Assisted Living in Knoxville, TN

Assisted Living Costs in Knoxville

The Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey indicates that Knoxville’s average monthly cost of assisted living is just above the national average of $4,000. When compared with Tennessee’s state average, Knoxville’s cost is just over $100 more. Several cities throughout the state are far less expensive than Knoxville. For example, in Chattanooga, assisted living is about $1,000 less per month while in Morristown, the cost is about $800 less. The Nashville area has the most expensive assisted living costs in the state at $4,500 per month, which is about $500 more than in Knoxville.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

In Knoxville, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $4,033 per month, which is about $3,000 less than nursing home care and about $450 more than home care services. These cost variations are common throughout most cities in the United States and reflect how the type of care affects the overall price. 

For seniors considering homemaker services or a home health aide instead of assisted living, several other items should be considered, including expenses such as rent, groceries and utilities, which are usually factored into the cost of assisted living. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Knoxville

Medicaid in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the state Medicaid plan is known officially as TennCare. It provides health care to low-income residents of the state including children and their families, Supplemental Security Income recipients and senior citizens. Some of the services paid for by the standard state plan include medical care, dental care, prescription medications and nursing home care. 

To qualify for TennCare as a senior citizen, applicants must be 65 years of age or older and their income may not exceed $771 per month when single. Married couples may not have an income that exceeds $1,157 per month. The asset limit for single applicants is $2,000, and for married couples, it’s $3,000. Exempt assets include the applicant’s house, household furnishings and one vehicle.

Seniors can apply for TennCare online or by calling (855) 259-0701. 

TennCare CHOICES

CHOICES provides senior citizens and disabled adults with access to nursing care and home and community-based services. Its purpose is to help those who need a nursing level of care delay a move into a nursing home by providing the services they require within their home or in an assisted living community. Some of the services provided by CHOICES include nursing care, personal care, assisted living services and transportation.

To qualify, applicants must require assistance with at least two activities of daily living. They also must be either 65 years of age or legally disabled. Financially, applicants are restricted to an income of no more than $2,313 per month. Asset limits are the same as for TennCare. 

Seniors can apply for CHOICES by calling (866) 836-6678. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

OPTIONS for Community Living

OPTIONS for Community Living is a state-funded program that provides seniors and disabled persons with home and community-based services such as personal care and assisted living services. It’s administered by the Area Agency on Aging. 

To qualify for OPTIONS, seniors must require daily assistance with ADLs and be aged 65 or older. There are no financial restrictions for applicants of this program, but fees are charged on a sliding scale based on the participant’s income. 

To apply for OPTIONS, seniors can call (866) 836-6678. 

Elderlife Bridge Loan

Seniors who require immediate cash to help pay for the cost of assisted living can contact Elderlife Financial Services to apply for a bridge loan. Upon loan approval, Elderlife Financial sends funds directly to the senior’s assisted living facility to pay for the cost of care. Seniors repay the loan in monthly installments. 

Eligibility for an Elderlife bridge loan is dependent upon the senior’s income and credit history. For seniors who may not meet these requirements, Elderlife permits applicants to include up to six cosigners, which can help improve the chances of approval and reduce monthly payments. 

To learn more or to start the application process, seniors can contact Elderlife at (888) 228-4500. 

Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit

The Aid and Attendance benefit helps veterans and their spouses pay for the cost of long-term care when they require assistance with ADLs. It may cover the cost of care received at home, in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home. This is a cash benefit that’s added to the recipient’s pension. 

To be eligible for this benefit, the applicant must be a U.S. veteran or spouse and fall under one of the following categories: 

• Have corrected eyesight in both eyes; vision must be 5/200 or worse 
• Require assistance with ADLs
• Be bedridden due to a chronic illness or disability 
• Reside in a nursing facility
• Live with a concentric contraction to five or fewer degrees of their visual field

This program is not available to veterans who already receive VA disability benefits. 

For more information or assistance with the application, seniors can call the Veterans Affairs Department at (865) 594-6158. To apply, seniors living in Tennessee can write or fax the Milwaukee Pension Center at: 

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention:  Milwaukee Pension Center
P. O. Box 5192 Janesville, WI 53547-5192
Fax: (844) 655-1604

Assisted Living Resources in Knoxville

Senior Centers in Knoxville

Senior centers in Knoxville are open to residents aged 50 and older. They provide seniors with a variety of activities and programs, including computer classes, daily lunches and physical fitness classes. 

John T. O’Connor Senior Citizens Center
611 Winona Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 523-1135

Larry Cox Senior Center
3109 Ocoee Trail, Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 546-1700

Veterans Services

Veterans living in Knoxville may be eligible for free health care services at the Knoxville VA Medical Center. They can apply for other benefits and services available to veterans, including financial assistance, at one of the city’s Veterans Affairs offices. 

Knoxville VA Medical Center
8033 Ray Mears Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 545-4592

Veterans Affairs Department
9047 Executive Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 594-6158

Knox County Veterans Services
1000 North Central Street #6, Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 215-5645

Aging Services

A variety of agencies in Knoxville work to protect the best interests of the city’s senior population. These agencies provide services such as benefits assistance and nutritional counseling. 

Community Action Committee
2247 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37950-1650
(865) 546-3500

Office on Aging
2247 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37950-1650
(865) 524-2786