Topics of Interest to Help Families Plan Senior Care:

Families researching care options for aging parents often face difficult decisions involving safety, cost, and long-term planning. 

To help families better understand their options, My Dignity Care provides several in-depth guides that explain how different care models work and what families should consider when planning support for older adults. 

• How to Keep Elderly at Home 

Understanding the cost of home care is one of the first questions many families ask when exploring senior care options. This guide explains typical hourly rates, compares home care with assisted living and nursing facilities, and explores ways programs such as TennCare CHOICES, long-term care insurance, and other benefits may help reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses.

• Cost of Home Care in Tennessee

Many couples worry about being separated when one spouse begins to require additional care. This guide explains how in-home care can help couples remain together while receiving support for mobility, memory care, safety planning, and daily living activities. It also explores how shared-care models may help reduce the overall cost of care.

• Home Care for Couples

  • Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD)
Provides statewide leadership and coordination for programs that support older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities throughout Tennessee.

• Tennessee Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAAD)
A statewide network that helps seniors and families connect with caregiver support programs, transportation assistance, home-delivered meals, benefits counseling, and other aging services.

• First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (FTAAAD)
Serves Northeast Tennessee, including Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Greeneville, and surrounding communities, with caregiver support, long-term care guidance, and aging services.

• East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA)
Provides community-based support across East Tennessee, including senior transportation, housing assistance, caregiver programs, and services that help older adults remain safely at home.

• ETSU Center for Aging
Located in Johnson City, ETSU’s Center for Aging offers education, research, and aging-related programs focused on senior health, caregiving, and healthy aging.

• TennCare CHOICES Program
Offers long-term services and supports for eligible seniors who need assistance at home or in community settings rather than institutional care.

• Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Provides free counseling to help seniors and families understand Medicare coverage, supplemental plans, and prescription drug options.

• Tennessee Adult Protective Services (APS)
Investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving vulnerable adults and helps protect older adults who may be at risk.

• Tennessee Department of Health – Healthy Aging Program
Promotes healthy aging through public health education, chronic disease prevention, and fall-prevention initiatives for older adults.

• Family Caregiver Alliance

• National Alliance for Caregiving

• Caregiver Action Network

These organizations provide education, support groups, and practical caregiving guidance for families caring for aging loved ones.

• Alzheimer’s Association
Provides education, caregiver support groups, a 24-hour helpline, and research updates for families navigating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

• National Institute on Aging – Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center
Offers trusted medical information about Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving strategies, and ongoing research.

• Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Provides caregiver education programs, professional training, and a national helpline for dementia caregivers.

• Family Caregiver Alliance
Offers caregiver guides, support tools, and educational resources for families supporting loved ones with dementia and chronic conditions.

• American Stroke Association
A division of the American Heart Association providing education on stroke prevention, recovery, and rehabilitation.

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Provides research-based information about stroke recovery, rehabilitation therapies, and neurological conditions.

• National Stroke Association
Offers resources for stroke survivors and caregivers including rehabilitation guidance and recovery education.

• National Rehabilitation Information Center
Provides information on rehabilitation research and resources for individuals recovering from stroke or brain injury.

• Parkinson’s Foundation
Provides education, caregiver resources, support programs, and research updates related to Parkinson’s disease.

• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
A leading organization supporting Parkinson’s research and providing resources for patients and families.

• American Parkinson Disease Association
Offers caregiver support programs, patient education, and community resources for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Provides medical research and information on Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Provides education, caregiver support programs, advocacy resources, and treatment information.

• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
Offers educational programs, equipment assistance programs, and resources for individuals living with MS.

• Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Provides caregiver education, financial assistance programs, and health management resources.

• ALS Association
Provides caregiver resources, equipment assistance programs, research updates, and support networks.

• ALS Therapy Development Institute
Focused on ALS research and treatment development.

• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
Supports individuals with ALS and other neuromuscular diseases through research, care centers, and caregiver resources.

• American Lung Association
Provides education about COPD, lung disease management, and caregiver support resources.

• COPD Foundation
Offers patient education, community forums, and resources for individuals living with COPD.

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Provides research-based information about lung disease, COPD, and respiratory health.

• American Cancer Society
Provides cancer education, patient support programs, and caregiver resources.

• National Cancer Institute
A federal agency providing research-based cancer information, treatment guidance, and patient education.

• CancerCare
Provides counseling, support groups, financial assistance, and education for cancer patients and caregivers.

• Cancer Support Community
Offers support groups, educational resources, and emotional support for individuals and families affected by cancer.

• American Heart Association
Provides education about heart disease prevention, recovery, and cardiac health management.

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Offers research-based information about cardiovascular disease and treatment options.

• WomenHeart – The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
Provides support networks and education focused on heart disease.

• National Institute on Aging
Provides research-based information about aging, mobility decline, and caregiving.

• National Council on Aging (NCOA)
Offers fall prevention programs, benefits assistance tools, and aging support resources.

• Family Caregiver Alliance
Provides practical caregiving guidance for families supporting aging parents.

• Aging Life Care Association
Offers resources related to aging care management and support services.