Since states, rather than the federal government, regulate assisted-living facilities, the quality and cost of care can vary greatly depending on location.

In Michigan, there is only one assisted-living facility per 100,000 residents over 65. According to a March 2024 State of Reform report, the state estimated that it is short 36,000 direct care workers, including certified nursing assistants, and that more than a third of nursing homes are turning away new patients every month.

Alaska, on the other hand, has the most assisted-living facilities per capita as more Americans decide to retire in the Last Frontier. In the last decade, the number of residents between 65 and 74 nearly doubled, according to the state's Health Department, and developers have built facilities accordingly. However, the cost of care is among the highest in the nation. Alaskans pay about $7,250 per month for assisted living, 35% higher than the national average.

To rectify disparities, states have tried to boost home-based care by increasing workers' pay and offering training programs. At the federal level, the Senate held its first hearing on assisted-living facilities in two decades in January, calling for increased oversight.

Since then, members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging have requested that the Government Accountability Office examine how much the federal government spends on assisted-living facilities each year. They are also soliciting information on quality and cost of care from families who have navigated the system.

In Tennessee, there are 355 assisted-living facilities, or 30.7 facilities per 100,000 adults over 65. Read on to see the counties with the most assisted-living facilities in Tennessee.

- Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 56.1 (18 total facilities)
- Population over 65: 32,071 (16.3% of population)

- Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 57.9 (20 total facilities)
- Population over 65: 34,551 (13.9% of population)

- Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 58.3 (3 total facilities)
- Population over 65: 5,144 (18.5% of population)

- Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 67.5 (1 total facilities)
- Population over 65: 1,481 (12.8% of population)

- Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 72.1 (2 total facilities)
- Population over 65: 2,773 (20.5% of population)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.