Top Home Care Agencies in Memphis, TN

The methods families use to pay for home care depend on the type of care a person requires. Health insurance only covers medically necessary care prescribed by a doctor. If an individual only needs nonmedical care, they’ll typically pay for home care out of pocket.

Families often combine different resources, like those from retirement pension or savings accounts, to pay for home care out of pocket. Some families may also use an health savings account (HSA) or long-term care (LTC) insurance. For those who served in the U.S. military, veterans benefits may help them and their spouses pay for the costs of home care, if they qualify.

Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.

VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.

Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care insurance to cover home care costs.

Does Medicare pay for home care in Memphis?

Yes, Medicare covers home care services if they’re prescribed by a doctor after a medical event, such as a surgery, injury, or illness. It can help a patient transition from a care setting, like a hospital or nursing facility, back to their home.

Medicare may cover select nonmedical care services recommended as part of a patient’s medical care plan. To be covered, these services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home care agency.^[01]

Information on Medicare and benefit counseling services can be accessed through the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP). Counselors are available to answer questions about the different Medicare options and provide assistance with the application process.

Does Medicaid pay for home care in Memphis?

Yes. Tennessee Medicaid, which is called TennCare, offers home and community based services (HCBS) waiver programs that cover some home care services for qualified individuals. To be eligible for these HCBS programs, applicants must first meet the basic TennCare age, income, and asset requirements. In addition, a participant must meet the medical requirements for the HCBS program they’re applying for, as detailed below.

The TennCare Choices program offers three separate groups of care coverage based on an individual’s needs. Group one covers care for anyone who lives in a nursing home. Group two offers home health care services for those 21+ with a disability or seniors 65+ who require a nursing home level of care but prefer to age in place at home. Group three provides nonmedical home care supports for disabled adults 21+ or seniors over age 65 who don’t yet require a nursing home level of care, but needs assistance with their activities of daily living.^[02]

Tennessee’s OPTIONS program also provides coverage for services that help adults live independently in their homes. To qualify for the OPTIONS program, an individual must be 18 or older, a resident of Tennessee, and require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). This program doesn’t have an income limit, but does use a sliding scale based on income.

The OPTIONS program offers the following types of home care services:^[03]

• Homemaker services (assistance with home tasks like laundry and light housekeeping)
• Personal care support (like help with bathing and dressing)
• Meal delivery

The Aging Commission of the Mid-South can provide assistance with enrollment or more information on the OPTIONS program in Memphis.

Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Memphis?

Many veterans don’t realize the breadth of benefits available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While the application process can be long and complex, benefits counselors can help veterans and their spouses. They help veterans understand the benefits they’re eligible for, how to apply, and some can assist in appealing denied claims.

Accessing veterans benefits in Memphis can be done using a variety of local resources. Veterans service organizations (VSOs) provide information, benefits counseling, and assistance with the application process to veterans and their spouses. Examples of Memphis VSOs include the following:

• Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Tennessee
• American Legion

The Shelby County Veterans Services office is another resource Memphis veterans can use to get disability and pension benefit support and help filing benefits claims. Use the following information to contact or make an appointment with a veteran service officer:

Shelby County Veterans Services
1060 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

Phone: 901-222-4237

Email: VeteransServices@shelbycountytn.gov

Veterans can also access benefit information and assistance through the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The veteran service officers at this department help veterans or their spouses understand their eligibility for benefits and assist with the application process. The Memphis VA field office is housed in the VA Medical Center. Below you’ll find the VA Medical Center office location and contact information for the state veteran service officers:

VA Medical Center
1030 Jefferson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

Veterans service officers in Memphis:

Michael Gerlach
Phone: 731-307-5213
Email: Michael.Gerlach@tn.gov

Pacely Cooper
Phone: 901-484-7344
Email: pacely.d.cooper@tn.gov

Kelli Rogers
Phone: 901-356-3263
Email: kelli.rogers@tn.gov

Anthony Williams
Phone: 901-598-1937
Email: Anthony.Williams@tn.gov

Is there state assistance for home care in Memphis?

Yes. In Memphis, the Tennessee Department of Aging offers programs to support the needs of seniors at home, including the following:

• The aging nutrition program offers support to help older adults maintain a healthy and nutritious diet, along with opportunities to socialize around community meals.
• To help older adults maintain their independence and safety, the transportation assistance program connects seniors to safe public transportation options and the senior-focused My Ride TN transportation service.
• Information about health and human services can be accessed through the Information and Assistance (I&A) program.
• The Caregiver Support program provides assistance to caregivers of elderly adults through respite care, counseling, and caregiver training services.

Choosing a home care agency is usually determined by an individual’s care needs, budget, and finding the best caregiver fit. Memphis home care agencies vary in the services they offer, so we encourage families to take a look at several agencies before making a selection. The information we provide below explains some state licensure and accreditation processes for home care agencies. We also go into detail on some Memphis home care agency hiring practices, fees, and minimum care requirements.

To select the best home care agency for your loved one, you’ll need to know the type of care your they need. The agencies in our listings provide a range of services, from nonmedical home care and help with homemaker tasks to skilled nursing care. These care services are provided by medical professionals such as nurses and rehabilitation therapists. Medical services at home may include wound care, medication administration, and physical therapy.

Some home care agencies offer both nonmedical home care and home health care services. Before choosing a home care agency, it’s important to discuss your loved one’s care needs with a doctor or social worker. This can help ensure a prospective home care agency is equipped to provide the right services for your loved one.

Licensure and accreditation

Home care agencies that provide medical home health care services are licensed and regulated as home health agencies by the Tennessee Department of Health. To review license status and inspection reports, families can use the Find Health Care Facilities search tool. To help you refine and navigate search results, use the following tips:

1. Under “Current Search,” choose “Home Health Agencies” in the first drop-down menu.
2. Select your county.
3. Enter the name of the agency, if you have a specific one in mind.
4. Choose “Search All Licensure Status.”
5. Click “Current Search” button.

You can then scroll through the results page and view a list of agencies. The information provides license numbers, accreditation dates, expiration dates, and whether or not an agency has any violations (also called “disciplinary actions”).

Hiring practices

Tennessee home health agencies that provide medical services are required to screen caregiving employees before hiring to ensure they’re qualified to provide care services. This includes doing background checks and checking a potential caregiver’s licenses and educational credentials. Depending on their position, the following are examples of services a home caregiving employee must be qualified to perform.^[04]

• Registered nurses must be able to perform initial and follow-up care need evaluations, medication administration, and coordination of care.
• Occupational or physical therapists must plan, perform, and supervise all therapy services in a patient’s care plan.
• Home care aides must be able to provide personal care, ambulation support, and household services.

Fees and minimums

To help ensure you’re aware of all fees and minimums, it’s a good idea to create a list of questions to ask your potential home care agency. Include care-related questions, but be sure to ask about things like additional fees or care minimums. Consider the following questions when interviewing a home care agency:

• Are there additional fees for unscheduled care or after-hours care requests?
• Is a deposit required?
• Is there a fee for a client assessment?
• Do you require a minimum number of hours or shifts?
• Is there a minimum age requirement for clients?

Other questions to ask Memphis home care agencies

Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.