Frequently Asked Questions

Kirby Pines is a 60-acre continuing care retirement community that inspires active living and a healthy lifestyle. We are located in the southeastern part of Memphis, Tennessee, and offer the warmth and friendliness of a small town, together with all the conveniences of daily living. We’ve been named “Best Retirement Community in Memphis” for nine years in a row.

At Kirby Pines, you may choose an independent living apartment or garden home, assisted living suite, skilled nursing or memory care residence. We welcome people of all faiths and adhere to the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and HIPAA.

Kirby Pines attracts a diverse group of seniors from the Memphis area, as well as across Tennessee and surrounding states. Seniors here have a wide variety of interests and varied backgrounds. They are planners who share a desire to remain in control of their lives while assuring a fulfilling quality of life, which they are able to achieve through LifeCare.

LifeCare is a senior living solution that offers residency, services, and care for life. Seniors contract in advance to live in a comfortable residence, enjoy community-based amenities and services and plan for their future needs. As health conditions change, seniors remain on campus—close to friends and neighbors—and move between residential living, assisted living (including memory care), and nursing care.

With LifeCare, monthly fees stay the same as care and service levels increase. When seniors move to assisted living or nursing care, the only additional charge is for two extra meals per day and any ancillary costs such a medical supplies and pharmacy services. While monthly fees don’t increase for changes in levels of care, the monthly fee continues to be subject to an annual adjustment.

LifeCare helps shield seniors from spiraling health care costs and provides the assurance that they will receive the care they need through the services available at Kirby Pines – even if they outlive their financial resources.

Kirby Pines has a wide variety of residential choices, including freestanding garden homes and independent living apartments, assisted living suites, and residences for memory care and skilled nursing. All are part of our spacious, gated community that features beautifully maintained grounds and a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Our community is open to adults who are 55 years of age and older. We encourage seniors to move to Kirby Pines when they are young and active, which enables them to fully enjoy all of our outstanding amenities.

You maintain only what you bring with you or install yourself, and even then often there will be help available. Kirby Pines maintains the appliances that come with your residence, the inside and outside structures, carpeting, heating and air conditioning, and landscaping. We also provide removal of trash and snow.

No. However, you will need renter’s insurance to cover your possessions.

Carpeting, blinds, and kitchen appliances are provided by Kirby Pines. You bring your own furniture. You will enjoy decorating your residence to suit your taste.

There is a one-time entrance fee and a monthly fee. The fees vary, based on the type of residence, number of occupants, and the entrance fee refund option selected. Monthly fees are reviewed and adjusted on an annual basis. Adjustments are based on the cost of operations to ensure sound fiscal operations and prudent reserves.

By paying a one-time entrance fee, you receive a lifetime lease that includes accommodations, services, use of amenities, and access to assisted living, memory care and nursing care should you need it down the road. We offer traditional, 50%, and 90% refund options.

Seniors are able to use a percentage of the fees as a prepaid medical expense and apply it toward an income tax deduction. In the first year of residency, a portion of the entrance fee may be used; a portion of monthly fees may be used annually. The amount that may be used varies from year to year. Every year, guidance is issued to seniors letting them know what portion of their entrance fee and monthly services fee is related to the provision of medical care. Since each senior’s tax situation is unique, Kirby Pines recommends you seek tax advice from a trusted tax advisor.

First, you’ll meet with one of our Retirement Living Advisors. Then, you’ll complete an application and begin the process of LifeCare acceptance. Once the criteria are met for LifeCare, you pay the balance of the entrance fee for LifeCare coverage to take place. When you are ready to make the move to Kirby Pines, our Resource Manager will provide assistance in helping you move.

Basic cable television service is included in your monthly services fee. Extended cable and Internet services are available at an additional cost. Free internet and Wi-Fi service is available in community areas throughout Kirby Pines without a fee.

Some utilities are included in your monthly services fee. This includes heating and air conditioning, electricity, water, sewer, basic cable TV, trash pickup and snow removal. Local and long distance telephone service is always at the cost to the resident, it is not included in the monthly service fee. Internet and Wi-Fi service is not included in the monthly service in the apartment or garden home, however, it is available without cost in certain public spaces throughout the community (The Bistro and Library for example).

Kirby Pines employs a full-time activities director to coordinate cultural, spiritual, educational, fitness and social activities. In addition, on-site amenities include an arts center, 350-seat performing arts center with stage, computer room, fitness center, billiards room, greenhouse, indoor pool/spa, library, 54-seat movie theater, stocked fishing lake, woodworking shop, walking trails and more.

Kirby Pines is completely gated, has surveillance cameras in most common areas, and security guards on site 24 hours a day. Each apartment has an emergency call system and electronic locks and keys.

Yes. You may continue to see your own physician and other healthcare providers. If needed, you may request transportation services from Kirby Pines for medical appointments. For added convenience, Kirby Pines offers a Medical Director and a Director of Nursing at our on-site clinic.

Yes. Cats and small dogs are permitted at Kirby Pines with some restrictions. Pets must not bother the neighbors, and seniors with pets are required to abide by our pet policy.

Certainly! Kirby Pines is your home and we encourage you to have your family and friends visit as often as you want. Guest rooms are available or guests may stay in your apartment or garden home. All are encouraged to enjoy the amenities and facilities on campus.

There are abundant churches of all denominations near Kirby Pines. Many of them also provide transportation to services.

Yes. The fleet of vehicles at Kirby Pines offers scheduled trips to shopping areas, medical centers and physician offices. Transportation is also available for scheduled events.

In a sense, everything about Kirby Pines is part of a fitness program. Our concept is to make it easy for seniors to lead satisfying lives and maintain good health in every way. We offer a modern fitness center with exercise classes and a variety of wellness programs and an indoor pool and spa with water aerobics classes weekly. In addition, our five dining venues offer nutritious meals—we have a dietician available for seniors to consult with as needed.

Yes. A resident may move to another garden home or apartment, based on availability and priority. Written requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis and require administrative approval.

Each garden home has an attached garage for parking, and each apartment comes with a reserved parking spot. Covered parking is available.

Health services include a clinic with scheduled nurse office hours, administration of prescribed treatments, pharmacy services and services of other medical specialists. In addition, Kirby Pines offers rehabilitative therapy services, memory care, assisted living and a licensed nursing facility that is staffed around the clock.

Yes. Kirby Pines is smoke-free in all public areas of the buildings and on our 60-acre campus. However, a resident may smoke in their personal garden home or apartment.

For pricing information based on your individual preferences, please call us at (901) 369-7340. Seniors at Kirby Pines enjoy residency that includes their choice of a spacious apartment or garden home, comprehensive amenities and services, and access to an on-site continuum of care. These benefits are provided through a one-time entrance fee and monthly services fee. The entrance and monthly fees vary depending on the type of residence, number of occupants, type of agreement, and refund plan selected.

Seniors choose our community for many different reasons. Yet, all agree that living at Kirby Pines is a value compared to the cost of home maintenance, lawn upkeep, property taxes, utilities, wellness programs, social activities, health club membership, 24-hour security, emergency services and access to quality care.

Once you are a Kirby Pines resident, if you outlive your resources or experience financial hardship for reasons outside your control, and you are unable to pay your monthly fee, we provide assistance through the Kirby Pines Foundation. Your LifeCare or Continuing Care agreement will still entitle you to priority access to on-site health care. Your children or other family members won’t bear any financial burden.

You may call Kirby Pines at (901) 369-7340, contact us by using the form below or simply send us an email. We are happy to send you information, schedule a visit and answer your questions. We are here to serve you and help you make the most of your retirement years.

If you have further questions and would like to speak with someone in person, please call us at (901) 369-7340.