Best Memory Care in Tennessee

Overview of Heritage Pointe Senior Living

Heritage Pointe Senior Living operates a 66-bed assisted living and memory care community at 1030 South Maple Avenue in Cookeville. Beacon Co LLC manages the facility under Administrator Diana Reich, who oversees operations that began in 2007. The community has maintained continuous operation for 18 years. Geographically, the facility sits 6.2 miles from downtown Cookeville in a setting that requires vehicular transportation for most daily needs and services.

The care model spans three levels: independent living for active seniors, assisted living with daily support, and specialized memory care. The memory care wing operates as a distinct unit called The Cottage, designed around a structured, purposeful environment with elevated staff-to-resident ratios. Residents in this wing access secure, gated outdoor courtyards and receive therapeutic memory-stimulation activities customized to cognitive needs.

A Family Ambassadors program is maintained to encourage communication and involvement. The facility publishes separate monthly activity calendars for residents in the main community and those in memory care.

Residential accommodations feature private suites with individual climate control systems, full bathrooms equipped with walk-in showers, and private kitchenettes. Daily service includes three meals, weekly housekeeping, personal laundry, and scheduled medical transportation. Emergency call systems are integrated into every resident room.

Entry is secure with access point tracking. Building-wide sprinkler protection is installed. The facility holds state and city fire safety approvals.

The community maintains VA-approved status for veterans and their spouses and accepts long-term care insurance. Regulatory oversight by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities documents reviews of the facility..

Heritage Pointe Senior Living serves residents in Cookeville seeking a multi-level care community with an 18-year operational track record and established memory care programming.

Overview of Governor’s Bend Retirement and Assisted Living, LLC.

Governor’s Bend Retirement and Assisted Living is an assisted living community in Erwin, TN, that offers personal care, rehabilitation services, and respite care. Originally established in October 2012, this community features a 60-suite campus designed to accommodate a total capacity of 124 beds.

The daily lifestyle within this community is centered on an all-inclusive, Christ-centered approach to eldercare, aiming to minimize hidden financial surprises for families. Of its 124 total beds, the 28-bed secured memory care wing is available for older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. One- or two-bedroom private suites feature walk-in closets, walk-in showers, and independent climate controls, while common areas are distinctively styled after a historic train station, an architectural nod to Erwin’s local heritage.

Restaurant-style dining, routine housekeeping, personal laundry services, and a calendar of recreational programs are provided. On the other hand, 24/7 nursing and CNA coverage is provided, along with emergency call systems and alert pendants in every suite. On-site physical therapy rooms and visiting physicians are also available.

Regulatory oversight is managed by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities. The most recent unannounced state inspection was completed on July 19, 2023. No enforcement actions, administrative penalties, or formal fines are recorded against the facility, highlighting a consistent track record of operational compliance alongside its long tenure in the East Tennessee region.

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, the location carries a walk score of 45, making it partially dependent on vehicles, so organized transportation for local medical visits and shopping is beneficial.

Governor’s Bend Retirement and Assisted Living provides a structured yet deeply personal environment for families in the Erwin and greater Tri-Cities area seeking a mid-sized, resource-rich campus. Combining a stable management history, a flat-rate fee structure, and an emphasis on spiritual and whole-person wellness, the community offers a secure and welcoming home for older adults looking to maintain their independence with the peace of mind of 24-hour professional support.

Freedom Senior Living is a locally owned assisted living community in Sevierville, TN, offering personal care, memory care, and respite care. The community is owned by Freedom Senior Living, LLC, accommodating up to 61 older adults.

Three chef-prepared meals daily, with snacks, are provided, along with a variety of outdoor and indoor spaces. A dedicated activities director also oversees the social calendar, while 24-hour staffing with trained care personnel and licensed nursing services provides seamless physical support. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains between Seymour and Sevierville, the community features a walk score of 64, offering better-than-average local walkability compared to many rural Tennessee settings.

The team assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, while the secure memory care wing provides tailored cognitive stimulation for residents navigating Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Additionally, the community welcomes small pets and provides a structured respite care program, offering a practical short-term option for families looking to experience the environment before transitioning to a long-term placement.

Combining comprehensive 24/7 care, a lively activity curriculum, and scenic mountain-gateway views, Freedom Senior Living offers a highly personal, relationship-centered alternative to larger corporate-managed chains for families in the Sevierville and greater Knoxville area seeking a mid-sized setting.

Overview of Apple Grove Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residence

Apple Grove Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residence is a specialized memory care community in Memphis, Tennessee, that provides memory support, adult day care, and respite care for older adults with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia throughout Shelby County and the surrounding Memphis metropolitan area. The community is locally owned and managed by Apple Grove, LLC, and has been in operation since 2009 with a 49-bed capacity. It was among the first in the Memphis area created exclusively for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The community is intentionally designed around the unique needs of residents experiencing memory loss, featuring three primary service lines: residential memory care, adult day care, and respite care. 24-hour nursing support, assistance with daily living activities, medication oversight, and structured enrichment programming are provided, along with alternative therapies and dietitian-approved meals.

Safety and security features include wander-prevention systems, alarmed bracelet technology, and pressure-sensitive floor alerts, which aim to ease elopement risk and enhance resident safety. Along with a dementia-trained staff, on-site nursing presence, and on-call physician access are also available.

The community has completed the latest inspection in April 2025, reflecting recent regulatory review activity. However, detailed findings from the referenced report were not publicly accessible through indexed records, and no publicly available enforcement actions, fines, or substantiated complaints were identified.

As a locally owned care provider that provides dementia-exclusive programming, respite, and adult day care services, Apple Grove Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residence appeals to families seeking a purpose-built memory care environment with a strong residential feel within the Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, and north Mississippi region.

Overview of Emory Mills Senior Living

Emory Mills Senior Living is a family-owned senior living community in Knoxville, TN, offering assisted living and memory care. Managed under Emory Properties, LLC, the community can accommodate up to 107 residents.

The daily routine within this community is built around a person-centered care philosophy designed to minimize institutional friction. To assist with daily living, chef-prepared meals, laundry, housekeeping, and scheduled fitness classes are provided, while specialized on-site rehabilitation rooms accommodate physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions.

Its memory care program utilizes an evidence-based I’m Still Here® philosophy through a partnership with the Hearthstone Institute, which focuses on tapping into the remaining abilities and life stories of older adults navigating dementia. Alongside its residential settings, the organization operates Emory Care at Home, a specialized program that delivers coordinated support for individuals needing flexible, localized assistance.

Emory Mills Senior Living presents a highly programmed and structured option for families in the Knoxville region looking for a larger, asset-rich campus with a strong emphasis on modern dementia care.

Overview of Fountains of Franklin

Fountains of Franklin serves the Williamson County region as a faith-based assisted living community in Franklin, TN, offering independent living, assisted living, and cognitive care. Locally operated through GoodWorks Unlimited, LLC, with clinical administration by Patricia Corvin Caron, this community has a 68-bed capacity.

Along with apartments or neighborhood-style villas, regular housekeeping, laundry services, and nutritious meals daily are provided. Shared spaces and outdoor features are available, along with structured activity calendars, community events, and a dedicated staff available 24/7.

A primary pillar of the campus is its specialized dementia care program, which is guided by a compassionate philosophy known as Through Their Eyes. This curriculum focuses on entering the unique reality of each individual living with cognitive change, utilizing empathy-driven techniques to provide gentle, dignity-centered routine support and behavioral tracking. Additionally, the community offers dedicated support plans for residents managing diabetes, ensuring regular blood glucose tracking and direct communication with visiting healthcare professionals, such as physical or speech therapists.

The community’s administrative office is open from Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Fountains of Franklin balances professional care with a personalized touch for families in the Nashville metropolitan area seeking an established setting with a relationship-centered approach. This community also aligns with standard regional assistance frameworks, making it a well-rounded option for older adults looking for long-term comfort, safety, and spiritual nourishment in a welcoming suburban environment.

Overview of Carrick Glen

Carrick Glen is a senior living community in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Operated by Carrick Glen Senior Living, LLC, the 40-bed community provides care in a smaller residential setting, which allows for a more intimate and personalized atmosphere compared to larger senior living campuses.

Services include help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, medication management, and mobility support, specialized dementia support, and respite services. Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants are among the staff available.

The community’s Mount Juliet location provides access to the greater Middle Tennessee region, though the area is considered less walkable, suggesting that most errands, appointments, and outings may require transportation support.

Carrick Glen is a good option for older adults and families seeking a smaller assisted living or memory care setting with a more individualized residential atmosphere in the Mount Juliet area. However, its limited recent regulatory information warrants careful due diligence, including direct communication with the community and state licensing authorities.

Overview of Nhc Place at the Trace

Nhc Place at the Trace is an assisted living community in Nashville, Tennessee, that offers personal care, rehabilitation services, and respite care. Operated by Nhc Place at the Trace, LLC, the community maintains a CMS certification, supporting a broad range of post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing services. With 99 licensed beds and an occupancy rate of 83%, which is notably above the Tennessee average for skilled nursing communities, the community reflects sustained demand among families seeking rehabilitation and advanced care services within the Nashville area.

The community offers a continuum of clinical and supportive services that includes short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, respite stays, hospice coordination, and home healthcare support. Medicare-covered rehabilitation stays make up a significant portion of admissions, though private-pay longer-term residents are also welcome.

CMS ratings place the community above state averages across health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with particularly strong performance in nursing hours per resident. The staffing structure also includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, rehabilitation therapists, dietitians, mental health workers, and dental support staff. All nursing personnel are directly employed rather than contracted, which may contribute to greater consistency in care delivery and staff familiarity with residents.

Clinical quality metrics also compare favorably against statewide benchmarks in several areas. The community reports significantly lower rates of falls with major injury among long-stay residents, lower levels of depressive symptoms, and reduced antipsychotic medication use compared with Tennessee averages. Vaccination compliance rates for influenza and pneumococcal protection are particularly strong. Some quality indicators, including pressure ulcer prevalence and increases in assistance needs for daily activities, are close to state averages, reflecting the higher-acuity nature of the resident population served.

Inspection history reflects a stable compliance record overall, with the most recent inspection in January 2025. Across multiple state health inspections, the community recorded fewer citations than the Tennessee skilled nursing average, with all deficiencies categorized as moderate in severity and no critical or serious citations reported during the review period. Additionally, no civil monetary penalties or Medicare payment denials have been issued within the past several years. Recent inspection findings related primarily to infection control, nutrition, and pharmacy services were addressed through corrective actions.

Amenities and resident services support both rehabilitation and long-term residential life, which include restaurant-style dining, recreational programming, rehabilitation services, hospice, and home care coordination. The community also maintains an Active Resident Council and an on-site Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, reflecting investment in both resident engagement and workforce development.

Nhc Place at the Trace is well-suited for older adults requiring short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing support, or more clinically intensive care services within a community that combines strong staffing resources, rehabilitation programming, and established regulatory performance.

Overview of Ave Maria Home Assisted Living

Ave Maria Home Assisted Living is a nonprofit senior living community in Bartlett, Tennessee, that offers assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and pastoral care. Operating since 2000, the community has more than 26 years of experience providing residential care and healthcare services within a faith-based environment. With a 101-bed capacity, the community serves older adults throughout the greater Memphis and Shelby County region.

Care options include assisted living support, long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care through St. Luke’s Cottage, the community’s dedicated memory care program. Rehabilitation therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available onsite. Pastoral care, religious programming, volunteer involvement, and family-centered care are also available.

Clinical staffing levels are a notable feature of the community, with licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants on-site. Additionally, publicly reported nurse staffing hours are substantially higher than the Tennessee state average, reflecting a stronger level of direct clinical support and supervision than many comparable communities. The community also accepts both Medicare and Medicaid, broadening access for residents with varying financial and healthcare coverage needs.

Amenities and support services include three daily meals served in private dining spaces, transportation for medical appointments and shopping, wellness monitoring, as well as shared activities and volunteer programs.

Regulatory records from the Tennessee Department of Health and CMS inspection data reflect a mixed compliance history over recent years. A total of 18 deficiencies have been recorded across multiple inspections. The most serious finding occurred during a March 2024 complaint investigation involving accident hazard supervision and resident safety, resulting in an immediate jeopardy citation, financial penalties, and a payment suspension.

Earlier inspections also identified concerns related to infection control, medication storage, care planning, food safety, resident rights, and assessment procedures. Reported corrective actions were implemented following these inspections. Additionally, the most recent standard inspection available was conducted in May 2025, which falls outside the usual inspection timeframe.

With a combination of faith-based programming, above-average nursing support, integrated memory care, and multi-level healthcare services, Ave Maria Home Assisted Living is a distinctive option within the Bartlett and Memphis senior living market. It is also a practical option for older adults with evolving medical or cognitive care needs who would benefit from remaining within one community over time, particularly families who value spiritual support alongside clinical care and rehabilitation services.

Overview of Avail at Cleveland

Avail at Cleveland is a senior living community in Cleveland, Tennessee, that offers assisted living and memory care. The community is owned by Stuart Road Investors, LLC, with operations supported through Civitas Senior Living, a regional senior living management organization with communities across multiple states. With an 84-bed capacity, this community has only been in operation for four years.

This pet-friendly community offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment layouts. Additionally, licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants provide 24-hour support. On-site access to services such as rehabilitation therapy, hospice coordination, podiatry, dental care, and short-term respite stays is also provided. Recreational and shared spaces are also available, along with home-cooked meals.

The most recent inspection was conducted in September 2023, though detailed findings from the report were not publicly accessible through reviewed sources. No publicly indexed enforcement actions, substantiated complaints, or fines were identified in the available records.

Featuring modern amenities, strong on-site clinical support, and individualized care planning, Avail at Cleveland is a good option for older adults and families seeking a newer assisted living and memory care community within the Cleveland and Chattanooga area.