In-Home Care in Tennessee

With a low cost of living and a slower-paced lifestyle, Tennessee is a popular place for seniors to retire. Close to 17% of the population is aged 65 and older, attributed to housing costs that are nearly 30% lower than the national average. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a high-performance hospital that’s nationally ranked and noted as the best hospital in the state. Other hospitals that provide quality care include the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis and CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga.

Seniors in Texas who prefer to receive treatment around family and friends in their own homes can choose from in-home care and home health care. Home care provides companionship and personal care, including dressing, toileting, bathing, meals and housekeeping. Home health care offers home care with skilled medical care. As of 2021, in-home care and home health care in Tennessee costs seniors an average of $4,576 per month.

This guide briefly covers in-home care prices in Tennessee and surrounding states as well as in-home care price comparisons between local cities. You’ll also discover useful information that helps you apply for benefits through Medicaid and other state-based programs.

Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey determined the average monthly cost of in-home care in Tennessee is $4,576 per month. This is $381 less than the national average of $4,957. To the north of Tennessee, home care in Kentucky is $4,767 per month. To the southeast, in Georgia, home care is $4,290. To the south of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama have an in-home care cost of $3,813 per month.

Typical in-home care costs vary depending on where you live, the number of hours you need assistance and your daily care needs. Johnson City and Morristown have the lowest monthly costs for in-home care in Tennessee at $4,004. On the other side of the state, in Memphis, in-home care costs seniors around $4,242 per month. Chattanooga and Nashville seniors pay the same monthly average at $4,767, while those in Knoxville pay $4,757.

Nursing home care generally costs more than other types of senior care. In Tennessee, a semiprivate room costs on average $7,148 per month. In-home care and home health care are the second highest in cost, but give seniors the convenience of aging in place for as long as possible. Both have a median cost of $4,576 per month. Assisted living is $4,105 per month as a residential care option in Tennessee. The least expensive option for long-term care is adult day health care at $1,733 per month. Adult day health care provides assistance to seniors during the daytime hours only, typically when loved ones are working.

TennCare or Tennessee Medicaid helps seniors pay for services in in-home care indirectly through two Medicaid waivers: the CHOICES waiver program and Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). While regular Medicaid doesn’t cover non-medical care, these waivers pay for personal care services ranging from meals to housekeeping.

TennCare applications may be submitted online at TennCare Connect or by calling (855) 259-0701. To apply by mail, download a paper application and sign and submit it to TennCare Connect, P.O. Box 305240, Nashville, TN 37230-5240. Applications may also be faxed to (855) 315-0669. Those who prefer to apply in person can search for a nearby Department of Human Services office online or by calling TennCare Connect.

What Information You Will Need

Before starting your Medicaid application, gather the needed information about assets and income. Some required documents include pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. It’s also important to have a copy of your driver’s license or government-issued ID and Social Security card for each applicant. Additional required information includes proof of property ownership and copies of insurance accounts and retirements.

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.