Landline

Sister just called on 100yr old mother's behalf.   Said that her AT&T Landline was being discontinued (was told this when paying phone bill in person).   Mother depends on this phone / landline for her calls.    A) Is this TRUE (zip code 37388) ?   B) Timeframe ?   C) How do we not endanger senior citizens who depend on this critical service (and have zero Internet skills and can't see to use smartphones) ?