What is OPTIONS and do I qualify for it?

OPTIONS for Community Living is the state-funded program created to provide seniors and adults with disabilities 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).

The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) is designated by the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) as the AAAD for thirteen counties in Middle Tennessee. GNRC assists TCAD by screening applicants to determine qualifications and by coordinating the delivery of the necessary services and support.

The GNRC service area includes Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson county. 

What kind of services can I receive through OPTIONS?

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

How do I qualify for OPTIONS?

To be eligible to receive services through OPTIONS, an individual must:

• Be a resident of Tennessee.
• Be at least 18 years of age or older.
• Must meet Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) limitation requirements.

ADL refers to the fundamental and routine daily activities of everyday life, such as the ability to feed, groom, and dress oneself, as well as the ability to control one’s bladder and bowel movements. The ability to move from one place to another, such as the toilet, is also part of the ADL category.

IADL refers to complex, cognitive tasks that allow for the organizing of an individual’s day, such as managing one’s own transportation, shopping, meal preparation, housecleaning, and home maintenance, managing medications and communicating with others. Both ADLs and IADLs are used when evaluating what level of care an individual will need to maintain good health and quality of life.

Unlike CHOICES, OPTIONS does not have income eligibility requirements. Instead, participants over a certain income threshold have access to services through sliding-scale fees.

What is the screening process?

The screening process for OPTIONS is similar, and often uses the same information as the screening for CHOICES. Each applicant is assessed for their needs and a care plan is developed with their counselor.

When preparing for an OPTIONS screening, or helping a loved one prepare for their OPTIONS screening it is helpful to have the following information on-hand:

• Personal information, such as full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact details
• Income and assets documentation
• Medical history, including any conditions or recent hospitalizations.
• Willingness to discuss any physical or cognitive limitations related to activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)
• Information about current living arrangements, such as whether the elderly or disabled person lives alone or with family.
• Insurance coverage information, such as Medicare or private insurance.
• Any legal documents, such as power of attorney documents.

What happens when I am enrolled in OPTIONS?

Currently, there is a waiting list for OPTIONS in all thirteen counties within the GNRC service area. Service delivery time may depend on the availability of the services you are requesting, and prioritization is determined by level of economic need.

OPTIONS also allows for self-directed care where participants can hire a friend, neighbor, family member, or other professional service to provide personal care. Self-directed clients can receive up to $216 per month for the expenses related to self-directed care. Spouses cannot be hired as a caregiver through the self-directed program.

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