DONELSON, Tenn. (WTVF) — One company says Tennessee is one of the worst states for older Americans.
Ada Suarez-Blash is a social worker at FiftyForward, a senior citizen center in Donelson. She works with people every day who are fighting to survive.
"I do see limitations when it comes to transportation, the amount of social security income that they’re living on is very limited," Suarez-Blash said, "A lot more funding needs to be provided for seniors in particular."
Fortunately, in the Nashville area there's places like FiftyForward where ladies like Quinn Nowlin can get help if they need it.
"I’m still pretty active, everything still works, so I have a part time job," Nowlin said.
She recognizes she's one of the lucky ones. Some older Americans in rural counties suffer from lack of income and accessible healthcare.
"It is sad! If you have a heart attack and you’ve got to go 150 miles... you may not make it," Nowlin said.
In addition, poor environments are another reason analysts at 24/7 Wall St. said the state is failing seniors.
Suarez-Blash said, "They can’t afford to clean their apartment, or do their laundry, or cook meals so If we had a program that was funded by the state that can allow for sitters to come in four hours a day or so..." She believes a program would help as there are some in place in other states.
Suarez-Blash hopes the Volunteer State can do more to make life easier for the aging generation.
