10 Best Nursing Homes in Knoxville, TN

According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average monthly cost of assisted living within our network of partners in Knoxville is $4,481, including care and fees. For memory care, the average is $4,495. With this payment, residents receive holistic care (diabetes, incontinence, memory, and rehabilitative care, to name a few examples) and medication management. Seniors also receive amenities such as wheelchair accessible rooms, chef-prepared meals, and access to common areas where they can socialize.

For a skilled nursing home, the average monthly cost is $3,823. It’s important to note that this price does not include any additional fees and represents only a baseline.

It’s all about smart planning when it comes to paying for a nursing home, assisted living or memory care. The good news is that there are a variety of ways to cover the costs, both through private and public means.

One option is private payment. Alternatively, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits are available to veterans and their spouses, while Medicaid and Medicare can provide public aid. By taking advantage of these resources, you can create a financial plan that ensures you or your loved one can receive the care you need.

In Tennessee, all nursing homes must be licensed and regulated by the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities. This Department of Health regulatory body is responsible for overseeing a range of health care facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care, and more.

The regulations for assisted living and memory care (which fall under assisted-care living facilities) cover a broad scope from facility requirements to staffing to care expectations. Some of the regulations include:

• Rooms must be limited to no more than two adults
• Someone must be awake at all times, but there no specific staff to resident ratios
• A care plan must be completed in the first five days to outline the services and help a resident will need
• Residents in assisted living are allowed to handle their own prescription medications, but staff can help them open bottles or read labels
• Comfortable areas for family visits and group activities must be available
• Three meals per day must be provided along with a snack if 14 hours pass between dinner and breakfast the next day
• Provide laundry services for linens and clothing
• Specialized training around caring for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s is required for staff in memory care units
• Uphold the rights of the residents

Nursing homes in Knoxville are required to meet specific staff requirements established by the state of Tennessee. The staffing ratios vary depending on the type of nursing home and the services it provides. Skilled nursing facilities, for instance, must have a registered nurse (RN) on duty at all times, as well as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of the residents.

Long-term care facilities that provide intermediate care must have an RN on duty for at least eight hours each day, as well as LPNs and CNAs in sufficient numbers. Nursing homes that provide custodial care must have an RN or LPN on duty at least once per week, and CNAs in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of the residents. Other regulations include:

• Yearly training for staff in assisting with activities of daily living, patient behavior, safety protocols, and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Diagnoses must be recorded upon patient admission and a care plan must be established after an initial assessment
• People cannot be admitted if they might harm themselves or others
• The nursing home must provide specialized services, such as physical or occupational therapy or speech therapy
• Medication must be stored under lock and key and only administered by certain qualified staff members
• CDC infection control requirements must be met
• Group activities must be provided daily
• A dietician must be in charge of the meal planning, which must include three daily meals and a snack

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are responsible for monitoring nursing homes to ensure they comply with federal regulations as well.

Nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities must also undergo a pre-licensure inspection. Additionally, the Department of Health conducts unannounced inspections of every facility within 15 months of their last inspection and as needed. Inspection reports and licenses can be accessed by the public on the Tennessee Department of Health’s website. Both assisted living and memory care facilities are classified in Tennessee as assisted-care living facilities.

Tennessee Department of Health contact information

TN Department of Health
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 615-741-3111
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Knoxville nursing homes

Tennessee has lifted restrictions on long-term care facilities, but Knoxville offers these recommendations. These regulations are in line with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Tennessee Department of Health has an Infection Prevention Team that offers consultations to nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities.

While A Place for Mom does not partner with nursing homes, there are 14 assisted living and 13 memory care facilities in-network within a 10-mile radius of Knoxville’s downtown. There is one standalone memory care facility, with the majority of long-term care facilities in our network combining both assisted living and memory care.

With these insights on our partner assisted living and memory care facilities, you can get a clear look at what you or your loved one can enjoy in their new home.

Health care services

Some of our partner facilities have units specifically designed for skilled nursing care. In these facilities, patients receive hands-on, round-the-clock care for their short- and long-term health needs. For those who don’t require this type of care, an assisted living or memory care facility covers things such as incontinence and diabetic care as well as regular medication assistance.

Assisted living and memory care units also extend care for seniors grappling with physical or mental health concerns. Certified experts provide both medical attention and personal support to residents. Among the services available are:

• Help with personal grooming
• Rehabilitation care, including physical and speech therapy
• Mobility assistance
• Palliative and hospice care
• Access to health care services
• Complimentary transportation to medical appointments
• 24-hour care and supervision

Custom dining options

In Knoxville facilities, professional chefs prepare meals tailored to each resident’s needs, including special dietary restrictions like no-sugar-added or low-sodium options. Residents can enjoy their meals in a restaurant-like atmosphere. Facilities may also provide meals for visiting family and guests which can be enjoyed in private dining areas.

Numerous room amenities

Depending on the facility, patient rooms will include a full kitchen or kitchenette, air conditioning, high-speed internet/Wi-Fi, cable television, garden views, regular laundry service/housekeeping, and accessibility. Patients can also keep pets up to 30 pounds in their rooms.

Recreational areas and activities

Within the A Place for Mom network, you can find on-site activities offered in all facilities along with a wealth of amenities. Facilities offer religious services, cooking classes, live performances, exercise classes, holiday parties, guest speakers, and other activities to help residents stay socially engaged. For the safety of residents, 71% also have enclosed walking spaces.

Common areas include a library and a media center for residents to enjoy. Recreational areas with arts and crafts, games, musical instruments, a theater room, and a fitness center are also available at most places. Outdoor facilities include raised garden beds and enclosed courtyards designed to accommodate and secure patients with memory loss.

Health care for seniors in Knoxville

Seniors in assisted living or memory care often require comprehensive care for both short- and long-term periods. However, some facilities may not have all the necessary resources available on-site. The following is a list of healthcare facilities in Knoxville that can provide a full range of services for your loved ones’ needs:

Transportation for seniors in Knoxville

Seniors in assisted living or memory care typically use the facility-provided transportation. Some seniors or their family and friends also might want to use the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) to visit or take special trip out. KAT operates over 20 bus lines on fixed routes and also offers a paratransit service called LIFT for those who can’t use regular buses. The service provides door-to-door transportation by reservation only, and passengers must be certified by KAT to use it. Additionally, KAT offers a transportation counseling service to help seniors choose the best local transportation options.

For seniors who need more choices, Knox County CAC Transit provides a wheelchair-accessible door-to-door service for those who can’t use KAT or LIFT, while Volunteer Assisted Transportation through CAC offers eligible seniors transportation in program vehicles with volunteer drivers. TennCare members can get non-emergency medical transportation with 72-hour advance notice of their appointment time, while MyRide Tennessee is a sustainable, senior-friendly volunteer transportation service that uses personal vehicles to carry older Tennesseans to a range of destinations, including medical appointments and grocery stores.