Live Your Best Life
Nothing is more precious than a healthy life, and Unicoi County offers the best in both medical care and wellness options. From the Ballad Health Network that serves East Tennessee to the Mission Health Network in nearby Asheville, your choices abound. There are four senior living options that offer in-resident care in the county and for staying fit, the Unicoi County YMCA is a great way to remain active and meet new friends. Equipped with a pool and modern workout center, the YCMA offers everything from youth sport, kickboxing, yoga, and aerobics to a rugged Bootcamp for those wishing to push their limits. But what other health and wellness resources does our region offer?
The Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin is a modern, not-for-profit medical facility operated by the Ballad Health Network, which serves Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and Southwest Virginia. This new hospital’s medical services includes a 10-bed inpatient unit, 24/7 emergency department, bone density testing, cardiology services, CT and open MRI scanning, echocardiography, nuclear medicine services, sleep studies, ultrasound testing, and women’s imaging services which include 3D mammography.
The Johnson City Medical Center is a Level One Trauma Center, located about 15 minutes from Unicoi County. The Center has 514 beds and is also home to the St. Jude’s Niswonger Children’s Hospital. It features centers of care for the brain and spine, cardiology, and radiation and oncology. Research is also conducted at the Center and supported by the Quillen College of Medicine, located adjacent to the Center.
Mountain Home Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center or the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center is a tertiary care facility. It is a teaching hospital that provides a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care, and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care. In addition to providing acute care, the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center offers geriatric and rehabilitation services through its 120-bed Community Living Center. The facility also operates a 150-bed Domiciliary that offers a variety of treatment options, which includes a homeless inpatient treatment program and homeless outreach. A U.S. National Cemetery is also located on the grounds of the VA.
If you’re seeking senior care, there are four senior living residential or rehabilitation options inside Unicoi County. Additionally, there are several in-home care options for those who desire the comfort of home. Below are some details on these facilities.
The Center on Aging & Health offers a uniquely designed Special Care Unit for the treatment of residents with Alzheimer’s and related diseases. Additionally, there is a program of intergenerational and pet therapy wherein daily volunteers bring new life to residents and staff alike, and a full-time Rehabilitation Department consisting of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy often utilizes the county’s beautiful walking trails. Their skilled rehabilitation and nursing staff are professionally trained in all areas. They offer temporary respite care when the primary caregiver needs time off, and a full-time adult day care program with options for evenings and weekends. Their in-home services are for those people who just need a little extra help.
Unicoi County Memorial Hospital Physical Therapy provides comprehensive physical therapy services for the local hospital and surrounding community. Their scope of practice includes inpatient, long term care, home health, and outpatient therapy consisting of pediatrics, orthopedic, geriatrics, neurological, pain management, TMJ, sports medicine, and industrial rehabilitation. UCMH Physical Therapy is the official sports medicine and physical therapy provider for the Unicoi County Blue Devils and Lady Devils, and UCMH Physical Therapy serves the Unicoi County School System with physical and occupational therapies.
Governor’s Bend Retirement & Assisted Living is a 54-suite retirement and assisted living facility. Governor’s Bend offers full-service living where residents have the independence of living in their own suite with freedom to do exactly as they like, all while enjoying the safety and services provided by a 24-hour staff. Services include chef-prepared meals served in a restaurant-style dining room and a well-rounded activities calendar among other things. Governor’s Bend features private living units, chapel, dining rooms, beauty/barber salon, spa, wellness center and library.
Christian Care Center of Unicoi County is one of Unicoi County’s newest long-term care facilities offering physical, speech, and occupational therapies for short-term rehab clients and long-term care residents. Other on-sight services include wound care, restorative program, respite services, pharmacy services, mental health services, and much more.