Life Care Center of Hickory Woods is located within the Park Place Condos neighborhood of Antioch, Tennessee. It is a 124 bed senior housing community. With an average household income of $51,532, the facility is in a primarily ...
Memory Care in Tennessee
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Tennessee
- Memory Care Directory for Tennessee
- Memory Care Costs in Tennessee
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Tennessee
- Tennessee Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in Tennessee
Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia present a growing health crisis nationwide, and that's especially true in Tennessee where an estimated 120,000 individuals live with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. The disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the state, and cases are expected to grow to 140,000 by the year 2025.
While there's currently no cure for dementia, there are a number of programs available that offer targeted therapeutic activities designed to slow the progression of symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for those with Alzheimer's. In Tennessee, the average cost of residential memory care services is $4,875 per month, which is below the national average cost of $5,064.
This guide provides an overview of memory care in Tennessee, including the average care costs and information on financial aid programs that help seniors pay for residential memory care services. There's also a summary of the state rules and regulations around memory care, and a list of free and low-cost resources for s
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Tennessee
The SeniorScore is an indicator of how suitable an area is for senior living based on over 100 factors, such as the cost of long-term care services, access to Medicare-registered physicians, climate and tax rates. Tennessee has a SeniorScore of 71, which is one point below the national score of 72. The SeniorScore is divided into four categories: Health and Safety, Recreation and Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life.
Tennessee's highest category score, 69, was for Finances, thanks in part to the fact that the average property taxes in the state are well below the national average. There's also no state income tax in Tennessee, and that can help stretch retirement budgets. Long-term care costs are also well below national averages, as is the overall cost of living.
Tennessee scored just 58 in the Health and Safety category despite having a high number of hospitals, Medicare-registered healthcare providers and senior living facilities. This relatively low category score is largely attributed to the high overall property and violent crime rates in the state, as well as the average life expectancy of 76.3, which is nearly two and a half years below the national median of 78.6 years.
Top Memory Care Communities in Tennessee
Grace Healthcare of Cordova is a 284 unit nursing facility. It is situated in the Cordova-Appling area of Cordova, Tennessee. With a median per-family income of $74,853, the facility is in a mostly middle class area. It ...
Spring Gate Rehab and Healthcare Center is a 233 room nursing home facility. It is situated near by the Raleigh area of Memphis, Tennessee. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median family income ...
Life Care Center of Hixson is a 108 bed senior care community located in Hixson, Tennessee. With about 41,000 individuals living in the zip code of 37343, the neighboring area is densely populated. It is a primarily middle ...
Ashton Place Rehab and Health Center is located close to the Midtown neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. It is a 211 bed nursing care facility. With a median family income of $38,821, the facility is in a predominantly middle ...
Signature Healthcare of Putnam County is a 175 room nursing care facility located in Cookeville, Tennessee. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average family income of $40,371. With about 28,000 residents in the ...
Greenhills Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 150 bed nursing home facility situated within the Abbot Martin Estates area of Nashville, Tennessee. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with approximately 22,000 poeple living in the 37215 zip code. ...
Ridgetop Haven Health Care Center is located within the Green Hills Estates neighborhood of Ridgetop, Tennessee. It is a 38 room nursing care facility. It is surrounded by numerous local amenities, which include healthcare facilities, retail ...
Beverly Park Place Health and Rehab is located at 5321 Beverly Park Cir in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is a 271 bed skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 44,000 people residing in the zip ...
Life Care Center of Red Bank is located at 1020 Runyan Dr in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is a 148 unit senior community. The surrounding area has an average population density, with approximately 16,000 poeple living in the zip ...
Located at 508 Mose Dr in Sparta, Tennessee, Life Care Center of Sparta is a 100 room senior care facility. With a median per-household income of $33,673, the community is in a largely lower income area. It is ...
Grace Healthcare of Clarksville is a 122 bed nursing facility located in Clarksville, Tennessee. With a median household income of $60,196, the facility is in a generally middle income area. It has a dense population, with about 41,000 ...
Renaissance Terrace is situated nearby the Midtown neighborhood of Harriman, Tennessee. It is a 130 room senior housing community. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average family income of $37,748. With about ...
Pine Meadows Health Care and Rehabilitation Center is located at 700 Nuckolls Rd in Bolivar, Tennessee. It is a 134 room skilled nursing facility. The community is in a primarily low income area, with an average family income ...
The Bridge at Highland is a 112 room senior housing community. It is located at 215 Highland Circle Dr in Portland, Tennessee. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with an average family income of $48,121. ...
Hermitage Health Center is a 70 unit nursing care facility situated in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The community is in a predominantly low income area, with an average per-family income of $30,146. With approximately 35,000 people residing in the 37643 ...
Located at 100 Samaritan Way in Crossville, Tennessee, Good Samaritan Society - Fairfield Glade is a 30 unit senior housing community. With approximately 8,000 individuals living in the zip code of 38558, the neighboring area has a sparse population. ...
Creekside Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 142 unit nursing facility. It is situated in the Pleasant Acres neighborhood of Madison, Tennessee. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with approximately 38,000 poeple living in the 37115 zip code. ...
NHC Murfreesboro is a 181 bed senior care facility. It is located at 420 N University St in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with an average per-household income of $40,703. With ...
Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 222 unit skilled nursing facility. It is located at 5837 Lyons View Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median household income of ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Tennessee
In Tennessee, memory care services are largely delivered in assisted living facilities that offer additional programming, extra security features and relatively high staff-to-resident ratios. These additional services and staffing mean that memory care usually costs about 20 to 30% more than assisted living, and there are currently no authoritative sources that track memory care rates.
In order to estimate the cost of residential memory care, we have added 25% to the assisted living rates listed on Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey. Based on these calculations, the average monthly memory care cost in Tennessee is $4,875 per month, which is slightly under the national average rate of $5,064. Rates in Tennessee are higher than memory care costs in neighboring Kentucky ($4,371), Alabama ($4,063) and Mississippi ($4,405), while rates are higher in North Carolina at $5,000 per month.
- Tennessee: $4,875
- United States Average: $5,064
- Alabama: $4,063
- Kentucky: $4,371
- Mississippi: $4,405
- North Carolina: $5,000
The Cost of Memory Care in Tennessee's Top Cities
The average cost of residential memory care in Tennessee is $4,875, although rates do vary depending on location. The city of Cleveland has the highest average costs statewide at $5,525 per month. Memory care rates are notably lower in Knoxville, at $4,531, and in Clarksville at $4,154. The lowest rates in the state can be found in Chattanooga, where the average memory care cost is $4,031 per month. Rates are also above the state average in Nashville ($5,188) and in Memphis ($5,141 per month).
- Chattanooga: $4,031
- Clarksville: $4,154
- Knoxville: $4,531
- Memphis: $5,141
- Nashville: $5,188
- Cleveland: $5,525
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Tennessee
Residential memory care is just one of the many types of long-term care available in Tennessee. The lowest-priced option is adult day care, which costs an average of $1,495 per month. Forty-four hours per week of in-home care runs above $3,813 per month, and home health care averages $3,892 per month. Assisted living rates average $3,900 per month statewide, while at $6,836 per month, nursing home care is the costliest form of long-term care.
- Memory Care: $4,875
- In-Home Care: $3,813
- Home Health Care: $3,892
- Adult Day Care: $1,495
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,900
- Nursing Home Care: $6,836
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Tennessee
TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports
Address: 301 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37243
Phone Number: (877) 224-0219
Website: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/choices.html
Medicaid-eligible seniors aged 65 and older, as well as adults who qualify for Medicaid due to disability, may be eligible for memory care benefits throughthe TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports program. This Medicaid home and community-based waiver program funds a range of services and programs designed to help people living with memory loss remain as safe and independent as possible, and to prevent or delay placement in a skilled nursing facility.
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Programs
Address: P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547
Phone Number: (800) 827-1000
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
VA Aid and Attendance and the Housebound Allowance are two Veterans Administration benefit programs that provide monthly cash benefits to eligible veterans, survivors and dependents. These cash benefits can be used toward the cost of residential memory care services.
To qualify for either of these two benefit programs, applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements for a regular VA pension. They must also have a disability rated at 100% by the VA that leaves them housebound, be legally blind, be bedridden and/or be dependent on a caregiver to provide assistance with at least one activity of daily living.
Tennessee Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Tennessee memory care services are largely delivered in assisted care facilities. These long-term care facilities are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health, Board of Licensing Health Care Facilities.
Scope of Care | Assisted care living facilities that offer memory care services are prohibited from admitting or retaining any resident who requires 24/7 skilled nursing care, or who exhibits aggressive or self-harming behavior that cannot be safely managed within the facility. |
Care Plan Requirements | A comprehensive care plan must be prepared for every resident within five days of admission to a licensed care facility. The care plan must be created in collaboration with the resident, their family and/or legal guardian and be reviewed at least once every six months. Care plans must be reviewed more frequently if the resident experiences significant changes in their health, care needs or dementia symptoms. |
Medication Management Requirements | Unlicensed care staff are permitted to provide medication reminders and supervise self-administration of medications prescribed to residents. Assisted living staff cannot administer medication unless they are a state-licensed medical professional, and medication administration falls within the scope of their license. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All staff are required to pass a comprehensive criminal record check before working in direct contact with assisted living residents. |
Staff Training Requirements | Staff are required to have a basic understanding of the principles of memory care. Staff must pursue ongoing education in memory care each year as directed by the facility administrator. |
Medicaid Coverage | Tennessee's Medicaid program covers memory care costs under the TennCARE CHOICES home and community-based services waiver. |
Reporting Abuse | Anyone who suspects that a long-term care resident is being exploited, abused or neglected must file a report with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman or the nearest law enforcement agency. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Tennessee
Tennessee's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program works to protect the rights of long-term care residents throughout the state, including those who reside in memory care facilities. Trained volunteer ombudsmen visit long-term care facilities to ensure residents' rights are protected and to advocate on behalf of residents and their families. Ombudsmen work to resolve simple complaints related to long-term care, and when necessary, can escalate those complaints to the appropriate authorities.
Alzheimer's Association — Tennessee Chapter
The Alzheimer's Association is a national nonprofit organization that works to advance Alzheimer's research and care. People living with Alzheimer's, their families and caregivers can call the 24/7 helpline to learn about local resources, and connect with a case manager who can refer callers to regional support groups, information sessions and long-term care resources.
Founded by a group of East Tennessee families in 1983, Alzheimer's Tennessee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Tennessee residents and their loved ones access memory care support and resources. The organization operates an adult day program in Knoxville, and offers limited financial assistance to help cover basic needs of those diagnosed with memory loss.
Tennessee Agencies
Area Agencies on Aging and Disability
There are nine regional Area Agencies on Aging and Disability across Tennessee that provide free and low-cost services to seniors aged 60 and older, and people living with disabilities. These agencies are responsible for the administration of state and federally funded programs designed to help keep seniors safe and engaged in their communities. Programs vary depending on the location, and often include free health insurance counseling, case management and help with accessing long-term care resources, such as memory care programs.
To connect with the nearest AAA, seniors and their caregivers can call 1-866-836-6678 or locate their local AAA online.
Social Security Offices in Tennessee
Tennessee seniors aged 65 and older, as well as adults with a qualifying disability, who meet income and resource limits may qualify for monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits from the Social Security Administration.
Qualifying for SSI benefits may make Tennessee seniors eligible for some state-administered programs and services, including programs that help cover the cost of memory care. Tennessee residents can locate their nearest Social Security office by entering their ZIP code into the SSA office locator website, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Veterans Affairs Offices in Tennessee
The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of benefit programs for veterans, survivors and dependents, including the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound enhanced pension programs, which provide cash benefits that can help cover memory care costs.
To locate the nearest VA office, check the VA website. Veterans can also contact the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services at (615) 741-2345 for information about state and federal benefit programs, as well as help with VA benefit applications and appeals.
Other Cities in Tennessee
- Ashland City
- Athens
- Bartlett
- Camden
- Carthage
- Collegedale
- Collierville
- Columbia
- Cordova
- Crossville
- Dunlap
- Erwin
- Henderson
- Hendersonville
- Hermitage
- Jonesborough
- Lawrenceburg
- Lebanon
- Lenoir City
- Portland
- Powell
- Ridgely
- Rocky Top
- Rogersville
- Rutledge
- Savannah
- Shelbyville
- Sneedville
- Somerville
- South Pittsburg
- Sweetwater
- Trenton
- Tullahoma
- Woodbury
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