Nashville at a Glance
Nashville Nursing Home Market Overview
Critical Market Constraint
Nashville has only 12 nursing homes—the smallest market among major U.S. metros. With zero five-star facilities and rapid population growth, families must expand their search to surrounding areas.
Recommendation: Include Brentwood, Franklin, and Murfreesboro in your search to access more high-quality options.
Nashville is one of America's fastest-growing cities, but its nursing home infrastructure hasn't kept pace. With only 12 facilities serving the entire Metro Nashville area, families face significant challenges finding quality care—particularly five-star options, which don't exist here.
The good news: Nashville has zero one-star facilities, meaning you won't encounter the bottom-tier quality problems seen in cities like Chicago or Los Angeles. The challenge is the lack of exceptional options at the top end.
Market Characteristics
- •Limited Supply: Only 12 facilities for a metro area of 2+ million people
- •No Five-Star Options: Zero facilities have achieved the highest CMS rating
- •3 Four-Star Facilities: West Meade Place, Woodcrest at Blakeford, NHC Place at the Trace
- •Growing Demand: Nashville's population boom means increasing competition for beds
- •World-Class Healthcare: Vanderbilt, St. Thomas, TriStar provide excellent hospital infrastructure
Nashville Nursing Home Costs (2025)
Cost Comparison
Competitive Pricing
Nashville's $300/day average is slightly below the national median ($305/day), saving families about $1,825 annually compared to the national average. However, costs match the Tennessee state average.
Financial Planning Strategies
1. TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid)
Tennessee's Medicaid program covers nursing home care for eligible residents. Income limit is approximately $2,829/month for individuals (2025). TennCare provides critical access given Nashville's limited market.
2. Long-Term Care Insurance
With Nashville's limited supply, having long-term care insurance can provide flexibility to secure a bed at one of the three four-star facilities before they fill up.
3. Veterans Benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits up to $2,431/month (2025), covering 66-80% of Nashville nursing home costs. Tennessee Veterans Home in Murfreesboro provides additional options.
4. Spend-Down Planning
Work with a Tennessee elder law attorney to structure assets for TennCare eligibility while protecting savings. This is especially important given limited bed availability.
Nashville Quality Analysis
The Five-Star Gap
Nashville has zero five-star facilities—a significant gap for a major metro. While the 2.9-star average is respectable, families seeking the highest level of care must look to surrounding counties.
The absence of five-star facilities means Nashville lacks homes with exceptional RN staffing ratios, zero abuse violations, and top-tier health inspection scores.
Star Rating Distribution
What This Means
- ✓No Worst-Case Options: Zero one-star facilities means you can avoid the safety and quality problems common in larger cities
- ✓Small Selection at Top Tier: Only 3 four-star facilities (25%) means competition for beds will be intense
- ⚠Two-Thirds Below 4 Stars: 8 of 12 facilities (67%) have three stars or below
- ✗No Elite Options: Families seeking five-star care must look to surrounding areas like Williamson or Rutherford counties
Key Quality Indicators
Staffing Data
RN hours per resident per day
Review staffing data for individual facilities on Medicare.gov
Inspection Results
Health & safety citations
Our database shows zero major deficiency citations across Nashville facilities
Nashville's Top-Rated Nursing Homes
Critical Advice: With only 3 four-star facilities in Nashville, tour all three immediately. High demand and limited supply mean beds fill quickly in Music City's best homes.
West Meade Place
1000 St Luke Drive
Nashville's largest four-star facility with 120 beds, offering a comprehensive range of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in the West Meade neighborhood. Proximity to St. Thomas West Hospital provides excellent acute care access.
- • Largest four-star option with most bed availability
- • West Nashville location with easy freeway access
- • Close to St. Thomas West for hospital coordination
Woodcrest at Blakeford
11 Burton Hills Boulevard
Part of the Blakeford continuing care retirement community in the prestigious Green Hills area. Offers seamless transitions from independent living through skilled nursing care. Premium location with access to upscale dining and shopping.
- • Part of Blakeford CCRC for continuity of care
- • Green Hills location - Nashville's most upscale neighborhood
- • Mid-size facility (83 beds) balances personalization and resources
NHC Place at the Trace
8353 Highway 100
Part of the National HealthCare Corporation chain, located near the Natchez Trace Parkway in Bellevue. Offers scenic surroundings with access to nature trails and outdoor recreation areas. NHC's Tennessee roots provide local expertise.
- • Scenic Bellevue location near Natchez Trace
- • Part of Tennessee-based NHC chain with local knowledge
- • 90 beds - mid-size for personalized attention
Expand Your Search
Given Nashville's extremely limited market, strongly consider these nearby areas with more options:
- •Brentwood/Franklin (Williamson County): Affluent suburbs with multiple high-quality facilities, 15-20 minutes south
- •Murfreesboro (Rutherford County): Growing city 30 minutes southeast with more bed availability
- •Mt. Juliet/Lebanon (Wilson County): Eastern suburbs with newer facilities, 25-35 minutes
Nursing Homes by Nashville Neighborhood
With only 12 facilities, Nashville's nursing homes are spread thin across the metro. Here's what to expect by area:
West Nashville / West Meade
Home to West Meade Place (4 stars, 120 beds). This area offers easy access to I-40 and St. Thomas West Hospital. Primarily residential with a mix of established neighborhoods and newer developments.
Green Hills / Belle Meade
Woodcrest at Blakeford (4 stars, 83 beds) serves Nashville's most affluent area. Part of a continuing care retirement community with access to upscale amenities, fine dining, and the Green Hills shopping district.
Bellevue / West End
NHC Place at the Trace (4 stars, 90 beds) offers a scenic location near the Natchez Trace Parkway. More suburban feel with access to parks, Percy Priest Lake, and outdoor recreation.
East Nashville / Madison / Donelson
Limited options in East Nashville proper. Families in these areas should consider expanding their search to Mt. Juliet (Wilson County) or consider the commute to West Nashville's four-star facilities.
South Nashville / Antioch / Nolensville
Sparse options in South Nashville. Families should consider expanding to Williamson County (Brentwood, Franklin) which has significantly more high-quality facilities just 15-20 minutes from South Nashville neighborhoods.
TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) & Financial Assistance
TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, covers nursing home care for eligible residents. With Nashville's limited market and $109,584 annual costs, TennCare planning is critical for most families.
TennCare Eligibility (2025)
- Primary residence (up to $713,000 equity in 2025)
- One vehicle
- Personal belongings and household items
- Prepaid funeral/burial arrangements
Application Process
- 1.Gather Documentation
Income records, asset statements, medical records, proof of Tennessee residency, Social Security card
- 2.Apply Online or In-Person
Apply at TennCare.tn.gov or contact Tennessee Department of Human Services at 1-855-259-0701
- 3.Medical Assessment
Tennessee conducts a nursing facility level of care assessment to determine medical necessity
- 4.Facility Acceptance
Ensure the facility accepts TennCare before admission. Most Nashville facilities do, but confirm bed availability for TennCare patients
Spend-Down Planning
Most families don't naturally qualify for TennCare due to asset limits. Strategic planning can protect savings while achieving eligibility:
- • 5-Year Lookback: Tennessee reviews asset transfers made within 5 years before application
- • Qualified Income Trusts: Can help those with income above limits
- • Spousal Protections: Community spouse can keep significant assets and income
- • Elder Law Attorney: Critical for navigating Tennessee's Medicaid rules and avoiding penalties
Veterans Benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for additional assistance beyond TennCare:
How to Choose a Nashville Nursing Home
Nashville-Specific Strategy
With only 12 facilities and zero five-star options, Nashville families must adapt their selection process:
- 1.Tour All Three Four-Star Facilities: West Meade Place, Woodcrest at Blakeford, NHC Place at the Trace
- 2.Expand Your Geographic Search: Include Williamson County (Brentwood/Franklin) and Rutherford County (Murfreesboro)
- 3.Get on Waiting Lists Early: High-quality beds fill quickly with limited supply
- 4.Prioritize Specific Needs Over Star Ratings: With no five-star options, focus on specialized care (dementia, rehab, post-surgical) rather than chasing ratings
Essential Tour Questions
Staffing & Care Quality
- • What is the RN-to-resident ratio on each shift?
- • What's your nurse turnover rate? (Below 30% is excellent, above 60% is concerning)
- • How do you handle emergency situations? Hospital transfer protocols?
- • Do you have specialized dementia care units? Memory care training?
Bed Availability
- • What's your current occupancy rate?
- • How long is the typical waiting list for admission?
- • Do you accept TennCare? What percentage of residents are TennCare vs private pay?
- • Can I reserve a bed now for future admission?
Medical Coordination
- • Which hospitals do you work with? (Vanderbilt, St. Thomas, TriStar?)
- • Can residents keep their current physicians?
- • What rehabilitation services are available on-site?
- • How do you coordinate with specialists (cardiology, neurology, etc.)?
Red Flags to Watch For
- 🚩Facility won't let you tour unannounced: Quality facilities welcome drop-in visits
- 🚩Strong odors: Urine or fecal smells indicate inadequate care and cleaning
- 🚩Residents look unkempt: Poor grooming suggests staffing shortages
- 🚩Staff seems rushed or stressed: Indication of understaffing
- 🚩Can't provide staffing numbers: Transparency about staffing is critical
- 🚩Recent ownership changes: Check Medicare.gov for citation history during transitions
Find Nashville's Best Nursing Homes
Search all 12 Nashville facilities plus surrounding counties. Compare ratings, costs, and services.
Search Facilities NowAdditional Resources
Understanding Star Ratings
Learn what CMS star ratings mean and how to use them effectively
Staffing: The #1 Quality Predictor
Why RN hours and turnover rates matter more than anything else
Facility Tour Checklist
Essential questions and observations for your facility tours
More City Guides
Comprehensive guides for other major U.S. cities
Data Sources: This guide uses 2025 CMS Medicare data, Genworth Cost of Care Survey (2024), and Tennessee Department of Health licensing information. Star ratings and facility information reflect the most recent CMS data available.
Disclaimer: This guide provides educational information only and should not replace professional medical or legal advice. Facility ratings and costs change over time—always verify current information directly with facilities and on Medicare.gov before making decisions.