Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community

What is Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community licensed to provide in Virginia Beach, VA?

Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community at 4225 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach is an assisted living facility licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) for up to 90 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 18, 2027, with Ms. Catherine Abott 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 Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community?

VDSS has posted 32 inspections for Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community; eight fall in the 24 months before October 28, 2026. Of those recent visits, four were complaint-related and two documented at least one violation. The most recent inspection on file is dated March 20, 2026.

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

• 22VAC40-73-640-A (Medication management plan and reference materials, Feb. 26, 2025): Based on observation and a review of the facility's medication plan, it was determined that the facility shall have, keep current, and implement a written plan for medication management.

How does Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community compare with other Virginia Beach assisted living?

At 90 licensed beds, Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community is larger than the median assisted living facility in Virginia Beach (77 beds) and larger than the Hampton Roads median of 78. 6 facilities in Virginia Beach are licensed for more residents.

By licensed size it ranks 7 of 22 in Virginia Beach. The closest in size are Harmony at Independence (89 beds, with secure unit, eight violation inspections in 24 months) and First Colonial Inn ALF (85 beds, with secure unit, two 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 Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community before moving in?

Ask the administrator what changed after the citations on medication management plan and reference materials, 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 4 complaint investigations in the last two years involved and how the facility responded.

Ask whether residents on the Auxiliary Grant are accepted, and whether someone who spends down private savings can stay.

Ask what the plan is if flooding or a long power outage hits Virginia Beach -- which rooms keep power, and where residents would be taken.

Who can help a family considering Bay Lake Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Virginia Beach?

For Virginia Beach residents, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA) (757-461-9481) handles aging-services planning and the Bay Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Regional Office (Norfolk office) (757-222-4542) advocates for residents once they move in. 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.