Page 3 of Best Nursing Homes in Tennessee

Overview of Life Care Center of Morristown

Life Care Center of Morristown is a 161-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility owned by Life Care Centers of America, Inc., and administered by Victoria Bowen in Morristown, Tennessee. Licensed since 1992 and serving Hamblen County, the facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, supporting a mix of short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents, with 100 days average stay.
CMS grades Life Care Center of Morristown 5 stars, 63 percent above the Tennessee average, with above-average scores across all four sub-categories. The health inspection rating sits 37 percent above the state average, supported by a lean citation record: 8 total health citations since 2020 across four inspections, compared to Tennessee’s average of 15.4, placing the facility 39th of 176 in the state. At 2 citations per inspection, the community ranks 12th of 176 statewide. All 8 citations were moderate; none were critical or serious. The June 2024 inspection produced one already-corrected abuse and neglect citation. No penalties identified in the past three years. Long-stay quality measures are rated significantly above average. Hospitalization rates for long-stay residents run at 1.19 per 1,000 resident days, 25 percent better than the Tennessee average of 1.58. Only 5.2 percent of long-stay residents experienced increased need for daily activity assistance, 68 percent better than the state benchmark. Depressive symptom rates at 3.3 percent are 70 percent below the Tennessee average. Short-stay falls with major injury at 2.9 percent are notably worse than Tennessee’s 0.8 percent average, worth discussing with leadership for residents at fall risk.
Amenities include an Alzheimer’s and dementia care program, a Community Re-Entry Program, a fine dining program, and landscaped grounds and courtyards.
Life Care Center of Morristown suits families in Hamblen County wanting a highly rated facility for skilled nursing or long-term care, with a strong compliance record and demonstrably better-than-average long-stay health outcomes. Short-stay falls are worth reviewing with facility leadership.

Overview of Princeton Transitional Care & Assisted Living

Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, Princeton Transitional Care & Assisted Living is a 79-bed community. Assisted living, skilled nursing, respite care, and memory care are all offered under one roof. LP Johnson City, LLC operates the community, and Keith Boyce is the administrator. Blue Ridge Medical Management Corporation is also involved in its ownership and management structure.

Its Washington County location connects it with Ballad Health and Signature HealthCare through a broader health system partnership. The community has been operating for 7 years and serves residents with both long-term and short-term care needs.

Princeton Transitional Care focuses on rehabilitation and recovery. The community has a therapy gym for outpatient care. Short-term rehabilitation and transitional care support residents moving from hospital stays toward greater independence, and memory care is available for residents who need it. Total nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 19 minutes per resident daily. Residents stay an average of about 17 days, a length that reflects a strong focus on post-acute and short-term recovery.

State inspections have focused on administrative areas, including pharmacy services and nutrition practices. They have not centered on concerns involving direct resident care. The identified matters were addressed and corrected. Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families more than one payment option.

Residents can spend time in secure courtyards with walking paths. They can also relax on a covered patio with an outdoor fireplace or visit the in-house salon. A chapel offers weekly spiritual programming and regular religious services. Residents can bring their pets. The community currently has an occupancy rate of about 73%. The location has a Walk Score of 2, which means it’s car-dependent. Most errands and outings require driving.

Located in Carthage, Tennessee, Smith County Health and Rehabilitation is a small skilled nursing community that has been operating for 33 years. The 34-bed home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, which gives families flexibility in coverage options. It provides short-term post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care.

The facility provides a range of rehabilitation services. There’s in-house therapy for both inpatient and outpatient care, including specialized support for post-operative recovery and IV therapy. An in-house nurse practitioner leads clinical care. Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 14 minutes of total nursing care per resident each day. The care team includes registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses.

The community has 62% occupancy, with a smaller, quieter census. Residents stay an average of 118 days, including short-term rehabilitation cases and those remaining for ongoing skilled nursing support. Carthage has a score of 45 on walkability. Some nearby services are within walking distance, but most family visits and errands require driving.

Residents’ daily lives are centered on both care and engagement. The facility has a dining and lounge area, outdoor activities, and an arts and crafts program. There are also recreational options like bingo, pet therapy, music, and a gardening club. Residents can enjoy snacks 24/7, religious services, in-room televisions, and alternate dietary menus. The lobby has a fireplace, and a therapy department is available for ongoing treatment needs.

Families exploring options for short-term recovery or longer-term care should take a tour of the facility to get a clear sense of the daily rhythm, medical support, and activities available.

Stones River Manor, Inc. is a faith-based nursing home in Murfreesboro, TN, offering independent living, assisted living, specialized Assured and Advanced Care programs, daily adult care, temporary respite, and short-term rehabilitation. This 30-bed community has operated as a voluntary non-profit dedicated to Christian principles since 1977. Medicare and private pay are also accepted.

The community stands out with a stellar overall CMS composite mark, exceeding the state baseline by 63.4% and cementing its position as one of Tennessee’s premium options. Its personnel investment is remarkably strong, scoring 104.1% past the state average. Additionally, registered nurse hours reach 1 hour daily, which is 62% above average, while LPN and LVN hours sit at 2 hours daily, or 85% above the baseline. Certified nurse aide hours also average at 3 hours and 13 minutes daily, outperforming the average by 50%. Furthermore, total weekend support provides 5 hours and 12 minutes total, and weekend RN presence averages 33 minutes daily, beating state baselines by 55% and 38%, respectively. This unwavering personnel presence throughout Saturdays and Sundays is incredibly uncommon across Tennessee and serves as one of the environment’s most distinct advantages.

Regarding official regulatory oversight, 17 total deficiencies across 5 evaluations have been documented, placing it right around the state norm. Crucially, it has sustained a record completely free of critical or serious violations over the last 7 years. Every single past finding was deemed moderate in severity and has been completely resolved, with the most recent standard review concluding in July 2025. Strong local reputation is further proven by a 91.9% occupancy rate.

Comprehensive services are offered, including short-stay physical rehabilitation, transitional respite care, structured daytime adult programs for older adults living at home, and progressive residential assisted tiers. The blended presence of standalone apartments and higher-tier medical units means older adults can easily age in place as their health requirements progress. Furthermore, the willingness to accept both private financing and Medicare coverage makes navigating financial responsibilities in long-term.

Stones River Manor, Inc. is an ideal choice for families looking for an exceptionally staffed, clinically sound, and mission-oriented setting in Rutherford County. The unparalleled attention from nursing personnel guarantees an optimal match for older adults who require consistent clinical supervision or frequent daily interaction. While a brief 42-day average stay highlights a distinct specialization in short-term Medicare rehabilitation, its multi-level setup seamlessly embraces individuals needing permanent, complex nursing interventions.

Overview of The Bridge Assisted Living at Life Care Center of Sparta

Managed by administrator Justin Freeman and owned by Latessa Morris through Sparta Medical Investors, The Bridge Assisted Living at Life Care Center of Sparta handles skilled nursing, rehab therapies, and memory care within a 60-bed building. Operational since 2000, the downtown facility works with an even mix of short-stay admissions, with 47% using Medicare and 47% paying privately, while 6% rely on Medicaid. The building carries a Walk Score of 44, reports an average resident stay of 61 days, and runs a 62.6% occupancy rate alongside a 2023 net operating loss of $530.6 thousand on $12.4 million in revenue.

Public oversight logs show a stable regulatory history with zero federal fines or penalties issued over the past three years. Daily care times hover near the state benchmark, with nursing staff providing an average of 3 hours and 18 minutes per resident each day. Clinical quality archives reveal strong numbers for preventive health, including a 100% vaccination rate for permanent residents and low rates of depression and antipsychotic medication use.

On the short-term rehab side, vaccination numbers and medication tracking also outpace state baselines, though the facility’s long-term care files note some performance dips, with serious injuries from falls tracking 59% higher than the Tennessee average alongside elevated rates of urinary tract infections.

Prospective residents researching local nursing or rehabilitation setups can look through these government tracking metrics to see how the home handles daily care. Since the health records highlight great short-term vaccination tracking and zero recent fines alongside some elevated fall numbers for long-stay residents, the paperwork fits a facility with a solid foundation in preventive care.

Operated by the Dixie Mae Taylor-Huff Estate, White House Health Care, Inc. is a skilled nursing facility in White House, Tennessee, offering short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing, hospice, memory care, and respite care. The 140-bed community serves Robertson County and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

CMS rates the facility 5 stars overall, placing it well above Tennessee averages across all four sub-categories. The strongest differentiator is staffing. Total nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 38 minutes per resident per day, about 27% above Tennessee’s average of 3 hours and 40 minutes. Physical therapy staffing is 80% above state averages, an important measure for a facility with an average resident stay of 87 days and a meaningful post-acute caseload alongside longer placements.

Residents have access to 24-hour staffing coverage.

White House Health Care is best suited for residents seeking post-acute rehabilitation or longer-term skilled nursing care in Robertson County, with staffing depth for higher-acuity clinical needs across both short- and long-stay populations.

Overview of The Reserve at Spring Hill

The Reserve at Spring Hill is a private 30-bed nursing and rehab center run by administrator Julie Bellar and Hoosier Care, Inc. Opened in 2018 as part of the HutsonWood brand, the building is set up for short-term recovery and accepts only Medicare and private-pay residents. The client mix is 62% private-pay and 38% Medicare, with residents staying an average of 34 days. You’ll find it about 12 miles outside the city center in an area with a Walk Score of 4, meaning it requires a car. The facility has grown its occupancy to 74.8% and brought in $633 thousand in net income for 2024 on $9.2 million in revenue.

Government health logs show excellent staffing numbers, including a 5.73 staff-to-resident ratio that ranks first in Tennessee. Total daily nursing care adds up to about five hours per resident, led by strong LPN coverage at 2 hours and 1 minute and nurse aides at 2 hours and 46 minutes, which helps cover for a slight dip in daily RN hours. Clinical records show great outcomes: permanent residents have zero documented depression and very low rates of pressure ulcers or functional decline.

On the short-term rehab side, the facility records zero major injuries from falls and a 69.2% successful community discharge rate, easily beating the state average. The property also has a clean regulatory record with zero federal fines or penalties over the last three years.

Families checking out local short-term rehab spots can look over these public records to gauge how the building operates day-to-day. Since the state data highlights the highest staffing ratios in Tennessee, zero recent fines, and great physical recovery numbers, the paperwork points to a very stable, well-supported setup.

Overview of Harbert Hills Academy Nursing Home

Owned by Alton Cantarutti, Harbert Hills Academy Nursing Home is a nursing facility on Lonesome Pine Road in Savannah, Tennessee. The 24-bed home has been operating for 33 years. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted, providing coverage options for families managing post-acute or ongoing skilled nursing care.

The facility focuses on hands-on clinical support. Total nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 23 minutes per resident each day, a solid foundation for residents who need substantial daily assistance. Rehabilitation services are a core focus, supported by on-site local doctors and a registered dietician. The home provides specialized dietary planning, including vegetarian and plant-based options. Pharmacy consulting and controlled temperature management are also available.

Amenities on-site include a century whirlpool system, television service, and WiFi access. Residents and staff benefit from 24-hour licensed service to provide support around the clock. The home also offers programs including CNA training classes, religious services, and beauty and barber services, so there’s structure and personal care in residents’ routines.

The home is located in a moderately walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 60. Savannah offers a mixed landscape of accessible nearby errands and services. However, most regular trips require driving. The 24-bed community size is small, but it has three decades of operating history, suggesting a stable and familiar setting for residents and their families.

Overview of Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation

Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation is a church-affiliated, voluntary non-profit nursing home in Etowah, TN, that provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. Serving McMinn County and the surrounding East Tennessee area since July 1, 1992, this 88-bed community brings over 33 years of dedicated operational experience under the ownership of Athens Regional Medical Center, LLC.

A commitment to high-quality care is evident in the community’s 4-star overall CMS rating, which highlights above-average composite performance across health inspections, staffing metrics, and quality measures. A review of recent inspections also reveals 10 total citations across two standard evaluations over the past five years. All cited areas were of moderate severity, with absolutely zero critical or serious infractions, and every item under infection control, administration, and pharmacy services has been fully resolved. The most recent inspection was completed in February 2024.

Clinical oversight is a particular area of strength, specifically regarding registered nurse presence. Older adults benefit from 49 minutes of RN coverage per resident each day, which stands 32% above the Tennessee state average of 37 minutes. This strong clinical presence extends into the weekend, where RN hours average 27 minutes, which is 13% higher than the state benchmark. Overall daily nursing coverage also reaches a robust 4 hours and 11 minutes. While LPN/LVN and nurse aide hours sit modestly below state means by 15% each, and physical therapist hours are slightly under the state average, weekend nursing totals remain completely in line with regional benchmarks. As of Q2 2025, operations are supported by 71 total staff members, with 69 employees and 2 contractors, maintaining an average shift length of 9 hours and a staff-to-resident ratio of 1.11:1.

Comprehensive rehabilitation therapies are provided, alongside fully licensed nursing and CNA assistance. Due to its direct relationship with Athens Regional Medical Center, the community also features a hospital-affiliated care model boasting an exceptionally broad roster of medical specialties. Available programs include behavioral health, telehealth services, cardiology, vascular support, diabetes care, cancer care, infusion services, digestive health, urology, orthopedics, and sleep diagnostics. Administrative offices are open to assist families Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Located in an area with a Walk Score of 40, most daily errands will necessitate transportation, though a handful of neighborhood services remain within walking distance.

For older adults in East Tennessee seeking a hospital-aligned skilled nursing environment with superior RN supervision and expansive specialty programs, Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation stands out as an excellent choice in McMinn County. The community’s long-standing history in the Etowah neighborhood, paired with its church-affiliated non-profit foundation, establishes a deeply rooted and stable identity.

Overview of The Pavilion Senior Living

The Pavilion Senior Living is a 74-bed senior living community in Lebanon, Tennessee, offering a wide continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation services, skilled nursing, and respite care. This broad range of support makes the community one of the more comprehensive care options in the area for older adults whose needs may change over time.

One of the community’s key advantages is the ability to provide multiple levels of care within the same setting, which can reduce the stress and disruption often associated with moving between separate care communities as medical or personal care requirements evolve. The community also maintains licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants on staff, supporting both long-term residents and individuals recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization. Rehabilitation services and respite stays are also available, making the community a practical option for families seeking temporary recovery support or short-term caregiver relief.

Located on Medical Center Drive in Lebanon, the community sits in a largely car-dependent area with limited walkability to nearby errands or services. Transportation planning may therefore be an important consideration for residents and visiting family members.

The Pavilion Senior Living is a practical option for older adults and families looking for flexibility and long-term continuity in care planning. For families navigating post-acute recovery, progressive memory loss, or future care uncertainty, the community’s broad service model offers a level of adaptability that is not always available in smaller or single-focus senior living settings.