5620 Wesleyan Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
The Gardens of Virginia Beach is a senior living community in Virginia Beach, Virginia, providing assisted living and specialized memory care services for older adults. Located at 5620 Wesleyan Drive, the community maintains a 9.1-star rating from 88 community reviews. As of January 2026, The Gardens serves seniors seeking personalized support with daily activities, cognitive care, and vibrant community engagement.
The Gardens provides two primary service levels: assisted living for seniors needing help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and specialized memory care for residents with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Services include 24/7 staff availability, personal care assistance, medication management, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, laundry support, and structured activity programming. Memory Care Services offer specialized care with secure environments designed to prevent wandering; trained staff with dementia-specific care expertise; cognitive therapy and reminiscence activities; structured daily routines; and compassionate care addressing behavioral and emotional needs.
| Aspect | Assisted Living | Memory Care |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Daily living support for independent seniors | Specialized care for dementia/Alzheimer's |
| Care Level | Help with 1-3 ADLs; minimal medical supervision | Extensive daily assistance; behavioral support |
| Environment | Standard building access; freedom of movement | Secured exits; staff monitoring; wandering prevention |
| Staffing | General caregiving staff | Dementia-certified trained staff |
| Activities | Social events, fitness, recreation, outings | Cognitive therapy, reminiscence, sensory activities |
| National Avg. (2026) | $4,500-6,500/month | $6,500-8,500/month |
Choose assisted living if your loved one needs help with meals, medications, or personal care but doesn't have significant cognitive impairment, values social engagement, wants to maintain independence, and doesn't require 24/7 medical supervision. Choose memory care if your loved one has Alzheimer's disease or dementia, exhibits memory loss or wandering, needs dementia-specific staff training, and requires support with most daily living activities.
The Gardens features private or semi-private residential suites with personal furnishings allowed; secured memory care neighborhood with wayfinding cues and safe outdoor spaces; multiple dining venues with chef-prepared meals; activity spaces for social gatherings; landscaped grounds with walking paths; exercise programs; on-site salon services; community shuttle transportation; and comfortable family visiting spaces.
Daily programming includes morning exercise, crafts, games, trivia, movie screenings, book clubs, celebrations, guest speakers, pet therapy, shopping outings, religious services, and personalized activities. Memory care activities include reminiscence therapy, sensory experiences, music and movement therapy, simple games adapted to cognitive level, and structured routines supporting emotional stability.
Senior living costs in Virginia Beach: As of January 2026, Virginia Beach communities range from $4,200 to $7,800 monthly depending on service level and care needs.
Typically included: Private or semi-private room; three meals daily plus snacks; housekeeping and laundry; 24/7 staff availability; medication management; activity programming; basic transportation; utilities; and limited beauty services.
Payment options: Private Pay using personal savings or home sale proceeds (most common); Long-Term Care Insurance covering portion of costs if purchased before needing care; Virginia Medicaid (limited coverage for income below $1,732/month in 2026; asset limits $2,000 individual/$3,000 couples); VA Aid and Attendance Benefits for eligible veterans (up to $1,918/month in 2026).
Request The Gardens' complete fee schedule, specific pricing for your care level, list of additional charges, annual increase history, and available payment plans during consultation.
Steps for evaluation: Assess which Activities of Daily Living require assistance; evaluate cognitive status; set budget and identify available funding; research communities matching your needs; schedule tours observing staff interactions and cleanliness; ask detailed questions about staffing, medication management, and activities; request references from current families and recent state inspection reports; review contracts carefully; then make your decision.
Important questions: What is your current Virginia licensing status and inspection date? What are your staff-to-resident ratios? What training do staff have in dementia care? How do you handle medication management? What activities are available for different cognitive levels? What is your visitation policy? What happens if care needs increase? Can we speak with current resident families? What are complete costs for specific care level?
All assisted living and memory care communities in Virginia must be licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) to ensure compliance with state standards for safety, staffing, care quality, and resident rights. Key requirements as of January 2026 include facility licensing by DSS; licensed facility administrator with background check; minimum staff-to-resident ratios (1 staff per 15 residents daytime; awake staff 24/7); required staff training in first aid, CPR, resident rights, and medication management; secure medication management; health and safety systems; written resident rights with grievance procedures; and for memory care—secured perimeter with wandering prevention and dementia-specific staff training.
Verify licensing status by contacting Virginia Department of Social Services at (804) 726-7000 or www.dss.virginia.gov. Public inspection records and complaint histories are available to assess community compliance with state standards.
Moving to a senior living community is a significant life transition. Most residents adjust successfully within 2-6 weeks with proper preparation and ongoing family support. Emotional preparation (4-6 weeks before): Acknowledge mixed feelings are normal; visit the community multiple times to build familiarity; involve family in discussions; identify what appeals about the community. Practical preparation: Complete medical evaluation and gather health records; arrange medical records transfer; obtain updated medication lists; downsize belongings; update address with important contacts; ensure legal documents are current (advance directive, power of attorney, healthcare proxy). After moving: Plan frequent family visits; help personalize the room with familiar items; encourage gradual participation in activities; maintain open communication with staff about concerns.
Government resources: Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) licenses facilities at (804) 726-7000 or www.dss.virginia.gov; Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents at (800) 552-3402; Virginia Medicaid information at (804) 786-6273 or www.dmas.virginia.gov; Peninsula Agency on Aging serving Virginia Beach at (757) 722-6000.
Health resources: Alzheimer's Association Hampton Roads Chapter with 24/7 helpline (800) 272-3900 at alz.org; Virginia Caregiver Support Network at caregiver.org; Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE; Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov; VA Benefits for veterans at 1-800-VA-BENEFITS or va.gov.
Community services: Senior Centers throughout Virginia Beach with activities, meal programs, and health screening; Meals on Wheels delivery for homebound seniors; home modification and accessibility services; legal services for elder law and Medicaid planning; home care agencies providing in-home and respite care; and medical care coordination services.
About The Gardens of Virginia Beach: The Gardens is dedicated to providing quality care, fostering resident independence, maintaining dignity, and supporting family involvement in residents' lives and care planning. For more information about services, tours, or admission, contact The Gardens of Virginia Beach at 5620 Wesleyan Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.
Help with daily activities, medication management, meals, and housekeeping.
Specialized care for Alzheimer's and dementia in a secure environment.