Golden LivingCenter - Petersburg

Pros

• Sherri's communication is top tier.
• The staff are very professional and caring, keeping families informed.
• Sherri Townes provides outstanding leadership for Petersburg Healthcare Center.
• Sherri leads the building with compassion, dignity, and great skill.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and the nurses provide great care.
• Verra, the director, is wonderful and answers questions confidently.
• The activities department is amazing, with residents enjoying time together.
• Lavinia Smith in HR is amazing, very professional, and provides excellent orientation.
• The staff know residents by name and form personal relationships, going above and beyond.

Cons

• One reviewer described a troubling visit, noting a nurse was sitting on her phone and not attending to patients, leaving the uncle in his room for hours without any food.
• They stated the nurse responded with an attitude that was unprofessional when concerns about the care were raised.
• They acknowledged that Petersburg Healthcare Center has some negative reviews.
• A patient noted that the facility had been going south for a while, though improvements were anticipated with new management.

Review

Petersburg Healthcare Center emerges in these accounts as a place where dignity, warmth, and attentive care feel handmade for each resident and their families. Across multiple visits and conversations, families describe a welcoming environment where the moment you walk in is shaped by friendly faces, clean spaces, and a sense that the staff truly cares about the people who call the facility home. The common thread is not just good service but a culture of compassion that visitors notice from the first contact to daily interactions.

One standout theme is the leadership at the facility, particularly the contribution of Sherri Townes, the director. Review after review highlights Sherri's compassionate leadership, strong presence, and quick responsiveness when issues arise. Families repeatedly credit her with guiding the building with dignity and skill, and they express pride in how she represents Petersburg Healthcare Center. Her actions are described as reflective of a genuine commitment to residents, with many noting how she follows up to ensure concerns are resolved and care remains satisfactory. This steady leadership appears to provide a sense of stability and trust for residents, families, and staff alike.

In addition to Sherri, several staff members receive specific praise for their roles and interactions. Lavinia, the HR representative, is commended for thorough orientation, clear explanations, and a professional, welcoming approach. Families appreciate that staff members take the time to know residents by name and build personal relationships that go beyond routine tasks. Verra, mentioned by multiple reviewers, is singled out as a manager who takes excellent care of visitors and contributes positively to the atmosphere; one review even described Verra as "awesome." Together with the broader team, these individuals help create an environment where families feel informed, involved, and valued.

Care delivery is another central theme. Reviewers consistently say the nurses and aides are attentive, patient, and willing to go above and beyond for residents. Messages repeatedly mention that staff communicate well with families, keep them informed about the care provided, and demonstrate genuine concern for residents' well-being. The sentiment that "the staff are very friendly and professional" runs through several accounts, along with notes about residents feeling safe, comfortable, and well cared for. This high level of engagement is often tied to the perception that care plans are followed closely, and that staff coordinate effectively with families to ensure needs are met.

The facility's environment and activities receive strong approval as well. Many reviews describe a clean, welcoming setting with a calm, odor-free atmosphere and well-maintained spaces. Residents are reported to enjoy a broad, engaging schedule of activities, with staff and management fostering opportunities for social interaction and fun. Comments about the food are positive, with some reviewers noting that meals are as important to the experience as medical care, further contributing to a sense of overall well-being. The community is described as lively and supportive, with residents often shown participating in activities and interacting with one another in meaningful ways.

There is also recognition of the broader organizational improvements underway. Several reviews point to new management and changes that have begun to take shape, accompanied by optimism that improvements will continue over time. An executive director who has been in place for years is cited as leading a strong team, with observers expressing confidence that Petersburg Healthcare Center is on a path toward even better care and experiences for residents and their families. The sentiment is that the facility is a "hidden gem" in Petersburg, where empowered residents and capable staff collaborate to create a warm, person-centered environment.

No portrait would be complete without acknowledging a moment of concern raised by one reviewer. In a notably troubling account, a family member described a day when a nurse appeared distracted by a phone and did not attend to the patient's needs promptly. The reviewer recounted the patient experiencing extended discomfort, lack of food, and an unprofessional response from the nurse when raised about the situation. This incident stands in contrast to the overwhelmingly positive feedback and serves as a reminder that, even in highly regarded facilities, there are experiences that require immediate attention and ongoing accountability to ensure every resident receives timely, compassionate care.

Taken together, the collection of experiences paints a portrait of a facility that many families trust and value. Petersburg Healthcare Center is portrayed as a place where compassionate leadership, a personable and professional staff, and a clean, engaging environment come together to support residents and comfort their loved ones. The stories speak to a culture that prioritizes clear communication, respectful treatment, and meaningful activity, while also acknowledging that continued focus on accountability and responsiveness remains essential. For families considering care options in the area, the center presents as a strong option - one that invites visits, conversations, and firsthand exploration to see the care and community described by so many who have experienced it.

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)