Bickford of Suffolk

What is Bickford of Suffolk licensed to provide in Suffolk, VA?

Bickford of Suffolk at 6860 Harbour View Boulevard, Suffolk is an assisted living facility licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) for up to 74 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 Aug. 8, 2026, with Kendra Thomas 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 Bickford of Suffolk?

VDSS has posted 22 inspections for Bickford of Suffolk; six fall in the 24 months before October 28, 2026. Of those recent visits, two were complaint-related and six documented at least one violation. The most recent inspection on file is dated August 4, 2026.

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

• 22VAC40-73-1140-B (Care of adults with serious cognitive impairments, Aug. 4, 2026): Based on staff record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that within four months of the starting date of employment in the safe, secure environment, direct care staff shall attend at least 10 hours of training in.
• 22VAC40-73-260-A (First aid and CPR certification, Aug. 4, 2026): Based on staff record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that direct care staff members maintain current certification in first aid from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council,.
• 22VAC40-73-350-B (Sex offender information, Aug. 4, 2026): Based on resident record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that prior to admission, the facility shall ascertain whether a potential resident is a registered sex offender if the facility anticipates the potential.
• 22VAC40-73-410-A (Orientation and related information for residents, Aug. 4, 2026): Based on resident record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure upon admission, it would provide an orientation for new residents and their legal representatives.
• 22VAC40-73-680-G (Administration of medications and related provisions, Aug. 4, 2026): Based on an inspection of the medication cart and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that over-the-counter medications shall be labeled with the resident's name.
• 22VAC40-73-950-F (Emergency preparedness and response plan, Aug. 4, 2026): Based on facility documentation review and staff interview, the facility failed to review the emergency preparedness plan annually or more often as needed, documenting the review by signing and dating the plan, and making necessary plan.
• 22VAC40-73-120-A (Staff orientation and initial training, Sept. 24, 2025): Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure a staff's record included documentation of orientation and training required within the first seven working days of employment.
• 22VAC40-73-440-A (Uniform assessment instrument (UAI), Sept. 24, 2025): Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure the UAI for residents be completed prior to admission, at least annually, and whenever there is a significant change in the resident's condition.
• 22VAC40-73-550-C (Resident rights, Sept. 24, 2025): Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure any resident of an assisted living facility has the rights and responsibilities as provided in A? 63.2-1808 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter to include the.

How does Bickford of Suffolk compare with other Suffolk assisted living?

At 74 licensed beds, Bickford of Suffolk is the same size as the median assisted living facility in Suffolk (74 beds) and smaller than the Hampton Roads median of 78. 2 facilities in Suffolk are licensed for more residents.

By licensed size it ranks 3 of 5 in Suffolk. The closest in size are Tidewater Cove Assisted Living (80 beds, no secure unit, two violation inspections in 24 months) and Lake Prince Woods (54 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 Bickford of Suffolk before moving in?

Ask the administrator what changed after the citations on care of adults with serious cognitive impairments, first aid and cpr certification, sex offender information, 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 how many current residents pay with the Auxiliary Grant; a facility can decline it entirely.

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

Who can help a family considering Bickford of Suffolk in Suffolk?

For Suffolk 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.