10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Knoxville, TN

When considering how you’ll pay for memory care in Knoxville, Tennessee, you and your family have options. You could decide to fund a loved one’s care privately, or with public benefits, or by combining these options to make a solution that works for you. Below you can find more information about private ways to pay, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Being aware of Tennessee-specific laws and regulations can help seniors and their families find the best memory care for them. In Tennessee, memory care facilities are required to be licensed as assisted-care living facilities by the Tennessee Department of Health. In order to obtain a license, a facility must undergo financial and health and safety auditing that verifies that the facility cares for residents properly. The audits, which happen at least every 15 months, include inspecting the buildings, looking into protective care, and reviewing dietary services.

Inspection reports and information about all licensed facilities can be searched on the Tennessee Department of Health’s website. You’ll be able to see if a facility incurred any violations and what those violations were. The department also has a hotline to call to check on the licensure status of a facility. The hotline number is 877-287-0010.

Licensed memory care facilities must meet a long list of standards laid out by the state. A memory care facility, licensed as an assisted-care living facility, must create a care plan for every new resident within five days of admission, which includes medical, dietary, and visitation needs. While no specific staff to resident ratios are prescribed, someone is required to be awake at all times of day and night. All memory care staff must be provided special training to care for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

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 memory care facilities

In Knox County, COVID-19 regulations continue to be monitored and the Knox County Health Department works with state and federal departments to continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance around disease prevention.

You can find the full Knox County guidelines and recommendations here, but below is a summary:

In Knoxville, Tennessee, most memory care takes place within assisted living facilities, which are referred to as assisted-care living facilities in Tennessee. Some facilities are located within walking distance of local parks while others are near the beautiful Fort Loudoun Lake. A variety of room sizes and floor plans are available depending on the facility you choose. You can expect accessibility features to be widely available including things like roll-in showers. Residents at some facilities enjoy time in open, airy sunrooms with large windows or secure outdoor courtyards.

A high quality of care

Memory care in Knoxville responds to an individual’s level of need. Care facilities are specifically designed to give senior residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s protection and comfort, as well as to give families peace of mind and freedom to support their loved one in the way they choose. Knoxville memory care includes dementia therapies, medication management, physical therapy, and memory-enhancing activities, all within an environment with extra security. All memory care facilities in-network are in secure communities with staff members awake 24 hours a day to prevent wandering^[01]. Most locations offer care designed to help with redirection, cuing, and disorientation, plus restlessness, pacing, and wandering, with staff members also trained to watch for exit-seeking behaviors. Staff members at all facilities are required to have received specialized memory care training and can offer full medication management.

Luxuries and extra amenities

Many of these facilities have extra features and benefits that make them stand out as delightful places to live and receive care. These amenities are available at many memory care facilities, including fine dining options, bistro-style restaurants, and common areas with fireplaces and live music. Among memory care facilities in our network in Knoxville, 85% boast resident beauty salons, some complete with manicure and pedicure services and massage chairs for extra relaxation. Nearly all engage in-house activity directors, and nearly 70% of sites have arts and crafts centers for residents.^[02] Additionally, more than half have on-site libraries, a boon for memory care patients who benefit from reading books and enjoying relaxing social settings. Specialized activities are also planned to help reduce resident confusion and agitation.

Health care for seniors in Knoxville

Seniors have several high-rated options for their emergency and ongoing care in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here are some of the top options.

Transportation for seniors in Knoxville

Most memory care facilities offer their own shuttles or other transportation for use by seniors and their families, but the Knoxville area also has some public transport options that could be helpful for people with memory care needs and their caregivers:

• The Knoxville Area Transit (or KAT) provides a regular fleet of 20 buses, a free downtown trolley service, and a parallel door-to-door service called LIFT, for those passengers with mobility needs. LIFT passengers need to register for certification in order to access services.
• MyRide Tennessee is a volunteer-led transportation service especially for seniors. With MyRide, a volunteer driver meets a senior in need of a ride and takes them from door to door in their personal vehicle. It’s considered a friendly alternative to public transportation.
• Knoxville also has a transport counseling service to help traveling seniors navigate the transport options available to them.