Nursing Homes in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk has 8 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 1,173 beds. The city average CMS rating is 2.8 stars, which is at Virginia's state average of 3.0 stars. 2 facilities earn a B grade or better and are recommended for family consideration.

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Worth Considering

Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards

2 recommended 1 mixed 5 avoid
See our top picks

City Average

2.8

-0.26 vs state

Total Beds

1,173

across 8 facilities

High Risk Facilities

2

0 under CMS review

1 with abuse citations

Nurse Availability

37 min

RN time per resident daily

Below CMS recommendation

Well Staffed

2

exceed staffing threshold

25% of facilities

Zero Fines

5 /8

passed all inspections

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Trend

0

improved vs last year

0 declined

B+

Top Rated in Norfolk

Harbor's Edge

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Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons

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About Nursing Home Care in Norfolk

The nursing home market in Norfolk, VA, is concerning for families seeking quality care. The standout is Autumn Care of Norfolk, which boasts a Grade B and a 4-star CMS rating, making it the best option in a market where only a few facilities meet minimum standards. With an average rating of about 2.8 stars for the city, families should be selective and cautious when considering their choices.

When exploring options, Autumn Care of Norfolk is worth visiting for its solid reputation, scoring a 70 on its overall assessment. Additionally, Virginia Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center stands out for its clean record with zero fines in the past three years. Lastly, Sentara Nursing Center is well-staffed, ensuring residents receive the attention they need. However, if you're looking for more options, consider nearby cities for better alternatives.

Families should avoid Consulate Health Care of Norfolk, which has serious abuse citations and carries a Grade F. Similarly, Signature Healthcare of Norfolk also holds a Grade F, indicating major issues with care quality. Lastly, Waterside Health & Rehab Center has a Grade D, suggesting significant concerns as well. To make the most of your visit, always ask to speak with current residents and their families to get honest feedback about their experiences.

Norfolk at a Glance

Good News

  • 5 facilities with clean records—no fines in 3 years
  • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
  • 2 facilities have more nurses than required
  • 1 facility earned 5-star CMS rating

Be Aware

  • 2 facilities have serious problems—check before visiting
  • 1 facility with critical staffing shortages
  • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
  • 1 facility with abuse citations

What's Changing

  • 8 facilities stayed the same
  • Overall: Norfolk is stable

Questions Norfolk Families Should Ask

Based on what we found in local inspection data

1

How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?

CMS recommends 0.75 hrs; Norfolk avg is 0.61 hrs (37 min)

2

Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?

5 of 8 Norfolk facilities have zero fines

3

What were your most recent inspection findings?

Ask for specifics—2 local facilities have serious deficiencies

4

What is your staff-to-resident ratio on weekends?

Weekend staffing often differs from weekday levels

Finding Quality Nursing Home Care in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia's Norfolk City County seat, has 8 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 1,173 beds. Families have solid options to choose from.

Norfolk vs. Virginia: Near State Average

Norfolk nursing homes perform near the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 2.75 stars is close to Virginia's statewide average of 3.01 stars.

2 of 8 facilities earn a B grade or better. Families should still research carefully, as 2 facilities have significant concerns.

Understanding Our Trust Score System

The Trust Score is a 0-100 rating calculated from CMS's official nursing home database. The score combines five data categories:

  • Health Inspection Results — Recent deficiencies, their severity, and patterns over time
  • Staffing Levels — RN hours, total nursing hours, and weekend staffing
  • Quality Measures — Clinical outcomes like falls, pressure ulcers, and rehospitalizations
  • Penalties — Fines, payment denials, and enforcement actions
  • Complaints — Substantiated complaints and their severity

In Norfolk, 2 facilities score a B grade or better, indicating they meet quality benchmarks across these categories. We recommend families prioritize these facilities and carefully research any facility rated C or below before visiting.

Staffing: A Significant Concern in Norfolk

Staffing levels are among the most important predictors of nursing home quality. Research consistently shows that facilities with more nursing staff—especially registered nurses—have better outcomes for residents.

Norfolk facilities average 0.61 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Norfolk resident receives approximately 37 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.

2 Norfolk facilities exceed CMS staffing recommendations. Families prioritizing staffing should look for facilities with the "Top Staffing" badge and ask specifically about RN hours during facility visits.

Ownership: Mix of For-Profit and Non-Profit

Norfolk has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 6 for-profit facilities. 6 of 8 facilities are chain-owned, with the remainder independently operated.

Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average, though ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports.

Nearby Alternatives Worth Considering

Families may also want to consider nearby Virginia cities for additional options. The following Virginia cities offer multiple nursing home options:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing homes are in Norfolk, Virginia?

Norfolk has 8 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 1,173 beds. The city average CMS rating is 2.8 stars, which is below Virginia's state average of 3.0 stars.

What are the best nursing homes in Norfolk?

Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Norfolk include:

  • Harbor's Edge — Grade B+, 85/100 Trust Score
  • Autumn Care Of Norfolk — Grade B, 70/100 Trust Score
  • Lake Taylor Hosp — Grade C+, 65/100 Trust Score

These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.

Which Norfolk nursing homes should I avoid?

We flag 2 facilities in Norfolk as high-risk based on patterns of serious deficiencies, substantial fines, or placement on CMS's Special Focus Facility list. These facilities are marked with warning indicators in our listings above.

We recommend avoiding facilities with: Grade D or F, recent "Immediate Jeopardy" citations (indicating serious harm or risk to residents), or those on CMS's Special Focus Facility list.

The Bottom Line on Norfolk Nursing Homes

Norfolk offers typical nursing home options for the state. Focus your search on the 2 facilities graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing. Avoid the 2 high-risk facilities flagged in our analysis.

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