Financial support awarded to local senior centers

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — The TN Department of Disability and Aging has awarded grants to several West Tennessee senior centers. It’s part of $5 million initiative to support 125 centers statewide.

We spoke with the Director of Carroll County’s Office on Aging, Melinda Quisenberry, about their plans to utilize the funding.

“We’re going to need new computers and new printers to do our reports because ours is getting obsolete,” said Quisenberry. “And we’re going to get a laptop for the seniors to come in and use, so they can research or whatever they want to do.”

The Office on Aging received $11 thousand in grant funds. Quisenberry says they also plan to allocate funds to senior activities and marketing expenses.

“We do day trips. They love to eat, so we do day trips. We go out. We go to the movies,” Quisenberry said.

State representatives Tandy Darby and Brock Martin secured one-time grant funding for several counties including Carroll, Weakley, Gibson and more.

The TN Department of Disability and Aging aims to strengthen emergency and community-based services for Tennessee’s aging population.

“It’s rewarding to see them come together and do activities and they enjoy each other just to see them fellowship,” Quisenberry said.

Quisenberry says it’s important to get seniors out and moving.

This investment will provide older adults with access to resources, activities and social connection.

Quisenberry encourages seniors to utilize the resources in their community.

For a full list of grant recipients, click here.

For more local news, click here.