Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg

What is Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg licensed to provide in James City County, VA?

Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg at 236 Commons Way, Williamsburg is an assisted living facility licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) for up to 87 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 May 23, 2026, with Mr. Gregory Cole named as administrator. License length tells you something before you read a single inspection: VDSS reserves its longer terms for facilities with sustained compliance and uses conditional or provisional terms for new operators or those under closer watch.

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 Williamsburg?

VDSS has posted 19 inspections for Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg; eight fall in the 24 months before October 28, 2026. Of those recent visits, two were complaint-related and eight documented at least one violation. The most recent inspection on file is dated July 31, 2026.

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

• 22VAC40-73-100-A (Infection control program, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on direct observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that the infection control program was implemented.
• 22VAC40-73-220-A (Private duty personnel, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on staff interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure that direct care or companion services provided by private duty personnel to meet identified needs are reflected on the resident's individualized service plan (.
• 22VAC40-73-220-B (Private duty personnel, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on staff interview, the facility failed to obtain proper documentation for private duty personnel from a licensed home care organization.
• 22VAC40-73-250-D (Staff records and health requirements, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on a review of staff records, the facility failed to ensure that each staff person submits the results of a tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment on or within seven days prior to the first day of work at the facility.
• 22VAC40-73-450-A (Individualized service plans, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on record review, the facility failed to ensure on or within seven days prior to the day of admission, a preliminary plan of care be developed to address the basic needs of the resident that adequately protects his health, safety,.
• 22VAC40-73-450-F (Individualized service plans, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure individualized service plans ( ISP s) were reviewed and updated at least once every 12 months and as needed.
• 22VAC40-73-640-A (Medication management plan and reference materials, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on review of resident records and observation, the facility failed to implement its written medication management plan to prevent the use of outdated medication and written plan for medication management including methods to.
• 22VAC40-73-970-A (Fire and emergency evacuation drills, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on a documentation review, the facility did not ensure that a fire and emergency evacuation drill shall be in accordance with the current edition of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (13VAC5-51).
• 22VAC40-90-40-B (Background checks, May 18, 2026 and May 19, 2026): Based on review of staff records, the facility failed to obtain a criminal history report on or prior to the 30th day of employment for each employee.
• 22VAC40-73-1100-A (Care of adults with serious cognitive impairments, Aug. 18, 2025): Based on record reviewed and staff interviewed, the facility failed to ensure prior to placing a resident with a serious cognitive impairment due to a primary psychiatric diagnosis of dementia in a safe, secure environment, the facility.
• 22VAC40-73-1110-E (Care of adults with serious cognitive impairments, Aug. 18, 2025): Based on record reviewed and staff interviewed, the facility failed to ensure, the licensee, administrator, or designee shall make a determination as to whether continued residence in the special care unit is appropriate at the time of.
• 22VAC40-73-310-H (Admission and retention of residents, Aug. 18, 2025): Based on documents reviewed and staff interviewed, the facility failed to ensure it did not admit or retain individuals with any prohibitive conditions or care needs without the appropriate documentation.

How does Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg compare with other James City County assisted living?

At 87 licensed beds, Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg is smaller than the median assisted living facility in James City County (95 beds) and larger than the Hampton Roads median of 78. 5 facilities in James City County are licensed for more residents.

By licensed size it ranks 6 of 9 in James City County. The closest in size are Edgeworth Park at New Town (95 beds, with secure unit, five violation inspections in 24 months) and Charter Senior Living of Williamsburg (100 beds, with secure unit, seven violation inspections in 24 months). Treat this as a shortlist, not a ranking; the state does not rate assisted living, and fewer violations can simply mean fewer visits.

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

Ask the administrator what changed after the citations on infection control program, private duty personnel, staff records and health requirements, 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 to see the emergency preparedness plan, including generator coverage and the agreement for relocating residents during a storm.

Who can help a family considering Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg in James City County?

Before a move, call Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA) at 757-873-0541; after a move, the ombudsman covering Commonwealth Senior Living at Williamsburg is reached at 757-808-5275. 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.