This article is a starting point for exploring the range of services available to seniors and disabled adults in Middle Tennessee.
As individuals age or face disabilities, the desire to stay in the comfort of their own homes becomes increasingly important. Aging in place offers numerous benefits, including independence, familiarity, and social connections. In-home services play a vital role in supporting seniors and disabled adults in achieving this goal.
There are many services available to individuals based on their needs, some are outlined below with further information, including how to find services, are available the other linked articles and webpages.
Personal Support Services
Seniors looking to continue aging in place can often do so even as certain day-to-day activities become more difficult thanks to personal support services. These are non-medical home care that can be provided by informal caregivers and even outside agencies. Daily activities such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, laundry, shopping, and cleaning often fall under personal support services.
AgeWell Middle Tennessee is an independent non-profit that facilitates an easy to use online Directory of Services for a variety of topics specific to the needs of aging people and their caregivers, including agencies that offer personal support services to aging Middle Tennesseans.
Nutrition Services
Nutritionally balanced meals are an important part of maintaining long-lasting health. There are several programs that help ensure that seniors continue to have access to meals and groceries while they maintain their independence in their homes.
Group meals, also known as congregate meals, provide seniors with nutritionally balanced meals and the opportunity to socialize and participate in program activities with other seniors. Congregate meals are available to adults over 60 years of age or older and their spouses, with priority given to those at the greatest social and economic risk. Many group meal locations also offer transportation assistance to their location.
Home-delivered Nutrition services provide meals and related nutrition to older individuals who are homebound due to illness, disability, or isolation, as mandated by the Older American’s Act (OAA). At minimum, home-delivered nutrition services provide a meal, five (5) or more days a week.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, widely known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to qualified individuals to purchase groceries at approved grocery stores and farmer markets. Benefits are distributed to individuals using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
Read more about some of the different nutrition services available to seniors in Middle Tennessee by visiting the article “What types of food assistance are available?”
In-Home Respite and Caregiver Support
For some people, everyday tasks of living become more difficult as they get older, including movement, preparing meals and medication management. When help is needed, informal family caregivers are a vital part in helping seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes for longer.
GNRC provides caregivers with support through the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Caregiver support comes in many forms, including education, support tools, supplemental services, and respite. Learn more about the services GNRC is able to provide, including who qualifies as a caregiver, in the article, “Where do I find caregiver support?”
Respite services allow caregivers the chance to take time for themselves, without worrying about the care of their loved one. Learn more about respite services through the article “Where can I find caregiver respite?”
Home Repairs and Modifications
Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment, especially for seniors and adults with disabilities, is essential for protecting independent living. For low-income seniors and adults with disabilities, there are many programs that offer grants and loans to qualified individuals for the purpose of making their homes more accessible, bring their energy costs down, or repair worn-out and damaged parts of the home. Such repairs include replacing a leaking roof, minor plumbing, insulation and general weatherization. Learn about the programs available to you based on your location in our article “How do I get help with home repairs and modifications?”
Personal Response Systems
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the short- and long-term effects of medical emergencies, such as a fall or heart attacks, making emergency alert systems, also known as personal response systems (PERS), vital in keeping aging individuals in their homes for as long as possible.
Learn more about PERS by visiting the article “How do I get an emergency alert system?”
Help with paying for housing.
For aging homeowners and renters alike, there are programs to help with housing expenses in Middle Tennessee.
Homeowners may be eligible for a property tax freeze, and depending on the location of their home, property tax relief. Additionally, many low-income homeowners may be eligible for loans or grants offered through federal and sate funding for the purpose of weatherizing their home, ultimately bringing their energy bills down.
For those renting their home, there are programs that can help them with the cost of their rent and utilities. Property owners may also qualify for vouchers or credits for providing accessible housing to low-income individuals and families. Learn more in our article “What types of rental assistance are available for seniors in Middle Tennessee?”
Federal & State Funded Programs (CHOICES & OPTIONS)
TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports (CHOICES for short) is for individuals requiring, or at risk of requiring, a nursing home level of care and who qualify for Medicaid long-term services.
Below are some of the home and community-based services covered within the CHOICES program. Please note some of these services have limitations.
- Short personal care visits to help with daily tasks like bathing, getting dressed or eating meals.
- Attendant care, which includes the same kind of help offered by personal care visits but for longer periods of time.
- Homemaker services
- Home-delivered meals
- Personal emergency response systems such as an emergency button
- Adult day care
- In-home or in-patient respite care so your caregivers can rest.
- Assistive technology such as grabbers to reach things.
- Minor home modifications such as grab bars or a wheelchair ramp.
- Pest control
- Community-based residential alternatives such as assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) assists TennCare by identifying and screening candidates for the program. Learn more about CHOICES, including how to qualify, in our article “What is CHOICES and do I qualify for it?”
OPTIONS for Community Living is the state-funded program created to provide elderly and disabled adults home and community-based services. This program is considered a last resort to TennCare CHOICES and is facilitated by local Areas on Aging and Disability (AAAD).
Homemaking, personal care, and home delivered meals services are all covered by OPTIONS. Within these three categories includes:
- Adult Day Care
- Caregiver Training
- Chores, such as cleaning or yard work
- In-home or institutional respite
- Home Modifications, such as installing handrails or ramps.
- Help with toileting, bathing, eating, dressing, or getting in or out of bed.
- Medical equipment, such as bandages or respiratory aids
- Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)
To learn more about OPTIONS read our article “What is OPTIONS and do I qualify for it?” Currently there is a multiyear waitlist for services in all 13 counties within the GNRC service area.
Call our Information and Assistance Hotline to begin the screening process for CHOICES and OPTIONS at 615-255-1010 or 866-836-6678
Have more questions? Call Our Helpline
Call our Information and Assistance Hotline to learn more about any of GNRC's programs and services. 615-255-1010 or 866-836-6678