Little Creek Sanitarium in Knoxville, TN

Pros

• Little Creek is described as an answer to prayers for the family.
• The staff show seemingly unending patience, care, and compassion toward residents.
• The deep, meaningful relationships between staff and residents highlight the compassion at the core of Little Creek's care.
• Staff regularly drop in to say hello, showing warmth and attentiveness.
• Little Creek is an excellent facility with well-trained staff.
• It is considered the best facility in Knoxville, with staff treating residents like family and with spotless grounds and a homey atmosphere.
• The one-on-one staff-to-patient ratio is unmatched and the care is outstanding.

Cons

• The reviewer literally found a giant cockroach crawling on a patient's face and noted the air conditioning was broken, calling it absolutely disgusting.
• The reviewer describes Little Creek evicting an 87-year-old bed-bound, blind, dying mother eight days shy of her 24th month of residency as outrageous and inappropriate.
• They allege that because Little Creek does not accept Medicaid or Medicare, the facility does not have to follow federal nursing home laws protecting residents, implying abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• They warn about transfer trauma and devastation when facilities are not bound by federal nursing home laws.
• They characterize the deposit of $7,750 and daily charges of $250?$275 as illegal.
• They state that quality has gone down since the resident passed away.
• They claim staff kept snacks and microwave dinners in the same refrigerator where medications are stored.
• They describe the end-of-life care and the staff's behavior during the last week as outrageous, making their grief harder to endure.

Review

Little Creek Sanitarium in Knoxville is best suited for families seeking a small, homey long-term care environment where staff treat residents like family and personal attention is constant. This community stands out for its deep, ongoing relationships between caregivers and residents, with a one-on-one feel that many families value highly. The setting is quiet and residential, the grounds are tidy, and meals are prepared from scratch with attention to dietary needs. The strongest case is made by witnesses who describe staff across departments as patient, present, and genuinely invested in emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being, often going above and beyond to connect with residents and families.

That said, a number of concerns push families to consider alternatives. The facility does not accept Medicaid or Medicare, which places it outside federal protections many families rely on, and that distinction can influence what transfer policies, emergency protections, and transparency look like in practice. The financial terms cited in reviews are sizable: a substantial upfront deposit and daily charges that can total well into the mid-hundreds, sometimes with little flexibility billed for routine care. Reported facility-wide issues - such as a roach presence and broken air conditioning in at least one account - underscore that even in a highly regarded home-like setting, environmental controls and pest management can be uneven. Finally, a highly troubling eviction incident involving a bed-bound resident late in life, paired with allegations about transfer practices and benevolent funds, signals serious risk for families who prioritize predictable, federally regulated safeguards and clear transition policies.

The positive attributes - exceptional staff-to-resident contact, sustained staff relationships, and a truly home-like atmosphere - are the core reasons to lean toward Little Creek when those attributes align with the family's financial and regulatory needs. The depth of staff patience and the frequency of informal check-ins create a sense of security and belonging that can translate into meaningful daily engagement for residents who thrive on consistent human connection. Cleanliness, welcoming dining, and a robust schedule of activities further support a life that feels purposeful rather than institutional. When issues arise, the same caregivers who form the bonds are often the ones who respond promptly, and administrators have shown willingness to intervene on tangibly helpful problems, such as assisting with a resident's technology or coordinating care with external providers.

Yet these strengths must be weighed against the cons with clear-eyed diligence. The non-Medicaid/Medicare status deprives families of federal legal protections and complicates expectations around eligibility for benevolent funds, transfers, and certain dispute resolutions. The cost structure demands careful budgeting and questions about what exactly is included in the per-day rate and what constitutes additional charges. Environmental concerns - roaches and intermittently failing air conditioning - call for a rigorous, documented pest control and climate-control plan, not assurances witnessed only anecdotally. The eviction controversy is the most material red flag: it raises questions about transfer criteria, timing, and the facility's approach to residents nearing end of life, all of which have emotional and logistical consequences for families and their loved ones.

To make an informed decision, prospective families should organize a focused due diligence process. Request current policy documents on transfers, benevolent care, and financial terms; review the facility's latest state inspection results and any internal remediation plans related to pests and climate control. During tours, observe resident-staff interactions in real time, and speak with long-tenured staff about daily routines, dietary accommodations, and activity engagement. Ask for a transparent explanation of costs, what the deposit covers, and whether any flexible payment options exist. Finally, obtain direct testimonials from current residents or families about both everyday experiences and any recent concerns, and verify how complaints are tracked and resolved.

In the end, Little Creek Sanitarium delivers a compelling value for families prioritizing warmth, personal attention, and a feeling of family oversight in a smaller setting. It earns its strongest recommendation for those who can align with its non-Medicaid/Medicare framework and who are prepared to scrutinize the financial terms and compliance safeguards. For families requiring federally guaranteed protections, or for those who cannot tolerate documented pests, inconsistent climate control, or the possibility of transfer-driven disruptions, it would be prudent to compare larger, more regulation-driven options. A disciplined, on-site visit combined with candid conversations about cost, policies, and past transfer experiences will reveal whether Little Creek truly fits the specific needs and priorities of the resident and family.

This area of Knoxville, Tennessee, offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to those considering senior living. With multiple physicians and pharmacies in close proximity, residents have easy access to medical care and prescription medications. There are also several cafes and restaurants nearby for dining options, as well as a hospital only a short distance away for any emergency medical needs. Additionally, the presence of places of worship provides opportunities for spiritual fulfillment, while theaters and parks offer entertainment and recreational activities. Overall, this neighborhood offers a convenient and diverse environment that could support a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle for seniors.

Physicians

• Shults Pediatrics (0.5 miles)
• The Breazeale Clinic - For Plastic Surgery (1.1 miles)
• Paul D Mcgowan Jr DDS (1.9 miles)
• Gallaher Plastic Surgery (2.4 miles)
• Stanton Optical (3.7 miles)
• Southeastern Retina Associates (3.7 miles)
• South Eastern Retina Associates (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Food City Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Heartland Infusion (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Kbrew (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Sticky Rice Cafe (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Hey Bear Cafe (5.1 miles)
• Honeybee Coffee (5.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.6 miles)
• Donatos Pizza (1.7 miles)
• Soccer Taco (1.9 miles)
• Pero S Bar And Grill (2.5 miles)
• Rooster's Bar & Grill (2.7 miles)
• Scrambled Jake's Breakfast Company (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Peninsula Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Covenant Health (4.3 miles)
• Turkey Creek Medical Center, Labor And Delivery (5.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church (3.1 miles)
• First Cumberland Presbyterian Church (3.8 miles)
• Fellowship Church Knoxville (4.7 miles)
• Concord United Methodist Church (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Cinebarre West Town Mall (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Lakeshore Park (4.4 miles)
• PetSafe Park (5.4 miles)