, and other daily activities. In addition to this assistance, Commonwealth Senior Living at Hampton also offers residents a way to get more out of life with its award-winning Sweet Memories program, which gets them involved in creating art and other fun activities. Residents can even take their canine and feline friends along with them, as long as the pets weigh fewer than 25 pounds. When not busy with other activities, residents can relax in the sunroom or by one of the community's cozy fireplaces. Farm-to-table dining is provided in an elegant dining room.
Reviewers say that the staff here goes above and beyond. One notes, "Everyone is polite and respectful and hardworking. From management, to the cleaning staff, some staff members even volunteer in other areas of the building for resident activities and they have a well planned activities schedule and family engagement events, and visiting is highly encouraged here."
At Charter Senior Living of Newport News, the Flourish Memory Care program offers residents an uplifting, specialized care approach to Alzheimer's disease, dementia and cognitive impairment. This is done in a safe and structured environment with set routines to help reduce stress. The program is based on the belief that people living with these conditions are able to grow and flourish in the early and later stages of memory loss. The objective is to promote self-esteem while reducing loneliness and boredom that could potentially lead to challenging behaviors. Residents reside in private suites with bathrooms, and have access to 24-hour support and personal care by an experienced caring team. The community has multiple activity areas, including lounges for socialization and sensory rooms for calming tranquility. Lovely landscaped grounds offer a secure courtyard and walking path.
Residents and their families are very pleased with the staff and the services offered by Charter Senior Living of Newport News. One reviewer says, "The very friendly and competent staff is very attentive to the needs of the residents, and we're extremely pleased. They offer any number of activities, they have daily activities of various types, the food is outstanding, and I don't think we could have picked a better place for my mother-in-law."
Harmony at Harbour View offers residents with Alzheimer's or dementia 24/7 care and support within the senior community's dedicated memory care neighborhood. All memory care residents reside in the Harmony Square neighborhood and participate in the Reflections Program. Reflections is an art and music program that helps residents stay in the moment via positive reinforcement, tactile aids and visual aids. All memory care residents receive help with the daily activities of living and are supported by staff trained in Validation Therapy. They receive three chef-prepared meals a day and meal assistance is available as part of the Dining with Dignity program. Throughout the day memory care residents can be found in the secured outdoor courtyard, taking part in book club, an evening movie or religious services.
Many reviewers speak highly of the staff and amenities at Harmony at Harbour View, with one visitor stating, "The place is great; it's a very nice facility. The room is fantastic, perfect. It was clean, it was well laid out, and there was lots of space. The staff member was fantastic."
Bickford of Suffolk is a senior living community that offers 24/7 specialized care to seniors who are coping with memory loss. The memory care community is built on the Core Needs manifesto, which states all people have three core needs that must be met: basic needs, care needs and unrecognized needs. Memory care specialists assist residents around the clock with all of these needs whether it is simply sharing a moment during an activity, medication assistance or a chef-prepared meal that was made from scratch. The pet-friendly community offers chaplain services to residents and a creative life enrichment program that includes the creation of Lifesong Baskets and a Lifesong Document to further implement personalized care plans.
Reviews of Bickford Assisted Living & Memory Care of Suffolk are positive. One reviewer writes, "Bickford of Suffolk is very well cared for. It has very attractive decorations, and everything is very efficient. They provide three meals a day, and most people go there and enjoy it. They have music presentations from local musical groups, happy hour, and they have a pop-up library."
Commonwealth Senior Living at Churchland House offers a continuum of care that allows residents to begin receiving memory care services when appropriate. All memory care residents receive individualized care plans that are carried out by trained staff members. Staff also assist with the daily activities of living and can be reached via in-room emergency call systems 24/7. The senior community offers farm-to-table dining in a restaurant-style dining hall with dining assistance to those in need. Cats and dogs under 25 lbs are permitted to accompany their owners to the memory care neighborhood, and an interior landscaped garden and patio offer fresh air. Weekly linens and housekeeping are also provided for all residents. Daily activities include salon hour, nature walk, brain teasers and crafts.
Reviewers frequently mention the great staff at the Commonwealth Senior Living at Churchland House senior community, with one reviewer stating, "Love this place! So clean, homey, lots of activities, professional workers, and good food. Really love the family night event!"
The Karolwood Gardens Portsmouth community center has committed aides available to meet residents' memory care needs, such as medication management, companionship and hospice care. Other services focus on restorative treatments like speech, physical and occupational therapy to help residents improve their health. Memory care includes a licensed nurse 24/7 and certified nursing assistants. Residents and family members can feel comfortable knowing that the community consists of a security gate to monitor movement. Some amenities include upscale accommodations with cable, Wi-Fi, and internet. When not relaxing in their rooms, residents can take a trip to the dining sections or spend time in the living and recreation areas. Additionally, the community has a coffee shop where residents can spend time with loved ones. Engaging activities involve exercises and socializing, promoting a thriving community.
Both the staff and the facility receive praise from reviewers. One says, "The staff seems pleasant, helpful, attentive, and caring. The facility is clean, and it is a pleasant environment. My brother-in-law has a nice clean room. So far, he has been satisfied with the food. They have activities like dancing, bingo, puzzles, and day trips."
Residents at the Waterford at Virginia Beach community in Suffolk, VA, receive individualized care programs and customized care plans that align with their needs. Individual care consists of brain stimulation, creative activities, socializing and physical exercise. Professional, friendly staff members go beyond regular memory care by including families in the resident's dementia management. The staff at this community believe in nurturing the whole person. To achieve this goal, residents live in a secure community that is calm and provides continuous access to licensed nurses. Living spaces are tranquil and relaxing, so residents feel safe with the sensory sensations in their location. When residents aren't enjoying health programs, they can sit at the Coffee Bistro with friends, watch television in the communal room or participate in outdoor excursions.
Reviewers appreciate the kindness they experience at the community. One says, "The atmosphere in this community is positive. The staff is friendly and helpful. They show every day they love the residents!
Sweet Memories is an award-winning memory program provided at the Commonwealth Senior Living at Georgian Manor in Suffolk, VA. This comprehensive program focuses on holistic memory care training for residents with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer's. Support strategies include mini-programs like Life Kits, Life Stories, Support Group and the Serenity Room, among many others. Staff members are rigorously trained to ensure a seamless transition between home and the community, providing support for residents and family members. Compassionate staff also assist with medication management and maintaining routines that promote calm and serenity. Amenities like cable, internet and Wi-Fi in the rooms, plus an emergency call system, help support a homely feel. Home comforts include room kitchenettes, a dining room and shared meals. Religious services, book clubs, fitness rooms and gardening are available to promote residents' health.
Reviewers praise the experiences an care they've had with the facility. One resident's daughter states, "Georgian Manor has been a very positive experience for our mother and us. The staff is loving and available. Mom has received very good care in the three years she has lived here. There are many activities, including family events, to keep residents and their loved ones connected. The building is always spotless and inviting."