The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) is seeking feedback from the public regarding the State Plan on Aging. Due to COVID-19 the agency is unable to have public forums to gain public input on the state plan that will help guide Tennessee for the next 5 years in regards to services and supports to older adults.

As of 2020, Tennessee is the home to 1.2 million adults ages 60 and older. Based on projected growth, that number is expected to grow by 37% to 2.16 million by the year 2030. By 2030, approximately 28% of the entire population of Tennessee will be 60 years of age or older. Programs and services will be essential to address the needs of this large and rapidly growing population.

Programs administered by the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (“TCAD”) will continue to play a vital role in addressing these growing needs. Every five years, TCAD submits to the federal government a State Plan on Aging that provides the framework for a coordinated system aimed at addressing programs and services needed to allow older Tennesseans to age with dignity and the highest possible quality of life. The Tennessee State Plan on Aging addresses changes in demographics, funding and resources, and the challenges that Tennessee will face in the coming years.

The new state plan is now being prepared.  The Commission on Aging and Disability, in an effort to assess the status of older adults across the state as it prepares that new State Plan, wants your input on the needs of older individuals in your community.

“We want to hear from Tennesseans,” said Jim Shulman, Executive Director for the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.  “This is an opportunity for individuals to provide input for the new State Plan. Whether you are an older adult, relative, or caregiver, this is your chance to have a say on what we need to focus on over the next five years.”

Individuals have several different ways to provide input:  (1) go to www.tn.gov/aging and complete the “State Plan Survey for Older Adults” or “State Plan Survey for Providers”;  (2) follow the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability on Facebook or Twitter for survey links; or (3) call 615-741-1428 to complete the survey over the phone.