DDA and TBI Partner to Distribute Scam Information to Older Adults Through Meal Delivery Services

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) announced a new partnership with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to ensure vulnerable older adults have the resources they need to learn about different scams through the SafeSeniorTN website.

Through this initiative, DDA and TBI will work together with mobile meals organizations to distribute thousands of magnets and information cards about these resources through meal delivery services.  DDA is piloting the program with the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) and Mobile Meals Community Kitchen in Knoxville.

“Older adults who receive meal delivery services are often homebound and isolated, making them easier targets for scams and elder abuse,” said DDA Commissioner Brad Turner. ”We hope that educating them about what to look for and where to go to find more information will help prevent them from becoming victims.”

“Through this initiative, we will be able to reach even more seniors in communities across the state,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “Our goal is to use every available avenue to support the safety and well-being of older and vulnerable adults by helping them stay informed, aware, and connected to valuable resources. Partnering with meal delivery services provides a unique and effective opportunity to deliver that message directly to those who may benefit most.”

DDA’s Aging Nutrition Program delivered 246,818 meals to 15,854 Tennessee residents in April 2026. The program currently provides access to socialization and nutrition education to adults aged 60 and over, in addition to connecting individuals with congregate and home-delivered meal options.

SafeSeniorTN, an outreach initiative of TBI in cooperation with the East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (ETAAAD), prevents seniors from being victimized by providing digestible guidance on a variety of technology, financial, and personal safety topics. SafeSeniorTN currently includes information on topics including social media and email safety, along with healthcare fraud and patient abuse.

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About the Department of Disability and Aging

The Department of Disability and Aging is the state agency responsible for oversight of services and support to 1.5 million older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities. The department is the result of a merger between the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disabilities, effective July 1, 2024.  Every day, the department strives to support people to live rewarding and fulfilling lives through Medicaid waiver Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and a wide range of services and supports for older adults and adults with disabilities. DDA also provides services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), and children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs through the Katie Beckett Program. The department supports people to live the lives they envision for themselves by ensuring people are free to exercise rights, engage with their broader communities and experience optimal health. DDA is the first state service delivery system in the nation to receive Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership.  It has also been recognized as a national leader in its efforts to increase competitive, community-based employment outcomes for people with disabilities and its commitment to enhancing independence through Enabling Technology.