then & now
T H E B U S IN E S S O F A G IN G
Community Life Bridge
There was a time not so long ago when the business of aging was a family matter. Caring for aging loved ones was a task left to the family. Just a few generations ago, an older adult would be cared for by family members, often women, who would step in to provide the care and services needed. There were few nursing homes, no assisted living centers, no continuing care facilities, and no memory care units. Families were pretty much on their own.
T
oday, thanks in part to the Baby Boom generation (10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day—and will until 2030), there are more services than ever to support families who are caring for elderly loved ones. That’s a good thing. According to the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, by the year 2030, the senior population of Sumner County will grow by 38 ercent acc untin f r ne in e resi ents in the area hen it comes to providing services for seniors and their families, Gallatin is richly blessed.
G a l l a t in S e n io r C o u n c il R o u n d t a b l e In this group, formed by the Mayor of Gallatin, more than a dozen representatives from the public sector along with professionals from ministry, healthcare, senior services, and n n r ts eet t e e c unit ase s uti ns that i improve seniors’ everyday lives. The Gallatin Senior Council Roundtable is currently working to designate Gallatin as an
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Age-Friendly City, part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
S e n io r - F o c u s e d S u p p o r t S e r v ic e s Gallatin boasts a growing network of support dedicated to improving the lives of older adults. Two of the most prominent groups, Community Life Bridge and SilverSolutions, help connect seniors, family caregivers, and the professionals who support them to appropriate services and resources. Both organizations were founded by Robin Williams, a local healthcare entrepreneur who has launched several businesses dedicated to addressing the unmet needs of the area’s oldest residents. Another well-known local program, The Veranda Ministries, is a congregational respite program meeting the social, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of older adults with Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, or other debilitating medical issues. (Continued on page 66)
