Celebrating community partnerships
Collaboration is key to providing support for older adults In the last few decades multiple community organizations have sprung up offering support to older adults in various ways. Whether it is essential services such as food delivery, or care management or programming to keep older adults active and engaged, many of these community organizations partner with each other to form a web of care and support. We celebrate those partnerships and hope you will, too. One such agency is AgeWell, formerly the Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee. They are advocates for aging adults and provide a network of support in several ways including publishing directories and guidebooks aimed at providing necessary information. FiftyForward is pleased to partner with AgeWell and to highlight the many ways they are part of our village.
By Kayse Martin Director of Community Engagement, AgeWell AgeWell Middle Tennessee champions positive aging. We believe as more of us live longer we have an exciting opportunity to reimagine our community where older adults and caregivers are respected and valued and where helpful resources are readily available and easily accessible. Formerly known as the Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee, we’ve been a voice for older adults, families, and caregivers for 37+ years. Throughout 13 counties in Middle Tennessee, we serve as the area’s trusted community resource by providing information, education, and advocacy. Our initiatives have included Senior Ride Nashville, Discover Nashville, Discover Franklin, and the Living at Home Program. AgeWell offers a number of free resources and supports. The “Directory of Services” is a one-stop resource print and online resource for older adults, caregivers, and professionals. It is published every other year and the information is continuously updated on our website. Directories are also available at all Middle Tennessee public libraries. “Aging & Caring” is a guidebook created by caregivers for caregivers. It includes great information including checklists, legal and financial information, and advice on navigating the healthcare system. “Empowering Grandparents: A Guide for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” includes resources, programs, supports, benefits, laws & policies available to grandparents. The” Preparing & Planning” guidebook is for end-of-life care planning with practical consideration about care options, clarification about important documents, and guidance for communicating decisions.
unmet needs are identified, the Leadership Council comes together to exchange vital information, explore solutions, and ensure that needs are met, often seeding new initiatives or collaborative opportunities.
Kayse Martin of AgeWell shares a photo with members of the Springfield Senior Center as she presented a program on aging in place resources.
AgeWell partners with organizations across the state as a member of the Tennessee Coalition for Better Aging (TCBA) to promote the general welfare of older Tennesseans and their families through partnerships that mobilize resources to educate and advocate for important policies and programs. In addition, the AgeWell Legislative/Advocacy Committee meets throughout the year to discuss current policy issues, communicate with state and local leaders, and share calls to action. We advocate for and with older adults and family caregivers to enhance our community and support positive aging. Members include community volunteers and colleagues from public and private organizations. Learn more about AgeWell Middle Tennessee and access valuable supports at 615-353-4335 or visit www.agewelltn.org.
The Sycamores Terrace Retirement Community has provided exceptional care and service to Nashville seniors for more than 40 years. Now under new ownership and a new name, Sycamores Terrace Senior Apartments will continue to offer extraordinary service while providing a unique affordable housing option to Nashville's rapidly growing senior community.
Under new ownership! Newly Remodeled Units
New scams surface every day that are aimed at older adults. The best defense is knowledge and awareness of criminal behavior. AgeWell offers a scam prevention brochure in English and Spanish and a scam-of-the-month email.
AgeWell is also a catalyst for solutions, and we collaborate with key community partners to find solutions for older adults in our area. These partners might include other aging services organizations (including FiftyForward), community businesses or government agencies. Together, we identify unmet needs, create solutions, promote access to resources, provide education, and advocate for positive aging.
One such collaboration is the Middle Tennessee Elder Watch committee. This is the region’s affiliate for the TN Vulnerable Adults Coalition which brings together individuals and organizations to combat fraud, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults; to prevent elder abuse and scams; and to provide assistance to victims. Member organizations work together to educate the public and raise awareness about elder abuse, annually promoting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June.
AgeWell also convenes the Leadership Council comprised of invited leaders from 20+ organizations across Middle Tennessee to share information, exchange ideas, and foster better service coordination and collaboration. Members stay abreast of new programs and services and help each other amplify outreach to older adults and caregivers. When disaster strikes or 12 | Forward Focus
