The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Morristown, TN for 2023
Established in the mid-1800s as a transportation hub, the city of Morristown is now home to nearly 30,000 residents. Adults aged 65 and over make up 16% of this population, and these seniors enjoy a low cost of living, warm climate, thriving arts culture and abundance of historical sites. Quality medical services are available through the Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System.
Many of the seniors in Morristown live in assisted living communities. In addition to room and board, these facilities offer regular assistance with activities of daily life, including housekeeping, laundry, bathing and grooming, medication reminders and even companionship. Assisted living communities are not for fully independent seniors or people who require a high level of round-the-clock care. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2020, the average price for assisted living facilities in Morristown is $3,435 per month.
This guide is designed to give seniors and families a more detailed picture of assisted living in Morristown. It includes cost comparisons with nearby cities and with different types of senior care. Links to free community resources are located near the end of the guide.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Morristown, TN
Dewitt Place
2131 Walters Drive, Morristown, TN, 37814
Regency Retirement Village – Morristown
739 E. 2nd North St, Morristown, TN, 37814
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is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Morristown
Assisted living communities in Tennessee are officially known as assisted care living facilities, and they are licensed and regulated by the Office of Health Care Facilities. The laws that affect these facilities are in Chapter 1200-08-25 of the Rules of Tennessee Department of Health.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Morristown
- The cost of living in Morristown is 18.3% lower than the national average. It’s 5.9% lower than the Tennessee average, making it one of the most affordable cities in the state. In particular interest to seniors in assisted living is the average cost of healthcare, which is 5.1% lower than the national average.
- Tennessee has friendly tax policies for seniors. There is no state income tax, meaning adults in assisted living get to keep more of their social security, pensions, investments and other forms of retirement income. Sales taxes, however, are relatively high. At one time, the Hall Income Tax affected income from bonds and dividends, but the tax was fully repealed in January 2021.
- Compared to the national and state averages, rates of violent and property crime are high in Morristown. To give families peace of mind, assisted living facilities in the area implement security features, including controlled access points, alarms and cameras. Families can contact assisted living facilities to discover what security options they have.
- Morristown has a relatively wet climate with warm summers and cool winters. While this region is known for its hot, humid summers, Morristown is slightly cooler due to its elevation in the Appalachian Mountains. During the winter, the city averages 10 inches of snow. Seniors here enjoy 205 days of sunshine per year.
- Several popular festivals are hosted in Morristown every year, including the Morristown Strawberry Festival, Morristown Craft Beer Festival, and Mountain Makins Festival. The city is also home to many historical sites. The Morristown Main Street Historic District preserves commercial buildings dating back more than 150 years.
Paying for Assisted Living in Morristown
The average cost of assisted living in Morristown is $3,435 per month, which is about $600 less expensive than the average cost for Tennessee. It’s nearly $900 less than the average cost of assisted living in the United States.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
In the rest of eastern Tennessee, assisted living costs are higher than in Morristown. Johnson City has an average cost of $3,750 per month, and Kingsport runs $4,200 per month. In Knoxville, assisted living costs nearly $500 more. While Morristown is the least expensive city in Tennessee for assisted living, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, costs are lower in nearby Asheville, North Carolina, at $2,750 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
The only type of senior care in Morristown that’s less expensive than assisted living is adult day health care at $1,679 per month. This provides weekday support, typically 9 to 5. Seniors who are able to stay in their own homes can use homemaker services or home health aides, which both cost $4,195 per month. Nursing homes provide the highest level of care, and they cost $6,844 per month for a semiprivate room and $7,148 for a private room.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Morristown
The TennCare CHOICES program, part of the Tennessee Medicaid program, can help qualified seniors pay for the cost of assisted living in Morristown. Seniors must already be on Medicaid to qualify.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Tennessee page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Tennessee page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Morristown
Morristown seniors who need help in or outside an assisted living facility may find the following resources useful. These public and private programs often work with local businesses to deliver the assistance that many seniors need.
Resource
Contact
Service
(877) 236-0013
Seniors in Morristown can turn to the state's long-term care ombudsman program when they're facing neglect, exploitation or other forms of abuse in an assisted living facility. Caregivers, doctors, friends and family are also encouraged to report abuse if the facility or local enforcement agency won't solve the issue. The ombudsman program keeps the information gathered in resident reports confidential.
(866) 836-6678
Operated by the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHTA), the area agency on aging that serves Morristown ensures the funding of many local programs. These include legal services, case management, insurance counseling, health promotion and public guardianship. In addition to protecting the rights of older and delivering quality services, the AAAD promotes the interests of Morristown seniors at the local, state and federal government level.
(423) 586-6830
Veterans in Morristown can contact Hamblen County's Veterans Service Office to obtain benefits or resolve issues. Some veterans, or their surviving spouses, may be eligible for additional benefits. Aid & Attendance is an enhanced payment that provides additional money for beneficiaries who require help with daily activities, including support provided at assisted living facilities.
(423) 587-4850
A variety of legal issues impact the lives of seniors in Morristown, and Legal Aid of East Tennessee can provide free legal assistance to those who can't afford an attorney. To qualify for help, the aid recipient must be 60 or older and require assistance in certain legal topics: estate planning, public benefits, housing rights, financial exploitation or elder abuse. Legal Aid of East Tennessee offers legal help over the phone or at their offices in Morristown.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Morristown
Morristown-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Tennessee are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Tennessee page for more information about these laws.
