Links to Websites Offering Information Useful to Seniors and their Families

The following websites offer all kinds of information relevant to caregivers and their loved ones. Many sites include assessment tools, expert advice, directories of local resources, and links to public health organizations and services.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety – http://www.aaafts.org: This organization’s website offers senior driving self-assessments, safe driving tips, emergency information, and more.

AARP (formerly American Assoc. of Retired Persons) – http://www.aarp.org: Founded in 1958, AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) today represents more than 34 million members. AARP provides information and advice on every aspect of caregiving, ranging from home modifications to legal and financial issues.

Abledata – http://www.abledata.com : Abledata is a federally funded project that provides information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment to consumers, professionals, and organizations.

Access-Able Travel Source – http://www.access-able.com : Offers helpful advice for elderly and disabled travelers.

Administration on Aging – http://www.aoa.gov: This federal agency sponsors the Eldercare Locator, which identifies Area Agencies on Aging by geographic location. This site is also designed to serve the general public – whether you are an older American, a caregiver, a professional in the field of aging, a member of our national aging network, a member of the media, or anyone with an interest in our nation’s large and growing aging population.

Aging Help – http://www.aginghelp.com: AgingHelp is for the professional serving the older American through community and in-home services. This help is often identified as senior, aging or elderly services by organizations that include senior centers, day-care facilities, health clinics, focal point agencies, area agencies, county departments, state units, or other organizations.

Age Net – http://www.agenet.com: AgeNet, Inc. operates a comprehensive, national eldercare network to meet the specific needs of the fast growing aging population and their adult caregiving children. This eldercare network brings together suppliers of eldercare products and services with businesses such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health care providers, health systems, and organizations or companies with employee assistance programs.

Ageless Design – http://www.agelessdesign.com: This site provides information and advice on home modifications and resources, especially for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Aging With Dignity – http://www.agingwithdignity.org: The non-profit Aging With Dignity was established because you and your family deserve better. We provide you with the practical information, advice and legal tools you need to ensure your wishes and those of your loved ones will be respected. By helping you improve your own quality of care, we can bring about dramatic change, one person at a time.

Alliance for Retired Americans – http://www.retiredamericans.org: This advocacy organization, launched by a coalition of AFL-CIO affiliated unions and community organizations, participates in government policymaking on aging issues. Anyone who isn’t a retired member of an affiliated union can join the organization for a fee.

Alzheimer’s Association – http://www.alz.org: The Alzheimer’s Association, a national network of chapters, is the largest national voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and helping those affected by the disease. The association’s website includes a listing of local chapters, online versions of the association’s brochures, and links to other Alzheimer’s websites.

Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center – http://www.alzheimers.org: The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center provides information about Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, its impact on families, and research into possible causes and cures. The ADEAR Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

American Stroke Association – http://www.strokeassociation.org: A division of the American Heart Association, this organization specializes in stroke research, education, fundraising, and advocacy. Its website provides information on caring for someone who has suffered a stroke.

American Geriatrics Society – http://www.americangeriatrics.org: The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is the premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults. With an active membership of over 6,000 health care professionals, the AGS has a long history of effecting change in the provision of health care for older adults. In the last decade, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies and practices regarding health care for older people.

American Parkinson Disease Association – http://www.apdaparkinson.org: his non-profit organization supports and promotes Parkinson’s research worldwide. On its website, experts answer questions about the disease.

American Society on Aging – http://www.asaging.org: Thousands of professionals throughout the country rely on the American Society on Aging to keep them on the cutting edge in an aging society. Through renowned educational programming, outstanding publications and state-of-the-art information and training resources, ASA members tap into the knowledge and experience of the largest network of professionals in the field. But ASA is much more than a traditional professional association. ASA is unique.

Arthritis Foundation – http://www.arthritis.org: The Arthritis Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions with advocacy, programs, services and research.

Assisted Living Federation of America – http://www.alfa.org: The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) represents over 7,000 for-profit and not-for-profit providers of assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, independent living and other forms of housing and services. Its website features a list of assisted living facilities that can be searched by state, county, or city.

Beverly Foundation – http://www.beverlyfoundation.org: The Beverly Foundation is concerned with the quality of life of the years that have been added to the average lifespan. Its founders and current supporters believe that it is an obligation of society to enhance the quality of life in the later years regardless of the setting in which that life is lived.

Caregiver Support Services – http://www.caregiversupportservices.com : This site provides online caregiver support, counseling, and training.

Care Guide, Inc. – http://www.careguide.com & http://www.eldercare.org: Care Guide, Inc. is a care management company dedicated to helping people at every stage of the aging process lead more comfortable, secure and independent lives. It has a national network of care managers, toll-free Support Center and website. Care Guide, Inc. provides families with everything they need to assess, plan, manage and monitor the best care for their loved ones.

Children of Aging Parents – http://www.caps4caregivers.org: This organization’s mission is to assist the nation's nearly 23 million caregivers of the elderly with reliable information, referrals and support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population.

Council on Family Health - http://www.cfhinfo.org: Seniors can get helpful information on health related issues and medication facts at this website.

Elder Corner – http://www.eldercorner.com: Since 1991, ElderCorner has been committed to helping the "over 50" folks by providing practical and affordable products. With the inception of the World Wide Web, we realized the opportunity to connect people to the products that can help improve their quality of life. Seniors today are enjoying active lifestyles and planning fun and happy futures. ElderCorner's innovative products can make a difference in the way people live.

Elder Rage - http://www.elderrage.com:—or—Take My Father...Please!, How To Survive Caring For Aging Parents, by Jacqueline Marcell. Are You At Your Wit's End?! Trying to cope with an elderly loved one who: • Makes unreasonable demands, wanting all of your time? • Is obsessed with sickness and death but refuses counseling? • Has become depressed, manipulative, distrustful or hostile? Then you'll love this riveting true story, written with compassion and humor—and realize that you're not alone with your countless frustrations and conflicting emotions.

ElderWeb – http://www.elderweb.com: This website is designed to be a research site for both professionals and family members looking for information on eldercare and long term care, and includes links to information on legal, financial, medical, and housing issues, as well as policy, research, and statistics.

Family Caregiver Alliance – http://www.caregiver.org : This organization’s website includes an information clearinghouse, archives of the group’s newsletter, online conferences, and an online support group.

Fifty-Plus Fitness Association – http://www.50plus.org: This website offers information that promotes an active lifestyle among older people.

Generations Online – http://www.generationsonline.com: The mission of Generations on Line is to promote this technology to enhance the quality of life of older people. Aimed at the large population of older Americans who cannot afford or choose not to enroll in computer training or Internet training, Generations on Line is both a service for access and product for learning. We provide specially programmed self-training software to senior centers, libraries, retirement homes and other locations where older people congregate.

Gerontological Society of America – http://www.geron.org: This organization’s mission is to promote the conduct of multi- and interdisciplinary research in aging by expanding the quantity of and improving the quality of gerontological research, and by increasing its funding resources; and to disseminate gerontological research knowledge to researchers, to practitioners, and to decision and opinion makers.

Go60.com – http://www.go60.com: Go60.com is a no-nonsense, yet caring and compassionate internet destination devoted to helping seniors improve with age. Go60.com is not about imitating youth or dazzling you with an eye-popping, animated website. Go60.com is about aging well, and aging wisely and successfully.

Illinois Department on Aging – http://www.state.il.us/aging/default.htm :The Vision for the Illinois Department on Aging is that, united with local communities and the public and private sector, it will be both a leader and a partner in helping all older Illinoisans and their caregivers achieve an optimum quality of life, assuring independence, dignity, self-sufficiency, health and safety. The Mission of the Illinois Department on Aging is to serve and advocate for older Illinoisans and their caregivers by administering programs and promoting partnerships that encourage independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Janssen Eldercare – http://www.janssen-eldercare.com: Janssen ElderCare is on the leading edge in developing innovative quality products and services to help you meet the special needs of seniors and the elderly. Within this Web site, you will find valuable information plus a wide variety of links to get you directly connected to the resources you want.

Lighthouse International (Vision) – http://www.lighthouse.org: To enable people of all ages to overcome vision impairment through worldwide leadership in vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy.

Meals-On-Wheels – http://www.mowaa.org: The Meals On Wheels Association of America represents those who provide congregate and home-delivered meals services to people in need.

Medicare – http://www.medicare.gov : Provides questions and answers about Medicare eligibility requirements, benefits, and costs.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys – http://www.naela.org: The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. is a non-profit association which assists lawyers, bar organizations and others who work with older clients and their families. Established in 1987, the Academy provides a resource of information, education, networking and assistance to those who must deal with the many specialized issues involved with legal services to the elderly and disabled.

National Alliance for Caregiving – http://www.caregiving.org : This organization provides information and support for caregivers and their families. The website features links to many helpful organizations.

National Area Agencies on Aging – http://www.n4a.org: The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) is the umbrella organization for the 655 area agencies on aging (AAAs) and more than 230 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S. The fundamental mission of the AAAs is to provide services which make it possible for older individuals to remain in their home, thereby preserving their independence and dignity.

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers – http://www.caremanager.org: GCM is a non-profit, professional organization of practitioners whose goal is the advancement of dignified care for the elderly and their families. With more than 1,500 members, GCM is committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of elders while striving to ensure that the highest quality and most cost-effective health and human services are used when and where appropriate. Through this organization’s website, you can find a geriatric care manager in your area.

National Association of Social Workers – http://www.naswdc.org: NASW is a membership organization that promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the effective functioning and well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its work and through its advocacy. This organization offers referrals to qualified social workers nationwide.

National Association of State Units on Aging – http://www.nasua.org: The National Association of State Units on Aging was founded in 1964 as a national non-profit membership organization comprised of the 57 state and territorial government agencies on aging. The mission of the Association is to advance social, health, and economic policies responsive to the needs of a diverse aging population and to enhance the capacity of its membership to promote the rights, dignity and independence of, and expand opportunities and resources for, current and future generations of older persons, adults with disabilities and their families.

National Center on Women & Aging – http://www.heller.brandeis.edu : The mission of the National Center on Women and Aging is to focus national attention on the special concerns of women as they age, to develop solutions and strategies for dealing with these concerns, and to reach out to women and organizations across the country, promoting the changes necessary to improve older women's lives.

National Council on Aging, Inc. – http://www.ncoa.org: This organization works with professionals and community organizations to improve the lives of the elderly. The website offers information about the organization’s wide-ranging advocacy role as well as access to its journal, Innovations.

National Family Caregivers Association – http://www.nfcacares.org : This nonprofit membership organization provides information and support for caregivers with aging parents, ill spouses, and disabled children.

National Institute on Aging – http://www.nia.nih.gov: The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 25 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. Check the website for the latest findings.

National Senior Citizen’s Law Center – http://www.nsclc.org: The National Senior Citizens Law Center advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well-being of low-income elderly individuals, as well as persons with disabilities, with particular emphasis on women and racial and ethnic minorities.

National Senior Games Association – http://www.nsga.com: A not-for-profit organization dedicated to motivating senior men and women to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement.

Northeast Illinois Area Agency on Aging – http://www.ageguide.org: For the last 25 years, NEIL AAA has developed and coordinated services such as home-delivered meals, case management, transportation, legal services, information and assistance, etc. to assist older persons. As our population ages and longevity increases, we must seek ways to assure access to these services. We think our Internet site will make our services and information more accessible and help us to improve the quality of life for an aging society.

OASIS – http://www.oasisnet.org: OASIS is a national nonprofit educational organization designed to enhance the quality of life for mature adults. Offering challenging programs in the arts, humanities, wellness, technology and volunteer service, OASIS creates opportunities for older adults to continue their personal growth and provide meaningful service to the community.

Senior Corps – http //www.seniorcorps.org: The Senior Corps is the national service program that puts the experience and talents of seniors across the country to work getting things done in their communities.

Senior Drivers – http://www.seniordrivers.org: The mission of Seniordrivers.org is not to teach anyone how to drive; rather, our mission is two-fold: Present some simple demonstration exercises that can keep one's aging body both flexible and less tired, and offer a set of "refresher" tips, to help seniors overcome some of the stickier situations found in everyday driving.

Senior Job Bank – http://www.seniorjobbank.org: Senior Job Bank exists to spread the word about the wisdom of keeping our older population in the workforce longer. The Senior Job Bank web site offers an easy, effective and free method for our senior citizens to find occasional, part-time, flexible, temporary and even full-time jobs. Through the Senior Job Bank web site, homeowners and businesses deal direct with older, more mature, more experienced and more reliable workers.

Senior Service America, Inc. – http://www.seniorserviceamerica.org: Senior Services America's purposes are exclusively charitable, educational and scientific: It provides employment for seniors through the Senior AIDES Program, the Senior Environmental Employment Program, and Mature Staffing Systems. It also conducts research programs and workshops.

Senior World Online – http://www.seniorworld.com: A senior resource center for active seniors in the digital age.

Senior Explorer – http://www.seniorexplorer.com: Senior Explorer was founded in October 1998 to provide seniors with the ways and means to become more actively involved with computers and the Internet. We truly believe that no other age group is more suited to the Information Age than those 50 and older.

SeniorNet – http://www.seniornet.org: SeniorNet's mission is to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.

Senior’s Wellness – http://www.seniorswellness.com: Welcome to SENIORS WELLNESS, offering important, useful, and up-to-date health and wellness information for seniors and their caregivers.

United Seniors Health Council – http://www.unitedseniorshealth.org: United Seniors Health Council is a not-for-profit organization composed of thousands of consumers, advocates and eldercare professionals who are committed to the belief that informed consumers are best able to help themselves.

Well Spouse Foundation – http://www.wellspouse.org : This organization offers information and support to people who are caring for their spouses.