Page 5 of Best Nursing Homes in Tennessee

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 Life Care Center of Crossville

Life Care Center of Crossville is a 122-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility owned by Crossville Medical Investors, LLC in Crossville, Cumberland County, Tennessee. Operating since 1992 and administered by Cathy Marie Jones Howe, the facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. It serves short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents, with 74 days average stay.
CMS rates the facility 3 stars, with quality measures 34 percent above Tennessee’s average and a staffing rating 22 percent above the state benchmark. Short-stay outcomes are rated significantly above average: re-hospitalization at 12 percent is 46 percent better than Tennessee’s average of 22.2 percent, and 83.3 percent of short-stay residents met or exceeded expected self-care ability at discharge, 55 percent above the state figure. Short-stay ED visit rates of 4.8 percent are 57 percent better than Tennessee’s average. Long-stay quality measures are rated significantly above average, with ED visits at 0.59 per 1,000 resident days representing a 62 percent improvement over the state benchmark, and hospitalizations at 1.34 per 1,000 days running 15 percent better than Tennessee’s average. Weight loss among long-stay residents at 14.5 percent is 130 percent worse than the 6.3 percent state average, a figure worth discussing directly with nursing leadership. The health inspection rating trails the Tennessee average by 31.5 percent. 3 abuse, neglect, and exploitation citations are in the seven-year record alongside one serious citation, and four of the 18 total citations came from complaint investigations. A $9,000 civil money penalty was assessed in August 2024, well below the $86,000 Tennessee average. RN hours at 18 minutes per resident per day are 51 percent below the 37 minutes state average, and weekend RN hours at 7 minutes per day are 71 percent below the Tennessee benchmark. LPN hours at 1 hour and 25 minutes per day, 31 percent above the state average, represent staffing strength.
Amenities include a Community Re-Entry Program, an Alzheimer’s and dementia care program, a fine dining program, and landscaped grounds and courtyards.
Life Care Center of Crossville suits families in Cumberland County seeking strong short-stay rehabilitation outcomes and long-stay hospital avoidance. Families should review the abuse and neglect citations and ask about RN and weekend clinical coverage before placement. They must also discuss with nursing leadership the worse-than-state-average weight loss figures for long-stay residents.

A member of Hillcrest Community, Island Home Park Health is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center that has been providing service for many families since 1960; they have strived to be one of the nursing homes that offer a top-notch level of service. Management ensures that the mental, physical, and emotional needs of their residents are met and satisfied; they provide a personalized care program that is focused on the specific needs of each unique individual. Marian Manor is where opportunities happen, and where residents feel as if they’re home away from home.

Island Home offers a range of services such as short-term and sub-acute care, skilled nursing, rehabilitative services, and long-term care; to name a few of the highlighted services including specializing in respiratory care, wound care, IV therapy, and bariatric care. 

Celina Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 78-bed nursing facility owned by O’brien Investments LLC at 120 Pitcock Lane in Celina, Tennessee. Operating for 33 years, it provides care on a nursing-home level, backed by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, and other clinical staff. Accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families numerous options to afford short-term rehabilitation or longer-term care.

The facility maintains total nursing care of around 3 hours per resident day, with registered nurse coverage averaging 24 minutes per resident daily. This staffing structure supports diligent nursing care alongside therapy and rehabilitation services. Outpatient therapy exists for occupants working toward recovery goals, whether following a hospital stay, surgery, or ongoing rehabilitation needs. The average stay length is around 134 days, indicating a blend of shorter-term post-acute residents and those seeking extended care. With 51 of its 78 beds currently filled, the center operates at 66 percent occupancy. The surrounding neighborhood has a Walk Score of 40, so some nearby services and errands can be done on foot, though most outings need a car. Visiting family members will find Celina vehicle-accessible, with nearby main roads providing easy transportation links.

Cherrywood Post Acute is a nursing home in McKenzie, Tennessee, offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Owned by McKenzie SNF Healthcare, LLC, this established care provider has served the Carroll County area for approximately 31 years with 99 licensed beds. The community accepts Medicare, offering a supportive environment for those transitioning from a hospital stay back toward independence.

The community’s occupancy rate is currently 74.1%, which is slightly higher than the state average of 73%. This suggests that openings are available for those seeking immediate placement.

The community maintains its round-the-clock nursing model to oversee daily resident needs. A therapy gym, spacious courtyards, and common areas are available on-site. It is also located near a hospital campus on Hospital Drive. This unique proximity to McKenzie Regional Medical Center offers a practical advantage for families, potentially facilitating smoother and faster coordination of acute clinical care services for medically complex residents.

Cherrywood Post Acute serves as a practical resource for older adults in the McKenzie region who require structured post-hospital recovery or continuous skilled nursing attention. The community’s proximity to the local hospital and robust therapy environment also provides clear advantages for local families. To fully evaluate a placement decision, visiting the campus and requesting the latest CMS outcome reports and current staffing documentation will help ensure the environment aligns with the family’s specific clinical expectations.

Owned by Ocoee Foundation Inc, Sevierville Health and Rehabilitation Center is a nursing home on Catlett Road in Sevierville, Tennessee, about 45 minutes south of Knoxville. It serves the greater Sevier County area with 98 beds and an 80 percent occupancy rate. The home keeps a steady census that reflects consistent community trust. Operating for 33 years, it supplies long-term nursing care and short-term rehabilitation to residents.

The center’s clinical focus is on rehabilitation, with a structured approach to post-acute recovery and ongoing skilled nursing support. The average stay length runs about 81 days, mirroring a blend of occupants working through rehabilitation post-hospitalization or injury, plus those requiring longer-term care management. Daily nursing care averages roughly 3 hours 10 minutes per resident, supporting direct hands-on assistance with daily living activities and medical needs. Accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, which provide families with multiple ways to afford short-term rehabilitation and longer-term stays. This payment flexibility makes the center accessible to various residents and their financial circumstances. Beyond clinical care, the home offers a Healing Garden as a dedicated program space where occupants can spend time outdoors and benefit from nature-based engagement. The location sits in a car-dependent area where most errands and appointments require transportation, typical of rural Tennessee communities. Families visiting from Knoxville or nearby towns must plan for a short drive, though the area offers the calmer, slower-paced setting that many find restorative during recovery or transition.

Overview of Four Oaks Health Care Center

Located in Washington County, Four Oaks Health Care Center is a skilled nursing home in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Besides skilled nursing, the facility offers hospice care and respite care, giving families more options for a loved one’s care needs. It is owned and administered by Tammy Edwards and has been operating for 34 years. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, so there are several routes for covering the cost of care.

The 26-bed community currently has an occupancy rate of 62%, so there is room available for families who need to move as soon as possible. Residents stay an average of 58 days. The population is a mix of residents in short-term and rehabilitative care rather than purely long-term stays. Nursing support averages 3 hours and 24 minutes per resident daily. Residents here are cared for by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides.

On the rehabilitation side, residents have access to short-term rehab and general rehabilitation services. These can be useful for someone recovering from a hospital stay or an injury. Amenities on-site include a therapy gym and wellness program, a beauty salon, a courtyard, transportation, and organized activities and social events for residents. The neighborhood has a moderate walkability score of 53. Some errands can be handled on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities within reach.

Families weighing Four Oaks alongside other options in the Jonesborough area should ask about current room availability given the facility’s occupancy level.

Ahc Dyersburg is an assisted living community in Dyersburg, Tennessee, that offers personal care and nursing services with 130 beds in a suite-style housing. Owned by Stephanie Burkett, the community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, offering families multiple ways to navigate care costs. Currently, it operates at about 76% occupancy, with an average stay of 155 days, reflecting a combination of short-term rehabilitation and longer-term care for older adults.

Through Collaborative Care Plans, the community brings together physicians, nurses, therapists, dietary specialists, and social workers to support each resident. Speech, physical, and occupational therapy are also available, along with outpatient rehabilitation for older adults recovering after hospital stays. Nursing care averages about 3 hours and 13 minutes per resident daily, including more than half an hour from registered nurses.

Transportation services, fitness activities, and recreation programming are offered to support daily engagement. Moreover, pets are welcome to promote familiar routines and companionship. A resident council also meets regularly to provide input on care, activities, and community operations, giving residents a voice in daily life.

Located in a rural area of Dyersburg, the neighborhood has a Walk Score of 34, indicating that some nearby services are accessible on foot, while most errands require transportation.

Overview of Durham-Hensley Health and Rehabilitation

Operated by owner Kathie Ball, Durham-Hensley Health and Rehabilitation is a 76-bed nursing home in Chuckey, Tennessee. The home has been operating for 33 years. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, are accepted, giving families flexibility in how they cover care.

The facility focuses on rehabilitation and recovery. It offers short-term rehabilitative stays for residents healing from surgery, hospitalization, or injury, and longer-term nursing care. Therapy services include physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy, along with specialized wound care. A restorative program and mental health services are also available within the facility. Residents stay an average of 79 days, which is a mix of post-acute residents and those requiring extended care.

Daily nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 49 minutes per resident. Residents are provided with hands-on care across nursing roles: registered nurses spend 39 minutes, nurse aides contribute 1 hour and 58 minutes, and LPNs and LVNs add 56 minutes per day. The staffing level supports the home’s rehabilitation focus.

The facility has an occupancy rate of 61%, with 46 of 76 beds filled. The home provides meals from a daily menu with alternative selections available. The location in Chuckey is rural, with a Walk Score of 2. Families planning to visit need a car to reach the home and navigate the area. The location is best suited for families seeking a quieter, less urban setting for their loved one’s recovery.

Respite care is also available for families needing short-term relief support alongside their loved one’s stay.