Caring.com
Caring.com

(800) 558-0653

The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Oak Ridge, TN for 2024

Locals and history buffs refer to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as the Secret City, a nickname that refers to the area’s role in developing nuclear weapons during World War II. In addition to its significance as a tech center in the eastern part of the state, Oak Ridge is also a neighbor of one of the largest metro areas in the state, Knoxville. This bedroom community has a population of just 31,000, but 19% are seniors 65 and older, indicating that many retirees may find Oak Ridge a desirable location.

Assisted living communities are group homes staffed by professional caretakers around the clock to help those whose ability to care for themselves is limited. These homes also provide meals and light medical care, as well as amenities that include group events, swimming pools, fitness centers and private grounds. In Oak Ridge, assisted living fees average $3,900 per month.

This guide covers costs for elder care in Oak Ridge and provides a brief list of resources in the community for seniors and their families. It also examines some of the benefits and drawbacks of living in Oak Ridge.

What you can do with Caring

  • Search the Caring database

    Quickly search the largest online senior living and senior care directory

  • Read reviews and expert guidance

    Read our authentic consumer reviews and content by experts

  • Speak to a Family Advisor for free

    Guided, expert advice to find the best community or agency for you

  • Take a tour to decide yourself

    We’ll help you book tours or get in touch with local agencies

Assisted Living Facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

25 Results


Pets AllowedPhysical TherapyPool / Hot TubVeterans Benefits

Filters

25 Results

Sort By

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Caring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.

Call us at (855) 948-3865

1

2

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Oak Ridge

In Oak Ridge, as in all of Tennessee, assisted living communities are licensed and regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities. Regulations cover cleanliness, livability standards and staff training. In order for assisted living facilities to keep their license to operate, they must pass inspections and all staff members must have proper certifications.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Oak Ridge

  • There is no state income tax in Tennessee, which can benefit seniors on a fixed income. In addition, retirement withdrawals are taxed at a low rate, as is Social Security income. Tennessee property taxes are low, although sales taxes are nearly 10%. 
  • Budget-conscious seniors may also appreciate the low cost of living in Oak Ridge, which, at 82.9, is nearly 20 points lower than the national median of 100. 
  • As a suburb of Knoxville, Oak Ridge shares the city’s designation as one of AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Cities. AARP’s list highlights cities with plenty of resources for seniors and accessibility for the elderly. 
  • The annual BestPlaces Comfort Index for Oak Ridge is 7.3/10, about average for a Tennessee city. Winters here are relatively mild, with January low temperatures of 28 degrees and about 6 inches of snow each year. Summers are long, warm and humid, with July high temperatures of 89 degrees and 208 days of sunshine. There’s plenty of rainfall, too — 53 inches each year compared to the U.S. average of 38 inches. 
  • Seniors in Oak Ridge have plenty of choices for health care, with more doctors per 100,000 than the national average — 218 compared to 210. Oak Ridge is home to several comprehensive health care centers, including Methodist Medical Center and the Family Clinic of Oak Ridge
  • Air quality and water quality in Oak Ridge are close to national averages. The water quality rates 56/100 compared to 55/100, while Oak Ridge’s air quality is 55/100 compared to 58/100 for the nation overall. 
  • Violent crime rates in Oak Ridge are a little higher than the national average — 23.0 compared to 22.7. Property crimes, however, are lower than in the U.S. overall — 28.9 compared to 35.4.

Paying for Assisted Living in Oak Ridge

According to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2020, average monthly fees for assisted living in Oak Ridge are $3,900, roughly $100 less than the Tennessee average and $400 less than in the U.S. overall.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Oak Ridge falls in the middle when compared to nearby cities. Kingsport and Clarksville, both comparable in size, are a few hundred dollars more, while Morristown is considerably lower at $3,435 per month. Nashville, the state capital, averages $3,720. 

Oak Ridge

$3,900

Tennessee

$4,039

The United States

$4,300

Kingsport

$4,200

Clarksville

$4,190

Morristown

$3,435

Nashville

$3,720

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living isn’t the only option for senior care in Oak Ridge. Seniors who need significant medical care may be better served by nursing home accommodations. A semiprivate room averages $7,148, while a private one runs about $7,528. Adult day care, averaging $1,538 per month, offers many of the same services as assisted living, but does not include evening and overnight care. For seniors who choose to age in place at home, a homemaker service or home health care aide can help them preserve their independence; these services average $3,813 and $4,004, respectively.

Homemaker Services

$3,813

Home Health Aide

$4,004

Adult Day Health Care

$1,538

Assisted Living Facility

$3,900

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$7,148

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

$7,528

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Oak Ridge

The TennCare CHOICES program, part of the Tennessee Medicaid program, can help qualified seniors pay for the cost of assisted living in Oak Ridge. Seniors must already be on Medicaid to qualify.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Tennessee page.

Financial Assistance in Tennessee

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 Oak Ridge

Seniors can take advantage of many resources in the Oak Ridge area, including ones that can help them find the right fit for assisted living and provide ways to pay for health care. Many of these organizations offer services free of charge for the elderly.

ResourceContactService
Tennessee Office of the Long Term Care OmbudsmanRepresentatives of this office advocate for the interests of residents of assisted living and other long-term care communities. They investigate complaints filed by residents or by families of residents. Ombudsmen also help seniors and families find the right assisted living community for their needs, offering unbiased assessments of each one and helping with the application process. The organization also advocates for resident rights and quality of care in these communities.
Anderson County Veterans Office(865) 463-6803Military veterans and their surviving spouses may receive assistance filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and appealing decisions this agency makes. The Veterans Office also provides transportation to the local VA Clinic and hosts support group meetings on-site. Veterans may also receive help applying for the Aid & Attendance benefit, which can help pay for assisted living costs.
Anderson County Office on Aging Services(865) 457-5400The Anderson County Office on Aging administers several programs intended to enhance the lives of the elderly. Agents of the organization can help seniors apply for benefits they're eligible for, including health care and Social Security. Other services include health screenings and nutritional assistance and providing for those who need essential items such as glasses, cell phones, hearing aids and housing.
Oak Ridge Senior Center(865) 425-3999Seniors can gather at the Oak Ridge Senior Center to play games, attend gentle fitness classes, or find a hobby group to explore a new interest. The Center is open to all residents 50 years of age or older and hosts weekday luncheons and special events.
Oak Ridge Transit | ETHRA Public Transit(865) 482-2785The ETHRA is a door-to-door public transit service for anyone who requires assistance. These shuttles operate from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Handicapped accommodations are available. Reservations are required for shuttle service.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge-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.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Tennessee

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Gerald

I visited this facility

Review of Alexander Guest House

At Alexander Guest House, the memory care was segregated from the rest of the place. The outside architecture was quite nice except the memory care part was more like a simple concrete box. The...

Read more

Assisted Living

Maggie

I am/was a resident of this facility

Review of The Groves at Oak Ridge

Before I moved to Tennessee my son and daughter-in-law visited several facilities on my behalf. We decided on The Groves in Oak Ridge and I moved into a studio apt a week ago. So far I am very...

Read more

Assisted Living

Kim

I visited this facility

Review of The Groves at Oak Ridge

Mom and I were very impressed with the updates they've made at The Groves at Oak Ridge. They have made some major good improvements. I liked their calendar each week. It has all these activities....

Read more

Helpful Articles

Assisted Living near Oak Ridge, TN

CordovaPowellLenoir CityKingstonLoudonKnoxville

Other Options in Oak Ridge, TN

Business Owners

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Our Services

  • Senior Living Directory

  • Senior Care Directory

  • Caregiving Resources

  • Sitemap

  • Terms of Use

  • Privacy Policy


© 2024 Caring, LLC. All rights reserved.