Community Programs
There is so much to do when caring for a family member, it can be exhausting. There are programs and services to help. Many of them are free, or low cost. It's worth checking into them. You don't have to go through this alone.
Programs and services listed below are available in Knox and the surrounding counties.
Adult Day Centers
Provide supervised daytime care in a facility. Services often include meals, medication monitoring, etc. Their purpose is to provide short-term, daytime relief for the family caregiver.
Provide supervised daytime care in a facility. Services often include meals, medication monitoring, etc. Their purpose is to provide short-term, daytime relief for the family caregiver.
ALS Services
Find resources for dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Find resources for dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias
People with significant memory loss problems are said to have "dementia". While Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, there are more than 70 causes. Memory loss is difficult for the patient, but also especially hard on families. Fortunately, support services are available.
People with significant memory loss problems are said to have "dementia". While Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, there are more than 70 causes. Memory loss is difficult for the patient, but also especially hard on families. Fortunately, support services are available.
Arthritis Services
Information and support services for those with Arthritis.
Information and support services for those with Arthritis.
Assessment Services
There are various types of assessment services for older adults. These assessments can help families and individuals make better decisions about immediate and long term needs and services.
There are various types of assessment services for older adults. These assessments can help families and individuals make better decisions about immediate and long term needs and services.
Blind and Visually Impaired
Senior Citizens represent the largest demographic at risk for sight loss. Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, are but a few of the many different causes of low vision and blindness.
Senior Citizens represent the largest demographic at risk for sight loss. Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, are but a few of the many different causes of low vision and blindness.
Cancer Resources
Information and support services available for persons with cancer and for their family members.
Information and support services available for persons with cancer and for their family members.
Cardiac Resources
Information and support services available for persons with heart disease and for their family members.
Information and support services available for persons with heart disease and for their family members.
Care Management
Coordinates care for persons who have difficulty taking care of themselves. Arranges for community programs and local assistance.
Coordinates care for persons who have difficulty taking care of themselves. Arranges for community programs and local assistance.
Children's Resources
Information and support services that address the special needs of seriously ill children and their families as well as children who are themselves grieving due to the serious illness or death of a loved one.
Information and support services that address the special needs of seriously ill children and their families as well as children who are themselves grieving due to the serious illness or death of a loved one.
Counseling Services
From childhood through late adulthood, there are certain times when we may need help addressing problems and issues that cause us emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed.
From childhood through late adulthood, there are certain times when we may need help addressing problems and issues that cause us emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed.
County Offices on Aging
The Office on Aging provides a wide variety of services and information for senior citizens and their families.
The Office on Aging provides a wide variety of services and information for senior citizens and their families.
Diabetes Resources
Information and support services for persons with diabetes.
Information and support services for persons with diabetes.
Diability Services
An individual with a disability is defined as anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working, or learning.
An individual with a disability is defined as anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working, or learning.
Driver Safety
Getting older does not necessarily mean a person's driving days are over. But it is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road.
Getting older does not necessarily mean a person's driving days are over. But it is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road.
East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA)
ETHRA operates a diverse range of programs from services for Senior Adults to Nutrition Programs for Children, from HUD housing assistance to Home Weatherization and Heating and Cooling assistance, from Employment Development and Transportation to Probation Services.
ETHRA operates a diverse range of programs from services for Senior Adults to Nutrition Programs for Children, from HUD housing assistance to Home Weatherization and Heating and Cooling assistance, from Employment Development and Transportation to Probation Services.
Elder Abuse
Services available to protect seniors who may be in danger because of physical, verbal, sexual, or financial abuse or neglect and abandonment.
Services available to protect seniors who may be in danger because of physical, verbal, sexual, or financial abuse or neglect and abandonment.
Financial Assistance
Programs that offer monetary assistance, usually for specific purposes (e.g., medical equipment, prescriptions, utilities).
Programs that offer monetary assistance, usually for specific purposes (e.g., medical equipment, prescriptions, utilities).
HIV/AIDs
Resources for families and patients with HIV/AIDs.
Resources for families and patients with HIV/AIDs.
Home and Community Based Services
It's no surprise that most people want stay in their own homes as they age. But some may need help and support to stay there. That's where Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) can help. HCBS providers can offer everything from help with the chores to health care services, or even just someone to call and check in with an older adults. Also, these services often offer caregivers help, support and a much-deserved break from their duties.
It's no surprise that most people want stay in their own homes as they age. But some may need help and support to stay there. That's where Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) can help. HCBS providers can offer everything from help with the chores to health care services, or even just someone to call and check in with an older adults. Also, these services often offer caregivers help, support and a much-deserved break from their duties.
Home Health Care
Nursing care, rehabilitation, medication supervision, and therapeutic services provided in the home by trained nursing staff and home health workers.
Nursing care, rehabilitation, medication supervision, and therapeutic services provided in the home by trained nursing staff and home health workers.
Home Repair, Yardwork and Weatherization
Includes programs for low-income home owners as well as renters.
Includes programs for low-income home owners as well as renters.
Hospice Care
Specialized care for persons who have a life-threatening illness and have chosen to focus on comfort care measures. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team typically comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers, a chaplain, and other allied health professionals.
Specialized care for persons who have a life-threatening illness and have chosen to focus on comfort care measures. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team typically comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers, a chaplain, and other allied health professionals.
Housing - Assisted Living Facilities
Apartment-style living that provides housing, meals, medication supervision, and activities. For those who are fairly independent or live with a fairly independent person who can care for them.
Apartment-style living that provides housing, meals, medication supervision, and activities. For those who are fairly independent or live with a fairly independent person who can care for them.
Housing - Board and Care Homes (also called "Adult Foster Homes")
Available in some states, these facilities involve private families taking seniors into their homes and offering room and board and medication supervision. This is a more home-like alternative for those who are unable to live independently.
Available in some states, these facilities involve private families taking seniors into their homes and offering room and board and medication supervision. This is a more home-like alternative for those who are unable to live independently.
Housing - Residential Care Facilities
Available in some states, these facilities provide apartment-style living without kitchens for those who do not need skilled nursing assistance but who have slightly more complicated needs than is appropriate for assisted living (for example, people with dementia or memory problems who are otherwise very healthy).
Available in some states, these facilities provide apartment-style living without kitchens for those who do not need skilled nursing assistance but who have slightly more complicated needs than is appropriate for assisted living (for example, people with dementia or memory problems who are otherwise very healthy).
Housing - Skilled Nursing Facilities
A residential facility that provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, although some also provide respite care (day-long or short-term stays).
A residential facility that provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, although some also provide respite care (day-long or short-term stays).
In-Home Care Providers
Generally provide personal (non-medical) care in the patient's home such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, assistance with bathing, etc. May also provide skilled (medical) care such as wound dressing, medication management, pain assessments, etc.
Generally provide personal (non-medical) care in the patient's home such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, assistance with bathing, etc. May also provide skilled (medical) care such as wound dressing, medication management, pain assessments, etc.
Information and Referral Services
Provides information about local programs and services
Provides information about local programs and services
Insurance Counseling
Provides information about insurance options and assistance with filling out medical insurance claims forms. Includes information about Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental insurance.
Provides information about insurance options and assistance with filling out medical insurance claims forms. Includes information about Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental insurance.
Legal Services
Provides assistance/counsel with legal issues relating to benefits, advance care planning, and estate-planning documents.
Provides assistance/counsel with legal issues relating to benefits, advance care planning, and estate-planning documents.
Long Distance Caregiving
If you are caring for someone who lives far away, these resources can help put you in touch with support services in that person's community.
If you are caring for someone who lives far away, these resources can help put you in touch with support services in that person's community.
Mental Health Services
For families and patients dealing with conditions of the brain, such as depression, bipolar, PTSD and schizophrenia.
For families and patients dealing with conditions of the brain, such as depression, bipolar, PTSD and schizophrenia.
Notary Public
A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government—typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.
A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government—typically by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents.
Nutrition Programs
Provide meals, food stamps, and emergency food boxes.
Provide meals, food stamps, and emergency food boxes.
One Call Club for Seniors
One Call Club provides one-phone-call access to reliable, reasonably priced services seniors (age 50+) need to remain in their homes.
One Call Club provides one-phone-call access to reliable, reasonably priced services seniors (age 50+) need to remain in their homes.
Recreation and Leisure
For most of us, leisure and recreation make life worth living. Activities such as swimming, boating, hiking, golfing, or even simple card games help us relieve stress, socialize with others, and learn valuable skills.
For most of us, leisure and recreation make life worth living. Activities such as swimming, boating, hiking, golfing, or even simple card games help us relieve stress, socialize with others, and learn valuable skills.
Respite Care
A facility that provides several days of 24-hour care for people who cannot live alone. The service is designed to allow the primary caregiver some short-term relief from their day-to-day responsibilities.
A facility that provides several days of 24-hour care for people who cannot live alone. The service is designed to allow the primary caregiver some short-term relief from their day-to-day responsibilities.
Support Groups-Alzheimer's and other dementias
For patients and families dealing with conditions that damage memory, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's and stroke.
For patients and families dealing with conditions that damage memory, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's and stroke.
Support Groups-Cancer
Find online and in-person groups for both patients and for family members.
Find online and in-person groups for both patients and for family members.
Support Groups-Caregivers
Serious illness affects more than just the patient. Get support and learn valuable tips from others who are also caring for a loved one.
Serious illness affects more than just the patient. Get support and learn valuable tips from others who are also caring for a loved one.
Support Groups-Children
Gatherings for children and teens who are ill themselves, as well as youths who are impacted by the illness of others.
Gatherings for children and teens who are ill themselves, as well as youths who are impacted by the illness of others.
Support Groups-Diabetes
Groups for those impacted by diabetes and by complications from diabetes (e.g., dialysis).
Groups for those impacted by diabetes and by complications from diabetes (e.g., dialysis).
Support Groups-Grief and Loss
For those who are grieving the death of a loved one. Provides an opportunity to receive and offer support in a caring and accepting atmosphere.
For those who are grieving the death of a loved one. Provides an opportunity to receive and offer support in a caring and accepting atmosphere.
Support Groups-Lung Conditions
Offers persons with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory diseases an opportunity to share problems and experiences with others who have similar ailments.
Offers persons with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory diseases an opportunity to share problems and experiences with others who have similar ailments.
Support Groups-Online
Provide even homebound caregivers and patients with an opportunity to share information, feelings and coping skills in a supportive atmosphere with others who are in a similar situation.
Provide even homebound caregivers and patients with an opportunity to share information, feelings and coping skills in a supportive atmosphere with others who are in a similar situation.
Technology Resources
There are many ways that technology and assistive devices can make it easier for people to live independently with a high quality of life.
There are many ways that technology and assistive devices can make it easier for people to live independently with a high quality of life.
Telephone and Visitation Services
Phone calls and/or home visits to seniors who are housebound.
Phone calls and/or home visits to seniors who are housebound.
Transportation for non-medical reasons
Public or private transportation for short or long distances, often at reduced rates if rider is disabled, senior, or low income.
Public or private transportation for short or long distances, often at reduced rates if rider is disabled, senior, or low income.
Veteran Services
Persons who served in the armed forces often have access to special support programs available for veterans.
Persons who served in the armed forces often have access to special support programs available for veterans.
Please Note: Knox Care Management does not specifically endorse the activities of these organizations, but offers their information as a sample of the kinds of materials and services that are available.
