How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level (Tennessee has 9 AAAs) / Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability - TCAD (state level)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: aging.tn.gov; 211tn.org; hcfa.tn.gov; families.tn.gov WHERE TO GO: Your regional AAA; local senior center; 211 TN; TCAD office

Online Option

aging.tn.gov; 211tn.org; hcfa.tn.gov; families.tn.gov

Where to Go

Your regional AAA; local senior center; 211 TN; TCAD office

County-specific variations apply

TN's 9 AAAs cover multi-county regions. Nashville/Davidson, Memphis/Shelby, Knoxville/Knox, and Chattanooga/Hamilton have the most robust urban senior services. Tennessee's rural areas - especially rural West Tennessee, rural East Tennessee (mountain communities), and Upper Cumberland - face significant service access challenges with transportation as a key barrier. Davidson County (Nashville Metro consolidated government) administers senior services through Metro.

Tennessee Notes

Important state-specific details

TN SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Tennessee's free Medicare counseling - contact your regional AAA or TCAD at (615) 741-2056; helps with Medicare enrollment, plan selection, billing disputes, and Part D.
TENNCARE CHOICES: Tennessee's primary Medicaid HCBS waiver for adults 65+ and disabled; provides home-based alternatives to nursing home care; apply through TennCare at (800) 342-3145.
PROPERTY TAX ELDERLY AND DISABLED RELIEF: State pays a portion of property taxes for qualifying seniors 65+ with income under $31,600; apply January 1-April 5 with county trustee annually.
PROPERTY TAX FREEZE (COUNTY OPTION): Many TN counties freeze the tax bill for eligible seniors 65+; check with your county trustee for availability and eligibility.
LIHEAP/LIHEAP/LIEAP: Energy assistance program; important given TN's warm summers and cool winters; apply through Community Action Agencies or 211.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through APS statewide hotline: (888) 277-8366.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

TN Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) - aging.tn.gov | (615) 741-2056; TN SHIP: (615) 741-2056; APS: (888) 277-8366; TennCare CHOICES: hcfa.tn.gov | (800) 342-3145; 211 TN: dial 211