Page 26 of Best Senior Care in Tennessee

Overview of Nhc HealthCare, Cookeville

Owned by Jeremy Stoner, Nhc HealthCare, Cookeville, is a skilled nursing home in the residential area of Cookeville, Tennessee. The 104-bed home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families multiple ways to cover short-term rehabilitation and ongoing skilled care.

The facility has been operating for 50 years, with a current occupancy rate of 95%. Residents stay an average of 75 days. The population includes post-acute rehab residents and those requiring longer-term nursing support.

The home focuses on rehabilitation and transitional care. Residents have access to services including short-term rehab, respite care, and 24-hour nurse staffing. Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 18 minutes per resident per day. The care team comprises registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides. The staffing model provides consistent daily attention to residents’ clinical and personal care needs. Home care and hospice services are also available for families managing the end-of-life continuum.

Residents’ daily lives are centered on comfort and family connection. A dietitian and chef prepare meals to meet individual nutritional needs. Each room has cable television and high-speed internet, which helps residents and families stay connected. The home provides housekeeping and laundry services to reduce the daily burden on families and caregivers.

Those who want to maintain appearance and wellness routines can access the on-site beauty and barber shop. Residents can enjoy an outdoor relaxation area and join in daily activities and entertainment programming all week.

Overview of Diversicare of Martin

Experience unrivaled care and assistance with Diversicare of Martin, a distinguished senior living community in Mount Pelia Road, Martin, TN, offering various care services including complex medical care, memory care, long-term care, short-stay rehabilitation, and hospice care. With a team of compassionate and specially trained professionals available around the clock, seniors can rest assured of receiving the utmost care for their every need. The community goes above and beyond to provide a safe place for seniors to flourish and live their lives to the fullest.

The community respects residents’ autonomy and ensures they receive the help they need and prefer while retaining their independence. Enriching activities and stimulating programs are also conducted to keep residents happy and moving. Diversicare of Martin is a haven for seniors in need of assistance in their daily living especially with its comprehensive care services.

Trenton Health and Rehabilitation Center in Trenton, Tennessee, is a nursing home that offers professional skilled nursing, short-term recovery, and temporary respite services. This 50-bed community primarily assists older adults and their families throughout the West Tennessee region. Due to its intentional size, the community is capable of providing more personalized attention. Operating since July 1, 1992, under the ownership of Hampton Worthington Properties, LLC, the community accommodates Medicare, Medicaid, and private payments.

With an impressive overall CMS rating, the community has outperformed the Tennessee baseline by 63.4% in its total composite score. Every evaluation category exceeds state standards. Health inspections are rated 37% higher than the state average, showcasing a history of clean evaluations. Staffing levels score 22.4% above the Tennessee norm, indicating excellent daily care hours.

A deeper look at the 7-year regulatory history reveals only 9 citations across 3 separate cycles, which sits comfortably below the Tennessee average of 15.4. Most importantly, the community has zero critical or serious citations on record. The 9 noted deficiencies were all moderate, primarily involving infection control, pharmacy practices, and general quality of care. The most recent review occurred in December 2024, and every cited deficiency has since been fully resolved.

The community has an average of 3 hours and 48 minutes of direct nursing attention daily, outstripping the state average by 4%. Certified nursing assistants drive this performance, providing 7% more daily bedside care than the state benchmark. While registered nurse and licensed practical nurse hours trail state medians slightly, weekend RN presence is 25% lower than the state average. Physical therapy hours are lower as well, signaling that the operations lean more toward long-term support than high-intensity physical rehabilitation.

With an occupancy rate of 69.3% compared to the state’s 73% average, securing placement here is generally straightforward. The typical stay lasts 120 days, and a large portion of incoming individuals utilize Medicare for brief rehabilitative stays.

24-hour skilled nursing coverage, transitional rehabilitation for recovery periods, and short-term respite options are offered. Accepting various payment models like Medicaid, Medicare, and private funds helps ease the financial burden for families organizing long-term arrangements. For those exploring the area, its Walk Score of 46 indicates a car-dependent to somewhat walkable location, where a few local amenities are within walking distance, but driving remains standard.

For households in the local area seeking a trustworthy environment with a flawless serious-deficiency record, Trenton Health and Rehabilitation Center is a highly viable option. Its strong CMS metrics also provide peace of mind to relatives managing the transition process. Since the average stay spans four months and diverse insurance types are welcome, the community successfully bridges the gap between brief post-hospital recovery and extended care for older adults.

Overview of Life Care Center of Gray

Life Care Center of Gray is a 133-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility administered by Ashley Lee in Gray, Tennessee, owned by Gray Medical Investors, LLC. Situated in Washington County and operating since 1992, the facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
CMS rates Life Care Center of Gray 1 star, 67 percent below the Tennessee average, driven primarily by a health inspection rating 66 percent below the state benchmark. 4 critical abuse, neglect, and exploitation citations were issued in April 2024, all subsequently corrected, along with a $10,000 civil money penalty. 6 of the facility’s 16 total health citations since 2018 resulted from complaint investigations. The 4 critical citations recorded within eight years are 264 percent above the Tennessee average of 1.1, the most consequential data point in the inspection record. The CMS staffing rating runs 22 percent above the Tennessee average, though CNA hours at 1 hour and 39 minutes per resident per day are 23 percent below the state benchmark, and weekend total nursing at 2 hours and 32 minutes per day is 24 percent below the Tennessee average. Long-stay quality measures are rated above average. Hospitalizations run at 1.40 per 1,000 resident days, 11 percent better than the Tennessee average of 1.58, and ED visits at 1.12 per 1,000 days are 29 percent better than the state figure. Pressure ulcer rates at 3.0 percent are 46 percent below the Tennessee average. Short-stay falls with major injury at 2.6 percent are 242 percent worse than the state average of 0.8 percent, and the community return rate of 35.7 percent is 29 percent below the Tennessee benchmark of 50.6 percent, limiting the facility’s fit for residents aiming for post-acute rehabilitation with discharge home.
Amenities feature an Alzheimer’s and dementia care program, a Community Re-Entry Program, landscaped grounds and courtyards, and a fine dining program.
Life Care Center of Gray may suit families in Washington County seeking long-term skilled nursing care, where the long-stay clinical outcomes are more favorable. The 2024 abuse and neglect findings and the 1-star overall rating warrant discussion with facility leadership before placement. Families should ask specifically about the April 2024 findings, the corrective actions taken, and current oversight practices before deciding.

Renaissance Terrace has been part of Knoxville’s senior care landscape for 55 years now, a long run by any standard in this field. The 50-bed nursing home sits on Bearden Pl in a genuinely walkable stretch of the city. A Walk Score of 74 means most errands, a pharmacy trip, a coffee, whatever, don’t require a car at all.

Beyond nursing home care, Renaissance Terrace also covers assisted living, independent living, and memory care, so the building serves a fairly wide range of needs under one roof. It’s a mid-rise with private rooms, which matters if privacy is high on your list. The resident mix here leans toward both ends of the care spectrum: short-term rehab stays after a hospital visit, and long-term residents settling in for the long haul. The average length of stay runs 462 days, well past a year, which tells you long-term care is doing a lot of the work here.

On staffing, nurse aides provide the bulk of hands-on care, clocking in at 2 hours and 7 minutes per resident each day. Add in RN and LPN time, and total nursing care lands around 2 hours and 49 minutes per resident per day. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted, which opens up more than one path for families figuring out how to pay for this.

Pets are welcome here, and residents have access to transportation services and a fitness and recreation program, both useful in a location that’s otherwise easy to get around on foot anyway. Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service runs the building, with Katelyn Bray as administrator and Tim Howell as CEO. Taken together, the decades of operation, the long average stay, and the four-care-type range point to a facility built for residents who need somewhere stable to land, not just pass through.

Experience care and assistance like no other with the extraordinary senior living community of Holston Health and Rehabilitation Center in Boyd’s Bridge Pike, Knoxville, TN, offering a wide range of care options including continuing care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, respite care, and hospice. The community takes pride in a team of compassionate and highly skilled professionals attending to seniors’ unique needs and aspirations around the clock. Featuring physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Holston Health and Rehabilitation Center works hard to enhance seniors’ well-being day by day.

Alongside specialized programs such as IV therapy, wound care, podiatry care, pain management, diabetes management, and psychological services, the community fosters a lively and inviting environment to ensure seniors are comfortable and well-cared for. Meals are meticulously prepared and approved by dietitians to meet dietary needs and preferences. Holston Health and Rehabilitation Center is a good place to find all the care you need with its exceptional services and extensive amenities.

Overview of Weakley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Weakley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a nursing home in Dresden, Tennessee, offering nursing services, rehabilitation, and respite care. Operating since July 1, 1992, this community is licensed with 136 beds, making it one of the larger clinical settings in the region. This grander scale also allows for a diverse assortment of shared comforts, specialized clinical pathways, and structured therapeutic schedules.

Oversight is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Health Care Facilities, which completed its latest review on June 28, 2024. On clinical success measures, outcomes diverge based on length of stay. For permanent residents, the data is exceptionally robust, with hospital transfers trending at 0.78 per 1,000 resident days, which beats the Tennessee baseline of 1.58 by 44%, while emergency room visits run 36% below the state average. These metrics signal strong management of complex chronic conditions.

For short-stay rehabilitation guests, re-hospitalization frequencies are at 11.7%, and emergency room transfers at 6.5% also dramatically outpace state benchmarks by 47% and 42%, respectively. However, scores regarding major-injury falls, self-care independence at discharge, and successful neighborhood integration trail state medians and warrant close evaluation. Personnel records show that licensed practical nurse hours are 18% above the state average at 1 hour and 17 minutes daily, while weekend registered nurse coverage beats the baseline by 8%. Total nursing hours and standard registered nurse contact remain close to the state average, though physical therapist hours trail the state average.

Confirmed treatments include physical, occupational, and speech therapy provided daily, weekends included. Short-term rehabilitation, respite stays, advanced wound care, on-site laboratory and X-ray diagnostics, local physician rounds, an internal psychologist, and dedicated pain management are also available. Additionally, it operates as a veteran-contracted setting to accommodate eligible service members. Social comforts feature gourmet dining, an on-site beauty salon, updated lounges, outdoor courtyards, weekly group excursions, religious services, and regular entertainment.

Weakley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is best suited for older adults requiring ongoing long-term supervision and those with chronic illnesses who value steady medical oversight.

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 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.