Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community

    6705 Ballard Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living

    Home-like community with caring staff

    I moved my mom here and I'm very pleased: the community feels home-like with friendly, professional staff who are genuinely caring and responsive-especially Donna and Brandi-clean, well-appointed apartments, excellent food, and lots of activities that keep residents engaged. Visits are my favorite part of the day because Mom is happier, healthier, and we have real peace of mind. It's a welcoming, well-managed place and I highly recommend it, with only a few minor imperfections.

    Loved one of resident
    Jul 2026

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    Reviews

    4.75·(56)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.9
    • Meals

      4.2
    • Amenities

      4.4
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Compassionate, attentive staff
    • Strong admissions and transition support
    • Restaurant-style, high-quality dining program
    • Active, varied activities and entertainment schedule
    • Transportation for medical appointments and outings
    • Multiple indoor and outdoor common spaces
    • Pet-friendly policy (dog-friendly)
    • Varied apartment types and spacious layouts
    • On-site fitness and therapy amenities
    • Housekeeping and maid services available
    • Religious services and spiritual programming
    • On-site garden with food-production use
    • Long-standing community with an established reputation
    • Friendly, social resident community

    Cons

    • Aging building infrastructure
    • Inconsistent maintenance responsiveness
    • Variability in activity-program frequency and availability
    • Shared laundry and limited in-unit laundry options
    • Unclear fee and deposit structure with additional charges
    • Occasional dining-service presentation inconsistencies
    • Rigid dining policies tied to rent
    • Interior areas with low natural light or dated furnishings
    • Incomplete or inconsistent weekly housekeeping

    Summary of reviews

    Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community is presented across reviews as a long-established, active senior community with consistent praise for its caregiving staff, dining program, and social opportunities. Many families and residents emphasize the compassion and attentiveness of direct-care and hospitality teams, and reviewers frequently describe a welcoming admissions process and responsive transition support. The community operates both independent and assisted living, with 24/7 nursing availability noted by some reviewers, and has a reputation for tenured staff and engaged leadership.

    Care and staff: Staff-related comments are uniformly positive in tone about hands-on caregiving. Reviewers cite daily check-ins, supportive assistance with medications and personal needs, and staff members who go above and beyond when families require help. Leadership and named staff were highlighted for responsiveness and professionalism. At the same time, a small number of reviews point to communication gaps with administration and occasional concerns about follow-through on specific promises; these contrast with otherwise strong endorsements of day-to-day caregiving.

    Dining: The dining program is a prominent strength. Commenters describe restaurant-style meals, a well-regarded dietary department, and staff pride in food service. The site also uses garden produce in meals, and dining has returned to in-room or dining-room formats after COVID restrictions. A few reviewers noted inconsistencies in meal presentation (for example, to-go container service or table delivery) and some restrictive policies related to meal allotments and rent, which suggest variability in dining execution rather than a systemic failure of food quality.

    Activities and social life: Activity offerings are broad and frequent on many days — puzzles, games, bridge, bingo, crafts, music, chair exercise, movie nights, outings, and religious programming are all part of the calendar. Multiple common areas, courtyards, and program spaces support a socially active environment often described as home-like or having a "cruise-ship" feel. There are also regular transportation services for appointments and community trips, which supports resident mobility and engagement.

    Facilities and maintenance: The physical campus contains many amenities — spacious apartment options (studios through two-bedrooms), fitness equipment, a salon, a movie room, and outdoor gathering areas. Several reviews compliment cleanliness and recent renovations. However, recurring concerns indicate an aging building envelope and periodic maintenance shortfalls: cosmetic issues, dated fixtures, shared laundry facilities, and occasional delays in repairs were mentioned. Lighting and interior decor are described by some as darker or dated in parts of the building. These items suggest an overall generally well-kept environment with localized infrastructure or responsiveness gaps.

    Management, fees, and transparency: Management is often described as professional and responsive, with many families expressing relief and satisfaction after tours and move-in. The community's longevity and waiting list imply stable demand. Conversely, there are facility-level concerns about fee transparency and deposit practices, along with reports of additional charges and inconsistent housekeeping completion. Prospective residents and families should clarify the contract terms, deposit policies, and what's included in monthly fees before committing.

    Overall impression: Hickory Valley presents as a community with strong interpersonal care, robust dining, and a lively activity program, making it a good fit for seniors seeking social engagement and reliable daily support. Key trade-offs to evaluate in a decision would be the age of the physical plant and maintenance responsiveness, clarity around fees and meal policies, and laundry/housekeeping arrangements. A focused tour that inspects apartment finishes, asks specific questions about repair turnaround, fee schedules, and activity frequency will help determine whether the community aligns with a prospective resident's priorities.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community

    Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community is located at 6705 Ballard Dr, Chattanooga, TN, 37421.

    About Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community

    Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community sits on beautifully landscaped grounds and offers both independent living and assisted living, making it a place where seniors can get care suited to their own needs, and there's a lot to talk about with the way daily life goes on there because you get maintenance-free living, different floor plans like studio, studio deluxe, and one-bedroom apartments that come with kitchen appliances for those that want to make their own meals, and every apartment is designed for comfort and accessibility. Residents can enjoy weekly housekeeping, linen services, and personal laundry, and they have all utilities included in the lease except for phone and cable, and there's an ongoing focus on keeping things simple and stress-free with helpful services.

    The community works hard to support independence and dignity while offering help where needed, with highly trained staff onsite, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants available at all hours, though the nurse is available part-time, and everyone gets care tailored to their health and medication needs, including medication reminders and optional medication management. There are also specialized care options, so if someone needs extra help, it's there.

    The dining experience features restaurant-style meals with communal dining rooms, and guests can join in for a meal or even an overnight stay, which can make visits easier for families. Residents get transportation services for shopping, appointments, and outings, and there's a personal driver on staff too, so getting around is less of a worry. You'll find a beauty shop onsite, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and indoor entertainment spaces, with games, hobbies, and scheduled religious services. The facility is two stories and feels a bit like an upscale hotel but keeps a homelike feeling, making it both elegant and comfortable.

    The activities calendar is packed with things like themed dinners, live entertainment, outings, and wellness programs, helping residents stay active in mind and body, and there's a focus on education too, with seminars and other community events. Grounds are lovely and let folks enjoy the outdoors as part of regular life. The entire staff works to uphold high service standards-Hickory Valley holds a five-star service rating-and the aim since 1983 has been to help residents thrive in a warm environment, with plenty of opportunities for socializing and personal growth. The Administrator is Katie Leathers, and there's involvement with groups like the Tennessee Health Care Association, and even CNA training is available. Flexible, month-to-month leases mean people aren't locked into long contracts, and there's no endowment model to worry about.

    If someone's looking for comfortable maintenance-free living combined with strong health support, recreation, and a caring staff, Hickory Valley Retirement Center has provided these things for decades and continues as a vibrant senior community striving to enhance every resident's quality of life.

    People often ask...

    Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community offers independent living and assisted living.

    There are 18 photos of Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 6705 Ballard Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

    No, Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Safety & Compliance

    In Tennessee, the Department of Health licenses long-term care facilities and publishes board actions and disciplinary records, including consent orders and civil penalties.

    License number0536-00000076
    StatusLapsed
    Facility typeHome for the Aged
    License classLapsed
    Capacity15 residents
    LicenseeRhonda Hendrickson
    EffectiveApril 22nd, 1988
    ExpiresMay 12th, 2026

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Hickory Valley A Senior Living Community directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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