10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Nashville, TN

In Nashville, several financing alternatives for memory care exist, including private funds, state funds, and veterans benefits. Seniors and their families can choose from many payment alternatives to meet their needs. Learn about private pay, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits for memory care in this section.

Memory care facilities in Nashville must train their personnel in the characteristics and needs of people with dementia, such as mental and emotional changes, behavioral changes, and techniques for satisfying residents’ particular needs.

The Tennessee Department of Health’s Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities oversees the licensing of memory care facilities, ensuring that elderly individuals receive necessary personal care support. A pre-licensure inspection is necessary, and the department conducts an unannounced inspection of every institution within 15 months after its last inspection date and as needed after that.

Residential homes for the aged, which are for now more than four people, are inspected before licensure and regularly as a requirement of re-licensing, as are assisted care living facilities. Both of which can offer memory care in Tennessee. During Department of Health inspections, facilities must comply by permitting admission at any time and providing all relevant paperwork.

Because memory care is a subset of assisted living with added memory care requirements, the regulations of memory care communities encompass all assisted living facilities. Tennessee has many laws and regulations for the protection of assisted living facility residents, including:

• Tennessee Assisted Living Facility Regulations: These regulations govern various aspects of assisted living facilities, including resident rights, safety, staffing levels, quality of care, cleanliness, and food service standards.
• Tennessee Administrative Code: The administrative code sets forth specific rules and procedures for licensing and certification of assisted living facilities. This includes requirements for staffing levels, quality of care, and resident rights. Notably, the code mandates that there must be at least one direct care staff member awake and on duty at all times when residents are present.
• Tennessee Health and Safety Code: The Health and Safety Code outlines the minimum health and safety requirements for assisted living facilities. It covers a range of areas, including staff qualifications, training, and emergency preparedness.
• Tennessee Fair Housing Law: The Fair Housing Law in Tennessee protects residents of assisted living and memory care facilities from discrimination based on various factors, such as race, religion, sex, age, and disability. This law ensures that individuals have equal access to housing and services provided by assisted living facilities, regardless of their personal characteristics.

The Tennessee Department of Health’s Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities is responsible for inspecting memory care facilities to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations. You can look up Nashville’s inspection reports for senior care facilities online.

Tennessee Department of Health contact information

Tennessee 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 Nashville memory care facilities

Memory care facilities in Nashville are not required to adhere to any specific COVID-19 regulations. However, the rules could vary from one facility to the next. Here are some general recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to go by to stop COVID-19 from spreading.

Nashville is a popular retirement destination for many seniors due to its diverse community, rich cultural past, and Southern hospitality. Soft, honeyed lighting and a rural aesthetic give residents of many of the facilities a comforting country feel. Memory care facilities around Nashville offer social and engaging activities for seniors. There are memory care services also available in dedicated communities or specialized wings of assisted living homes for adults with memory difficulties.

Specialized amenities for memory care residents

All of our partner facilities in Nashville have a designated activity director who schedules coordinated social activities designed to cater to the special needs of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.^[01]

Additionally, various interests and pastimes are on offer, allowing seniors to interact with their neighbors, like an arts and crafts center, fitness center, and more. They also offer upscale dining options, lovely gardens, and strolling routes. Eighty-two percent of our partner memory care facilities have enclosed outdoor areas to preserve the residents’ security and comfort.^[01]

Multiple care types around the Nashville area

Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Nashville, our 11 partner memory care facilities provide multiple living options, including:

• 9 assisted living and memory care facilities
• 1 assisted living, senior housing, independent living, and memory care facility
• 1 assisted living, independent living, and memory care facility

Within a 25-mile radius of downtown Nashville, there are several additional alternatives, including:

• 12 assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities
• 10 assisted living and memory care facilities
• 1 adult day care, residential care home, and memory care facility combination

A range of health care services offered

Many Nashville memory care facilities fulfill the needs of dementia patients by offering specialized activities like water aerobics and cognitive exercises. They have competent experts on-site 24 hours daily, providing memory care. Families do not need to be concerned about elders with memory loss because the communities are secure. The staff also manages medication, diabetes, and incontinence care for residents who need it.^[01]

Health care for seniors in Nashville

Transportation for seniors in Nashville

Memory care patients across Nashville can access transportation options at their facilities. Ninety-one percent of our partner facilities offer complimentary transportation, and 18% offer at-cost transportation.^[01] However, when leaving the facility, residents should be accompanied by a family member or caregiver at all times.

The regular public transportation services in Nashville don’t have specific protocols for dementia patients. The WeGo program provides access for those unable to use traditional public transit choices and passengers with disabilities.

The WeGo Access program charges $3.70 per ride and operates during fixed-route bus operation hours. Passengers unable to use these services alone must travel with a personal care assistant. For more details, you can call 615-880-3970.

Another option would be Senior Ride Nashville, which provides transportation to people aged 60 and up. Patients in memory care can use this service to travel to any area within Davidson County while accompanied by a family member or caregiver. However, they must pre-register for the program, which has a waitlist. Once eligible, riders will be notified when they can use the service. Each round trip costs $6, with a $25 yearly membership charge. Drivers have been trained and vetted to ensure that excellent trips arrive on time and are communicated with in advance.

An alternative choice is PrimeCare Transportation Services, a non-emergency medical transportation company. Their expertise lies in offering transportation services tailored to individuals who need support when traveling to and from medical appointments or health care facilities. PrimeCare’s services are especially advantageous for individuals facing mobility challenges, disabilities, or medical conditions that necessitate specialized transportation. With a focus on door-to-door service, they cater to patients’ specific requirements, such as wheelchair accessibility, stretcher transportation, or the use of other specialized medical equipment.

Senior activities in Nashville

Nashville, the epicenter of country music, is a pilgrimage for music enthusiasts worldwide. Therefore, it’s no surprise that visitors worldwide travel to various attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame. For seniors, learning about the colorful past of country music and getting a glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite musicians is a wonderful experience. The museum exhibits many historically significant artifacts connected to country music. People with disabilities can easily tour the museum, but it’s recommended to go on non-holiday Monday through Thursday when it is less crowded.

Memory care residents will greatly benefit from attending performances at the Grand Ole Opry. This legendary venue has hosted some of the biggest names in country music, and it is a great place to catch live music in Nashville. Assistive listening devices are available for the concerts at the tour desk in the foyer. The location complies with ADA regulations and offers wheelchairs to individuals who need them.  Nashville boasts not only the Grand Ole Opry but also the Ryman Auditorium, another iconic venue that provides a comprehensive range of accessibility options for seniors.

The General Jackson Showboat, one of the biggest showboats ever built, offers a unique setting to hear some of Nashville’s best musicians. While floating down the Cumberland River and taking in the beautiful city views in every direction, guests can eat and watch a show. With the help of an elevator on board and an inclining dock ramp, most of the boat is wheelchair accessible apart from the top deck.

Beyond its famous music scene, Nashville caters to sports enthusiasts with a wide range of professional sports teams to rally behind. Experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Tennessee Titans NFL game at Nissan Stadium as you passionately cheer on the team during kickoff. For ice hockey lovers, Bridgestone Arena is the place to be, where you can witness exhilarating Nashville Predators games that will leave you on the edge of your seat. And for those who cherish America’s favorite pastime, don’t miss the opportunity to catch a Nashville Sounds minor league baseball game, filled with the spirit of the game and unforgettable moments. In Nashville, sports lovers are spoiled for choice with a variety of thrilling options.

Those residents who require fresh air can visit one of Nashville’s top parks, Centennial Park. It has plenty to offer everyone, such as miles of walking trails, Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center, historic sites like the Nashville Parthenon, a center for the arts, a lovely sunken garden, and more. Seniors are welcome to use this fantastic park whenever they like, but there are a variety of scheduled activities. With the support of a caregiver or family member, patients in memory care can take advantage of the park’s scenic views.

For seniors seeking an adventure in the animal kingdom, the Nashville Zoo is an excellent choice. It features meticulously maintained habitats that house an impressive collection of 3,000 animals from 325 diverse species, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. The zoo goes the extra mile by providing well-shaded seating areas, creating a perfect space for seniors to relax and reconnect with nature in a tranquil environment. Accessibility is a top priority here. All pathways, exhibits, and facilities are designed to accommodate every visitor, ensuring that everyone can fully explore and appreciate the zoo. For individuals in need of a wheelchair but without their own, wheelchair rentals are conveniently available starting at $12.