Congregate Meals are provided to persons age 60 and over in a congregate setting at Senior Citizens Centers located in all 14 Upper Cumberland counties.  The nutritious noon meal, which complies with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and meets the Daily Reference Intake (DRI) of nutrients for a single meal, is provided four days per week at congregate sites.

Title III HDM provide a nutritionally balanced noon meal to persons age 60+ and/or the spouse of someone 60+.  Meals meet the Daily Reference Intake of required nutrients as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and is delivered to the eligible client's place of residence five to seven days per week as prescribed in the individual's plan of care.

OPTIONS for Community Living is a state-funded program. The program was created to provide the elderly and adults with disabilities home and community based services choices. This program is available through the local Area Agencies on Aging and Disability.

OPTIONS - Home Delivered Meals - Options HDM provides meals for persons 18 years of age or older with a physical disability and must be limited in daily and independent activities.

OPTIONS - Homemaker Aide - Options HMA provides homemaker aid services for person 18 years of age or older with a physical disability and must be limited in daily and independent activities.

OPTIONS - Personal Care - Options PC provides personal care (activities of daily living) to persons 18 years of age or older with a physical disability and must be must be limited in daily and independent activities.

The provision and installation of certain home mobility aides (e.g., ramps, rails, non-skid surfacing, grab bars, and other devices and minor home modifications which facilitate mobility) and modifications to the home environment to enhance safety.  Excluded are those adaptations or improvements to the home which are of general utility and which are not of direct medical or remedial benefit to the individual, such as carpeting, roof repair, central air conditioning, etc.  Adaptations which add to the total square footage of the home are excluded from this benefit.  All services shall be provided in accordance with applicable State or local building codes.

Computer and technology classes, specially designed for seniors.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) invites adults age 55 and over to use their life experience and skills to answer the call of their neighbors in need. With RSVP, you choose how and where you want to serve. You choose the amount of time you want to give. In short, you find the opportunity that's right for you.

SCSEP - provides employment for older adults who are 55 years or older and economically disadvantage by placing these experienced citizens in public and non-profit facilities for part-time community service work.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs provide FREE tax preparation services for qualifying households with incomes of $49,000 or less. These sites are run by IRS certified volunteers who help families claim qualifying tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Sometimes, these credits amounts to over $5,000 and is a much needed boost to a low wage earning family budget. The VITA sites also save tax filers hundreds of dollars in high interest loans and unnecessary fees.

SSBG Homemaker Aide- provide assistance with general household activities to Adult Protective Service clients referred by DHS, who have difficulty with one or more of the following instrumental activities of daily living:  preparing meals, shopping for personal items, managing money, using the telephone, and doing light housework.  Trained staff are available to do the following activities:  routine household management tasks such as menu planning, budgeting, shopping, meal preparation, and light housekeeping, such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, hanging linens, making beds, washing dishes, doing personal laundry, ironing mending, meal preparation and/or education about preparation of nutritious appetizing meals, assistance and maintenance of safe environment and errands such as grocery shopping and having prescriptions filled.

This program provides relief to caregivers by providing personal care (activities of daily living) to seniors 60 years of age or older and also grandparents or other senior relatives who are primary caregivers of children not more than 18 years of age.

Homemaker Services - Services consist of general household activities and chores (e.g., sweeping, mopping, dusting, making the bed, washing dishes, personal laundry, ironing, mending, and meal preparation and/or education about the preparation of nutritious appetizing meals; assistance with maintenance of a safe environment) and errands essential to the Enrollee's care (e.g., grocery shopping, having prescriptions filled) provided by a trained homemaker when the enrollee is unable to perform such activities and when the individual regularly responsible for these activities is temporarily unable to perform such activities for the Enrollee.

Personal Care Services - Services provided assist the Enrollee with activities of daily living, and related  essential household tasks, and other activities that enable the Enrollee to remain in the home, as an alternative to Nursing Facility care.

Adult Day Services offer personalized care for adults who are physically, socially, emotionally and mentally challenged, or frail due to advanced age.  The program helps older people maintain their independence by providing stimulating activities including daily exercise and craft projects.

This service provides public transportation to rural residents of all ages, giving first priority to elderly, handicapped and economically disadvantaged with medical needs while providing deviated, fixed route and demand-response service.  It is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, TN Dept. of Transportation, TN Commission on Aging, fares, local revenues, and in-kind contributions.

Respite defined: respite is a period of rest or relief. Respite care provides the caregiver with time away from the routine and stress of caring for the physical, emotional or social needs of the person with Alzheimer's disease. Of great concern is that the caregiver remains healthy and able to continue with his/her care giving responsibility. You will have to ask, though, as no one will know that you need help if you do not make your needs known. Services include: help with personal care and grooming, activities or recreation, physical exercise, meals and snacks, day care, long term care and home health care.

Respite care varies in price. Some adult day care agencies have very affordable rates, whereas long term facilities could run over $3000 per month. At the present time, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover respite services. Some private insurances may; however, it's advised that you check with your administrator.

The Foster Grandparent Program provides volunteer opportunities for people aged 60 and older from all economic, educational, and social backgrounds to serve children and teenagers who have special needs as well as their families. Foster Grandparents help young people increase their self-confidence and achieve personal independence so that they can learn to overcome their problems and become productive members of society.

Foster Grandparents volunteer an average of 1,040 hours every year (15 to 40 hours weekly) through local community non-profit agencies in both community-based and in-home settings. Volunteers who meet certain income guidelines receive a small, non-taxable stipend, which enables those living on limited incomes to be served at no cost to themselves. Assistance with the cost of transportation, a daily meal, an annual physical exam, and on-duty accident and liability insurance are also provided to all volunteers.

Some agencies are qualified through the Social Security Administration to provide Representative Payee assistance for those individuals who are unable to manage their finances alone. Through the Representative Payee Program, not only are bills paid, but other services are coordinated to assist the individual in having a better quality of life.