Senior Living Apartments in Nashville, TN

Senior apartments in Nashville do not provide services like meals or personal care; therefore, they fall under the category of general housing rather than senior care communities. Long-term health care insurance doesn’t help pay for costs like rent in the same way that it does for other communities that provide health care.

In Nashville, most residents of senior apartments rely on personal funds to cover their housing expenses, but various housing assistance programs, and veterans and disability benefits, can help offset the costs of living for low-income seniors. If seniors ever need medically essential in-home health care within their apartment, it may be covered by Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, or other long-term care insurance programs.

Senior apartments in Nashville don’t require a specific license. However, general building and housing regulations, like compliance with municipal building requirements, safety standards, and fair housing legislation, still apply.

Senior apartment complexes must follow the Fair Housing Act and Tennessee Human Rights Act to ensure seniors with disabilities have access to housing. Landlords must provide reasonable accommodations to renters with impairments, like allowing service dogs and emotional support animals (ESA). However, landlords are permitted to request an ESA letter.

In Nashville, it is mandatory for all senior apartments to follow the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well. Landlords and residents are prohibited from engaging in any form of discrimination or housing denial solely based on an individual’s disability.

Nashville rental properties undergo inspections by Nashville’s Metro Codes Department to ensure they’re up to the safety, health, and habitability standards of the Metro Code of Ordinances. Inspection reports can be accessed online by making a public records request or by contacting the department directly.

To apply for a senior apartment, you’ll likely need to submit a rental application with personal and contact details, income proof, and references. Senior apartments usually have age limits of 55 or 62 years and above, so it’s important to check the specific complex’s age requirements. For more information on renting, the Tennessee Department of Health Provides a Healthy Homes Renter’s Guide.

Tennessee Department of Health contact information 

Tennessee Department of Health

710 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243

Phone: 615-741-3111

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Nashville senior apartments communities

In Nashville, Tennessee, no specific COVID-19 requirements apply to senior apartments. However, the city does provide some general information about the virus and its prevention to its residents. Some of the apartments may have their own guidelines, but here are some best practices to follow:

Nashville’s genuine Southern warmth and storied cultural heritage make it ideal for the retiring senior. Nashville offers various senior apartment options, catering to people of all ages, origins, and hobbies. A wide range of senior apartment alternatives exist, from budget layouts to luxurious living designed specifically for elders. Most senior residences have an age limit of 62, although others fall as low as 55. Senior residences in Nashville can offer you the perfect retirement.

Accessible and friendly apartments

Senior apartments in Nashville offer low-maintenance living for independent seniors. They have accessibility features like elevators, broad doorways, and wheelchair-accessible rooms. In many senior apartment complexes, there is on-site maintenance, so you don’t need to worry about unexpected issues since help is nearby.

Endless activities for seniors

Nashville senior apartments offer tailored programs and services for seniors, including senior centers, recreational activities, and on-site social activities. Various facilities provide state-of-the-art fitness centers, wellness programs, planned social activities, and support groups for older individuals.

Comfortable living

Nashville’s beautiful weather makes it the perfect place to settle down. Fortunately, many senior apartment communities have all the amenities to make life comfortable. From resort-style pools and community gardens to outside patios perfect for barbecuing, comfort is key. Other amenities can include finger-lickin’ Southern breakfast and coffee concierge services for a taste of luxury in some communities.

Health care for seniors in Nashville

Transportation for seniors in Nashville

For the most part, getting around in Nashville will require a car. Despite the high reliance on cars, Nashville features several walkable neighborhoods. While the city’s overall Walk Score may vary depending on the specific neighborhood, East End, Downtown, and Cameron Trimble are the easiest parts of Nashville to get around on foot.

Given that Walk Score runs between 0 and 100 to assess any city’s walkability, the overall walk score for Nashville is 29, and its transit score is 22.^[07] The surrounding suburbs around the city center are rated as far less walkable, and very little public transportation is available.

WeGo Public Transit in Nashville has 34 bus lines and a train route from Lebanon. Seniors and disabled individuals get a discounted fare of 85 cents but need to show a driver’s license, Medicare, and a Seniors-MTA Golden Age card for the discount. The discount card application can be completed online.

Disabled passengers who can’t use WeGo can get door-to-door van transportation with WeGo Access Program. It costs $3.70 per ride, operates during fixed-route hours, and passengers may need a personal care assistant.

The Senior Ride Nashville program offers transportation for people aged 60 and above. It costs $6 for each round trip, with a $25 yearly membership fee. Drivers are trained and vetted for punctuality. Pre-registration is required, and there may be a waitlist. Eligible participants will be notified when they can join.

Senior activities in Nashville

Nashville offers a wide array of activities and attractions for seniors, providing both outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.

Nashville, Tennessee’s capital, is called Music City due to its country music connection. Seniors can visit the Country Music Hall of Fame to learn about the genre’s history and see important artifacts. Wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, and large print guides are available upon request. Learn all about the Man in Black with a visit to the Johnny Cash Museum.

Those who want to enjoy country music’s past, present, and future will want to head to the Grand Ole Opry. It hosts top and upcoming country stars and offers assistive listening devices and wheelchairs for accessibility. The Ryman Auditorium is another iconic music venue to explore, and it offers a full range of accessibility options.

If you’re not into country music, you can check out the General Jackson Showboat. It’s a big showboat with a two-story Victorian theater. You can have a meal, watch top Nashville musicians perform, and enjoy stunning views of the city while cruising down the Cumberland River.

Nashville offers more than music. Sports fans will be able to cheer on a variety of professional sports teams. Catch the kickoff at the Nissan Stadium where the NFL’s Tennessee Titans play. Head over to Bridgestone Arena for a Nashville Predators professional ice hockey game, enjoy America’s favorite pastime, and take in a Nashville Sounds minor league baseball game.

Active seniors in Nashville can enjoy various activities at Centennial Park. It offers beautiful walking trails, a lake, an art center, historical sites, an arts activity center, a sunken garden, and more. It’s perfect for spending time with loved ones and has scheduled events as well. For details, check the park’s event listings online.

The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere invites seniors on a journey through the animal kingdom. Watch your favorite animals in well-maintained habitats. The zoo’s peaceful atmosphere and well-shaded seating areas offer the ideal place for seniors to reconnect with nature. The zoo is wheelchair-accessible, and rentals start at $12, although you can bring your own.

For a relaxing and engaging atmosphere, the Nashville Farmers Market is a fantastic place for seniors to connect with the community and shop for fresh produce, and it’s open all year. The site includes two covered open-air sheds, a 24,000-square-foot garden center, a culinary incubator center, and a food hall.

The Metro Parks Senior Recreation Program offers programs for seniors at three main locations (East, Elizabeth, and Hadley) and nine satellite programs. These programs include visual arts, dance, crafts, and other leisure activities for individuals aged 55 and above.

Nashville and its surrounding communities have a variety of senior centers to enjoy. FiftyForward Donelson Station and FiftyForward Knowles are two centers that offer a variety of activities, such as yoga, tai chi, bead weaving, and choral singing. Nashville also has a senior dining program, offering communal meals for people over 60. There are four locations for seniors, open Monday to Friday, with nutrition sessions and weekly fun and fitness activities.