Here is a listing of valuable resources the Aging Authority has found useful over the years.
AARP. This organization’s local assistance directory can help seniors find food, housing, health and even employment. https://local.aarpfoundation.org/
Administration on Aging. The AOA oversees community based organizations such as the Area Agencies on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Centers, which provide programs and services to seniors and caregivers such as health insurance counseling, legal assistance, protection from elder abuse and help with long-term care. https://acl.gov/
Aging Life Care Association. Find a credentialed aging life care professional near you. http://www.aginglifecare.org
Americans with Disabilities Act National Network. This network was created by the Department of Health and Human Services as a resource for information, briefings and free publications on the regulations granting universal access to the disabled. http://www.adaresources.org/
Benefitscheckup.org. This is a non-profit site run by the National Council on Aging. There are over 2,500 benefit programs available to seniors nationwide. This site helps seniors to navigate these programs and find what benefits may be available locally. It will give details and contact information for the programs identified. https://www.benefitscheckup.org/
CaringBridge. A health crisis throws everything into chaos. Because your family and friends care, questions and phone calls won’t stop and stuff begins to pile up. Your personal CaringBridge website gives you one centralized, private place to share health updates and request help. https://www.caringbridge.org
CampaignZero Patient Safety. Every patient needs someone as a second pair of ears and eyes to help navigate and safeguard their hospital care. CampaignZero’s checlists help you know what to watch for and what to do and how to get help when your loved one is in the hospital https://www.campaignzero.org/
Community Emergency Response Guide. Plan for Emergencies today- download the emergency response guide http://bit.ly/FFXCERG
CMS.gov Five Star Quality Rating Program. CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes and other senior care providers in regards to Health inspections, safety and quality measures. Caution: No rating system can address all of the important considerations that go into a decision about which provider may be best for a particular person. However, this rating system is a good place to start and can be a guide for what areas you may want to ask more questions. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificationandcomplianc/fsqrs.html
Dementia Friends USA. A Dementia Friend learns about dementia and then turns that understanding into action. We all have a part to play in creating dementia friendly communities! https://dementiafriendsusa.org/
Department of Health and Human Resources. Provides a ton of information on various subjects related to aging such as healthy aging, caregiver resources, elder justice, retirement planning, social security, medicare, medicaid https://www.hhs.gov/aging/index.html
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Military veterans may be entitled to many benefits through the VA such as health care, disability compensation, burial benefits, and other financial assistance programs. Navigating the VA and it’s programs can be quite strenuous, so we recommend contacting a regional benefits office for assistance. Locate one here https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=3 It is a good idea to have your veteran’s discharge papers handy when you get started.
Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This tool helps families calculate the cost of long term care across the U.S. Keep in mind there are many variables that will affect costs, but this website gives good baseline averages. https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
Health In Aging Foundation. This page is a trusted source for up-to-date information and advice on health and aging, created by the American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation. This page publishes the annual the “Beers List” which is a list of medications that older adults should avoid or use with caution healthinaging.org
Healthfinder.gov This site provides a wealth of authoritative educational information on common health topics and a directory to help you find health care in your area.
LifeLine. LifeLine is a federal government program for qualifying low-income consumers that provides one free or discounted phone (either landline or wireless cell phone) per household. To qualify, seniors will likely have to be on some form of government assistance, such as Medicaid. http://LifelineSupport.org
Medicare.gov. Medicare.gov offers a lot of information and resources, but specifically one of my favorite things is the Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs by State Index that they offer. Many states offer help paying drug plan premiums and/or other drug costs. Using this index you can select a state to see if any programs are available there. https://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/state-programs.aspx?varstate=PA
Medicare Portal. The Medicare Portal is a trusted resource for Medicare educational content . Whether you are a current Medicare beneficiary or newly Medicare eligible, the Medicare Portal will assist you in understanding your enrollment options, when you can make changes, and help you access and manage your benefits. https://medicareportal.org
National Council on Aging. Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. NCOA’s Center for Healthy Aging is a resource center offering Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs with support from the U.S. Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, which give people with chronic diseases the tools they need to better self-manage their symptoms and live a better life. https://www.ncoa.org/center-for-healthy-aging/
National Institutes of Health. NIH hosts the National Library of Medicine, which provides a comprehensive online database for all drugs approved by the DFA. This database can be utilized to search for information on medications including dosing recommendations, side effects and potential drug interactions. There is even information on herbal remedies and supplements. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country’s first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults. https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/
Nutrition Services Incentive Program. NSIP is a program that makes healthy food from the USDA to be made available to low-income seniors.
Project Animal Life. Check to see if your area has a Meals on Wheels program that will also feed a pet, if necessary. And there are a few Protect Animal Life (PAL) Humane Society programs that work with Meals on Wheels to pay for grooming, dental care, temporary boarding, and fostering for senior’s pets.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD provides seniors with housing through its programs including: public housing, multifamily subsidized housing and housing vouchers. The Section 202 program is provided specifically for the elderly. Visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts for more information.
Senior Corps. For seniors who might be feeling isolated or lonely, Senior Corps is a network of national service programs for Americans 55 years and older, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Senior Corps volunteers commit their time to address critical community needs including academic tutoring and mentoring, elderly care, disaster relief support, and more. https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps
Smart 911. Set up a Smart911 profile to provide emergency responders with the information they need to help you fast. Smart 911 is a national service meaning your Smart911 Safety Profile travels with you and is visible to any participating 9-1-1 center nationwide. https://www.smart911.com/
Social Security Administration. Social Security is a government program that provides seniors with a set income amount each month after they reach a certain age. If you have questions about how it works https://www.ssa.gov/provides plenty of resources to help you out.
