Of the 252,488 residents of Chesapeake, VA, almost 33,600 of them are aged 65 years and older. Along with age, however, comes the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive disorders. Alzheimer’s is the 8th leading cause of death in Virginia, but the city of Chesapeake has experienced Alzheimer’s death rates decreasing by over 25% between 2016 and 2020. 

Older Virginians with cognitive impairments often choose to reside in a specialized dementia care facility. Though these memory care facilities are often part of a larger assisted living community, there are some differences. They both provide healthy meals, round-the-clock support and common areas to socialize in, but memory care units typically have special safety features designed to protect those living with dementia. The staff is also trained in how to deal with the frustrations the seniors often feel, and they’re skilled in dealing with the difficult behaviors that often accompany Alzheimer’s.

This guide provides more information about the benefits and drawbacks of living in Chesapeake for seniors with Alzheimer’s, as well as the cost of memory care, strategies to pay for it and resources to support those in need.

Directory of Memory Care Facilities in Chesapeake, VA

2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

Commonwealth Senior Living at Georgian Manor

651 River Walk Pkwy., Chesapeake, VA, 23320

Commonwealth Senior Living at Georgian Manor is tucked into the outskirts of Chesapeake, VA, right above a beautiful forest. Residents are very thankful for the technology-savvy staff that can answer … (read more)
Commonwealth Senior Living at Georgian Manor is tucked into the outskirts of Chesapeake, VA, right above a beautiful forest. Residents are very thankful for the technology-savvy staff that can answer … (read more)
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2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

2023

Harmony at Oakbrooke

301 Clearfield Avenue, Chesapeake, VA, 23320

Tucked in beside the VA-168 highway in picturesque Chesapeake, Virginia, Harmony at Oakbrooke is only a short distance away from Chesapeake Regional Health Center and several other medical facilities. … (read more)
Tucked in beside the VA-168 highway in picturesque Chesapeake, Virginia, Harmony at Oakbrooke is only a short distance away from Chesapeake Regional Health Center and several other medical facilities. … (read more)

Chesapeake Place Senior Living

1508 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, VA, 23320

Friendly and attentive staff, clean rooms and common areas and delicious food are commonly mentioned by residents and their families as reasons they chose Chesapeake Place, in Chesapeake, Virginia. Ac … (read more)
Friendly and attentive staff, clean rooms and common areas and delicious food are commonly mentioned by residents and their families as reasons they chose Chesapeake Place, in Chesapeake, Virginia. Ac … (read more)

Commonwealth Memory Care at Chesapeake

130 Great Bridge Blvd., Chesapeake, VA, 23320

Commonwealth Memory Care at Chesapeake was excellent. They had everything that one would need. The staff engaged with the elderly people there. You could tell that they understand and care about their … (read more)
Commonwealth Memory Care at Chesapeake was excellent. They had everything that one would need. The staff engaged with the elderly people there. You could tell that they understand and care about their … (read more)

Commonwealth Senior Living at Cedar Manor

1324 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA, 23320

Cedar Manor is a clean, spacious and modern assisted living facility in Chesapeake, Virginia, offering comfortable apartments and welcoming common areas that family members and residents say are invit … (read more)
Cedar Manor is a clean, spacious and modern assisted living facility in Chesapeake, Virginia, offering comfortable apartments and welcoming common areas that family members and residents say are invit … (read more)

Bickford of Chesapeake

361 Great Bridge Blvd, Chesapeake, VA, 23320

My mom moved into Bickford of Chesapeake in November. The facility is beautiful and brand new. It just opened in May, but it feels like home when you’re inside. It doesn’t feel institutional at all. T … (read more)
My mom moved into Bickford of Chesapeake in November. The facility is beautiful and brand new. It just opened in May, but it feels like home when you’re inside. It doesn’t feel institutional at all. T … (read more)

God’s Missing Angels, LLC

301 Croft Crossing, Chesapeake, VA, 23320


The Waterford at Virginia Beach

5417 Wesleyan Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23455

The Waterford at Virginia Beach is located in beautiful Virginia Beach, Virginia, with convenient access to numerous options for shops, dining and entertainment. Residents enjoy the facility’s well-ke … (read more)
The Waterford at Virginia Beach is located in beautiful Virginia Beach, Virginia, with convenient access to numerous options for shops, dining and entertainment. Residents enjoy the facility’s well-ke … (read more)

2021, 2022, 2023

Harmony at Independence

2077 S. Independence Boulevard , Virginia Beach, VA, 23453

Everybody in Harmony at Independence was friendly. The memory care place was clean, and I think they had all the facilities that my wife would need. They had entertainment, and they did the meals for … (read more)
Everybody in Harmony at Independence was friendly. The memory care place was clean, and I think they had all the facilities that my wife would need. They had entertainment, and they did the meals for … (read more)
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2021, 2022, 2023

Bickford of Virginia Beach

2629 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, VA, 23456

Bickford of Virginia Beach was a big facility, and it was a little more established. The layout seemed to be spread out. It was set up so that everything was circular, so those with memory issues don’ … (read more)
Bickford of Virginia Beach was a big facility, and it was a little more established. The layout seemed to be spread out. It was set up so that everything was circular, so those with memory issues don’ … (read more)

Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall

890 Poplar Hall Drive, Norfolk, VA, 23502

Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall is located near downtown Norfolk, Virginia, just south of Virginia Wesleyan College. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are outfitted with cable and wifi. The g … (read more)
Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall is located near downtown Norfolk, Virginia, just south of Virginia Wesleyan College. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are outfitted with cable and wifi. The g … (read more)

Harbor’s Edge Retirement Community

One Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA, 23510

Harbor’s Edge Retirement Community is nestled between Riverside Park and the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia. Residents and visitors say that Harbor’s Edge is in an exceptional location, providin … (read more)
Harbor’s Edge Retirement Community is nestled between Riverside Park and the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia. Residents and visitors say that Harbor’s Edge is in an exceptional location, providin … (read more)

Commonwealth Senior Living at King’s Grant House

440 North Lynnhaven Road, Virginia Beach, VA, 23452

Commonwealth Senior Living at King’s Grant House is a senior living facility that offers assisted living and memory care services in beautiful Virginia Beach, Virginia. Residents and visitors give hig … (read more)
Commonwealth Senior Living at King’s Grant House is a senior living facility that offers assisted living and memory care services in beautiful Virginia Beach, Virginia. Residents and visitors give hig … (read more)

Commonwealth Senior Living at Churchland House

4916 West Norfolk Rd., Portsmouth, VA, 23703

Commonwealth Senior Living at Churchland House is located in a small residential neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, surrounded by several medical clinics, a variety of restaurants and shopping venu … (read more)
Commonwealth Senior Living at Churchland House is located in a small residential neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, surrounded by several medical clinics, a variety of restaurants and shopping venu … (read more)

Brookdale Virginia Beach

937 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA, 23455

Brookdale Virginia Beach was lovely. It was very clean and well-maintained. The lady who assisted me with the tour was delightful. She was so helpful. All the people there were delightful. They would … (read more)
Brookdale Virginia Beach was lovely. It was very clean and well-maintained. The lady who assisted me with the tour was delightful. She was so helpful. All the people there were delightful. They would … (read more)

All About Family Residential Care, LLC

649 Copper Kettle Dr., Virginia Beach, VA, 23464

Excellent care… staff is professional and very caring. You will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is getting the best care. The resident homes are beautiful and well maintained. I am … (read more)
Excellent care… staff is professional and very caring. You will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is getting the best care. The resident homes are beautiful and well maintained. I am … (read more)

Commonwealth Senior Living at The Ballentine

7211 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA, 23505

Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine is in the beautiful waterfront city of Norfolk, Virginia, home of Naval Station Norfolk. This assisted living and memory care facility offers companion sui … (read more)
Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine is in the beautiful waterfront city of Norfolk, Virginia, home of Naval Station Norfolk. This assisted living and memory care facility offers companion sui … (read more)

Karolwood Gardens Portsmouth

1 Bon Secours Way, Portsmouth, VA, 23703


Karolwood Gardens Norfolk

6403 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA, 23505

I would never send my dad to Karolwood Gardens Norfolk. I’m surprised that that business is still running right now. The young lady that showed me around was excellent. As soon as I walked in the door … (read more)
I would never send my dad to Karolwood Gardens Norfolk. I’m surprised that that business is still running right now. The young lady that showed me around was excellent. As soon as I walked in the door … (read more)

The Gardens of Virginia Beach

5620 Wesleyan Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23455

The Gardens of Virginia Beach provides assisted living in a homelike atmosphere in Virginia Beach. The overall cleanliness of the facility as well as the friendly, helpful and competent staff all earn … (read more)
The Gardens of Virginia Beach provides assisted living in a homelike atmosphere in Virginia Beach. The overall cleanliness of the facility as well as the friendly, helpful and competent staff all earn … (read more)

What to Consider About Memory Care in Chesapeake

Memory care and assisted living facilities in Virginia are licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services, which is also responsible for ensuring each facility meets the regulations. The state’s Board of Long-Term Care Administrators is responsible for the licensing of those who want to become a nursing home administrator.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Chesapeake

  • For seniors who enjoy warm, sunny weather, Chesapeake won’t disappoint. The city averages 211 sunny days per year, slightly higher than the U.S. average of 205, and summer temperatures usually range between 80 and 90 degrees. Winters in Chesapeake rarely see temperatures dip below freezing, and the city averages just 5 inches of snow per year. The temperate climate in Chesapeake offers seniors plenty to seniors who love the outdoors.
  • Chesapeake is a safe place for seniors to live, as the rate of violent crime is well below the U.S. average. Property crimes are slightly higher than the nation’s, but these types of crimes would likely have little impact on older residents who live in secured memory care facilities. 
  • Health care for seniors is easily accessible in Chesapeake, as it’s home to the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Three more hospitals — the Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center and the Sentara Leigh Hospital — are all within 10 miles of the city. 
  • For seniors looking for specialized health care, there are 47 physicians who specialize in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease who practice in the Chesapeake area and 162 doctors who treat dementia. Though the average patient rating for these doctors is 3.6 out of 5 stars, there are plenty who have multiple 5-star ratings from multiple patients. 
  • Families of seniors who live in Chesapeake have easy access to visit, thanks to the city’s Chesapeake Regional Airport. Families who live in another state or country still have easy access via the Norfolk International Airport, which is only 15 miles from Chesapeake.  

Paying for Memory Care in Chesapeake

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The area’s cost of memory care is only $5,863 per month compared to the state average of $6,563. How much the exact cost is, however, will depend on the size of the facility and the amenities it offers. 

The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities

The cost of memory care in Chesapeake is $238 more per month than the national average, but compared to the state and nearby city averages, Chesapeake is more affordable. Facilities in Lynchburg average $82 less per month. However, the state average is $700 per month more expensive than Chesapeake, while care in Richmond costs $263 more. Those living in Charlottesville can expect to pay an average of $1,262 more than those in the Chesapeake area. 

$5863

Chesapeake

$6563

Virginia

$5625

The United States

$6126

Richmond

$7125

Charlottesville

$5781

Lynchburg

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

In-home care and home health care both cost $1,096 less per month. Assisted living without specialized memory care averages $1,173 per month less expensive. Nursing homes cost $2,547 more per month for a semiprivate room. Seniors with limited resources may want to consider adult day health care if they have a caregiver living with them, as it’s the cheapest option, averaging $4,173 less per month than memory care.

$5863

Memory Care

$4767

In-Home Care

$4767

Home Health Care

$1690

Adult Day Health Care

$4690

Assisted Living Facility

$8410

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

Note: Data for Chesapeake was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, the Virginia Beach area, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Chesapeake

In Chesapeake there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for memory care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, visit our Memory Care in Virginia page.

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Virginia page.

Free & Low Cost Memory Care Resources in Chesapeake

Chesapeake has many free or low-cost agencies and programs to support area seniors in need. Whether a senior needs legal advice, Medicaid support or medical equipment loans, the area has a program to provide it. 

Resource

Contact

Description

(757) 382-2489

Mobile Integrated Healthcare not only offers affordable medical services, but also runs an equipment loan program. Seniors in need who have no insurance or limited resources can get equipment such as wheelchairs at minimal cost or free.

(757) 461-9481

As the Area Agency on Aging, this organization offers many programs for seniors. In addition to Meals on Wheels and rides to medical appointments, it also provides Medicare benefits counseling, caregiver support, the local long-term care ombudsman and senior companions for those in need.

(844) 802-5910

Virginia Legal Aid provides free legal support to low-income residents of Virginia while also offering a specialized helpline dedicated to seniors. Those who call can get help with issues such as estate planning, Medicaid benefits and guardianship.

(800) 552-3402

Among other programs, Virginia's Office for Aging Services has a group focused on dementia services. Its mission is to coordinate activities and services around memory care and education and to provide information to those in need.

(877) 285-1299

Veterans Services provides many benefits for veterans, surviving spouses and their families. It connects them with a variety of health care services and what benefits they may be eligible for through different agencies. It can also provide information about free and low-cost legal aid for relevant issues.

(800) 272-3900

The Alzheimer's Association runs support groups for seniors and families to exchange information and caregiving advice. In addition to community forums that educate and raise issues, it also runs a variety of social programs for seniors with memory loss and specialized programs for those in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Chesapeake

Chesapeake memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care Facilities in Virginia are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Virginia page for more information about these laws.