Tennessee assisted living facilities and personal care communities

Discover Assisted Living Communities in Tennessee

According to Tennessee law, an assisted-care living facility or personal care home is defined as an establishment, building or portion of a building dedicated to supplying personal care services and assistance with daily living activities to primarily aged persons.

There are approximately 230 assisted-care living homes operating in Tennessee.

Assisted Living Homes in Tennessee – Cost Comparison

City	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum	Monthly Median
Chatanooga	$1,750	$5,475	$2,812
Cleveland	$3,525	$3,525	$3,525
Kingsport	$1,500	$5,213	$3,174
Knoxville	$2,500	$6,000	$4,100
Memphis	$1,700	$4,305	$3,570
Nashville	$1,900	$5,938	$3,429

The average cost of assisted living care in Tennessee is $3,395 per month. The average monthly cost can also depend on the amount of personal care needed. Compared to the national average cost for long-term senior care, Tennessee falls directly below the national average. Within the state, average costs vary depending on the area. However, all fall within the $3,000 price range.

For more information about assisted living costs in Tennessee, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.

Recreation & Attractions in Tennessee

Known as the southern state of music, Tennessee offers an array of activities featuring the state’s musical roots along with the state’s naturally breathtaking wilderness. For the nature lovers, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known throughout the world as the premier national park in America for diverse indigenous plant life. Walking trails and camping sites feature scenic Smoky Mountain views.

Deep under the surface of Tennessee lies the notable Ruby Falls. Located inside a cave, visitors must trek through unique geological formations to reach Ruby Falls. The attraction also offers picnic areas with a beautiful view of the Ruby Falls on the Lookout Mountain Tower. For the music lovers, Tennessee is home to many recognizable attractions with deep musical roots.

Located in the heart of Nashville, the iconic Grand Ole Opry House and Opry Museum is open to the public featuring an array of country music memorabilia and incredible entertainment on the spectacular Grand Ole Opry stage including the hour long radio barn dance originally established in 1925. Native to Tennessee, Former President Andrew Jackson’s home is now a National Historic Landmark open to the public to learn more about the life of America’s seventh president. The museum is comprised of the mansion, gardens and Hermitage plantation grounds featuring displays and exhibits.

Tennessee’s Climate, Geography, & Culture

Tennessee is known for having warm, welcoming, and friendly residents that truly embody the Southern laid-back mentality. Nashville provides country music and southern kicking, while Memphis has a more Midwestern atmosphere with blues and rock music. The music scene dominates the culture in Tennessee so there won’t be many places you go where you’re not tapping your feet to live music.

Like most of the United States, Tennessee experiences four distinct seasons. Fall is the driest season with a majority of the precipitation falling during the winter and early spring months. Tennessee accumulates an average of 51 inches of rainfall a year. Winters are mild with temperatures falling in the 40-degree range. Little snow falls with an average of fewer than 10 inches per year. However, more snow tends to fall in the northeastern and mountainous areas of Tennessee. Summer temperatures will typically rise into the 80-degree range.

Tennessee’s Assisted Living Residences Regulations & Laws

Assisted Living Homes are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living. The official document outlining the regulations for assisted-care living homes in Tennessee can be viewed online. This document also details the difference, if any, between assisted living and personal care. Public records concerning citations, inspections, violations and the like pertaining to individual homes can be obtained through the Health Care Homes search page via the Tennessee Department of Health website.

Crime & Safety in Tennessee

Tennessee does have crime rates that are higher than the national average, however, there are plenty of safe places you can live in the state. If you need some help starting your search, check out some of the safest communities Tennessee has to offer:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Brentwood	0.47	8.71
Germantown	0.78	11.12
Franklin	1.40	14.05
Collierville	1.53	16.29

(Source: areavibes.com)

Payment Options for Tennessee Assisted Living Communities

TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Care

For those seeking financial assistance, Tennessee’s Medicaid offers the TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Care program to elderly and disabled residents. This program is designed for those who qualify for nursing home level care but opt to live in a personal home or alternate care home such as an assisted senior living community. An array of personal care services and support services are offered to be distributed to the participant; however, room & board are not covered. The eligibility guidelines and other information on this program can be found on the official CHOICES in Long-Term Care page via the TennCare Division of Health Care Finance and Administration website.

Assisted Living Family Loans

Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Assisted Living Centers in Tennessee

When you enter an assisted living community in Tennessee, you do not have to give up the rights guaranteed to you by your status as a citizen or resident of the United States. While residing in an assisted living home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like.

Tennessee Personal Care Homes: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Tennessee assisted living homes are required to provide appropriate health services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Medical records shall be kept for a period up to 10 years from death or discharge date.

Residents in Tennessee personal care communities have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information, and it is to be provided at a cost not to exceed the community standard for photocopies.