Haslam to hold summit on aging

By Lucas L. Johnson II

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE -- Advocacy groups for Tennessee's seniors are hoping a proposed summit by Gov.-elect Bill Haslam will help improve their access to certain resources and services.

Shortly before the election earlier this month, Haslam attended a forum sponsored by AARP and other advocacy groups about the convoluted system now in place for the state's seniors.

A report commissioned earlier this year by AARP in Tennessee found that more than 100 programs for seniors are spread among 23 state agencies, causing frustration in trying to get information.

Haslam, who easily won the governor's seat on Nov. 2, said at the forum that he would hold a "summit on aging" within the first six months of his administration to address the issue.

"We will do that," Haslam said at the time. "And I love the approach. In there is the understanding that we have increasing demands and we're always going to be dealing with restricted monies, so we have to work smarter. And we work smarter by having better information exchanges and making it easier for the customer."

Haslam spokesman Dave Smith told The Associated Press this week that Haslam is focused on "building his team to lead Tennessee, and when appropriate he looks forward to working with those in the field to put together an event on aging in Tennessee."

Rebecca Kelly, director of AARP in Tennessee, said she expects Haslam to keep his word because he's "already expressed a desire to review state government."

"We're about to experience a tidal wave of baby boomers turning 65," Kelly said. "We need to make sure that older individuals and their families know where to go for help, rather than just having to shop from one agency to another."

The report by Alicia Smith and Associates LLC found that "there is no one entity in the state that serves as the single point of entry to inform the elderly of all available programs across the state and to assist in gaining access to these available resources."

Karin Miller, communications director for the AARP in Nashville, said it's tough to know the exact number of retirees in Tennessee and how many use the services because of the scattered agencies.

She estimates at least 1 million people are 65 and older, or 19 percent of the population. By 2030, about 23 percent of Tennessee residents are projected to be age 60 or older, she said.

Adrienne Newman, associate executive director of FiftyForward, a Nashville group that helps individuals try to navigate the current system, said she's spent 20 years working with clients who need access to certain resources to live independently, and that streamlining is a must.

"There's just really no kind of single entry at the state level for people to ... tell their story once and then be able to receive the services that they need," said Newman, adding that the process is so tiresome for some that they do without the services.

Upcoming Events