All year long, the Council on Aging (COA) of Middle Tennessee serves older adults, caregivers and communities by addressing unmet needs through information, advocacy and education.
Known for its collaborative work with other agencies on key issues including transportation, scam and elder abuse prevention, caregiver support and advocacy for affordable housing, COA identifies needs and creates solutions.
May is Older Americans Month and in observance, COA offers a month of heightened awareness and the opportunity to highlight their many initiatives. To kick off the month, the nonprofit is launching their new online Directory of Services and customized care guidance tool, Roobrik.
A trusted resource for 30 years, the Directory of Services offers unbiased information for older adults, caregivers and professionals. In 2016, the online directory averaged 103 users per day and COA staff responded to nearly 1,000 calls for information on community services, housing, in-home care, insurance and transportation.
“COA strives to be a trusted source of information for older adults and caregivers,” said Grace Smith, executive director. “We are excited to offer an improved online directory and new care navigation tool, Roobrik, on our website – coamidtn.org”
The new online directory was made possible through funding from Serving Tennessee’s Seniors, administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at the request of the Chancery Court. Copies of the printed directories are available at public libraries, the COA office and other select locations throughout Middle Tennessee.
Additional May is Older Americans Month activities include:
COA Education series at Williamson County Main Library May 4 & 16
1314 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064
Two Most Important Keys to Successful Aging: Information & Communication – May 4 and 6:30 p.m.
As an adult child of aging parents, accurate information is a vital part of caring for our parents. With so many resources, it can be overwhelming, confusing & exhausting trying to decide which service is best for your parents and for yourself while you juggle life’s many demands. Join us as we discuss how to make wise choices and how best to communicate with family, medical professionals and, most importantly, your parent!
Register here.
Downsizing or Retiring in Place? – May 16 at 1 p.m.
Are you planning ahead for a more comfortable, user-friendly home, or do you feel overwhelmed with even the thought of creating a new home space? Let’s have a candid conversation about Rightsizing!
Register here.
Caregiver Roadmap: A day of learning, planning, and connecting for all caregivers May 18, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Fifty Forward, 960 Heritage Way, Brentwood, TN 37027
A free seminar for caregivers presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee, Area Agency on Aging and Disability, and COA.
Register here.
Senior Days on the General Jackson – May 16, May 17 & May 19
Senior groups of 10 or more receive a 20 percent discount if they say “COA Senior Days” when making a group reservation (price is $52 per person) for public lunch cruises the week following Mother’s Day (5/16/17, 5/17/17 & 5/19/17). Interested groups may make reservations through Gaylord by calling Gayle Schermerhorn at 615-458-5824 or her assistant at 615-458-5827.
For more information, click here.
COA’s Directory of Services day at Kroger – May 24, 10 a.m. – Noon
COA volunteers will be distributing copies of the printed directory and sharing more information about COA’s initiatives at the following Kroger locations:
Kroger, 2131 Abbott Martin Rd, Nashville, TN 37215
Kroger, 7087 Highway 70 S, Bellevue, TN 37221
Kroger, 210 Franklin Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027
Kroger, Independence Square, 595 Hillsboro Rd., Franklin, TN 37064
About the Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee
The Council on Aging (COA) of Middle Tennessee addresses the unmet needs of the area’s older adults, caregivers and communities through information, advocacy and education. Founded in 1985 upon the recommendation of a mayoral task force, COA is an independent, board directed 501(c) 3 nonprofit known for its collaborative work with other agencies, businesses, older adults and family members to create cooperative solutions for the aging population. Outreach includes caregiving, elder abuse & scam prevention, housing, legal concerns, transportation and the Directory of Services. COA also hosts events throughout the year such as the Sage Awards. Learn more at coamidtn.org
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