Page 20 of Best Memory Care in Tennessee

Holston Rehabilitation and Care Center is a 204-bed skilled nursing facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, offering short-term rehabilitation, memory support care, and long-term skilled nursing to residents in Sullivan County. Licensed since 1992, the center is operated by Holston Manor SNF Operations, LLC, under the administration of Johnathan Blaine Kelly.

CMS rates the facility 1 star overall, with 1-star sub-ratings across Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures — the Health Inspection component carrying the most weight in that overall score. No civil money penalties or payment denials appear in CMS records for the past three years. Total nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 46 minutes per resident per day, slightly above Tennessee’s average of 3 hours and 40 minutes; however, registered nurse staffing averages 29 minutes per day — 22% below the state benchmark — which is the staffing figure most relevant to clinical oversight.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 51.2%, well below Tennessee’s average of 73%, placing the facility 261st out of 302 state SNFs by that measure. Admissions run 71% private pay and 20% Medicare, with an average length of stay of 89 days — a profile consistent with post-acute and short-term recovery stays.

Rooms are typically available. The center’s amenities and services include a therapy gym, an interior courtyard, an atrium for private gatherings, an activities department, and 24-hour on-site staffing.

Holston Rehabilitation and Care Center is best suited for residents seeking short-term rehabilitation or transitional care in the Kingsport area, where current availability is high

Overview of Ave Maria Home

Owned by Frank Gattuso, Ave Maria Home is a skilled nursing facility on the outskirts of Bartlett, Tennessee. Its location on Charles Bryan Road is in a somewhat walkable neighborhood where some errands can be handled on foot. However, most outings will require a car. The 100-bed facility accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay, providing multiple ways for families managing short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care.

The home has an occupancy rate of 93%. Residents stay an average of 160 days, which reflects both post-acute rehabilitation patients and those receiving ongoing skilled nursing. Residents are supported by registered nurses, nursing aides, and LPN/LVNs throughout the day. Nursing aides provide the bulk of hands-on personal care at over 4 hours per resident daily.

Ave Maria’s service portfolio centers on rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing. It includes a dedicated Alzheimer’s and memory care program for residents with cognitive concerns. Short-term rehabilitation is a significant part of the facility’s work, making it a great choice for patients recovering from surgery, injury, or a hospital stay who need structured therapy and medical oversight as they recover.

Residents receive three meals served in private dining rooms, transportation services for medical appointments and shopping, and a beauty shop on-site. The facility also offers wellness checks and works with families to develop personalized care plans. Pastoral care is available for residents seeking spiritual support. With these services, the full-service environment provides many of the needs of residents without leaving the community.

Overview of Signature Healthcare of Ridgely Rehab & Wellness Center

Owned by Sherry Norvell, Signature Healthcare of Ridgely Rehab & Wellness Center is a skilled nursing home in Ridgely, Tennessee. Located at 117 North Main Street in a town setting, it serves patients recuperating from illness or injury, plus those needing ongoing skilled care. Accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families numerous ways to fund short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care stays. Operating for 33 years, the 100-bed facility averages a stay length of about 136 days. This mix reflects occupants healing from surgery or hospitalization alongside people who stay for ongoing medical support. Current occupancy sits at 61 percent, with 61 residents in place.

Daily nursing support averages 3 hours 50 minutes per resident, providing consistent hands-on care all day. The staffing model comprises registered nurses, nurse aides, and LPN/LVN staff working in coordinated daily shifts. Clinically, the center offers rehabilitation services and has developed specialized programming in dementia care. This can be valuable for families navigating memory loss and behavioral changes in a structured environment. Care navigation and clinical services help residents and families understand treatment options and next recovery steps. Beyond clinical care, the community emphasizes life quality through amenities like satellite television, concierge services, and an on-site chapel. Residents can join elder vacations and community involvement activities, and the home arranges transportation to events and outings. The design of small neighborhoods within the facility creates a more intimate setting than a large open campus. Ridgely has a Walk Score of 41, meaning the area and a few nearby services are somewhat walkable, though most trips involve transportation. Visiting family members may find the calmer, small-town setting a serene environment for care and recovery.

Overview of The Lantern at Morning Pointe of East Hamilton

Specializing in memory care, The Lantern at Morning Pointe East Hamilton is a trusted senior living community located in the peaceful neighborhood of Generations Way, Ooltewah, TN. Live with dignity and experience unparalleled relaxation and security with the meticulously built and stunning variations of studio floor plans of The Lantern at Morning Pointe East Hamilton. With a compassionate and experienced team, the community strives to provide the highest quality of care and support for seniors to enjoy their golden years doing what they love.

Featuring a wide array of signature programs, residents can rest assured they receive the utmost attention they deserve for their special needs and aspirations. Experience happiness at its finest with engaging activities and energizing programs. The community also serves healthy and tasty meals to satisfy dietary needs and tastes. The Lantern at Morning Pointe East Hamilton is a haven for individuals with dementia seeking for solace in their retirement surrounded by a warm and welcoming environment.

Selmer Post Acute is a 126-bed nursing home in Selmer, Tennessee, offering skilled nursing, long-term care, and rehabilitation. Managed by Selmer SNF Healthcare, LLC, and partnered with the PACS Group in McNairy County since July 1992. Welcoming Medicare beneficiaries, it also offers 24-hour licensed nursing coverage alongside physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapies within a dedicated therapy space. Highlighting its exceptional care standards, CMS has awarded the community its top five-star overall rating.

A total of 11 deficiencies were identified across three standard reviews, with no financial penalties or payment freezes issued over the last three years. The most recent routine review from July 23, 2025, identified 3 minor deficiencies, which involved care plan compliance, accidental hazard prevention, and urinary tract infection protocols. An earlier March 2022 review also noted 6 deficiencies, which involved resident autonomy in treatment and transfer notices, daily living support, nutritional oversight, pharmaceutical storage, and meal planning. However, no severe safety threats were found, though families may want to note that the three-year and four-month gap between the 2022 and 2025 reviews lasted longer than the customary 9-to-15-month schedule.

Daily direct nursing care averages 3.78 hours per individual, staying within a close margin to the Tennessee benchmark of 3.9 hours. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) availability is a particular asset, tracking 22% higher than the state baseline at 1 hour and 19 minutes daily, while Registered Nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant hours trail slightly behind state trends. Notably, the employee turnover rate is low at 27.5%, staying far below the Tennessee average of 48.7% and indicating reliable workforce stability.

Clinical results represent a major benefit for residents. Long-term individuals experience 57% fewer hospital transfers per 1,000 resident days and 46% fewer emergency room visits than the state average. For short-term rehabilitation guests, the readmission rate back to a hospital stands at 14.3%, outperforming state averages by 36%, while emergency visit frequencies are 63% better than state benchmarks at 4.2%. Major injury-causing falls were non-existent, compared to a state average of 0.8%. Furthermore, the rate of successful discharges back home or into the neighborhood hits 58.7%, exceeding the Tennessee average by 16%, though independent care abilities at discharge trend slightly below the state average.

Selmer Post Acute’s environment is an excellent match for older adults looking for short-term recovery or extended nursing assistance within a tight-knit regional setting, especially for those who value strong hospital prevention records, low staff turnover, and top-tier federal quality scores.

Alta Heights Post Acute is a nursing home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, that offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Owned by Goodlettsville SNF Healthcare, LLC, this 90-bed community has been in operation for over 33 years. The community accommodates Medicare beneficiaries, offering tailored paths for both short-term recovery and long-term clinical needs.
A therapy gym and expansive courtyards are among the amenities available.

According to CMS staffing metrics, the community presents a varied nursing care profile compared to Tennessee benchmarks. Daily Registered Nurse care averages 32 minutes per resident, falling 14% below the state average. Conversely, licensed practical nurse time stands at 1 hour and 12 minutes, outperforming the state average by 11%, while certified nursing assistant hours sit slightly below typical state levels at 1 hour and 59 minutes. On weekends, total nursing drops 6% below state averages to 3 hours and 9 minutes, with weekend RN coverage falling 33% short of the benchmark at 16 minutes per day, indicating reduced clinical supervision on Saturdays and Sundays. Furthermore, direct physical therapist time averages 2 minutes daily per resident, which is below the 5-minute state average.

Data from the most recent state inspection in November 2019 and CMS short-stay metrics indicate areas for family review. While re-hospitalization rates mirror state averages, the emergency room return rate of 18.3% is higher than the Tennessee average of 11.2%. Additionally, successful transitions back home sit at 41%, compared to the state average of 50.6%.

The community offers 24-hour nursing coverage alongside its dedicated therapy space to aid mobility restoration. Administrative offices operate Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., with weekend availability from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. With a Walk Score of 59, the surrounding neighborhood is also moderately walkable, meaning a few everyday errands can be accomplished on foot.

Alta Heights Post Acute serves older adults requiring structured post-hospital recovery or continuous skilled clinical attention. Since short-stay quality metrics show some vulnerabilities, families are advised to inquire deeply into discharge protocols or compare local staffing ratios if intensive physical therapy and high RN availability are top priorities.

Overview of The Village at Germantown

The Village at Germantown operates as a nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Germantown, Tennessee, about 0.6 miles from the city center in Shelby County. Managed by Junaita Lavy, the 60-bed community offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, respite care, and memory care on a single campus designed around aging in place.

The facility carries a 3-star overall CMS rating. Staffing is a clear strength: total nurse hours run 5 hours and 56 minutes per resident per day, ranking 4th out of 172 skilled nursing facilities in Tennessee and running 62% above the state average, a meaningful figure for residents requiring consistent hands-on care. Health Inspection performance is a counterweight, which is 31.5% below the Tennessee average. Quality Measures trail the state by roughly 20%.

Occupancy is 86%, well above Tennessee’s average of 71.6%, reflecting sustained local demand. The community accepts Medicare and private pay. Standout amenities include an on-site healthcare center with 10 free days annually, a fitness center and pool, spa services, and Life Changes Support Groups — the last of which targets the transitions inherent to a multilevel community.

The Village at Germantown fits older adults seeking a planned continuum of care in a single setting, particularly those who prioritize high staffing ratios and want flexibility across independent, assisted, and skilled nursing levels as needs change.

Overview of Waynesboro Post Acute and Rehabilitation

Waynesboro Post Acute and Rehabilitation is a 66-bed skilled nursing facility in Waynesboro, Tennessee, operated by Waynesboro SNF Operations, LLC. The community provides short-term rehabilitation, memory care, and respite care, along with specialized programs in orthopedic rehabilitation, post-surgical care, pulmonary care, bariatric care, and oncology care.

Across 3 inspections over the past 8 years, the facility has received 15 citations, close to the Tennessee average of 15.4. It has carried no federal fines or penalties in the past three years. The more significant signal is citation severity: the facility recorded 7 serious citations, compared with a state average of 0.6, including an abuse/neglect finding at the most recent inspection in October 2025, which CMS records as corrected. The Health Inspection sub-rating is 37% above the Tennessee average, reflecting the low total count, though the seriousness of individual findings is the more relevant measure.

The facility holds a 2-star overall CMS rating, with Staffing as the primary driver. Nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 57 minutes per resident per day, ranking 150th of 172 Tennessee SNFs, well below the state average. Quality Measures also run below the Tennessee average across most tracked indicators.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 97%, substantially above Tennessee’s average of 71.6%, signaling consistent demand within Wayne County.

Waynesboro Post Acute and Rehabilitation’s rehabilitation capacity, including orthopedic, post-surgical, pulmonary, bariatric, and oncology programs, along with 24/7 nursing support, may suit residents seeking structured short-term post-acute care in a high-occupancy community in rural Wayne County.

Overview of Buchanan Place

Offering short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care, Buchanan Place is a nursing home operated by Claiborne Care Center in New Tazewell, Tennessee. Serving the region for 33 years, it accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families multiple pathways to afford post-acute rehabilitation stays and ongoing nursing care. With a 69 percent occupancy rate, the 134-bed facility upholds an active census reflecting a steady resident population.

Buchanan Place draws occupants convalescing from hospitalization, surgery, or illness alongside those requiring active nursing support. The average stay length of 75 days reflects this dual focus on rehabilitation and longer-term placement. Total nursing care averages 3 hours 21 minutes per resident day, providing a solid foundation of attentive support. Residents can access rehabilitation services, respite care options, and short-term rehab programs, with 24-hour staffing to respond to their needs all the time. The home is found at 902 Buchanan Road in an average walkable neighborhood where some services can be reached on foot, though most errands demand a car. The surrounding area has easy access to local amenities and transportation corridors.

For families considering an SNF blending rehabilitation focus with longer-term care capacity, touring Buchanan Place can help you personally evaluate the setting, meet staff, and see the facilities and programs.

Overview of Spring Meadows Health & Rehabilitation

Spring Meadows Health & Rehabilitation is a 121-bed nursing home in Clarksville, Tennessee, that offers skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, long-term support, and specialized memory care. Licensed since July 1992 and managing care for 33 years, this community is currently owned by Spring Meadows SNF Operations, LLC, and accommodates those utilizing Medicare. This community also maintains an active membership in the Tennessee Health Care Association and has received recognition from U.S. News & World Report within its Best Nursing Homes rankings, while carrying an overall 2-star quality performance rating from CMS.

Federal data awards the highest possible tier to its long-term resident quality measures, while short-term recovery outcomes are ranked as above average. Long-term residents require hospital transfers at a rate of just 0.76 per 1,000 resident days, which outpaces the Tennessee average of 1.58 by 52%, and emergency department visits trend at 1.07 per 1,000 days, marking a 32% positive variance from the state benchmark. For short-term rehabilitation individuals, the rate of falls resulting in major trauma stands at an exemplary 0.0%, entirely outperforming the state baseline of 0.8%. Furthermore, 56.1% of short-stay residents achieve or surpass their anticipated self-care capabilities at the time of discharge, a 5% improvement over state metrics, while readmission rates mirror the Tennessee norm at 21.6%. These metrics collectively indicate that those finishing their restorative programs experience strong physical recovery.

Conversely, personnel hours consistently track below state medians across nearly every department. Registered nurse contact averages 25 minutes per resident daily, which sits 32% lower than the Tennessee benchmark of 37 minutes, while licensed practical nurse hours at 57 minutes and certified nursing assistant contact at 2 hours and 1 minute fall 12% and 6% below their corresponding state baselines. Additionally, combined weekend nursing care tracks at 3 hours and 12 minutes, running 4% below the state standard, while registered nurse coverage on weekends averages 23 minutes, matching the statewide norm of 24 minutes. Physical therapist contact is documented at 3 minutes per resident daily, a 40% reduction from the Tennessee average of 5 minutes, which stands as a noteworthy detail for families investigating post-acute therapeutic care. The community also supports a daily occupancy of 111.8 residents within its 121 certified beds.

Regulatory records show that the most recent evaluation by the Tennessee Department of Health took place on July 11, 2024. According to ProPublica’s CMS deficiency database, findings from recent review periods involved quality assurance programming, general property administration, dietary procurement, infection control and prevention measures, resident rights protections, and medication error minimization. This spectrum spans daily clinical operations, sanitary practices, and corporate oversight, contributing to a 1-star health inspection sub-rating, the lowest federal tier. However, no financial penalties or payment suspensions are cited.

Spring Meadows Health & Rehabilitation provides a localized Montgomery County choice for older adults whose primary focus is securing an environment with proven success in preventing long-term hospitalizations and short-term accidental falls. However, families are encouraged to discuss the 1-star health inspection sub-rating with management.