Page 5 of Best Senior Communities in West Virginia

Overview of SweetBriar Assisted Living

Operated by SweetBriar Assisted Living, SweetBriar Assisted Living is a 119-bed assisted living community in Dunbar, West Virginia. It serves residents needing support with daily activities: bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation, while supporting independence where possible.

The home sits in a car-dependent neighborhood, so a vehicle is required for most errands and activities. With current occupancy at 52 percent, the facility has availability for new occupants wanting assisted living services in Dunbar.

SweetBriar Assisted Living operates under state regulation via the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Inspection records dating back to 2001 show a 25-year history with the state. Recent inspections have flagged areas of focus: housekeeping standards, maintenance practices, documentation accuracy, and staff training compliance. Such areas are actively addressed by the facility.

For families contemplating placement at SweetBriar Assisted Living, touring it and directly conversing with management can clarify current services, specific care offerings, and how it supports residents’ everyday needs.

Overview of Brookdale Charleston Gardens

Awarded #1 in Customer Satisfaction, Brookdale Charleston Gardens provides exceptional service for seniors in assisted living; they strive to provide a dedicated approach to enhancing the quality of life for their seniors in need of quality assistance by providing options that specifically cater to each individual’s needs while still maintaining a level of independence and individuality. As a member of the Brookdale Senior Living Group, Charleston Gardens is guaranteed to provide a resident-centered atmosphere for its seniors, promoting a comfortable and secure living situation for them.
Life at Brookdale Charleston Gardens is designed to make lives safe and convenient for everyone; with the all-inclusive amenities and services provided by management, seniors are able to live hassle-free. They pride themselves on their approach to modern assisted living care which is unparalleled with their remarkable care staff that offers compassionate care with their service.

Overview of Seneca Trail Healthcare Center

Seneca Trail Healthcare Center is an 80-bed skilled nursing facility in Lewisburg, West Virginia, offering medically complex care, post-surgical rehabilitation, hospice, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care to residents in Greenbrier County. It is operated by GB WV Maplewood Leasing Co., LLC.

The facility holds a 4-star overall CMS rating, with a 5-star Quality Measures sub-rating that places it significantly above the West Virginia average — driven by standout long-stay outcomes including a pressure ulcer rate of 0.2% against a state average of 4.9%, and an antipsychotic use rate of 5.2% compared to 13.2% statewide. The facility’s occupancy rate is 98%, ranking 8th among 73 West Virginia nursing homes and signaling strong local demand.

Inspection performance has been mixed: the most recent survey in October 2024 found the facility to be in full compliance, with no deficiencies cited. However, the September 2024 annual inspection identified nine deficiencies across care planning, food safety, and documentation. A September 2023 complaint investigation was substantiated involving verbal abuse by a nurse aide and delayed reporting by a social worker, resulting in a $10,000 federal civil money penalty.

Short-stay rehabilitation outcomes are a relative strength: rehospitalization rates are 16.5%, well below the West Virginia average of 23%, and the facility recorded zero short-stay falls with major injury, compared with a state average of 0.8%. Resident activities include pet therapy, bingo, crafts, and holiday programming.

The facility’s combination of dementia care programming, hospice capacity, and a Medicaid-heavy long-stay census makes it suited for residents requiring sustained clinical support. The short-stay quality measures also make it a reasonable fit for post-acute rehabilitation admissions in Greenbrier County. However, families should review the facility’s prior abuse-related citation.

White Sulphur Springs Center is a 68-bed skilled nursing facility in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, serving residents requiring long-term nursing care and memory care support in Greenbrier County. The facility is operated by Genesis Operations V LLC and accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay. The facility holds a 1-star overall CMS rating. Inspection performance is the primary driver: the facility’s deficiency rate is 72% above the West Virginia average, at 15.5 citations per year, compared with the state average of 9. The most recent standard inspection, conducted in July 2024, cited 17 deficiencies spanning behavioral health services, dementia care planning, dietary staff qualifications, medication management, infection control, and environmental safety — with two substantiated complaints from that cycle involving care plan revisions and abuse prevention. A follow-up revisit in August 2024 found the facility in substantial compliance. No fines or Immediate Jeopardy findings appear in the available inspection reports. Nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 48 minutes per resident per day, ranking 39th out of 46 West Virginia skilled nursing facilities — 15.6% below the state average. Quality Measures, by contrast, score 65.3% above the West Virginia average, a meaningful gap from the overall picture. The facility’s occupancy rate is 91%, with 62 of 68 beds occupied, which is in line with the West Virginia average of 89.9%. Confirmed on-site services include pharmacy, therapy, social services, and dietary services. White Sulphur Springs Center fits residents requiring skilled nursing or memory care who accept shorter availability windows given current occupancy, and whose families are prepared to engage closely with care planning and staff communication given the facility’s compliance history.

Overview of Madison Center

Operated by 825 Summit Street Operations, LLC, Madison Center is a small, single-story nursing home located on Bakers Ridge Road near Morgantown, West Virginia. The community is administered by Jamie Haas and opened in 2025. It currently serves 62 residents in private and semi-private rooms. Families can choose from Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay to cover the cost of care.

The community has an occupancy rate of 95%. Residents stay an average of 49 days. This relatively short stay includes a mix of post-acute rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care. The surrounding area is car-dependent because it’s a rural setting near Morgantown.

Nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 49 minutes per resident daily. This includes 34 minutes from registered nurses, along with support from nurse aides and licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses. This provides consistent hands-on assistance with daily activities and medical needs.

State inspections have focused on operational and care-delivery processes, including care planning, medication management, and infection control protocols. Survey results released recently show the community is meeting state standards. Corrective measures were undertaken to address prior findings. Families who are considering Madison Center should ask about the community’s commitment to quality assurance and how it supports its care systems as a new facility.

Overview of Ohio Valley Health Care

Ohio Valley Health Care is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation home in Parkersburg. The upscale nursing home aims to change the meaning of recovery for seniors through the exceptional care delivered by their patient-friendly staff to offer the best care possible for their residents in a home-like setting; they continue to provide an active and stimulating lifestyle for each individual.

Ohio Valley aims to fulfill each resident’s holistic wellness through the continuum of care services. Areas of specialization include rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and therapy services (speech, occupational, physical). Essential services include housekeeping, restaurant-style dining, social activities, and scheduled transportation.

Overview of Mountain Memories (alr/alz)

Mountain Memories is an assisted living and memory care community in Elkins, West Virginia, offering assisted living, memory care, and respite care to older adults in Randolph County. The community appeals to older adults and families seeking a single place that provides evolving care in a residential setting. Operating since May 2024 with 88 beds, the community is administered by Christina Mullenax and is owned by Mountain Memories Assisted Living and Retirement Center LLC.

With an 88-bed capacity, the community is one of the larger assisted living residences in the area. 74 of 88 beds are also occupied, marking an approximately 84% occupancy rate, which suggests steady demand while still offering consistent availability. The community has been inspected 18 times by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Health Facility Licensure, with the most recent inspection on May 8, 2025. Over time, the community has accumulated 100 deficiencies; hence, it is recommended for families and older adults to directly inquire about the measures taken for improvement.

Assistance with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, and medication management, memory care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as respite services, are the care programs offered. Additionally, a calendar of activities and events is provided. With a dual designation of ALR/ ALZ, the community is purposely built for assisted living and memory care.

With a community-oriented residential setting, Mountain Memories is an ideal option for older adults in the Elkins area seeking a social and family atmosphere. The community’s memory care services also ensure continuity of care without moving to a different place.

Overview of E.a. Hawse Healthcare Center

E.a. Hawse Healthcare Center is a nursing home and a multi-service healthcare community in Baker, West Virginia, serving Hardy County and nearby rural communities since 1981. Owned and operated by Route 55 Leasing Co., LLC and administered by Pauline Vance, the community offers comprehensive care options, including skilled nursing, medical, dental, behavioral, health, and pharmacy services, making it one of the more care-equipped communities in the area. The community is certified under a nursing home license (License No. 108) for 60 beds and accepts Medicare and Medicaid.

With around 53 beds occupied out of 60, the community’s occupancy rate of approximately 88% is in line with West Virginia’s state average. While availability may be limited, it is not constrained; families with an immediate need for placement are encouraged to inquire early for assessment. Additionally, the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure has inspected the community 12 times, citing 115 deficiencies throughout its inspection history. The most recent inspection, dated January 28, 2025, was prompted due to a formal complaint, making it a complaint investigation rather than a routine scheduled review.

Compared to most rural nursing communities, the community offers comprehensive, integrated health offerings. Along with 24-hour staffing and skilled nursing care, on-site medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services are also provided. For those in Hardy County and nearby rural areas with limited access to healthcare, the community’s wide range of care options and integrated health offerings is a practical option. With its established presence and over four decades of providing care in the locality, the community is a familiar and trustworthy option compared to newer communities.

With its 60-bed scale, E.a. Hawse Healthcare Center supports a more personalized approach to care compared to larger institutional communities. Additionally, the community’s rural setting also appeals to those looking to remain close to home. The community’s decades-long operational history, as well as comprehensive, integrated healthcare services, is well-suited to the region that prioritizes continuity of care.

Overview of Belmont Healthcare Center

Owned by Jennifer Brooks, Belmont Healthcare Center is a skilled nursing home on Riverview Road in Belmont, West Virginia. Riverview Leasing Co operates the facility. Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted, making it accessible to families with different coverage options for short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled care.

The 68-bed home currently has an occupancy rate of 88%. Residents stay an average of 106 days, including those receiving post-acute rehabilitation and those requiring ongoing nursing support. The facility focuses on rehabilitation services. Residents have access to a dedicated therapy program and round-the-clock staffing to support their daily care needs. Total nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 15 minutes per resident daily, which is backed by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses.

The surrounding area is car-dependent, with a walk score of 5. Most errands and activities require a vehicle. However, the rural setting near Belmont offers a quieter environment for residents and visiting families.

State inspections identified compliance areas on care documentation, safety measures, and infection control practices. Families considering Belmont should ask staff how these operational areas are managed daily.

The facility is relatively new, as it has only operated for one year. It’s working to establish its routines and systems for resident care and comfort.

Nella’s at Autumn Lake Healthcare is a 60-bed skilled nursing facility in Elkins, West Virginia, offering short-term rehabilitation and long-term living, including memory care programming. The community is operated by Nellas Opco Holdco LLC and accepts Medicare and Medicaid.

The facility holds a 1-star CMS overall rating — 55.6% below the West Virginia average — driven largely by its Health Inspection score, which is 59% below state benchmarks. The March 2025 annual survey cited 13 deficiencies, with one substantiated complaint covering abuse, neglect, medication errors, and inadequate staffing. Follow-up surveys in April, May, and June 2025 found zero deficiencies, suggesting active corrective work. No fines or Immediate Jeopardy findings appear in the available reports.

Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 19 minutes per resident per day — 15.6% below the West Virginia average — ranking the facility 24th of 46 skilled nursing homes in the state. The facility’s occupancy rate is 35% (21 of 60 beds), well below the state average of 89.9%, indicating current availability across the community.

Nella’s at Autumn Lake Healthcare serves long-term and post-acute residents in Randolph County, with memory care and rehabilitation capacity available for those requiring either track. Families should review the facility’s recent abuse- and staffing-related inspection findings before making a placement decision.