VA Benefits for Memory Care in Tennessee

Secure Memory Care Units

Facilities providing dementia care must operate dedicated secure units designed to protect residents who may wander or become disoriented.

• Memory care must be provided within a secure unit inside the facility.
• The unit must prevent residents from exiting freely while still complying with fire and life safety codes.
• Secure units must be clearly separated from other areas of the facility.
• Emergency exits must remain accessible to comply with life safety regulations.

Admission and Resident Assessment Requirements

Before a resident moves into a Tennessee memory care unit, facilities must conduct evaluations to determine whether they can safely provide the appropriate level of care.

• Prospective residents must undergo an interdisciplinary assessment before admission.
• The assessment team must include a physician, registered nurse, and a family member.
• For Assisted-Care Living Facilities, a written resident assessment must be completed within 72 hours after admission.
• Facilities must review each resident’s condition on a quarterly basis.

Residential Homes for the Aged (RHA) Requirements

Residential Homes for the Aged that provide dementia care follow similar admission and evaluation procedures, but they have slightly different interdisciplinary team requirements.

• The interdisciplinary team must include a physician experienced in dementia treatment.
• The team must also include a social worker, registered nurse, and family member or patient advocate.
• Residents must be reassessed every quarter to ensure the facility can continue to meet their care needs.
• RHAs may admit only individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.

Staffing and Dementia Training Requirements

Tennessee does not require a fixed staff-to-resident ratio for memory care units, but facilities must maintain adequate staffing levels to supervise residents and provide necessary services.

• At least one staff member must always be awake and physically present in the memory care unit.
• Employees are not required to have dementia-specific training before being hired.
• However, staff must complete annual in-service dementia training.
• Training topics must include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia basics, behavior management, safety risks, ADL assistance, and communication with families.

Inspections and Complaint Investigations

Tennessee regulators conduct regular inspections to ensure facilities remain compliant with state health and safety requirements.

• Assisted-Care Living Facilities are inspected within 15 months of the previous inspection.
• Inspections are conducted without prior notice.
• If violations are discovered, the Department issues a Plan of Correction (PoC).
• The facility must submit the PoC within 10 days explaining how deficiencies will be corrected.
• Complaints filed with the Division of Health Care Facilities trigger investigations using the same inspection process.

Tennessee does not publish detailed inspection reports online, but the Department of Health provides a search tool showing a facility’s license status and any disciplinary actions.