Memory Care in Tennessee

Though “The Volunteer State” earned its nickname for sending generous amounts of volunteer troops to battles during multiple American wars in the early 1800s, Tennessee today is known for its natural beauty and musical roots. On the eastern end of the state is the college town of Knoxville, as well as Gatlinburg, the popular resort village that serves as a gateway to the majestic Great Smoky Mountains. Music fans from across the world flock to Tennessee’s two largest cities: Nashville and Memphis. Whether it’s blues, rock ‘n’ roll, or country, the history of American music runs deep through these two cities. Tennessee also shares the most borders with other U.S. states (tied with Missouri at eight), so its central location — along with a lower-than-average cost of living — makes Tennessee an ideal retirement destination.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 140 senior living communities in Tennessee that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Tennessee is about $4,400.

Tennessee provides memory care through the assisted-care living facilities (ACLFs) and residential homes for the aged (RHAs) it licenses. Since memory care units are a part of these facilities, they are subject to the same rules and policies, as well as dementia-specific regulations. The Tennessee Department of Health, Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities licenses and monitors ACLFs and RHAs, while also ensuring they follow the state’s memory care guidelines.

Facilities don’t need a specific license to offer memory care, but they must have a secure unit dedicated to housing residents with dementia. The state defines a secure unit as a distinct part of the facility where residents are intentionally denied a way to exit the area. There are exceptions to this, such as fire exits, because life safety standards require it. Resident admission, discharge, and transfer criteria depend on what kind of facility houses the memory care unit.

Both ACLFs and RHAs require prospective memory care residents to undergo an assessment before admission. For ACLFs, residents must provide documentation that the facility’s interdisciplinary team evaluates prior to admission. This team consists of at least a physician, a registered nurse, and a family member. After confirming the facility can provide proper care, staff complete a written resident assessment no later than 72 hours after admission and review it quarterly.

RHA admission requirements are similar in that an interdisciplinary team must determine the facility can adequately provide the kind of care a potential resident needs. The interdisciplinary team, at a minimum, must have a physician experienced in dementia-related treatment, a social worker, a registered nurse, and a family member (or patient care advocate). Also, like ACLFs, RHAs review each resident’s status quarterly to ensure the facility can provide the care they need. It should be noted RHAs can only admit individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and related disorders.^[01]

Memory care staff education and training requirements

ACLFs and RHAs don’t have a specific staff-to-patient ratio, but both facilities must have at least one attendant that’s awake, on-duty, and physically located in the unit at all times. Additionally, staff don’t need to be educated or trained regarding memory care before being hired but must have annual in-service training. The training must cover the following topics:^[02]

• Basic facts about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, such as causes, progression, and management
• How to handle a resident’s dysfunctional behavior and volatile reactions
• Identifying and resolving safety risks
• Providing activities of daily living (ADL) assistance
• Family communication

Tennessee Department of Health contact information

Tennessee Department of Health
710 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243
Phone Number: 615-741-3111

How to look up the latest inspection and complaint reports

A Department of Health representative conducts an unannounced ACLF inspection within 15 months of the last inspection to ensure regulation compliance and as a part its license renewal. If a facility violates any state policies, the department issues a Plan of Correction (PoC). The ACLF must return the PoC within 10 days of receiving it with details regarding how they will fix the deficiency and what changes will be put in place so the mistake isn’t repeated. Complaints filed with the Division of Health Care Facilities will prompt an investigation that follows the same procedures as a typical inspection. RHA inspections are identical, though they typically only occur during license renewal.^[03]

Unfortunately, Tennessee does not make licensure inspection reports as easily accessible as other states. However, the Department of Health’s online tool does allow you to see a specific facility’s licensure status, as well as any disciplinary actions/reports filed against it. To do so, select “assisted care living facility” and conduct a search to see a statewide list of facilities, or you can look for a facility by its county or name. You can also contact Health Care Facilities by phone at 615-741-7221 to request information about a facility. A long-term care ombudsman can answer any questions you may have about a facility’s violation history.