Senior Care in the Tri-Cities: How Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell Compare

How much licensed assisted living is in the Tri-Cities?

The Virginia Department of Social Services roster we pulled in October 2026 lists 15 licensed assisted living facilities across Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell. They are not spread evenly, and the differences shape how families search.

Petersburg's homes are mostly small and mid-sized; eight of its twelve are licensed for residential living care only. Colonial Heights has a single, much larger community. Hopewell has two. Dinwiddie County, just southwest, adds four small rural homes, and Prince George County has none.

What does Petersburg offer that the other two cities do not?

Petersburg is the medical and administrative center of the Tri-Cities. Bon Secours Southside Regional Medical Center and the Encompass Health rehabilitation hospital sit on Medical Park Boulevard, and the Crater District Area Agency on Aging is headquartered on Seyler Drive. CMS lists several certified nursing homes in the city as well, which matters for short-term rehab after a hospital stay.

For assisted living, Petersburg's many residential-only homes suit people who need light help. Families whose parent needs the assisted living level, or memory care, usually look at Petersburg's few larger options alongside Colonial Heights and southern Chesterfield.

Why does Colonial Heights work differently for benefits?

Colonial Heights shares its Department of Social Services with Chesterfield County, so Medicaid, Auxiliary Grant applications and Adult Protective Services reports for city residents go through the combined Chesterfield-Colonial Heights office. For aging services and the long-term care ombudsman, though, Colonial Heights belongs to the Crater District, not to the Richmond-side Span Center.

That split catches families out. Keep both numbers handy: the combined DSS for benefits and protective services, and the Crater District Senior Helpline at 804-732-7020 for meals, caregiver help and facility complaints.

What should Hopewell families expect?

Hopewell has its own acute-care hospital, HCA TriCities Hospital on West Randolph Road, and two certified nursing homes, so skilled nursing is easier to arrange locally than assisted living. With only two licensed assisted living facilities in the city, most Hopewell families add Petersburg and Colonial Heights to the search, a short drive away. Prince George County residents, whose county has no licensed facility, typically do the same.

How do Tri-Cities nursing homes rate on CMS Care Compare?

CMS ratings among the Tri-Cities' certified nursing homes range widely, from one star to four stars overall in the October 2026 data, which is why we suggest checking the health inspection and staffing ratings, not just the overall score. Our nursing home directory lets you filter to Petersburg, Colonial Heights or Hopewell and sort by any CMS rating.

How do Petersburg's residential-only homes fit different needs?

Eight of Petersburg's twelve licensed facilities are licensed for residential living care only, the lighter of Virginia's two levels, meant for people who need help with no more than one activity of daily living or only with things like medications and meals. They can suit an older adult who mainly needs supervision, meals and medication help in a small setting.

The catch is what happens later. If a reassessment shows the person needs help with two or more activities of daily living, a residential-only home cannot keep serving them at that level. Families who expect needs to grow often choose a facility licensed for assisted living care from the start, even if it means looking in Colonial Heights or Chester.

What about Dinwiddie County homes?

Dinwiddie, southwest of Petersburg, has four small licensed homes in the VDSS data, with addresses in DeWitt, Sutherland and Petersburg. None has a special care unit. They can suit someone who wants a quiet rural setting near family, but families needing memory care or heavier assisted living usually look in Petersburg, Colonial Heights or Chester. Dinwiddie residents share the Crater District aging agency with the Tri-Cities and apply for benefits through Dinwiddie County DSS.

How do Tri-Cities families get Medicare counseling?

The Crater District Area Agency on Aging offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through Virginia's VICAP program, which helps with plan choices, rehab coverage questions and billing problems. It is a useful call before a planned surgery or when a parent is choosing between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, because network rules affect which Tri-Cities rehab facilities are covered.

Who should Tri-Cities families call first?

For a general question about options and benefits, start with the Crater District Area Agency on Aging's Senior Helpline at 804-732-7020. For a Medicaid application or an abuse concern, call the local DSS for the city where your parent lives, or Virginia's 24-hour APS hotline at (888) 832-3858. For a short list of licensed facilities that fit care needs and budget, an advisor can help at no cost.

How many assisted living facilities are in Petersburg, VA?

Twelve, according to the VDSS roster as of October 2026, with 297 licensed places in total.

Which aging agency serves the Tri-Cities?

The Crater District Area Agency on Aging, 23 Seyler Drive, Petersburg, 804-732-7020.

Does Prince George County have assisted living?

VDSS lists no licensed assisted living facility in Prince George; families typically choose homes in Hopewell, Petersburg or Colonial Heights.

Where is the main hospital for the Tri-Cities?

Bon Secours Southside Regional Medical Center on Medical Park Boulevard in Petersburg.