Aging & Disability
About The Aging & Disability Department
The South Central Tennessee Area Agency of Aging and Disability (AAAD) is the organization designated by the Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability to develop a comprehensive and coordinated community based system in South Central Tennessee to serve and represent people who are 60 years of age or older and adults with physical disabilities.
The role of the AAAD is to serve as advocates for the elderly and disabled adult population and to establish awareness of this role before the public and other organizations. When you call the AAAD, a professional resource specialist will provide you with accurate, up-to-date information about community resources and support. All calls are confidential, and there is no charge for information.
If a senior or an adult with a physical disability has a need contact us, even if you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, we may be able to help!
AAAD specialists can help individuals with diverse needs:
- Older Persons
- Persons with disabilities age 18 and older
- Family members and caregivers
- Persons who would benefit from options counseling for long-term care/support
- Professionals in the fields of healthcare, education, social services and advocacy
How May We Help You
Our services are varied, and can help our constituents in numerous areas:
- In-Home Services: Support services, such as home-delivered meals, homemaker or personal care services, to help you or a loved one remain home as long as possible
- Medicare & Other Health Insurance: Free one-on-one counseling and assistance with Medicare and other health-related insurance products
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Assists residents and their families with resolving complaints in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living centers and boarding homes
- Senior Centers: Information on recreation, education and health promotion activities for older adults in your community
The Area Agency’s mission is to assure that the 60+ population and the 18+ population with physical disabilities in this thirteen-county district have the opportunity to realize their full potential and to participate completely in community life, work opportunities, and to receive appropriate support services as needed to maintain their independence as long as possible.
- Community Living
- Nutrition and Meals
- SHIP/SMP: Medicare Help
- Public Guardianship / Conservator
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Options for Community Living
For those with physical disabilities and seniors in their golden years, independence is a treasure to be preserved as long as possible. The AAAD offers a number of services that provide assistance to our constituents so that they can remain independent and care for themselves.
The Options for Community Living Program provides a range of services to enable seniors and persons with physical disabilities to remain in their homes and community, and avoid unnecessary institutionalization. It is designed to assist individuals who do not yet qualify for nursing home care, but are in need of assistance to safely maintain independence in their home setting. This program provides in-home assistance to elderly (age 60 or older) and disabled adults (age 18-59). Eligibility for the Options for Community Living is determined by a home assessment conducted by a Service Coordinator/Case Manager.
Services include periodic assessment, homemaker services, personal care services, and home-delivered meals. Service delivery is based on the individuals need and available funding, and the individual may be required to contribute toward the cost of homemaker or personal care. There is no charge for meals.
For more information, call: 1-866-836-6678
Homemaker Services – Older Americans
Provides assistance to elderly persons with activities of daily living, such as: preparing meals, housework, and shopping.
For more information, call: 1-866-836-6678
Nutrition and Meals
For seniors, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuity, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems. As we age, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced.
To assist our constituents with their nutritional needs, congregate and home-delivered meals are provided at 21 different meal sites across the South Central Tennessee Development District, along with nutrition education programs and other supportive services. Each meal provides one third of the Required Dietary Allowance and, although no one is denied a meal for inability to pay, contributions are encouraged.
The congregate meal program provides one meal per day at senior centers and other locations. The congregate setting provides opportunities for socialization and companionship. It also offers programs related to nutrition education, exercise activities, health promotion and disease prevention. Some programs also offer meals on weekends. Transportation is available for those who have trouble getting around on their own.
For more information, please contact the appropriate meal facility in your county or town:
Bedford County
111 J.G. Helton Drive
Shelbyville, TN 37160
931-684-0019
Hickman County
107 Armory Street
Centerville, TN 37033
931-729-2115
Marshall County
230 College St.,
Lewisburg, TN 37091
931-359-6452
206 Maple Street,
Chapel Hill 37034
Wayne County
202 Fairlane Dr.
Waynesboro, TN 38485
931-722-3161
902-1/2 Hwy 13 South
Collinwood, TN 38450
931-724-4214
Coffee County
410 N. Collins Street
Tullahoma, TN 37388
931-455-2504
603 Woodbury Hwy.,
Manchester, TN 37355
931-723-8270
Lawrence County
220 Bicentennial Blvd.,
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
931-762-1578
204 West Commerce,
Loretto, TN 38469
931-853-4336
Maury County
1020 Maury County Park Dr.
Columbia, TN 38401
931-388-9595
Franklin County
74 Clover Dr.,
Winchester, TN 37398
931-967-0741
200 Eastbrook Rd.,
Estill Springs, TN 37330
931-649-9237
Lewis County
347 East Main Street
Hohenwald, TN 38462
931-796-5558
Moore County
87 High Street
Lynchburg, TN 37352
931-759-7317
Giles County
100 Senior Citizens Way
Pulaski, TN 38478
931-363-6610
Lincoln County
907 Washington Street West
Fayetteville, TN 37334
931-433-7271
205 Town St.,
Petersburg, TN 37144
931-659-9706
Perry County
113 Factory Street
Linden, TN 37096
931-589-5111
436 6th St.
Lobelville, TN 37097
931-593-2814
SHIP/SMP: Medicare Help
The South Central Tennessee AAAD has two programs designed to assist our constituents with the difficulties of managing their Medicare.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
The Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
The Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is part of a nationwide program that provides free and objective counseling and information about Medicare and related health insurance issues.
Local SHIP counselors and volunteers are trained to help Medicare recipients and their families navigate their way through an overwhelming amount of information about Medicare benefits. SHIP provides:
- Consumer Guidance – [By telephone or in a One-on-One appointment] Help evaluating your options, making informed decisions & making referrals to appropriate agencies for more assistance.
- Annual Open Enrollment Period [Oct 15 – Dec 7, each year] – Counselors can help you do a drug plan comparison so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision about what Prescription Drug Plan will work best for you in the next year.
- Community Outreach & Education – ABC’s & D’s of Medicare Class and other Presentations, Health Fairs, trainings, and distributing educational materials and information.
- Application Assistance – Help completing applications for Medicare Savings Programs & Part D Extra Help. Some beneficiaries may be eligible for assistance paying their prescription drug costs through the Extra Help program. Medicare Saving Programs help with paying other Medicare costs.
For assistance with your Medicare questions, to be screened for extra help or to sign up for the ABC’s & D’s of Medicare class, call SHIP Toll Free: 1-877-801-0044 Local: 1-931-379-2927 FAX: 1-931-379-2685 or email at sctn.ship@sctdd.org.
Tennessee Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Tennessee Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a statewide program that empowers seniors to prevent healthcare fraud.
SMP helps seniors learn to: Protect… Detect… Report!
- Protect yourself from Medicare errors, fraud, & abuse
- Learn to detect potential errors, fraud & abuse
- If you suspect that you have been a target of errors, fraud or abuse, how to report it.
For more information or to report a problem call your local SHIP/SMP office at 1-877-801-0044 or call the TN SMP hotline at 1-866-836-7677
The SHIP/SMP Program receives financial assistance, through grant numbers 90SAPG0069-02-00, 2001TNMISH-00, 2001TNMIAA-00, 2001TNMIDR-00, And 90MPPG006 from the US Administration for Community Living, Dept of Health & Human Services, Washington, DC. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily
represent official ACL policy.
Public Guardianship / Conservator
Conservatorship services are provided directly by South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging & Disability to aid persons 60 years of age and older who are unable to manage their own affairs and who have no family member or friend willing and able to act on their behalf. Conservators are court appointed, and serve as the public guardians and legal custodians of those who would otherwise be incapable of representing themselves.
For more information, contact:
Christy Warren
Public Guardian for the Elderly
1-931-379-2933
cwarren@sctdd.org
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Toll Free Number: 1-877-236-0013
Volunteers Needed
The South Central Tn Dev. District Ombudsman Program will be having a 2 day training April 9 and 10 for new Volunteers. Those who enjoy helping others and who would like to visit residents in area nursing homes are invited to attend this 2 day required training. If you would like to be a part of this rewarding program, please call 931-379-2926 or email mhardison@sctdd.org for more information.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program was implemented to provide information and resolve complaints or problems of older persons living in, or seeking access to, a long-term care facility. These facilities include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homes for the aged, and other State licensed facilities with residents that are 60 years of age or older and the disabled. The Ombudsman is not an employee of the facility or the state agency responsible for inspecting the facility. When the resident or family can’t resolve their problem through consultation with the facility staff or governmental agencies involved, then they should contact the District Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will advocate for solutions to problems for residents and their families.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program offers technical assistance to the prospective resident and family of a resident to find a facility, to better understand how to finance long-term care and to find a facility which best meets the needs of the prospective resident. The Ombudsman may be able to help resolve questions or concerns that involve state and federal agencies administering services to the elderly or disabled. Concerns can include: quality of care, financial information such as Medicare or Medicaid, resident rights, admissions, transfer or discharge, or other questions about a facility. The ombudsman program works with the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to assure that residents are protected at the facility and that they receive the best possible care while there.
Whatever the problem or question, the Ombudsman’s primary interest is to see that it is resolved. The Ombudsman’s goals include exhausting all avenues for resolution while realizing that some complaints can never be resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant.
The program services are free and confidential. For more information, please contact:
Melissa Hardison
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
1-931-379-2926
mhardison@sctdd.org
If you would like to volunteer, please fill out our volunteer form here
TennCare CHOICES
The TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Care (or ‘CHOICES’) is TennCare’s program for long-term care services. Long-term care includes help doing everyday activities that you may no longer be able to do for yourself as you grow older, or if you have a physical disability – like bathing, dressing, getting around your home, preparing meals, or doing household chores.
Services included in the CHOICES program include:
Consumer Direction is a way of getting some of the home care you need that offers more choice and control over WHO gives your home care and HOW your care is given than receiving CHOICES services and not consumer directing. You actually employ the people who provide some of your home care services – they work for you (instead of an agency). This means you must be able to do the things that an employer would do – like hire, train, and schedule workers. You can hire a family member, friend, neighbor, or other person you know to provide care in Consumer Direction, but there are some limitations. We want to support, but not replace, care already provided by family and friends. You’ll find out more if you sign up for CHOICES.
Short visits no more than 4 hours where someone will help you do things like get out of bed, take a bath, get dressed, fix and eat meals, or use the bathroom
The same kinds of help you would get with personal care visits, but for longer periods of time
A place you live that helps with personal care needs, homemaker services, and taking your medicine. You must pay for your room and board.
A home where you and no more than 4 other people live with a health care professional that takes care of special health and long-term care needs. Under state law, this is available only for people who are ventilator dependent or who have traumatic brain injury. You must pay for your room and board.
Someone you hire who lives with you in your home to help with personal care or homemaker services whenever you need it. This is available only for people in consumer direction who need care throughout the day and night that can’t be provided by unpaid caregivers. And only when it costs no more than other kinds of home care that would meet your needs.
A meal that meets 1/3 RDA is delivered to your home
A call button so you can get help in an emergency
A place that provides supervised care and activities during the day
Someone to stay with you in your home for a short time so your caregiver can get some rest
A short stay in a nursing home or assisted care living facility so your caregiver can get some rest
Certain low-cost items that help you do things more easily or safely in your home like grabbers to reach things
Changes to your home that will help you get around more easily and safely like grab bars or a wheelchair ramp
Spraying your home for bugs or mice
Places that offer care and support for someone who can no longer live alone, like an Assisted Care Living Facility
- Online News Letter
- Caregiver Support
- Legal Aid
- SNAP
- CREVAA
- Health Departments
- Senior Centers
- Assistance Request Form
- Elder Abuse Prevention
- ERPE
Online Newsletter
The South Central Tennessee Area Agency of Aging and Disability (AAAD) periodically publishes online newsletters. As these become available, they will be posted here. Please check back regularly as newsletters are constantly being added.
Caregiver Support
Unpaid family and friends are the main support for many elderly individuals that require help to prevent or delay nursing home placement. The job is often tiring, stressful and largely performed with little or no outside help. The National Family Caregiver Support Program is designed to ease the stress on these caregivers and provide needed support to help them take care of their loved ones at home.
Caring for an aging parent, elderly spouse or close disabled friend presents difficult challenges – especially when a crisis hits and you are suddenly faced with the responsibilities of elder care. Caregiving can also begin as a result of a series of unsettling mishaps and warning signs that indicate a need for long term senior care. Perhaps your elderly spouse has wandered off and gotten lost several times. Or a long-time friend has lost a lot of weight and rarely leaves home.
You may be the only person to step in and become the caregiver, or you may be the linchpin of a network of family members and friends willing to help care for your loved one. Whatever the situation, the AAAD provides support that helps those who so selflessly give to the elderly and disabled.
Services include service coordination, caregiver counseling, support groups, respite care, caregiver training, and supplemental services such as home-delivered meals and a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System). Respite care may be authorized for up to 4 hours a week to give the caregiver temporary relief from care giving duties. A cost share may apply and is based on the care receiver’s income.
For more information, please call: 1-866-836-6678
Legal Aid
For citizens of the District who need legal help but cannot afford the services of an attorney, the AAAD maintains a strong partnership with the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Cumberlands.
The Legal Aid Society is a private, non-profit organization that provides free legal services to people with low income. They do not take criminal cases, only civil cases.
The Legal Aid Society operates two offices in the District:
- For Giles, Hickman, Maury, Marshall, Lawrence, Lewis, Perry and Wayne Counties:
- Columbia Office: 104 West 7th Street, Columbia TN 38402-1256
Please call 1-931-381-5533 before your come in
- Columbia Office: 104 West 7th Street, Columbia TN 38402-1256
- For Beford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln and Moore Counties:
- Tullahoma Office: 123 NW Atlantic Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388
Please call 1-931-455-7000 before you come in
- Tullahoma Office: 123 NW Atlantic Street, Tullahoma, TN 37388
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP previously referred to as Food Stamps is a new Program designed to provide application assistance to low income seniors or older Americans. The program provides information sessions or presentations to Senior Centers, Senior congregate Meal Sites and other Social Housing properties.
Many older Americans do not apply for various reasons and we offer free assistance by telephone to see if the individual qualifies. We can also assist by filing the Department of Human Services Application for the older American.
For assistance or to apply they just have to call 931-379-2955 or email: bwalker@sctdd.org.
Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse (CREVAA)
The CREVAA (Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse) program is an emergency assistance program funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs, the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, and SCTDD Area Agency on Aging and Disability.
Through referrals from Adult Protective Services, Law Enforcement, District Attorney’s Offices, and VAPIT, CREVAA provides emergency services to victims of alleged crimes who are at least 60 years of age OR are Vulnerable adults 18 years of age or older who, because of mental or physical dysfunction, are unable to manage their own resources, carry out the activities of daily living, or protect themselves from neglect or hazardous or abusive situations without assistance from others. CREVAA services must be specific to the unmet needs caused by the alleged crime.
CREVAA Program Advocates assist eligible victims in a trauma-informed, person-centered manner and are also available to provide outreach and program information to stakeholders about the CREVAA Program.
For more information about the South Central Tennessee Development District CREVAA Program, please call 1-866-836-6678 or (931) 379-2942.
Health Departments
County health departments assure quality public health services by promoting individual and community wellness, preventing injury, illness and premature death or disability, and protecting the population from harmful effects of chemical, biological and physical hazards within the environment. They are a vital asset to our communities, offering education, guidance, basic health services, vaccinations, storage of vital records, and a host of other programs.
Below, you’ll find a list of all the county health departments within the District.
Bedford County
140 Dover Street
Shelbyville, TN 37160
1-931-684-3426
Franklin County
338 Joyce Lane
Winchester, TN 37398
1-931-967-3826
Lawrence County
2379 Buffalo Road
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
1-931-762-9406
Marshall County
206 Legion Street
Lewisburg, TN 37091
1-931-359-1551
Perry County
31 Medical Drive
Linden, TN 37096
1-931-598-2138
Coffee County 1
800 Park Street
Manchester, TN 37355
1-931-723-5134
Giles County
209 Cedar Lane
Pulaski, TN 38478
1-931-363-5506
Lewis County
51 Smith Ave.
Hohenwald, TN 38462
1-931-796-2204
Maury County
1909 Hampshire Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
1-931-388-5757
Wayne County
102 J.V. Mangubat Drive
Waynedboro, TN 38485
1-931-722-3292
Coffee County 2
Tullahoma Health Center
615 Wilson Ave.
Tullahoma, TN 37388
1-931-455-9369
Hickman County
111 Murphree Ave.
Centerville, TN 37033
1-931-729-3516
Lincoln County
1000 Washington Street West
Suite A
Fayetteville, TN 37334
1-931-433-3231
Moore County
Metro-Moore Health Facility
251 Majors Blvd
P.O. Box 196
Lynchburg, TN 37352
1-931-759-4251
Senior Centers
Senior centers are the designated focal point for elder care and activities in each county and offer opportunities to foster the physical, mental and social well-being of older adults by providing the following:
- Recreational Services
- Educational Programs
- Health Screenings
- Phone Reassurance
- Information, Assistance & Referrals
- Physical Fitness
- Evidence Based Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
A list follows of the district’s senior centers. There is at least one located in every county.
Bedford County
111 J.G. Helton Drive
Shelbyville, TN 37160
1-931-684-0019
smseniorcenter@charter.net
Giles County
100 Senior Citizens Way
Pulaski, TN 38478
1-931-363-6610
gil-director@scats.sctdd.org
Lewis County
345 East Main Street
P.O. box 292
Hohenwald, TN 38462
1-931-796-5558
beckycarroll1387@outlook.com
Maury County
1020 Maury County Park Drive
P.O. Box 993
Columbia, TN 38402
1-931-388-3950
mcsc@cpws.net
Wayne County
202 Fairlane Drive
P.O. Box 705
Waynesboro, TN 38485
1-931-722-3161
kathyrynayers@tds.net
Coffee County
410 N. Collins Street
Tullahoma, TN 37388
1-931-455-2504
ccscdirector@lighttube.net
Hickman County
107 Armory Street
Centerville, TN 37033
1-931-729-2115
hickmancosc@gmail.com
Lincoln County
908 Washington Street, West
P.O. Box 1204
Fayetteville, TN 37334
1-931-433-7271
faysrct2@fpunet.com
Moore County
371 Highview Street
P.O. Box 371
Lynchburg, TN 37352
1-931-759-7317
mcsc@vallnet.com
Franklin County
74 Clover Street
P.O. Box 58
Winchester, TN 37398
1-931-967-9853
fcdirector@fcsc.comcastbiz.net
Lawrence County
220 Centennial Blvd.
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
1-931-762-9259
sandy@lawrencecoseniorcenter.com
Marshall County
230 College Street
Lewisburg, TN 37091
1-931-359-1808
director@marshallcountytnsenior.org
Perry County
113 Factory Street
P.O. Box 367
Linden, TN 37096
1-931-589-5111
perrycountyseniorcenters@gmail.com
Assistance Request Form
The South Central Tennessee Area Agency on Aging & Disability encourages those in need of assistance or programs offered by AAAD (or their caregivers/assistants) to fill out this form to help expedite the process.
Elder Abuse Prevention
The Adult Abuse Coalition of South Central Tennessee is a membership of volunteers from various agencies that provide awareness to prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation through the following events and activities:
- Annual Conference
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Activities – June 15th
- Fraud & Financial Abuse Awareness Month Activities – October
- Free Speaker’s Bureau
IT IS THE LAW: If you suspect abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, you must report it to Adult Protective Services at 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366)
For more information about the Adult Abuse Coalition, to join as a member, or to learn more about the Elder Abuse Prevention activities, contact the Adult Abuse Coalition Secretary at 1-931-698-7346 or email adultabusecoalition@sctdd.org
Emergency Repair Program for the Elderly (ERPE)
This program assists elderly citizens who own their home in making repairs to their place of residence that will improve their living conditions. To qualify, residents must be at least 60 years old, own their home and meet the income requirements. ERPE is an ongoing program and is open to residents in all 13 counties of the district.
For more information, contact:
Emergency Repair Program
1-931-379-2957
tlockridge@sctdd.org
