The Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability will celebrate its 50th birthday during Tuesday’s Senior and Disability Expo.
UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said the Upper Cumberland Area on Aging and Disability works with seniors who are experiencing the greatest need. Farley said the challenges for area seniors are changing.
“The aging population is much different than it was 15, 20 years ago,” Farley said. “You know, we’re in a time now where people are living longer but they’re also more active and engaged, so you know, as time has gone on we’ve had to shift our programs to meet up with the needs of the Region,” said Farley.
Farley said UCDD’s efforts include caregiver services, Meals on Wheels, repair programs, and activities at the area senior citizen centers.
“The social interaction is huge,” Farley said.”You know, it keeps people active, it keeps them engaged, and at the end of the day, our main goal is to keep them able to stay in their home as long as possible. To make sure they have food, make sure their housing is taken care of, and also to make sure they have someone you know, somebody advocating for them.”
For seniors without family, Farley said the agency can assist with vital services.
“We do the public conservator program,” Farley said. “So if an individual doesn’t have any family left, for whatever it may be, or they’re living in an area no, no other family live close by, and they have nobody to take care of them, we’re able to provide those services through the court system to, to provide both financial and and life decisions for those individuals.”
The Upper Cumberland Area on Aging and Disability is holding its annual Senior and Caregiver Expo, on Tuesday from 10am-2pm at Life Church. Farley said staff members will be dressed up in 1950’s style clothing, in honor of the agency’s 50th anniversary. The Expo will feature vendors and resources from across the region. It is free.
