Home Care in Nashville, TN

Also known as Music City, Nashville is a mecca for country musicians, artists and creatives. The city is home to some of the nation’s most iconic cultural institutions, including the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and dozens of live music venues along Music Row. In addition to serving as the state capitol, Nashville is the seat of Davidson County. Of the County’s 694,144 residents, about 12.5% are seniors aged 65 and older.

If you’re a live music fan, you’ll love the clubs, halls and outdoor stages located throughout Nashville. The city is also known for its extensive network of public parks and recreation facilities including several golf courses where seniors enjoy discounted greens fees. As a senior aged 55 and older, you can participate in one of the many free and low-cost programs offered through the Metro Parks Senior Recreation Program.

Getting around Nashville is easy, thanks to the WeGo Public Transit system. WeGo operates a number of local and express routes throughout the city and the surrounding area, and as a senior, you qualify for half-price fares on all routes and passes. If you can’t use the regular fixed-route service due to disability, you can access door-to-door transit services through Access On Demand, the local paratransit program.

According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, you’ll find that home care in Nashville costs an average of $4,185 per month. Home health care, which also includes limited in-home medical care such as medication management, also costs around $4,185 per month.

The monthly averages listed in the Genworth survey are based on 44 hours of care per week. To estimate your home care costs, simply multiply the hourly average rate, $21.95, by the number of hours of care you expect you’ll need each month.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

In-home care rates in Nashville are slightly above the statewide average of $3,909 for home care, and $4,004 for home health care. In nearby Clarksville, seniors pay about $3,909 per month for either type of care, while in Memphis, home care and home health care costs average $3,813 per month. Rates are higher in Chattanooga, where both types of in-home care cost an average of $4,195 per month.

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

Senior Ride Nashville

What You Should Know
Senior Ride Nashville is a volunteer-based, nonprofit transportation service designed to help seniors remain active and independent. A network of screened volunteer drivers transport riders to destinations throughout Nashville and Davidson County. Trips need to be booked in advance, and each round trip can include up to two stops and last up to 3 hours. Riders who need a lengthier trip can make separate reservations to extend their outing.

As a membership-based program, riders need to pay an initial $49 enrollment fee, which includes their first four rides. Subsequent round-trip rides cost $6, and there is an ongoing annual membership fee of $25. If you’re unable to afford the fees, a subsidy may be available.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify as a Senior Ride Nashville member, you need to be a resident of Davidson County who’s at least 60 years old. You should also be in need of transportation services, and be able to transfer in and out of a regular passenger vehicle with little to no assistance.

How to Get Started
To apply to become a Senior Ride Nashville member, call (615) 610-4040.

Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency Accessibility Program

What You Should Know
The MDHA’s Accessibility Program provides funding to help low- and moderate-income homeowners complete the repairs and upgrades they need to make their home safe and accessible for those living with mobility limitations, hearing or vision loss, or other types of disabilities. Financial assistance is provided as a nonrepayable grant.

Eligible projects include replacement of nonfunctioning stoves and refrigerators; electrical, plumbing and structural repairs; and repairs related to lead and/or asbestos remediation. Also covered are the installation of wheelchair ramps, grab bars and visual smoke detectors, and the widening of doorways to accommodate essential mobility devices.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance through the Accessibility Program, you need to own and occupy your home in Nashville. You also need to meet the program’s income and asset limits and be aged 62 or older. If you’re a low-income homeowner under the age of 62, you might be eligible for the Accessibility Program if you have a permanent disability.

How to Get Started
For more information on the Accessibility Program, call the MDHA at (615) 252-8530.

FiftyForward Fresh

What You Should Know
Formerly known as Meals on Wheels, FiftyForward Fresh is a nutritional support program geared toward seniors aged 50 and older who struggle to prepare healthy, balanced meals. Each home-delivered meal costs $5, and subsidies are available for those who need financial assistance to pay for their meals.

Meals are delivered to program participants each weekday by trained volunteer drivers. Additional pantry items are also provided for use during inclement weather when deliveries are canceled, and special holiday meals are prepared for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for enrollment in the FiftyForward Fresh program, you need to be aged 50 or older, and have difficulty shopping for groceries and/or preparing your own meals. Once enrolled, you can also sign up for additional meals to enjoy on the weekends.

How to Get Started
For more information on FiftyForward Fresh call (615) 463-2264.

Davidson County Office of Veterans Services

What You Should Know
Veterans service officers with the Davidson County Office of Veterans Services help to ensure that all veterans and their families receive their maximum allowable entitlements through county, state and federal veterans’ programs.

VSO’s can help with VA benefits applications and appeals, including applications for the Aid and Attendance and Housebound enhanced pension programs, which provide funding that can be used to pay for home care costs.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance through the Office of Veterans Services, you need to be a veteran, survivor or dependent.

How to Get Started
To book an appointment with a veterans service officer, call (615) 862-6700.

FiftyForward Senior Centers

What You Should Know
Established in 1956, FiftyForward is a long-standing senior services organization that works to promote health, wellness and community engagement among adults aged 50 and older. The organization offers a number of seniors’ programs and services and operates seven senior centers, including three in Nashville.

FiftyForward centers offer a wide range of activities and programs for seniors, including fitness classes, arts and crafting workshops, organized day trips and congregate lunchtime meals. They also act as local resource centers for seniors who need information on long-term care services, financial aid programs and government benefits. Center membership costs $144 per year, and subsidies are available for low-income seniors.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify to become a FiftyForward member, you need to be an adult aged 50 or older who lives in Davidson or Williamson County.

How to Get Started
To learn more about membership at your local FiftyForward center, call (615) 743-3400.