10 Best Independent Living Communities in Nashville, TN

Because independent living facilities aren’t recognized as senior care homes, seniors can’t take advantage of Medicaid, Medicare, or a long-term insurance carrier to pay for their stay. However, they can use public funds to pay for in-home care services they bring to their independent living facility.

We’ll go over how seniors can pay for their independent living stays in this section. Here, you can find resources for seniors on private financing, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Independent living facilities are intended for self-sufficient seniors who don’t require daily support. As a result, residents in these facilities must be capable of living independently and managing their care. This is why stand-alone independent living facilities in Nashville don’t need to be licensed as a senior care community.

However, they still have to follow city, state, and federal guidelines. The Metro Codes Department must inspect Nashville properties to ensure the Metro Code of Ordinances is being followed. Seniors can put in a public record request online to see inspection reports.

Independent living facilities are also expected to follow the Fair Housing Act, as well as the Tennessee Human Rights Act to guarantee seniors have access to housing. Stand-alone independent living communities in Nashville must also follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The ADA ensures that landlords are prohibited from discriminating or denying housing to any one person based on disability status.

Independent living combined with care

Licenses may be required if the community is combined with other senior care facilities, such as assisted living and memory care units, or if it is part of a continuing care retirement community. In that case, the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Facilities’ Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities licenses what Tennessee calls Assisted-Care Living Facilities. There are also residential homes for the aged, which are smaller facilities that are for seniors who just need a small amount of help in addition to room and board.

Inspections take place — at a minimum — every 15 months to ensure that the Standards for Assisted-Care Living Facilities are being met. The inspections cover several areas including fire safety, staffing levels, medication management, infection control, and resident rights. Facility inspection reports are made available 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 Tennessee independent living communities

Nashville has no required regulations that independent living facilities have to follow. However, the city does provide a general guidance list to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and raise awareness.

Considered a favorite retirement haven among seniors, Nashville captivates with its inclusive community, storied cultural heritage, and genuine Southern warmth. The Nashville area has various independent living communities, from budget layouts to luxurious living. The gentle, golden hues and rustic charm found in numerous residential facilities evoke a soothing countryside ambiance, enveloping residents in a comforting embrace of rural serenity. Senior independent living facilities provide several convenient services and amenities to make retired life easier — from planned social events to complimentary transportation to dining services.

Various facilities available

Six of our partner independent living institutions within a 10-mile radius of the heart of Nashville include three stand-alone facilities. The other three facilities are combinations of assisted living, independent living, and memory care.

If you expand your search area to a 25-mile radius of downtown Nashville, there are plenty of additional options:

• 3 stand-alone independent living facilities
• 3 combination assisted living and independent living facilities
• 12 combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities

Multiple transportation mode accessibility 

Public transportation, called WeGo in Nashville, is close by for all residents living in our partner independent living communities. For those who like to drive themselves, all our partner facilities also offer resident parking. Seniors can also use the community’s transportation services (at-cost or complimentary) to run errands. Of our Nashville partner communities, 83% offer free transportation. There are so many ways to get out and enjoy all the Country Music Capital has to offer.

Multiple amenities offered

Most of our partner facilities provide arts and crafts studios and exercise centers for seniors who lead active lifestyles. For those who prefer staying close to home, there’s a library and a game room available in all our partner communities. All of our partners also have personal care services, such as barber shops and beauty salons available, too.^[01]

Numerous Nashville independent living communities offer an array of amenities that ensure a comfortable lifestyle. From indulgent resort-style pools and serene community gardens to inviting outdoor patios ideal for leisurely barbecues, these amenities prioritize comfort. Many independent living facilities in Nashville offer chef-prepared meals to give residents a taste of finger-lickin’ Southern fare. Others go the extra mile by providing breakfast and coffee concierge services, adding a touch of luxury to residents’ daily routines.

Health care for seniors in Nashville

Transportation for Seniors in Nashville

Nashville is a big city, and it is primarily car-dependent. However, it does have several walkable neighborhoods. To rate the neighborhood’s walkability, Walk Score uses a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the most walkable. The city’s total walk score is 29, while its bike score is 30. Its transit score also ranks fairly low at 22.^[07]

The outlying suburbs around the city center are significantly less walkable, and public transportation is scarce. However, East End, Downtown, and Cameron Trimble are the most walkable parts of Nashville.^[07]

Most of our nearby Nashville independent living facility partners also offer transportation services for seniors. More than 80% of our partners provide complimentary transportation, whereas 50% offer at-cost transportation.^[01]

Nashville’s public transportation service, WeGo Public Transit, has 34 bus routes and one train route starting from Lebanon. There’s a discount of 85 cents for seniors over 65 and disabled people, which can be purchased by either showing a driver’s license, Medicare, or a Seniors-MTA Golden Age card. Fill out the discount card application online.

WeGo Access Program provides door-to-door van service for disabled people who can’t use the regular WeGo service. It costs $3.70 per ride, runs on set routes, and riders may require a personal care assistant.

Senior Ride Nashville provides services for those 60 and above with a round-trip fare of $6. Its yearly membership fee is $25. All volunteer drivers are trained and vetted. This service can support multi-stop trips up to three hours long. Eligible residents will be notified when they can join after they pre-register. There’s a waitlist for those wanting to use this service.

Senior activities in Nashville

Nashville’s long history with country music provides many of the city’s best tourist attractions. Even if you’re not a fan of Waylon and Willie, seniors can enjoy various other attractions and activities, including indoor and outdoor outings.

Because Nashville is regarded as the birthplace of country music, it’s natural that it’d also be home to one of the largest museums in the world devoted to the genre. Curated exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame showcase iconic memorabilia, including stage costumes, instruments, and personal belongings of legendary country music artists. Seniors can revisit cherished classics and discover new favorites as they explore interactive displays, engage in audio tours, and even catch live performances. Assistive listening devices, large print guides, and wheelchair rentals are available to guests. Country music lovers can’t miss the famous Johnny Cash Museum. You can also stop in for some beer or barbecue at Johnny Cash’s Bar and BBQ.

For those who wish to experience live country music, the Grand Ole Opry features prominent country artists as well as upcoming stars. This venue also provides assistive listening devices and wheelchair-accessible features useful for disabled residents. The Ryman Auditorium is also an iconic music venue in Nashville, and it offers a full range of accessibility options.

The General Jackson Showboat is a massive showboat where you can experience famous Nashville singers playing on board. You can even enjoy a meal, sail down the Cumberland River, and take in breathtaking city views.

To all animal lovers, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere invites you to embark on a journey through the animal kingdom. Seniors can watch their favorite animals in well-maintained habitats. The zoo’s tranquil atmosphere and well-shaded seating areas provide the perfect place for seniors to reconnect with nature. Wheelchair rentals start at $12, although you can bring your own for free.

Centennial Park has beautiful walking trails and a sunken garden to enjoy more scenic views while being active. There’s an art center, an activity center, and historical sites perfect for family activities. The park has a scheduled events list that you can also peruse to plan your next outing.

The Nashville Farmers Market is a terrific place for elders to engage with the local community and shop for fresh produce and artisanal food. The venue has two covered open-air sheds, a 24,000-square-foot garden center, a culinary incubator center, and a food hall. It’s open all year long!

Sports fans in Nashville will be delighted by the variety of sports teams the city offers. If you love football, you’ll want to stop by Nissan Stadium where the NFL’s Tennessee Titans play. For professional ice hockey, catch the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. If you want hotdogs and Cracker Jacks, the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team might be who you want to root for.

For more senior-specific activities, The Metro Parks Senior Recreation Program has visual arts, dance, crafts, and other leisure activities for people over 55. It has three primary locations (East, Elizabeth, and Hadley) and nine satellite locations.

Nashville and the neighboring communities boast an array of senior centers where individuals can relish their golden years. Among these, FiftyForward Donelson Station and FiftyForward Knowles stand out for their enjoyable activities. These centers cater to various interests and passions, from yoga and tai chi sessions to bead weaving and choral singing. Moreover, Nashville takes pride in its senior dining program, which offers communal meals exclusively for individuals aged 60 and above. With four conveniently located venues open from Monday to Friday, seniors can savor not only nutritious meals but also partake in nutrition sessions and weekly doses of fun and fitness activities.