Public hearings by the Joint Select Committee
on Veterans Affairs were held across the state in the fall of
1985 to identify the concerns of Tennessee's veterans. Long term
health care was clearly a priority concern and the Tennessee Department
of Veterans Affairs recommended that a system of State Veterans
Homes be established.
The governing body for the Tennessee State Veterans Homes is the Tennessee State Veterans Homes Board. Members are appointed by the
Governor to serve a 3-year term. The Board exercises its authority
for planning, implementation and operation of the State Veterans’
Homes through the Executive Director and his staff. Administrators
at each facility are responsible for the day-to-day operation
of the facilities.
The first home opened in Murfreesboro on June 10, 1991. Located
on a seven acre lot, deeded to the Board by the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, adjacent to the Alvin C. York V.A. Medical
Center, this is a 140 bed facility offering intermediate and skilled
levels of nursing care in a one-story building encompassing 69,278
square feet. Legislation passed by the General Assembly in 1993
provided for construction of a second facility in Humboldt Tennessee.
Also a 140 bed facility offering intermediate and skilled levels
of nursing care, this one-story building encompassing some 74,870
square feet opened February 7, 1996. The third home in Knox County
opened in December 2006. This 140 bed facility, offering intermediate
and skilled levels of nursing care in a spacious 73,065 square
foot, one-story building is currently accepting residents. In
each of the three facilities, 20 of the beds are located in a
secure, special needs unit.
All residents are cared for in such a manner and in such an environment
as to promote enhancement of their quality of life without abridging
the safety and rights of other residents. An interdisciplinary
team approach to resident life is utilized to assure the quality
of life. Residents and family members are involved in the care
planning process, and resident participation is encouraged through
a functioning resident council. Residents' rights are posted and
enforced as delineated in current federal and state standards.
