Best Senior Communities in West Virginia

Opening in July 2024, Morgantown Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center serves the Morgantown community from a 100-bed facility situated on Van Voorhis Road, 2.4 miles from downtown and within walking distance of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital (0.6 miles). The nursing home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents for skilled care and rehabilitation. MORGANTOWN Heights of Journey, LLC operates the facility under the administration of Sheila Jones-Marino.

The facility holds a 1-star CMS overall rating; 55.6% below West Virginia’s state average. Both health inspection (1 star, 59% below average) and staffing (1 star, 57.8% below average) received the lowest ratings.

During its first year of operation, the facility incurred 29 deficiencies in its March 2024 annual survey, with immediate jeopardy cited for neglect and medication mismanagement. Investigators substantiated allegations involving delayed abuse reporting, improper resident transfers that caused physical injury, and missed antibiotic doses.

The facility received a $148K federal penalty, placing it 47th of 48 West Virginia facilities in cumulative penalties.

Long-stay quality measures achieved a 4-star rating, 24% above state average. Clinical outcomes for functional decline, activities of daily living, and fall-related injuries all exceeded state benchmarks. Short-stay residents demonstrated strong discharge outcomes: 67.4% achieved expected self-care ability at discharge (26% better than state average).

Overall nursing care averages 3 hours 4 minutes per resident daily. The staff-to-resident ratio of 1.11:1 ranks 25% below state average, indicating understaffing. Weekend RN coverage, however, runs 83% above state average at 42 minutes per resident daily. The facility employs 80 staff members with no contractors: 10 RNs, 19 LPNs, and 35 CNAs.

Current occupancy is 68% (68 of 100 beds), below the state average of 89.9% and ranking 61st of 73 state facilities. Resident census comprises 77.8% Medicaid, 18.1% Medicare, and 4.2% private pay. The average stay is 88 days.

Services include rehabilitation, memory care, home care, barber, transportation, housekeeping, and laundry.

The facility’s first-year inspection record and recent substantiated compliance failures suggest a facility working to establish operations, with significant systems work required to align compliance practices with clinical outcomes.

Located at 101 13th Street in Huntington, Heritage Care Center is a 160-bed skilled nursing facility operated by Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Cabell County. The facility serves predominantly Medicaid-supported residents (84.8% of census) across its skilled nursing, memory care, and hospice units. Administrative leadership includes Elizabeth Townsend and Executive Director Gretchen Vakiener, who brings over two decades of senior care experience.

A 1-star CMS overall rating frames the community’s regulatory performance. All four CMS sub-categories; health inspections, staffing levels, quality measures, and outcomes, carry 1-star designations.

Complaint investigations beginning in 2023 substantiated immediate jeopardy findings involving sexual abuse allegations and code status documentation failures. In March 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services imposed a $92,000 federal civil money penalty for noncompliance. The most recent state inspection on September 30, 2025, identified deficiencies in basic activities of daily living assistance, pressure ulcer prevention and care, and sanitation of food-service equipment.

Nursing staffing averages 2 hours 52 minutes per resident daily, running 17% below the West Virginia state average. Weekend registered nurse presence drops to just 13 minutes per resident per day, 43% lower than the state average and critically insufficient for a community managing complex medical needs. Physical therapy services, essential for a facility serving short-term rehabilitation, average 2 minutes per resident daily, 33% below state norms.

Among long-stay residents, pressure ulcers affect 9.8% of those at high risk, nearly double the state average. Functional decline and activities of daily living decline affect roughly one in four long-stay residents.

Among short-stay Medicare patients undergoing rehabilitation, only 20% discharge with expected self-care ability intact. Newly initiated antipsychotic medications appear in 4% of short-stay admissions, four times the state rate and suggesting possible chemical management of behavioral issues rather than therapeutic intervention.

The facility maintains 98% occupancy in a 137-bed-average census, indicating strong community demand.

Amenities include private and semi-private accommodations with river views, on-site beauty and barber services, cable television, and respite care options. Specific programs include the Daybreak Program and Wellness Programs.

Heritage Care Center’s care model aligns with long-term Medicaid residents and short-term rehabilitation admissions, though its quality and clinical performance data suggest significant systemic challenges.

Overview of The Woodlands Retirement Community

With 171 acres of scenic hilltops and valleys to spectate, seniors in the Huntington, West Virginia area looking to settle into the golden years of their lives will find a lush, welcoming, and empowering community at Woodlands Retirement. Offering independent and assisted senior living programs, along with memory and respite care for more specialized support, Woodlands’ team of caring and courteous professionals operate on the golden standards set by LifeCare Communities.

Assistance with daily living activities such as housekeeping, laundry, personal care needs, and medical management tailored to each resident, enable them to lead restful and fulfilling lives at Woodlands. Private living quarters range from studio to two-bedroom options, ensuring privacy, security, and comfort, while nutritious meals are served daily. Residents are able to invest time in wellness programs, trips on the town, solitary or social activities, as they see fit, for the ideal retirement experience.

Overview of New Martinsville Health & Rehabilitation

Operated by Sunbridge Mountain Care Management, LLC and administered by Ashley Wensyel, New Martinsville Health & Rehabilitation is a nursing home on Russell Avenue in New Martinsville, West Virginia. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. The 100-bed facility has been operating for two years. Short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care, and memory care are all provided here.

Rehabilitation is a major focus of the facility. Residents recovering from surgery or a hospital stay have access to therapy services throughout the day. Nursing staff are available around the clock. Total nursing care averages 2 hours and 50 minutes per resident each day. The facility also serves residents who require longer-term nursing care as well as those living with memory loss or dementia.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 86%. Residents stay an average of about 199 days, which includes people receiving rehabilitation services and who need ongoing long-term care. An outdoor recreation area is available, along with a patio garden and a fully equipped rehabilitation gym. Amenities on-site include a beauty and barber shop, a library, pastoral support, and organized activities designed to encourage engagement.

The neighborhood’s Walk Score is 42. Some nearby services can be reached by walking, but for most errands and outings, families need transportation. Transportation services are available for residents and visiting family members. The quieter setting may appeal to families looking for an alternative to busier urban areas.

Inspection findings have included infection control practices, care documentation, and safety protocols. The facility has responded to those findings through corrective actions as part of its ongoing operations.

Overview of Sweetbriar Assisted Living

Sweetbriar is a senior care provider that provides respite care and adult day care. The dedicated team of professionals ensures to provide compassionate care for a speedy recovery. They ensure residents are inspired to grow as better individuals through their enhanced lifestyle in a vibrant and positive environment. Sweetbriar is committed to ensuring that residents are comfortable and secure in the community.
The beautiful community is built with a list of amenities residents can take advantage of common areas, lounges, a library, restaurant-style dining and cafe, and a fitness center. Personalized care for specialty services is provided such as housekeeping, 24/7 care staff, and scheduled activities– offered to maintain a bustling environment.

Overview of Harmony at Southridge

As its name suggests, Harmony at Southridge ensures that the environment of the community is serene and harmonious. The name also suggests that senior living is supposed to be calming and balanced– a freeing lifestyle with the necessary support. The elegant community is an independent living and assisted living with memory care. Residents of the community wholly receive a strong sense of freedom with no shame of being able to receive additional assistance, especially because Harmony at Southridge is a home that is able to let their chosen lifestyle for their needs.

Harmony offers an elevated lifestyle because of their marvelous level of care and complete attention to the needs of their residents; as well as residents being able to practice a stress-free and well-balanced lifestyle. Highlights of their amenities and services include laundry services, transportation services, healthy and savory chef-prepared meals, memory retention activities, and fitness activities. Harmony aims to give the most comfortable life as much as possible to their residents. 

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 Morgantown Healthcare Center

Morgantown Healthcare Center nursing home focuses on conducting results-driven programs with cutting-edge technologies that specifically cater to the varying needs of the residents. Morgantown boasts a talented team of caregivers who help promote its warm and welcoming atmosphere today.
Seniors can feel confident and comfortable and know they belong in a home that offers 24-hour nursing care with inpatient and outpatient care in a resort-like community with the utmost hospitality. They provide a range of services, such as incontinence care, diabetic care, non-ambulatory care, medication management, and ancillary services– among a few.

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.

Located in Huntington West Virginia, the residential care home offers a peaceful and nurturing environment for individuals seeking a comfortable place to live. The dedicated team of caregivers is highly trained and compassionate, prioritizing the well-being and individual needs of each resident.

The aim is to promote independence, dignity, and an enhanced quality of life. The thoughtfully designed accommodations provide a secure and cozy space, while the wide range of engaging activities and programs encourage social connections and mental stimulation. At Home Sweet Huntington, the goal is to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere where residents feel valued, respected, and truly at home.