First Choice Assisted Living LLC sits about 3.4 miles outside Portsmouth Heights, Virginia, on a corner lot shaded by tall evergreen trees, and the building itself has a red brick Colonial look with lots of windows that fill rooms with sunlight, which makes the inside feel cozy and peaceful, with modern touches and calming colors and plants set out here and there. The community has a single story for easy movement, and wheelchairs fit everywhere, so folks with walkers or wheelchairs can move both inside and outside without steps or steep inclines holding them back. Seniors there can pick from studio room layouts, and all rooms have high-speed internet and Wi-Fi.
The staff does a steady job providing different types of care, like assisted living for those who need help with bathing, dressing, or taking medicine, plus memory care for those with Alzheimer's or other memory problems, and home care, and skilled nursing with care for those who need daily medical help, and respite care for short-term stays, and they offer independent living for active folks who don't need much help but don't want to live alone either. They also handle ambulatory care, diabetic care, and incontinence support, and medication management is available so medicines don't get missed. Regular updates go to families, and staff answer questions when families have them.
The community has pet-friendly options if someone wants to bring a pet, and there are both indoor and outdoor common rooms-a private dining room, enclosed courtyard, and garden space, plus rooms for games or television. Meals come in a restaurant-style setting, and the kitchen makes low or no sodium dishes, vegetarian meals, and special plates for folks with certain diets. There's full housekeeping, laundry, and medication reminders. Safety's a big deal too, since they offer home security, walk-in tubs, medical alert systems like Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian, and things like ID theft protection and medication dispensers.
For staying active and social, folks can join gardening clubs, karaoke, trivia games, birthday and themed parties, or Wii bowling, and they've got field trips, outings to cafes and parks, and devotional services both in and out of the building; there are community service programs, and activities led by a full-time activity director, so boredom doesn't settle in. Fitness spaces, yoga, and stretching classes are available, and everyone can use the transportation service for doctor visits, shopping, or seeing a local friend.
The place offers a homey feeling for both active seniors and those with memory issues, with calm spaces, handicap accessibility all over, and senior-friendly safety features. Those with memory loss get extra support to prevent confusion or wandering, since staff pay close attention and the environment lowers stress. Technology gets used well too, since seniors can use special cell phones, try internet plans for older folks, and get hearing aids if needed. The community offers devotional activities for spiritual needs, companion care, and support for caregivers including a Caregivers Guide.
First Choice Assisted Living LLC works along with places like Cedar Manor Assisted Living Center, Chesapeake Place, Commonwealth Memory Care, The Talbot On Granby, and Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, and gets managed by a team that oversees the services and facilities day to day. Though there's much support and activity, average resident ratings are pretty low-about 1 out of 10-so it's smart for families to visit and see for themselves if it's a good fit. The community's main goal is to let seniors live with as much independence as possible while staying safe and included, offering many choices for care, rooms, dining, and things to do, so life can stay full and steady.
