More than 24 percent of Tennessee citizens are older than 55 and need accurate information on Tennessee senior living options. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources that can help. The options range from information on home-care to assisted living to Alzheimer's care communities. State agencies, non-profits and watchdog organizations all provide valuable assistance. Here is a checklist of some key resource sites providing information on Tennessee senior living, as well as other important eldercare issues.
1. Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability
This commission’s mission is to “bring together and leverage programs, resources and organizations to protect and ensure the quality of life and independence of older Tennesseans and adults with disabilities.” It provides a wide range of elder information, including caregiving, Alzheimer’s, elder abuse and long-term ombudsman programs. View the website here.
2. Tennessee Area Agencies on Aging and Disability
Nine area agencies on aging (AAADs) organized into regional county groupings across Tennessee provide “accurate and unbiased information on all aspects of life-related to aging or living with a disability,” according to the website:
- First Tennessee AAAD
- East Tennessee AAAD
- Southeast Tennessee AAAD
- Upper Cumberland AAAD
- Greater Nashville AAAD
- South Central TN AAAD
- Northwest AAAD
- Southwest AAAD
- Aging Commission of the Mid-South AAAD
3. Tennessee Assisted Living Facilities
This comprehensive site offers data on costs of assisted living communities, admission requirements and scope of care. Visitors can also search current Tennessee senior living license status and find out who owns a particular assisted living community center. You can research a community's last licensing survey date, how many beds and other important pieces of information that help individuals make informed decisions about their or their loved ones’ senior care. View the website here.
4. National Clearinghouse on Long Term Care Information
Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this website provides information to help your family plan for long-term care needs. Included is information on Medicare/Medicaid coverage, long-term care insurance and senior living housing choices. Click on your state for more information on Tennessee senior living options. View the website here.
5. ConsumerHealthRatings.com
This is a comprehensive listing of organizations that rate/report on the performance of healthcare providers; search for the state of Tennessee. View the website here.
Choosing the right senior living situation for you or your loved ones is a critically important job and these resources should help you sort through all the information.
