Tennessee Long-Term Care
Everything Your Family Needs in One Place.
Navigating long-term care in Tennessee is complicated — Medicaid rules, care costs, and senior services all have their own language, and it's hard to know who to turn to or who you can trust. We've organized everything Tennessee families need into one free guide — including connections to vetted providers who can help ease the burden.
Built around your situation and Tennessee's specific programs and rules.
What Tennessee families need to know before making care decisions.
Long-term care in Tennessee operates through TennCare — the state's managed care Medicaid program — which provides nursing home, assisted living, and home-based services through the CHOICES program. With 95 counties and care options ranging from rural Appalachian communities to Nashville and Memphis metro areas, families face wide variation in cost and availability.
Every family's situation is different. Some are facing a decision right now. Others are planning ahead. Many are already caring for a loved one at home and wondering what help is available. Whatever your situation, knowing what Tennessee offers and what fits your family makes every decision clearer.
We've organized every Tennessee-specific resource, tool, and guide in one place so Tennessee families can stop searching and start planning. Everything here is free.
$9,429/mo
Nursing Home — Semi-Private
$2,982/mo
Medicaid Income Limit
135+
Senior Service Resources
What long-term care actually costs in Tennessee.
Tennessee's long-term care costs are slightly below national averages — assisted living averages $5,845/month (6% below the national average) and nursing home care averages $9,429/month (near the national average). Costs in Nashville and Memphis metro areas tend to run higher than rural East and West Tennessee.
Understanding the full range of care types — from adult day care (the most affordable option) to private-room nursing homes — helps families plan realistically. Most families use multiple types of care as needs change over time.
Use the calculator below to explore Tennessee care costs in detail and project how they'll grow over time with a 3% annual inflation rate.
$10,038/mo
$9,429/mo
$5,845/mo
$7,300/mo
Estimated (AL × 1.25)
$5,911/mo
$31/hr (nat'l avg: $35/hr)
$1,733/mo
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (updated March 2026)
Calculate Your Tennessee Costs
State-specific data · Inflation projection · Total estimate
Use the sliders below to adjust years, inflation, and projection period
Not sure how long you'll need care? Get full insights into when you may need care, what kind, and for how long — personalized to your health and finances.
Start Your Full Care Planning Assessment →Your Cost Estimate
Today's Monthly Cost
$10,038/mo
NH Private Room · Tennessee
Monthly Cost Today
$10,038/mo
3% inflation · 3 years of care
Don't rush to sell the home
Bridge loans, HELOCs, and reverse mortgages can fund care without selling.
Care costs rise 3–5% annually
Factor long-term inflation into all planning models.
Medicaid lookback is 5 years
Planning must begin well before care is needed to protect assets.
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (updated March 2026)
* AK NH Private Room: A Place For Mom. ADC — DE: Genworth; DC: PayingForSeniorCare; ID: MedicaidLongTermCare.org; SD: Genworth; VT: VT Adult Services Div.; WV: CareCostIndex.com.
Understanding costs is the first step. Next, let's explore how Tennessee Medicaid can help cover them — and what financial planning options are available.
Understanding Tennessee Medicaid long-term care coverage — and whether your family qualifies.
Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) is a managed care program administered by the Division of TennCare. Long-term care is provided through the CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports program, which uniquely includes an 'at risk' qualification category — allowing some individuals who don't yet meet nursing home level of care to receive waiver services.
Tennessee uses Miller Trusts (QITs) for applicants over the income cap and counts IRAs/401Ks as assets (they are not exempt). The state has a $70/month Personal Needs Allowance and allows up to $6,000 in irrevocable burial trusts. Tennessee did not expand Medicaid under the ACA. SSI recipients are automatically approved for Regular Medicaid.
Use the Medicaid tool below to check eligibility, understand Tennessee's specific rules, and explore planning strategies.
Income Limit — Single
$2,982/mo*
Income Limit — Married (one applying)
$2,982/mo (applicant)*
Asset Limit — Single
$2,000
Asset Limit — Married (one applying)
$2,000 (applicant) & $162,660 (non-applicant)
Look-Back Period
60 months (5 years)
Estate Recovery
Yes — Tennessee seeks reimbursement after death
Medicaid programs available in Tennessee
CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports Program
Assists nursing home qualified individuals and those 'at risk' of requiring this level of care in living at home, in a loved one's home, adult foster care, or assisted living. Benefits include adult day care, personal care, medical alert devices, transportation assistance, and more.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Combines Medicaid long-term care services and Medicare benefits into one program. Additional benefits like dental and eye care may be available.
Long-term care Medicaid guide
Eligibility · Caregiver pay · How to apply · 2026 data
Important: Rates vary — contact your state Medicaid office for current figures. This tool provides general guidance, not legal or financial advice.
Compare Medicaid Programs — Tennessee
How the main LTC programs available in Tennessee compare side by side.
| Program | Pay | Pay type | Tax-free? | Spouse OK? | Waitlist? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer-directed HCBS | $14–16/hr | Hourly wage | No | Usually no | Often |
| Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) | Not in Tennessee | Daily stipend | Yes | Usually no | Often |
| Personal Care Agreement | Market rate (from assets) | Private pay | No | Yes | No |
| VA Aid & Attendance | Up to $2,874/mo | Monthly pension | Yes | Yes | No |
Tennessee Medicaid programs
CHOICES Waiver
Sources: KFF (Jan 2026), medicaidplanningassistance.org (Feb 2026). Programs and rates change — verify with your state Medicaid office.
How Family Caregivers Get Paid Through Medicaid in Tennessee
If you're a family member providing care, you may be able to get paid through Medicaid — often at rates comparable to a home care agency.
Consumer-directed care — hourly pay
Available in TennesseeHow it works: The person receiving care becomes the "employer" — they hire you and a fiscal intermediary handles payroll, taxes, and paperwork on their behalf. You receive a paycheck just like a regular job.
How to apply: TennCare · tn.gov/tenncare
Personal Care Agreement — private pay from assets
Available to any familySources: KFF Medicaid Home Care Survey 2025 (Jan 2026), Careforth FAQ (Jan 2026), IRS Notice 2014-7.
How to Apply for Medicaid Long-Term Care in Tennessee
What to expect when applying for LTC Medicaid and getting family caregiver pay set up in Tennessee. The process typically takes 45–90 days from application to first paycheck.
Apply in Tennessee: TennCare · tn.gov/tenncare
Medicaid Eligibility Screener — Tennessee
Answer 7 quick questions — we'll check the financial and care requirements for Tennessee and explain what each one means.
What is the marital status of the person who needs care?
Medicaid looks at only the applicant's income and assets — but being married triggers special protections that let the healthy spouse keep significantly more money.
Sources
- CMS Medicaid — eligibility, HCBS waivers, and long-term services medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility
- CMS Medicaid — Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services
- Social Security Administration — SSI Federal Benefit Rate (2026 figures) ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- CMS — Spousal Impoverishment standards (CSRA & MMMNA) medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/spousal-impoverishment
- CMS — Estate Recovery and the 5-year lookback period medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/estate-recovery
- IRS Notice 2014-7 — Tax treatment of Medicaid caregiver payments irs.gov/individuals/certain-medicaid-waiver-payments-may-be-excludable-from-income
Educational guidance only — not legal or financial advice. Your state Medicaid office determines actual eligibility.
Medicaid figures: 2026 federal/state guidelines
Beyond Medicaid, Tennessee has a network of senior services and programs that can help your family. Let's explore what's available in your county.
Community services and aging programs available to Tennessee seniors — most families never find all of them.
Tennessee's 9 Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAADs) serve all 95 counties, coordinating free and low-cost community programs — home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, caregiver respite, legal aid, benefits counseling, and home safety modifications. Most families don't realize these services exist until a crisis hits.
Beyond AAADs, Tennessee funds programs through the Commission on Aging and Disability including the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), the Family Caregiver Program, and OPTIONS for Community Living. County-level availability varies — use the finder below to see what's near you.
Use the service finder to discover which programs serve your Tennessee county — or browse the full directory for statewide and local listings.
Home-Delivered Meals & Nutrition
Programs like Meals on Wheels and congregate dining at senior centers — available to Tennessee seniors through local Area Agencies on Aging.
Transportation & Mobility
Non-emergency medical transport, volunteer driver programs, and reduced-fare transit for Tennessee seniors who no longer drive.
Caregiver Support & Respite
Respite care, support groups, training, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program — helping Tennessee caregivers avoid burnout.
Benefits Counseling & Legal Aid
Free SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Medicare counseling, Medicaid application help, and legal assistance for elder law issues like guardianship and advance directives in Tennessee.
Select your county
This helps us find your local Area Agency on Aging
Links verified June 2026 · Always call to confirm current availability
In addition to government programs, Tennessee has a strong network of nonprofit organizations that can help — many offering free services most families never discover.
Nonprofit and community organizations helping Tennessee families — free help most families never find.
Tennessee has nonprofit organizations serving seniors — from the Alzheimer's Association Tennessee Chapter and Tennessee Justice Center to Legal Aid Society chapters and caregiver support organizations across the state.
Many Tennessee nonprofits offer free services including benefits counseling, caregiver training, support groups, and emergency assistance. Your zip code determines which organizations serve your area.
Use the nonprofit finder below to search for organizations that match your family's specific needs.
Disease-Specific Support
Nonprofit organizations focused on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, cancer, and other conditions that require long-term care. Tennessee chapters offer helplines, support groups, respite programs, and education to help families navigate diagnosis and care planning.
Legal Aid for Seniors
Free legal assistance with Medicaid applications, advance directives, power of attorney, guardianship, and elder abuse cases through Tennessee's legal aid societies.
Caregiver & Family Support
Nonprofit organizations providing caregiver training, respite coordination, support groups, and counseling for Tennessee families — because caregivers need care too.
Community Action & Emergency Aid
Community action agencies and charitable organizations offering emergency financial assistance, utility help, food pantries, and crisis intervention for Tennessee seniors.
Who needs help?
This helps us personalize your results
Don't hesitate to contact multiple organizations — many have overlapping services and can refer you to others. Every conversation gets you closer to the help your family needs.
Additional resources every Tennessee family should know about.
Medicare, Veterans benefits, caregiver compensation programs, and financial planning tools are available to every Tennessee family — and understanding them early can save thousands in long-term care costs.
Finding the right people to help your Tennessee family.
When it matters most, nothing replaces someone who truly understands your family. Care Connections will match your Tennessee family with vetted local professionals based on your zip code and your specific situation. No cold calls. No pressure. Just the right introduction at the right time.
Tell us what your family needs and we'll notify you the moment Care Connections is available in your Tennessee county.
Helps us match you with professionals in your county
We'll notify you when Care Connections is available
No spam. Just a heads up when it's ready for your area.
You've seen what Tennessee has to offer. Now see how it all fits your family's specific situation.
Every section above gives you one piece of your Tennessee picture — what care costs near you, whether Medicaid might help, what senior services and nonprofits are available, and what other programs your family might qualify for.
But each piece only tells part of the story.
The free personalized care snapshot puts all the pieces together — your health situation, your financial picture, your timeline, and the Tennessee-specific options available to your family. It takes about 8 questions and 1 minute.
Most families who complete the snapshot tell us it's the first time they've felt like they actually understood their situation. That's what it's designed to do.
Who needs help?
Tell us who you're planning care for.
The next questions will be about whoever you choose above — answer for them, not yourself (unless this is for you).
Everything your Tennessee family needs — in one place.
Free tools, Tennessee-specific resources, a personalized care snapshot, and connections to the right people. All organized for Tennessee families. All completely free.
Built around your situation and Tennessee's specific programs and rules.
Long-term care resources for neighboring states
Last updated: March 2026