Knox Families Get Aging Care Resources at Conference
The annual event brought around 350 attendees together to learn about benefits, caregiving and senior care options.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Eldercare
Live Poll
Do you think your community is doing enough to support older adults?
The CAC Office on Aging hosted the 42nd annual 'Aging: A Family Affair' conference in Knoxville on Thursday, November 5, 2026, drawing around 350 attendees. The event offered Knox County and East Tennessee families sessions on aging-related planning and services.
Why it matters
Knox County has more than 100,000 residents aged 60 and over, and officials said regional growth makes access to centralized aging resources more urgent. A single event that brings together benefits guidance, care providers and planning help can make it easier for families to find support before a crisis.
The figures come from the event itself and from county population data cited in the coverage. Attendance of around 350 people is a count of participants, not a measure of outcomes, and the source does not report results from the sessions.
The players
CAC Office on Aging
The Knox County office that organizes services and programming for older adults and their families. It hosts the annual 'Aging: A Family Affair' conference.
Dr. Carole Myers
A professor at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing who delivered the conference keynote on purpose and legacy in later life.
Indya Kincannon
The Mayor of Knoxville, who delivered welcome remarks at the conference.
Betsy Henderson
The Knox County Mayor, who delivered welcome remarks at the conference.
The details
Breakout sessions covered Medicare enrollment, estate planning, pulmonary health, caregiving strategies and veteran services. A vendor expo connected attendees with area organizations, assisted living providers and in-home care agencies. Dr. Carole Myers, a professor at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing, gave the keynote on finding purpose and leaving a legacy, and WVLT's Will Puckett served as emcee. Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knox County Mayor Betsy Henderson delivered welcome remarks.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: the 42nd annual 'Aging: A Family Affair' conference was held.
2027: the conference is scheduled to return for its 43rd year.
Health Landscape
Local aging offices and annual education events are a practical way the Older Americans Act framework reaches families, covering benefits, caregiving and care options in one place. As the population of adults over 60 grows in counties like Knox, such centralized resources become a larger part of how communities plan for long-term care.
Families caring for an older relative may find it useful to ask a primary care provider about Medicare enrollment timing, caregiver support and available in-home services. Local aging offices can help connect you with these resources, and it is worth discussing your own care planning with your physician.
The takeaway
Planning ahead for an older family member's needs, including benefits, caregiving and care settings, is easier when local resources are gathered in one place. For specific questions, the CAC Office on Aging can be reached at 865-546-6262.
What happens next
The conference is scheduled to return for its 43rd year in 2027.
Further reading
For more on planning for later life, explore our Eldercare coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wvlt.
Live Poll
Do you think your community is doing enough to support older adults?
