Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center

06/18/2026

The Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center offices will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth. We will resume our regular business hours (9am-4pm) on Monday, June 22nd. Voicemails can be left on our office numbers 931-528-1512 (Cookeville) or 931-644-3963 (Livingston) and your calls will be returned when the office reopens.
However,
- If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
- If you need to speak to someone immediately regarding domestic violence, call the Genesis House, Inc. of the Upper Cumberland crisis line at 1-800-707-5197.
- If you need to obtain an Order of Protection, please contact your local law enforcement agency.
Cookeville Police Department: 931-526-2125
Overton County Sheriff's Department: 931-823-5635
Clay County Sheriff's Office: 931-243-3266
Pickett County Sheriff's Office: 931-864-3210

06/18/2026

06/15/2026

Elder abuse can happen quietly — in homes, care facilities, hospitals, or even through financial scams. Awareness matters because many older adults never report what’s happening due to fear, dependence, isolation, or shame.

Common forms of elder abuse:
-Physical abuse — hitting, restraining, rough handling
-Emotional abuse — threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation
-Financial exploitation — stolen money, coerced signatures, scams
-Neglect — withholding food, medication, hygiene, or care
-Sexual abuse
-Abandonment

Warning signs:
-Sudden withdrawal or fearfulness
-Unexplained bruises or injuries
-Poor hygiene or untreated medical issues
-Missing money or unusual banking activity
-Changes in wills, accounts, or caregivers
-A caregiver refusing to let the older person speak alone

What helps:
-Regular check-ins with older relatives and neighbors
-Encouraging social connection and independence
-Watching for scams and financial pressure
-Reporting suspected abuse to local adult protective services or law enforcement

06/05/2026

You don’t have to explain your healing.
You don’t have to perform your progress.

You are allowed to exist in quiet, steady growth.

Healing isn’t loud. It’s yours.

06/03/2026

Yes. Our abusers teach us to be self-critical so that we have no energy left to criticize them. Learning to turn off our inner critic is a difficult task. It can start by learning to care for ourselves like we would any one else we love. https://carolineabbott.com/journey-to-healing/

06/02/2026

🌷🩷Remember that your own mother may one day be considered an elder. We would never want someone to mistreat or abuse her, and the same care and respect should be extended to every older adult.

06/01/2026

Every senior has a story, a personality, and a lifetime of experiences that deserve to be honored. As we observe Elder Abuse Awareness Month this June, we are proud to do our part in safeguarding the dignity, safety, and well-being of the elders in our community. Check on your loved ones and listen to them, they are so full of wisdom and deserve the upmost respect❤