Aging & Disability
The Area Agency on Aging & Disability was established as part of the Older Americans Act of 1965, an act to provide assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons, and to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and Operating agency to be designated as the Administration on Aging. The Southwest Tennessee Development District was designated by the Tennessee Commission as the Area Agency on Aging. The planning and service area encompasses Chester, Decatur, Hardin, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy.
In 2000, the Tennessee Aging Network expanded its efforts to service other adults with disabilities. Thus, the name was changed to the Area Agency on Aging & Disability (AAAD). The primary goal of the AAAD is to develop a network of services to assist residents achieve the highest possible level of independence, and works through an Advisory Council and the SWTDD Executive Committee to develop a plan of action to be implemented in its planning and service area.
The AAAD administers service coordination and assessment activities, awards annual grants to organizations providing services, sponsors activities established under the National Family Caregiver Support Program, operates a public guardianship program for the elderly, and organizes special activities/events in the region. The AAAD also conducts annual compliance reviews of grantee agencies and advocates at the national, state, and local levels on behalf of older adults and persons with disabilities.
Agency on Aging & Disability Provides Funds
The Area Agency on Aging & Disability Provides Funds to Support:
Caregiver Support Groups & Education, Homemaker Services, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Nutrition Program, Respite Care, Senior Centers, Senior Citizens Law Project, Transportation Program
Assistive Technology, In-home Respite, Pest Control, Personal Care Assistance/Attendant, and Adult Day Care
The Area Agency on Aging & Disability’s Partnerships in Community Awareness and Planning Include the Following Agencies:
AARP
American Cancer Society
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
Area Relief Ministries
Alzheimer’s Association
DHS/APS Jackson Center for Independent Living
Jackson Parks & Recreation Dept.
Madison County Health Council
Q-Source
Region VI Mental Health Council
Sam’s/Wal-Mart Corporation
Social Security Administration
Southwest Human Resource Agency
Smile and See Planning Committee Tennessee Disability Coalition
Tennessee Federation for the Aging, Inc
The American Red Cross
The Salvation Army
United Way of West Tennessee
West TN Healthcare, Inc.
West Tennessee Inter-Agency Council
West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc
West Tennessee Regional Health Department
YMCA