Celebrati ng community partnerships with AgeWell

Celebrating community partnerships

Collaboration is key to providing support for older adults

In the last few decades multi ple community organizati ons have sprung up off ering support to older adults in various ways. Whether it is essenti al services such as food delivery, or care management or programming to keep older adults acti ve and engaged, many of these community organizati ons 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 informati on. Fift yForward is pleased to partner with AgeWell and to highlight the many ways they are part of our village.

By Kayse Marti n Director of Community Engagement, AgeWell

AgeWell Middle Tennessee champions positi ve aging. We believe as more of us live longer we have an exciti ng 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 counti es in Middle Tennessee, we serve as the area’s trusted community resource by providing informati on, educati on, and advocacy. Our initi ati ves have included Senior Ride Nashville, Discover Nashville, Discover Franklin, and the Living at Home Program. AgeWell off ers 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 informati on is conti nuously 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 informati on including checklists, legal and fi nancial informati on, and advice on navigati ng the healthcare system. “Empowering Grandparents: A Guide for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” includes resources, programs, supports, benefi ts, laws & policies available to grandparents. The” Preparing & Planning” guidebook is for end-of-life care planning with practi cal considerati on about care opti ons, clarifi cati on about important documents, and guidance for communicati ng decisions. New scams surface every day that are aimed at older adults. The best defense is knowledge and awareness of criminal behavior. AgeWell off ers a scam preventi on brochure in English and Spanish and a scam-of-the-month email. AgeWell is also a catalyst for soluti ons, and we collaborate with key community partners to fi nd soluti ons for older adults in our area. These partners might include other aging services organizati ons (including Fift yForward), community businesses or government agencies. Together, we identi fy unmet needs, create soluti ons, promote access to resources, provide educati on, and advocate for positi ve aging. One such collaborati on is the Middle Tennessee Elder Watch committ ee. This is the region’s affi liate for the TN Vulnerable Adults Coaliti on which brings together individuals and organizati ons to combat fraud, abuse, neglect, and exploitati on of older adults; to prevent elder abuse and scams; and to provide assistance to victi ms. Member organizati ons work together to educate the public and raise awareness about elder abuse, annually promoti ng World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June. AgeWell also convenes the Leadership Council comprised of invited leaders from 20+ organizati ons across Middle Tennessee to share informati on, exchange ideas, and foster bett er service coordinati on and collaborati on. Members stay abreast of new programs and services and help each other amplify outreach to older adults and caregivers. When disaster strikes or unmet needs are identi fi ed, the Leadership Council comes together to exchange vital informati on, explore soluti ons, and ensure that needs are met, oft en seeding new initi ati ves or collaborati ve opportuniti es. AgeWell partners with organizati ons across the state as a member of the Tennessee Coaliti on for Bett er 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 additi on, the AgeWell Legislati ve/Advocacy Committ ee meets throughout the year to discuss current policy issues, communicate with state and local leaders, and share calls to acti on. We advocate for and with older adults and family caregivers to enhance our community and support positi ve aging. Members include community volunteers and colleagues from public and private organizati ons. Learn more about AgeWell Middle Tennessee and access valuable supports at 615-353-4335 or visit www.agewelltn.org.

Kayse Marti n of AgeWell shares a photo with members of the Springfi eld Senior Center as she presented a program on aging in place resources.

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FiftyForward offers support groups to help you make meaningful connections

Have you ever wanted to go someplace, where everyone knows your name and they’re always glad you came? Remember that line from the popular TV series Cheers? Fift yForward’s support groups give you the chance to meet people who want to connect and share support and encouragement. Join one to make new and meaningful connecti ons. Fift yForward is here for you, always.

Men’s Support Group

“Bold and Golden,” the reti red men’s group that started two years ago at Fift yForward Knowles, is looking for more members. The group has met online aft er the pandemic started in March 2020, and returned to in-person meeti ngs at Fift yForward in mid-June. For more informati on, contact Dan Surface, 615-476-6364 or dan@dansurface.me.

“I have been pleasantly surprised to discover how important our reti red men’s group has become to me,” says John, a current member of the group. LGBTQ+ Peer Support Group

In this group, we socialize, share, and receive encouragement and ideas to build a community with each other. Group meeti ngs are held on Zoom once a month. If you would like to join this group, have questi ons, and/or need more informati on, please contact Ashley Hunter at 615-743-3417.

Center Member/Client Virtual Support Groups

Are you looking for a virtual space to engage with other older adults, share and navigate similar experiences, off er and receive encouragement, and get connected to resources? If so, you can join our new center member/client virtual support group. Groups meet twice a month over the course of three months. If you would like to join this group, have questi ons, and/or need more informati on, contact Kristen Maloney at 615-743-3436.

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