Nursing homes and assisted living in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the TennCare CHOICES program can help pay for care at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home. This guide explains the names you'll hear and who to call.

What care settings are called here

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission (HFC) licenses these places. Its phone number is (615) 741-7221.

• Assisted-Care Living Facility (ACLF): this is assisted living. It provides a room, meals and help with bathing, dressing and eating. Most of its residents are older adults. Some have beds in secure areas for people with dementia.
• Residential Home for the Aged: another type of residence for older adults licensed by the HFC.
• Adult Care Home: another type of residential home recognized by the state.
• Nursing Home: a nursing home, with nursing care 24 hours a day.

Adult day services centers that serve five or more people are licensed by the Department of Human Services.

Every quarter, the HFC publishes reports on licensed facilities and information about nursing home inspections. These are useful tools for comparing with peace of mind.

How TennCare helps

In Tennessee, Medicaid is called TennCare. Its long-term care program, CHOICES, has three groups:

• Group 1: care in a nursing home.
• Group 2: people 65 and older, or adults with a disability, who qualify for a nursing home but would rather get care at home or in the community.
• Group 3: people at risk who don't yet qualify for a nursing home. Spots are limited.

CHOICES can pay for services in an Assisted-Care Living Facility. The person pays for room and board.

In 2026, the limits are $2,982 a month in income and $2,000 in resources.

How to apply:

• If you don't have TennCare yet, call your Area Agency on Aging and Disability at 1-866-836-6678.
• If you already have TennCare, call your health plan.

How much care costs in Tennessee

These are the state medians from CareScout's Cost of Care Survey 2025 (data from July to November 2025):

• Assisted living (private room, one bedroom): $5,845 a month
• Nursing home, semi-private room: $310 a day (about $9,429 a month)
• Nursing home, private room: $330 a day
• In-home caregiver (non-medical): $31 an hour
• Adult day center (adult day health care): $80 a day

Who to call

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman (a free advocate for residents): 877-236-0013 or 615-253-5412.
• Area Agencies on Aging and Disability: 1-866-836-6678, from anywhere in the state. There are nine regional agencies.
• TennCare Connect: 1-855-259-0701.
• TN SHIP (free Medicare counseling): 1-877-801-0044.
• Eldercare Locator (national line): 1-800-677-1116.

Tips for your family

• Ask whether the residence accepts CHOICES. If you plan to use TennCare, do this before you sign.
• Make sure the documents are current. Since 2023, assisted living licenses have been issued by the HFC, not the Department of Health.
• Use respite care. CHOICES can cover up to 9 days a year of respite care in a nursing home or assisted living, so the caregiver can rest.
• Consider an adult day center. It can be a good option to help your loved one keep living at home.

This is general information and does not replace medical or legal advice.