News

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of connection and engagement are two of the top health threats for seniors, right under the Coronavirus, itself. Westminster-Canterbury has made in-person visits a priority and has found creative ways to host these events.  

Westminster-Canterbury is so proud of our partnership with Lynnhaven River NOW. We are honored to be the first Virginia Beach organization to have earned their Pearl Neighborhood and Pearl Business designations.  

During this time of COVID-19 and social distancing, an unlikely friendship was forged through Westminster-Canterbury's Seniors Celebrating Seniors program.  Mrs. Neola Waller and Alexandria Pezzano first met on video chat through the Birdsong Tablet.  Watch when they meet in person for the first time!

On June 2-3, 2020, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay voluntarily accepted an offer by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to test all residents and staff for the COVID-19 virus.  All 1100 residents and staff tested negative. Chris Horne of WAVY speaks with President and CEO Ben Unkle about the challenges the senior living community faced and the protocols it took to attain this positive health outcome.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (June 8, 2020) -- On June 2-3, 2020, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay voluntarily accepted an offer by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to test all residents and staff for the COVID-19 virus.  None of the more than 1100 residents and staff that participated in the survey tested positive.

Because Westminster-Canterbury is a large campus of over 1100 residents and staff and has remained COVID-19 free, the VDH was extremely interested in performing this survey with our population.  The campus’ experience runs contrary to the experience of other senior living communities of similar size.

“While we are extremely thankful that our community is COVID-19 free, we will continue with the protocols that got us to this point, including social distancing and wearing masks,” said Westminster-Canterbury President and CEO J. Benjamin Unkle, Jr.

With high school at a halt amid the COVID-19 pandemic, residents from Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay are offering life lessons to members of the 2020 graduating class from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach.

"We know these students [will miss] graduation so we want to support them," 91-year-old Neola Waller told "Good Morning America. "I think this is exciting."
To read the full Good Morning America article and view the video, click here

Birdsong CEO Ben Unkle talks to KMAX's Good Day Sacramento reporter Dina Kupner about how to keep seniors engaged and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.