Senior Living, Assisted Living Free Resources and Support

Summary of Resources (scroll down or click on heading for more information)

🍽️ Food & Nutrition

Southeast TN Area Agency on Aging & Disability (SETAAAD) – Nutrition Program

  • Phone: 866‑836‑6678

  • Website: https://setaaad.org/nutritional-programs

  • Description: Provides congregate (group) meals and home-delivered meals for seniors.

  • Eligibility: Age 60+; priority given to those with greatest economic or social need

United Way 2‑1‑1

  • Phone: 211 or 423‑265‑8000

  • Website: https://unitedwaycha.org/

  • Description: Connects callers with food pantries, meal programs, and emergency food assistance.

  • Eligibility: Varies by program—income-based selection.

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🏠 Housing & Home Assistance

Chattanooga Office of Family Empowerment (OFE)

  • Phone: 423‑643‑6434

  • Website: https://chattanooga.gov/services/assistance-programs

  • Description: Offers emergency rental, mortgage, utility assistance, and case management.

  • Eligibility: Hamilton County residents; must meet income guidelines (often ≤200% FPL).

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

  • Phone: 423‑643‑6434

  • Website: https://chattanooga.gov/services/assistance-programs/energy-assistance-program

  • Description: One-time credit or bill payment to help with heating/cooling bills.

  • Eligibility:

    • Income ≤60% of Tennessee State Median Income (SMI), which is approximately equivalent to 125–150% of federal poverty level depending on household size

    • Must be Hamilton County resident with proof of ID, SSNs, income, utility account history, citizenship.

City of Chattanooga Property Tax Freeze

Affordable Housing Programs (City of Chattanooga)

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🚗 Transportation

CARTA – Care-A-Van Paratransit Service

  • Phone: 423‑698‑9038

  • Website: https://www.gocarta.org/using-carta/services/care-a-van/

  • Description: Door-to-door bus/transit service for seniors and people with disabilities.

  • Eligibility: Requires application; intended for individuals unable to use regular buses due to disability.

MyRide Southeast Tennessee (via SETAAAD)

  • Phone: 866‑836‑6678

  • Website: https://setaaad.org/transportation-services

  • Description: Volunteer-based rides to medical appointments and shopping.

  • Eligibility: Age 60+; must be ambulatory (able to enter/exit vehicle).

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🏥 Medical & Dental

Hamilton County Community Health Services – Chattanooga

  • Phone: 423‑209-8000

  • Website: https://health.hamiltontn.org/

  • Description: Offering low-cost immunizations, medical, dental, and related services.

  • Eligibility: For residents of Hamilton County.

Erlanger Community Health Center

  • Phone: 423‑778‑2800

  • Website: https://www.erlanger.org/

  • Description: Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care and dental services.

  • Eligibility: Open to all; sliding-scale fees based on income.

Find TnCare/Medicaid Doctors in Chattanooga

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🏥 Medical In-home Visits

Galen At Home

  • Phone: (423) 497‑5359

  • Address: 5864 Hwy 153, Suite 112, Hixson, TN 37343

  • Website: https://galenmedical.com/galenathome

  • Areas Served: Chattanooga, Hixson, Ooltewah, North Georgia, Ringgold/Battlefield, Gunbarrel, Southside, and more

Healing Hands Medical Providers Group

Always In Good Health

  • Phone: (423) 867‑4969

  • Address: 1508 Tombras Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37412

  • Website: https://alwaysingoodhealth.com

  • Services: Patient-centered primary care and home medical care; provides in-home treatment

Partners in Care, PLLC

  • Phone: (423) 803‑1397

  • Address: 5616 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411

  • Website: https://www.drterrymelvin.com

  • Services: Geriatric and family medicine, 24/7 in-home senior care visits

Reliable Healthcare & Wellness (Direct Primary Care of Tennessee)

  • Phone: (423) 551‑6538 or (423) 269‑2255

  • Address: PO Box 743, Ooltewah, TN 37363

  • Website: https://www.reliableprimarycare.com

  • Areas Served: Greater Chattanooga area

  • Services: Telemedicine with provider-led house calls when medically indicated; subscription-based primary care

MedDash Mobile – Chattanooga

Hitchcock Family Medicine

  • Phone: (423) 801‑1010

  • Address: 5104 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343

  • Website: https://www.hitchcock.md

  • Areas Served: Chattanooga/Hixson

  • Services: Direct primary care with membership model, includes house calls and after-hours visits

🧠 Mental Health Therapy & Counseling

Centerstone Mental Health Services

  • Phone: 877‑467‑3123

  • Website: https://centerstone.org/

  • Description: Offers counseling and support for mental health and addictions.

  • Eligibility: Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and offers sliding-scale fees for uninsured.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Phone: 988

  • Website: https://988lifeline.org

  • Description: Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support.

  • Eligibility: Open to all callers.

Frontier Health Crisis Line

Therapists in Chattanooga that take Medicaid

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🛏️ In‑Home Support & Hospice

CHOICES Program (TennCare Medicaid)

PACE – Alexian Brothers

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👔 Clothing, Emergency Needs

Salvation Army – Chattanooga

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🎲 Social & Recreational Opportunities

Chattanooga Community Centers

  • Phone: Various by location; main info via City website

  • Website: https://chattanooga.gov/services/community-centers

  • Description: Offer classes, social events, and recreational activities for seniors.

  • Eligibility: Many programs open to all ages; some senior-specific programs for ages 60+.

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🌐 National Help Lines

United Way 2‑1‑1

  • Phone: 211 or 1‑866‑921‑3035

  • Website: https://www.211.org/

  • Description: National referral service for food, housing, healthcare, and other programs.

  • Eligibility: No restrictions; directs to qualifying programs.

Eldercare Locator

  • Phone: 800‑677‑1116

  • Website: https://eldercare.acl.gov

  • Description: Federal service that connects seniors to local aging and disability services.

  • Eligibility: Open to all U.S. residents.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Phone: 988

  • Website: https://988lifeline.org/

  • Description: 24/7 national lifeline for emotional support and suicide prevention.

  • Eligibility: Open to all.

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🏡 Local VA Resources
(Chattanooga Area)

Chattanooga Vet Center

  • Phone: 423‑855‑6570 (main office) or 877‑927‑8387 (24/7 line, TTY: 711)

  • Location: 1300 Premier Dr, Suite 180, Chattanooga, TN 37421

  • Services: Free, confidential counseling for PTSD, MST, transition issues, grief, and family support.

  • Eligibility: Any veteran, active service member, and their families—no cost.

Veterans Services Office – Hamilton County

  • Phone: 423‑209‑7884 (Fax: 423‑209‑7887)

  • Address: 455 N Highland Park Ave, Suite 204, Chattanooga, TN 37404

  • Services: Assisting veterans with VA benefits, pensions (including Aid & Attendance), health enrollment, burial, education, medical transportation, housing benefits, access to service records, et al.

  • Eligibility: Hamilton County veterans and dependents eligible under VA/state guidelines.

Veterans Services Office - Bradley County

  • Phone: 423‑728-7148 (Fax: 423-728-7101)

  • Address: 155 Ocoee Street, Room 106, Cleveland, TN 37311

  • Services: Assisting veterans with VA benefits, pensions (including Aid & Attendance), health enrollment, burial, education, medical transportation, housing benefits, access to service records, et al.

  • Eligibility: Bradley County veterans and dependents eligible under VA/state guidelines.

  • Director Brian Heuseerberg: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13z_rIc_Zvrpe-K90wj6alYgnKUeR1_gm/view?usp=sharing

Chattanooga VA Clinic

  • Phone: 423‑893‑6500

  • Address: 6401 Shallowford Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421

  • Services: Outpatient primary care, mental health, dental, telehealth, audiology, speech therapy,
    homemaker services (non-medical in-home care).

  • Eligibility: Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare.

Ocoee Region Veterans' Coalition - Contact List for Various VA Resources in and around Chattanooga

Disabled American Veterans - Bradley County

  • David Penner, Adjutant - Cell Phone: 423‑650‑5549

  • Wayne Walker, Commander - Cell Phone: 610-984-5149

  • Services: Durable medical equipment for veterans, grab bars installed, ramps installed, assistance with VA paperwork.

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🚩 National VA Benefits

VA Health Care

  • Phone: Find local clinic at 800‑698‑2411

  • Website: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

  • Services: Outpatient/inpatient care, prescriptions, mental health treatment.

  • Eligibility: Honorable (or qualifying) discharge, typically 24+ months active duty (some exceptions); income affects copay classification.

Disability Compensation & Pension (Aid & Attendance, Housebound)

  • Website: https://va.gov

  • Services: Disability pay for service-connected conditions; extra monthly pension for qualifying wartime veterans requiring aid or housebound.

  • Eligibility: Varies by program—see summary table below.

BenefitGeneral EligibilityDisability CompensationActive duty, honorable/discharge, service-connected issuePension (w/ A&A or Housebound)Wartime service, low income/assets, need help with ADLs or housebound status

VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide Care

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

  • Phone: Apply via VA or local nonprofit providers

  • Services: Housing support, case management, financial assistance to prevent homelessness.

  • Eligibility: Low-income veterans and families at risk of homelessness.

Veterans Crisis Line

  • Phone: 988 then press 1, or text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net

  • Services: 24/7 crisis counseling and suicide prevention.

  • Eligibility: Open to service members, veterans, and loved ones.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

  • Phone: Find local chapter through DAV.org

  • Services: Free assistance with VA claims, medical transport, job placement, and caregiver support.

  • Eligibility: All veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

  • Phone: Find local post via https://vfw.org/

  • Services: Claims help, scholarships, emergency grants, peer support.

  • Eligibility: All veterans (VFW-accredited).

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)

AmericaServes / IVMF

  • Phone: Inquire via http://ivmf.org/

  • Services: Employment, education, housing, benefits, and mental health services.

  • Eligibility: Veterans and families.

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Guidance

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