Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine

What is Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine licensed to provide in Norfolk, VA?

Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine at 7211 Granby Street, Norfolk is an assisted living facility licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) for up to 88 residents. Its license covers both levels Virginia licenses -- residential living care and assisted living care, and it operates a safe, secure environment (special care unit) for residents with dementia.

VDSS lists the license as One Year, expiring March 4, 2027, with Patrice Cherry named as administrator. Families sometimes skip past the license term, but in Virginia it carries information -- a facility on a conditional or provisional license is either new or being watched more closely than one on a one- or two-year license.

The record also lists a non-ambulatory qualification, meaning the building may serve residents who cannot evacuate without help from another person.

What did Virginia inspectors find at Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine?

VDSS has posted 15 inspections for Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine; nine fall in the 24 months before October 28, 2026. Of those recent visits, two were complaint-related and five documented at least one violation. The most recent inspection on file is dated August 4, 2026.

Violations VDSS cited in the past two years, in the inspector's own words (first sentence of each):

• 22VAC40-73-350-B (Sex offender information, Feb. 24, 2026): Based on the record review and staff interview the facility failed to ensure the facility shall ascertain, prior to admission, whether a potential resident is a registered sex offender if the facility anticipates the potential resident.
• 22VAC40-73-410-A (Orientation and related information for residents, Feb. 24, 2026): Based on the record review and staff interview the facility failed to ensure upon admission upon admission, the assisted living facility shall provide an orientation for new residents and their legal representatives, including.
• 22VAC40-73-450-C (Individualized service plans, Feb. 24, 2026): Based on the record review and staff interview the facility failed to ensure the comprehensive individualized service plan ( ISP ) shall include the following: Description of identified needs based upon the UAI , admission physical.
• 22VAC40-73-680-M (Administration of medications and related provisions, Feb. 24, 2026): Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure medications shall be properly stored at the facility.
• 22VAC40-73-450-H (Individualized service plans, Dec. 11, 2025): Based on the record review and staff interview the facility failed to ensure that the care and services specified in the individualized service plan ( ISP ) are provided to each resident.
• 22VAC40-73-1150-A (Care of adults with serious cognitive impairments, July 9, 2025): Based on the record review, incident report review, email records, and staff interview the facility failed to ensure doors that lead to unprotected areas shall be monitored or secured through devices that conform to applicable building.
• 22VAC40-73-460-D (Personal care services and general supervision and care, July 9, 2025): Based on the onsite staff interview, incident report review, and the record review the facility failed to provide supervision of resident schedules, care, and activities including attention to specialized needs, such as prevention of.

How does Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine compare with other Norfolk assisted living?

At 88 licensed beds, Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine is the same size as the median assisted living facility in Norfolk (88 beds) and larger than the Hampton Roads median of 78. 2 facilities in Norfolk are licensed for more residents.

By licensed size it ranks 3 of 5 in Norfolk. The closest in size are Commonwealth Senior Living at Leigh Hall (90 beds, with secure unit, 15 violation inspections in 24 months) and Acclaim at East Beach (92 beds, with secure unit, two violation inspections in 24 months). Bed count is a practical filter -- smaller homes often mean the same few caregivers every day, larger ones more amenities and more shift changes.

What should families ask Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine before moving in?

Ask the administrator what changed after the citations on sex offender information, orientation and related information for residents, individualized service plans, and ask to see the plan of correction VDSS received.

Ask how many residents live in the special care unit now, how many direct care staff are awake there overnight, and who coordinates the unit's weekly activity hours.

Ask what the 2 complaint investigations in the last two years involved and how the facility responded.

Ask for the written policy on residents who exhaust private funds, including any Auxiliary Grant acceptance.

Ask how residents were sheltered or moved during the last hurricane warning in Norfolk, and where they would go if the building had to evacuate.

Who can help a family considering Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine in Norfolk?

Before a move, call Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA) at 757-461-9481; after a move, the ombudsman covering Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine is reached at 757-222-4542. Licensing complaints go to VDSS at 1-800-543-7545.

Source: Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs, facility search -- data as of October 28, 2026.