·State program
Tennessee Area Agencies on Aging and Disability, TENNOPT, and 211 Resource Navigation
Tennessee caregivers can use the Department of Disability and Aging's Area Agencies on Aging and Disability, the statewide TENNOPT line, and TN 211 to find local aging, disability, caregiver, long-term services and supports, home and community-based services, transportation, nutrition, Medicare counseling, housing, food, health care, legal, utility, and community-service referrals.
What it offers
Tennessee's Department of Disability and Aging says it oversees services and supports for people with disabilities and adults age 60 and over. Services and supports for adults over 60 and adults with physical disabilities include home and community-based services, OPTIONS for Community Living, SHIP Medicare counseling, nutrition, caregiver support, information assistance, transportation, and other programs, operated through the state's nine Area Agencies on Aging and Disability. DDA says the Area Agencies plan and provide programs and services for older Tennesseans and people with disabilities, and that calling 1-866-836-6678 from anywhere in the state automatically directs callers to their nearest Area Agency. TennCare says Area Agencies on Aging and Disability provide free assistance and referrals and serve as a resource for information and education about CHOICES and other long-term services and supports. TN 211 is Tennessee's community services help line, with trained specialists and a database of more than 10,000 health and human services programs.
Questions that decide eligibility
GiveCare prepares the questions; the program makes the decision. Bring these to the call or the application:
- 01
Does the person receiving care live in Tennessee?
Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
- 02
Does your relationship to the person — spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, other relative, or non relative — count for this program?
- 03
Does the VA disability rating meet the program’s minimum (our record lists null%)?
- 04
Do the work hours meet the minimum (our record lists null hours)?
- 05
Is there a caregiver-specific department, coordinator, or support line? Ask for it by name.
Many agencies have one that isn’t advertised on the website.
- 06
What documents do you need from us to start an application?
- 07
Is there a waitlist right now, and how long is it?