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Council on Aging Receives Transportation Grant from West End Home Foundation

By January 20, 2016 No Comments

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 20, 2016 – The Council on Aging of Greater Nashville – a leading senior service, advocacy and education organization – has received a grant from the West End Home Foundation.

The COA has convened a Senior Transportation Leadership Coalition to develop door- to-door and door-through-door transportation options for older adults in Nashville. The grant will be used by COA and the coalition to move from study to development of a new ride service. The goal is to offer Nashville’s seniors a menu of transportation options to keep them active, healthy and connected to the community.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from the West End Home Foundation,” said Maribeth Farringer, executive director of the Council on Aging. “These funds are vital in our efforts to continuing to identify needs and drive solutions to serve this vibrant population, as we advance essential programs such as transportation to meet their needs and improve quality of life.”

In Davidson Co. persons age 65+ are expected to increase from 75,000 in 2015 to 150,500 by 2050. Older adults live another 10 years after they stop driving. The lack of affordable door-through door transportation significantly reduces a senior’s ability to remain at home and age in place.

“Grant funds like these from the West End Home Foundation are essential as we work to improve transportation services that will impact the lives of seniors as this population continues to expand in our city,” said Vickie Harris, President of the Council on Aging. “We want to ensure Nashville’s seniors can always get around easily and efficiently.”

This is the sixth year that the Council on Aging has received a grant from the WEHF, previously using the grant money to fund many projects that expanded information and resources for seniors.