Where to Start: Tennessee’s Area Agencies on Aging and Disability
When you’re trying to find support for yourself or someone you love, the hardest part is often knowing where to begin.
That’s why one of the most important resources across Tennessee isn’t just a single program, it’s a network designed to help you navigate what’s available.
Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAADs)
AAADs serve every region of Tennessee and are often one of the first places people turn when they need guidance.
Their role is simple, but critical:
To help individuals and families understand their options and connect to services that meet their needs.
Depending on your situation, AAADs can assist with:
- Information and referral to local services
- Caregiver support
- Transportation and meal programs
- In-home support options
- Medicare and benefits guidance
- Planning for long-term needs
What makes this network especially valuable is that it’s regional, meaning support is based on what’s actually available in your community.
Across Tennessee, AAAD partners include:
- First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (Northeast TN)
- East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) AAAD
- Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
- Greater Nashville Regional Council Aging & Disability Services
- South Central Tennessee Development District AAAD
- Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability
- Southwest Tennessee Area Agency on Aging & Disability (AAAD)
- Aging Commission of the Mid-South (West TN)
Each of these agencies serves a specific region, but they all share the same goal: Helping people access support in a way that makes sense for their lives.