The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Sullivan County, TN for 2024

Tucked into the northeastern corner of Tennessee at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sullivan County is home to nearly 160,000 people, 21 percent of whom are at least 65 years old. The county has four memory care facilities to serve its residents who have Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

In Sullivan County and all of Tennessee, memory care facilities are licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health and are classified as assisted care living facilities or as residential homes for the aged.

• Sullivan County has a four-season climate. Because of its mountainous location, it is colder than most places in Tennessee. Summer highs average 85 degrees Fahrenheit, winter lows average 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and the county gets almost a foot of snow per year on average. Memory care residents and their families who enjoy changes in scenery and weather should enjoy Sullivan County.
  
• With a cost of living 13 percent below the national average, Sullivan County is one of the most affordable areas in Tennessee. Housing, transportation and groceries all cost substantially less in Sullivan County than in a typical U.S. city, which may be important to family members considering moving or buying a second home to be near their loved one in memory care.
  
• Retirees in Tennessee pay no tax on their Social Security benefits, 401(k)s, pensions or any other form of retirement income. The state's friendly tax laws toward retirees result in memory care residents having more money to spend on quality care. Family members visiting the area may be surprised by the sales taxes, though, which rank among the nation's highest.
  
• Sullivan County's crime rate comes in just higher than the national average. Its violent crime index is 39 out of 100, compared to an average of 31. Memory care residents and their families shouldn't worry too much about safety in Sullivan County, especially when they consider that assisted care living facilities and residential homes for the aged usually come equipped with a long list of security features.

Memory Care costs in Sullivan County start around $4,951 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Sullivan County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Tennessee page.

Sullivan County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Tennessee are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Tennessee page for more information about these laws.