Golden LivingCenter - Petersburg

Pros

• Sherri's communication is top-tier.
• Sherri leads Petersburg Healthcare Center with compassion, dignity, and great skill.
• The staff are professional and caring, and they keep families informed about residents' care.
• Verra provides attentive care and strong leadership.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and makes residents feel safe and at home.
• The activities department keeps residents engaged and enjoying themselves.
• The nurses and CNAs are exceptionally attentive and compassionate, going above and beyond.
• Ms. Lavinia Smith in HR is amazing and professional, with excellent onboarding.

Cons

• One reviewer would not take a dog there.
• The director was accused of having no clue what goes on in his own facility.
• The staff were rude and unhelpful.
• A nurse was described as sitting on her phone and not attending to patients, with an unprofessional attitude.
• The facility was described as dirty and unhygienic, with the building smelling of urine and feces, and bugs present.
• The administration was accused of not responding to complaints and giving the runaround.

Review

Golden LivingCenter – Petersburg is best suited for families seeking a warm, person-centered environment where frontline staff deliver attentive, compassionate care and where resident life feels actively managed. The community earns strong praise for a clean, welcoming atmosphere, with residents and families frequently noting that staff know each person by name and that daily life includes engaging activities and visible staff presence. It is particularly well-matched for those who value hands-on leadership in day-to-day operations, and who trust a facility where a supervisor or director is regularly described as compassionate, competent, and accessible when concerns arise. This is not a sterile, isolated hospital wing; it feels like a community that treats residents and families with dignity.

Those who should consider alternatives are families prioritizing very rigid clinical governance, impeccable infection control, or absolute consistency in leadership and staffing across every shift. If a resident requires near-perfect medication management, flawless documentation, or a proven record of zero lapses in safety protocol, the reports here point to enough variability in leadership and processes to warrant caution. Several accounts describe management turnover and uneven responsiveness, and a subset of reviews allege serious gaps in care that could be unacceptable for residents with complex medical needs or cognitive impairment. In short, this is a strong choice for many, but not the indisputable safe harbor for all high-needs cases.

The most persuasive pros center on the human touch: caregivers who listen, communicate, and go above and beyond to reassure families, and leaders who step in to fix problems promptly. Sherri Townes, repeatedly cited as a capable, caring administrator, appears to set a tone of accountability and compassion that families notice and appreciate. The nursing staff and CNAs are repeatedly described as polite, patient, and attentive, with praise for the activities team and the overall environment, vividly positive notes about the meals, social events, and the sense that residents are engaged and happy. The facility’s cleanliness and the warmth of the public areas also surface as consistent strengths, contributing to a feeling of safety and normalcy during daily routines.

Yet the cons cited by critics cannot be dismissed. A meaningful minority of reviews express concerns about neglect, odor and cleanliness issues, and scattered lapses in safety or medical communication. Specific allegations include delays in care, insufficient transparency about medication or changes in treatment, and, in at least one case, a dire failure to respond promptly in a medical emergency. Several comments point to leadership gaps or inconsistent policy enforcement that undermine trust over time. While some families report substantial improvements under new management, others warn that outstanding problems persist and could jeopardize sustained quality of care for vulnerable residents.

Those who want to rely on the positives should weigh them against the potential risks by conducting a materially thorough, current assessment. The resourceful family will observe how staff interact with residents on multiple days and times, verify nurse staffing levels, and request a candid discussion with the administrator about recent turnover and how care plans are monitored and updated. It is essential to review maintenance, sanitation practices, and incident reporting procedures, and to cross-check references with multiple families. A strong emphasis on resident life and comfort can offset concerns if the campus demonstrates stable leadership, rigorous accountability, and transparent communication.

In the end, Golden LivingCenter – Petersburg aligns with families who value a supportive, neighborly feel and a responsive care team, especially when leadership is present and actively addressing issues. It is a practical match for residents who thrive with engaged activities, reliable housekeeping, and a culture of personal attention. However, for those needing ironclad guarantees on medical oversight, flawless safety records, and unwavering consistency across shifts, alternatives deserve serious consideration. The decision should hinge on direct, current observations, the stability of management, and a clear plan for ongoing quality improvement rather than past impressions alone.

This part of Petersburg, Virginia offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With various dining options like Wendy's, McDonald's, and Roma's Italian Pizza Restaurant within close proximity, residents can enjoy a variety of cuisines. Additionally, there are pharmacies such as CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens nearby for any healthcare needs. For medical care, there are several physician offices and hospitals like Southside Regional Medical Center and Kenner Army Health Clinic just a short distance away. The area also provides opportunities for relaxation and recreation with parks like Central Park and Roslyn Landing nearby. Overall, this part of Petersburg offers a mix of services that cater to the needs of seniors seeking a comfortable and convenient lifestyle.

Restaurants

• Wendy's (0.1 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Roma's Italian Pizza Restaurant (1.4 miles)
• KFC (1.9 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (2 miles)
• Olive Garden (2.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Octapharma Plasma (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Appomattox Drugs (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)

Physicians

• Infant Jesus Children's Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Virginia Eye Institute (0.6 miles)
• Dominion Cardiology (0.8 miles)
• Alliance Family Practice, PC (1.1 miles)
• Charles City Medical Group (1.1 miles)
• Central Virginia Health Service (1.3 miles)
• Virginia South Psychiatric (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Yankee Coffee Shoppe (0.8 miles)
• Demolition Coffee (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)

Parks

• Central Park (1.5 miles)
• Roslyn Landing (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Childrens Hospital Petersburg Therapy Center (1.6 miles)
• Southside Regional Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Kenner Army Health Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Justice Brandi Central State Hospital (3.8 miles)
• Central State Hospital (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Southpark Mall (3.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (3.9 miles)
• St John's Catholic Church (4.1 miles)