The Community Assessment Committee meets monthly to study a particular issue that has been identified as a concern to older adults and their families. Anne Gulley, Community Volunteer, chairs the committee.
Since 1985 COA's Community Assessment committee has been the catalyst for programs and services such as:
- The Living at Home Program which helps older adults remain in their homes with some assistance
- Senior Solutions which is a hotline for information and referral (615-255-1010 or 1-877-973-6467)
- A Peer Counseling Program for older adults.
- Interfaith Volunteer Respite Program, established for to provide a needed break for caregivers.
The committee is always open to topics for discussion or study involving Middle TN older adults and caregivers. If you would like to attend a meeting or have a topic to suggest, contact COA or call (615) 353-4235.
Current Projects
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
According to the Pew Research Center, 1 out of every 10 children in the U.S. lives with a grandparent (2010 report). In 2012-13, the committee is investigating the impact of and services related to grandparents raising grandchildren. This is the second time the committee has studied this issue. In the past, the committee supported a pilot project, funded by the Tennessee State Legislature, to assist with legal, financial, and other concerns.
ReNEW
According to the Pew Research Center, 1 out of every 10 children in the U.S. lives with a grandparent (2010 report). In 2012-13, the committee is investigating the impact of and services related to grandparents raising grandchildren. This is the second time the committee has studied this issue. In the past, the committee supported a pilot project, funded by the Tennessee State Legislature, to assist with legal, financial, and other concerns.
ReNEW
This program's focus is on healthy living and access to fresh foods for seniors. The committee has chosen this focus for 2011-12 because seniors face nutritional obstacles which are often overlooked -- especially access to fresh foods. The committee will work to make information available to seniors about fresh foods as well as help eligible seniors enroll in SNAP assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and increase opportunities for exercise and wellness.
Aging & Caring: Things Families Need to Know
Caring for aging parents is becoming an important part of the lives of many adult children. Whether in the same town or long distance, in the parents' home or in a facility, caregiving can affect seniors, adult children, spouses, siblings, grandchildren and employers.
- Planning ahead
- Family dynamics
- Communicating with healthcare professionals
- Transportation
- Legal and financial issues
- Staying at home
- Nutrition
- Subsidized services
- Leaving home
- Respite care
- End of life issues
- Working with employers
Resource pages and documents are also included in the book. Learn more...
Transportation
Transportation is an issue that always tops the list of unmet needs of seniors. So it’s only natural that since 2005, the Council on Aging has been working to identify the specific transportation needs of seniors and create solutions for those needs.The Nashville Rides brochure, pinpointing Nashville area transportation resources, was developed as a result of work done by the committee. This resource is made available through funding from the Frist Foundation, HCA Foundation, and Metro Social Services. View the brochure...
Past Projects
Home Repairs
Barriers to providing home repairs to low-income seniors was studied. The committee provided educational materials to those working with older adults about a new repair partnership between Metro Action Commission and a non profit organization providing summer volunteers.
Respite Care
Respite Care
Developed and obtained funding for a volunteer interfaith respite program to provide a few hours of relief for full-time caregivers.
Widows' Issues
Widows' Issues
In 2002 and 2003 the Women’s Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle TN enabled COA to focus on the needs of widows. This resulted in two seminars and a book: Senior Women in Transition: Preparing for and Surviving the Death of a Spouse.
Prescription Drug Assistance
After a year-long study the committee developed a single brochure outlining programs to help seniors pay for prescription drugs. Over 8,000 copies were distributed.