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Does Tennessee Pay For In-Home Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Tennessee does pay for in-home care. Eligible seniors can get help to pay for services through the TennCare CHOICES program and the OPTIONS for Community Living program. Both programs are state-funded and administered through local Area Agencies on Aging and Disability. Both programs aim to help seniors improve their overall quality of life, meet their daily care needs and remain in their homes for as long as possible.
What’s Covered Under TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS?
The CHOICES and OPTIONS programs help seniors aged 65 and older pay for in-home care, including homemaker services, personal care and meals in their homes. These services include bathing, getting in and out of bed, dressing, using the bathroom, meal prep, companionship and transportation. Additional services covered by CHOICES include assistive technologies, home modifications, insurance counseling and respite care.
To qualify for CHOICES, seniors must be eligible for state Medicaid and require a nursing home level of care. OPTIONS doesn’t have income eligibility requirements; however, a sliding fee schedule is based on the applicant’s income.
Applying for In-Home Care Financial Assistance
Seniors may apply for the OPTIONS for Community Living Program or the TennCare CHOICES program through any local Area Agency on Aging and Disability. Seniors may also receive more information on the programs, including eligibility requirements, by contacting the statewide toll-free line at (866) 836-6678.