Dedicated to keeping you in the home you love

Preferred Care at Home’s History

The First Agency

Since 1984, Preferred Care at Home has been a beacon of hope for families seeking reliable and affordable care. It all started with a vision to offer a quality of service that would allow seniors to age in place with dignity and grace. Recognizing the need for compassionate caregivers who could provide assistance without breaking the bank, our founders established the first agency with a commitment to excellence that continues to drive us today.

Going Nationwide

In 2007, recognizing that the need for quality senior care was not limited to one community, Preferred Care at Home began its nationwide expansion. This growth allowed us to bring our unique philosophy of care to families across the country. By partnering with like-minded individuals who shared our passion for service, we were able to extend our reach while maintaining the personal touch that defined our very first agency.

Today and Tomorrow

Today, Preferred Care at Home stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassionate care. We remain dedicated to our founding principles, constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our clients. As we look to the future, our mission remains unchanged: to improve the quality of life for those we serve, safeguarding their independence and dignity in the home they love.

Our Mission

“For many older people, home is everything. It’s a window to the past, a safe haven for the present and the legacy they long to leave for the next generation.

Since 1984, the husband-and-wife founders of Preferred Care at Home have been helping seniors stay in their homes, happily and safely. Now a nationally franchised but still family-run business, Preferred Care at Home offers high-quality in-home care at affordable rates.”

Why Choose Us?

A man and woman relax on a couch, engrossed in a book, representing trust and connection in caregiving relationships.

Meet Our Owners

Driven by Passion, Committed to Compassion

Quin Christensen

Quin’s commitment to quality senior care grew from personal experience. After watching his own parents navigate aging with cancer, stroke, and heart disease, he saw firsthand how the right caregiver transforms difficult seasons into manageable ones. A close friend’s struggle to find reliable care for her MS deepened his resolve. Today, Quin’s mission is connecting compassionate caregivers with seniors who deserve dignity, independence, and genuine companionship. When he learned about Preferred Care at Home, something woke up inside him: he could make a difference.

Richard Patterson

Richard discovered his calling at 14, working in an assisted living facility where relationships with residents gave him purpose during uncertain teenage years. After five years in the funeral industry helping families plan ahead, he recognized a gap: widows and widowers returning home alone, facing physical limitations without support. He wanted to own a business that truly helps people, and Preferred Care at Home was the answer. For Richard, this work is about facilitating meaningful connections that enrich both caregiver and client.

Our Dedicated Team

Experience, Compassion, and Commitment to Excellence

A woman named Zellena Johnson with short hair wearing an orange shirt.

Zellena Johnson

Office Manager & Logistics Coordinator

A woman with gray hair stands in front of a brick building, identified as Melissa Maxfield, a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Melissa Maxfield

Licensed Practical Nurse

A woman in a pink cardigan stands in a park, representing Lisa Barry, Transition Liaison.

Lisa Barry

Transition Liaison

Award Winning Senior Home Care

Local Care Throughout the Greater Nashville Area

Our team lives and works in Nashville communities alongside the families we serve. When you call, you reach neighbors who understand Nashville.

We Serve:

  • Nashville
  • Madison
  • Gallatin
  • Goodlettsville
  • White House
  • Portland
  • Opryland Area
  • Donelson
  • Hermitage
  • East Lebanon 
  • Hartsville
  • Old Hickory
  • Watertown
  • Woodbury
  • Carthage
  • Gordonsville
  • Alexandria
  • Liberty
  • Smithville
  • Center Hill Lake
  • Lafayette
  • Red Boiling Springs
  • Clarksville
  • Cunningham
  • Palmyra
  • Southside
  • Woodlawn
  • Adams
  • Cedar Hill
  • Cross Plains
  • Greenbrier
  • Orlinda
  • Springfield

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does in-home care cost in Nashville?

Home care costs in Nashville, TN, vary based on the level of assistance needed and hours of service. Companion and Homemaker Care for a few hours weekly costs less than 24-hour live-in care. We offer flexible scheduling, from one hour to around-the-clock support, so you can build a plan that fits your budget. Contact us for a personalized quote, and we’ll discuss paying for home care options, including private insurance plans, veterans benefits, and Medicare coverage.

Three things set us apart: our 7-step caregiver screening process, personality-based matching, and local ownership. We go further than most Tennessee senior care companies when vetting caregivers. Then we match them to clients based on personality and life experience, not just availability. Plus, Quin and Richard live here and are personally invested in every family we serve. This isn’t a distant corporate franchise. It’s neighbors caring for neighbors.

It depends on what your loved one needs. Companion and Homemaker Care focuses on social interaction, emotional support, meal monitoring, and light housekeeping. It’s ideal for seniors who are physically capable but lonely or need help with household tasks. Personal care adds hands-on assistance with bathing, dressing, mobility, and toileting. Many clients start with companion and homemaker care and transition to personal care as needs change. We’ll help you assess the right fit.

We can often begin services within 24-48 hours of your initial consultation, depending on caregiver availability and the complexity of needs. The process starts with a free phone consultation, followed by an in-home assessment where we meet your loved one, understand their routines, and develop a personalized care plan. We won’t rush the matching process because finding the right caregiver matters more than speed.

Look for signs such as missed medications, weight loss from skipped meals, a cluttered or unclean home, isolation from friends, or difficulty with bathing and dressing. If you’re calling daily to check in, rearranging your schedule for doctor appointments, or worrying constantly about falls, those are signals that support would help. Our free quiz can help you evaluate whether it’s time.

Yes. Our dementia caregivers are specially trained in memory care techniques, safety protocols, and meaningful engagement activities. They understand how to redirect anxiety, stimulate mental awareness through games and conversation, and maintain consistent routines that help clients feel secure. Preferred Care at Home has cared for hundreds of clients with dementia across the nation, and we bring that expertise to every Nashville family.

Absolutely. Our Smooth-Transition Care program is specifically designed for this. A specially trained coach meets you at the hospital, guides you through discharge instructions, and continues to visit you regularly at home. You’ll receive a Personal Health Record to track medications, appointments, and symptoms, plus access to a secure online portal. This program helps prevent the hospital readmissions that affect one in five Medicare patients.

Compatibility matters, which is why we invest heavily in personality matching upfront. But if it’s not working, tell us immediately. We’ll promptly find a new caregiver who’s a better fit, no questions asked, no guilt. Our commitment is to your loved one’s comfort and happiness, and that means being flexible when relationships need adjustment.

Medicare covers skilled home health care (nursing, therapy) under specific conditions, but typically doesn’t cover non-medical personal care or companion services. However, other options exist: veterans may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits, some private insurance plans include home care coverage, and long-term care insurance often applies. We’ll help you understand your options and connect you with resources to make quality care accessible.

Every caregiver passes our 7-step screening process, including background checks, reference verification, skills assessment, and personality evaluation. But screening is just the start. We provide ongoing training, conduct regular check-ins, and give families access to our Transparency Room portal, where they can monitor care in real time. If a caregiver ever fails to meet our standards, we address it immediately.