Chattanooga Tennessee Memory Care: Search near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Chattanooga, a city in southeastern Tennessee, is set along the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Incline Railway features stunning views of Ruby Falls, Rock City, sandstone formations, and gardens. Point Park atop Lookout Mountain, marks the site of a Civil War battle now honored at the Battles for Chattanooga Museum. Along with the views and American history, Chattanooga has major contributions to the music world like the many other big cities in Tennessee. Chattanooga is in Hamilton County and is one of the best places to live in Tennessee. Living in Chattanooga offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. While more than half of the population in Chattanooga is relatively young, the city is also an attractive retirement destination due to its mild weather, lack of state income tax, and excellent healthcare; it is estimated that about 15.6% of Chattanooga residents are over the age of 65.
Assisted Living Communities near Chattanooga, Tennessee
Valley View Assisted Living
Whitwell, Tennessee 37397
The Terrace At Mountain Creek
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
The Lantern Alzheimer's Center At Morning Pointe
Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363
The Bridge At Ooltewah
Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363
Storypoint Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
Summit View
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
Rose Of Sharon's Senior Villa
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37410
Regency House
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37343
Morning Pointe Of East Hamilton
Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363
Morning Pointe Of Hixson
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37343
About Memory Care in Chattanooga
The low cost of living in Tennessee helps make it a desirable location for seniors and retirees. The mild climate and beautiful scenery also appeal to aging adults. The state ranks high for senior care and housing, and the healthcare system is premier in the United States. The state’s growing aging adult community will likely require care at some point. When most people think of senior care and housing they typically envision a nursing home. However, nursing homes are not the only option for caring for our aging population. More people in the United States each year, including Tennessee, live with cognitive impairment. Memory care in Tennessee provides care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Tennessee memory care communities care for residents in a safe and secure, home-like setting. Tennessee memory care communities are all licensed under the same umbrella as assisted living facilities, by the Tennessee Department of Health Board for Licensing Healthcare Facilities. All communities and facilities are required by law to have a secure unit for such care.
Tennessee memory care communities must offer medical services: medication administration, therapies, as well as intermittent nursing care, and in addition:
- Assistance with activities of daily living. This includes bathing, dressing and toileting.
- Round the clock access to trained nurses.
- Transportation to doctors’ appointments and additional outings.
- Interior and exterior maintenance duties.
- Meal preparation and serving.
- Housekeeping and laundry services.
Considerations when looking for care in Chattanooga
The hottest month of the year in Chattanooga is July, with an average high of 89°F and low of 70°F. The coldest month of the year in Chattanooga is January, with an average low of 33°F and high of 50°F.
With 182,113 people who call Chattanooga home, you are bound to find the right home for you or your loved one. careavailability.com results show that there are 15 assisted living communities with memory care within 25 miles of Chattanooga.
Cities Near Chattanooga
- Soddy-Daisy – 17 miles north of Chattanooga
- Cleveland – 31 miles east of Chattanooga
- Jasper – 25 miles west of Chattanooga
- Fort Oglethorpe (GA) – 9 miles south of Chattanooga
Pricing and How to Pay for Memory Care
Statistics show that memory care is usually 20-30% more expensive than assisted living, and typically costs more than other senior care. This is a result of the specially trained staff and the enhanced security measures in place for the safety of residents. Memory care in Tennessee is $5,150 / month on average. While this is less than the national cost, the cost of memory care will vary within the state of Tennessee. Some cities and counties are more expensive than others.
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
Local Hospitals and Care Providers
Kindred Hospital Chattanooga
709 Walnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Parkridge Medical Center
2333 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
6098 Debra Rd #5200, Chattanooga, TN 37411
CHI Memorial Hospital – Chattanooga
2525 Desales Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Resources and Links – Tennessee
Greater Nashville Regional Council, Area Agency on Aging and Disability The GNRC serves as a single point of entry for older adults and adults with disabilities in need of home and community based supports and services.
Aging Commission of the Mid-South Area Agency on Aging and Disability SERVICES INCLUDE- Adult Daycare, Home Delivered Meals, Medical Equipment, Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), Medicaid Waiver Program, Personal Care, In- Home services, and Information & Referral (Home Modifications/Repairs, Legal Aid, State Health Insurance, Transportation).
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Programs include: Congregate and Delivered Meals, Homemaker Services, Options for Community Living, Caregiver Support Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application assistance. Whether you’re a senior, an adult with a disability or a caregiver, your first call should be to your Area Agency on Aging and Disability. The statewide, toll free number connects you to the local Aging and Disability Resource Center.
East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Regional not-for-profit agency providing information, advocacy, access and home support services to elders and persons with disabilities in the middle East Tennessee region. As a regional office, we administer funds to provide group and home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care services, legal services, ombudsman services, limited transportation services, information and assistance services, case management, Medicare insurance counseling services, health promotion services, senior centers, county offices on aging, and public guardianship services. These services are provided directly and through a number of service provider contracts in the region
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee The CAC Office on Aging is a public nonprofit agency. It has the major responsibility in Knoxville and Knox County of planning for services for senior citizens; assessing needs of older citizens and developing resources to meet those needs; coordinating services for the elderly to minimize duplication and avoid overlap–whether provided by public, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations; providing information about services and programs to older citizens and their families and connecting them to those services; and advocating on behalf of older citizens.
Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability The Commission is the designated state unit on aging mandated to provide services of the Older Americans Act and other discretionary grants.
Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services Division Adult Protective Services may assist an adult in any living arrangement including nursing homes, group homes, their own homes, homes of relatives or friends, etc.
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
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