Links
Advocacy
AARP—www.aarp.org
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making
life better for people 50 and over. AARP provides information and resources;
engages in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assists members in
serving their communities; and offers a wide range of benefits, special
products, and services for its members.
Families
USA—www.familiesusa.org
A national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of
high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Working at the
national, state, and community levels, we have earned a national reputation as
an effective voice for health care consumers for over 20 years.
Medicare Rights
Center--www.medicarerights.org
Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care
information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare.
Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good,
affordable health care.
National Citizen’s Coalition for
Nursing Home Reform—www.nccnhr.org
Consumers and advocates who define and achieve quality for people with
long-term care needs.
National Committee to Preserve
Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM)--www.ncpssm.org
The mission of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare,
a membership organization, is to protect, preserve, promote, and ensure the
financial security, health, and the wellbeing of current and future generations
of maturing Americans.
National Senior Citizens Law
Center (NSCLC)--www.nsclc.org
The National Senior Citizens Law Center advocates nationwide to promote the
independence and well-being of low-income elderly individuals and persons with
disabilities.
The Social Security
Network--www.socsec.org
A source for information, analysis and expert commentary on the Social Security
debate.
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Aging Organizations
AARP—http://www.aarp.org
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making
life better for people 50 and over. AARP provides information and resources;
engages in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assists members in
serving their communities; and offers a wide range of benefits, special
products, and services for its members.
Administration on
Aging--http://www.aoa.gov
The Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency in the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, is one of the nation's largest providers of home- and
community-based care for older persons and their caregivers. Its mission is to
promote the dignity and independence of older people, and to help society
prepare for an aging population.
Alliance for Retired
Americans—http://www.retiredamericans.org
The mission of the Alliance for Retired Americans is to ensure social and
economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that they may enjoy
lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security.
American Association of Homes
& Services for the Aging-- http://www.aahsa.org
An association of organizations providing adult day services, home health,
community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care
retirement communities and nursing homes.
American Geriatrics
Society—http://www.americangeriatrics.org
A professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the
health and well-being of all older adults. With an active membership of over
6,800 health care professionals, the AGS has a long history of effecting change
in the provision of health care for older adults.
ASA American Society on
Aging—http://www.asaging.org
An association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the
commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve
the quality of life of older adults and their families. The membership of ASA
is a multidisciplinary array of professionals who are concerned with the
physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual aspects of aging. They
range from practitioners, educators, administrators, policymakers, business
people, researchers, students, and more.
Gerontological Society of America
(GSA)-- www.geron.org
A non-profit professional organization with more than 5000 members in the field
of aging. GSA provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers
with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied
research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages.
Leadership Council of Aging
Organizations (LCAO)—www.lcao.org
The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) is a coalition of national
nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America's older
population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making
arena.
National Association of Area
Agencies on Aging (NAAAA)--www.n4a.org
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., advocating on
behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support
services are available to older Americans. AAAs and Title VI programs provide
services which make it possible for older individuals to remain in their home,
thereby preserving their independence and dignity.
National Association of
Nutrition and Aging Services Programs—www.nanasp.org
A professional membership organization with members drawn primarily from
persons working in or interested in the field of aging, community-based
services, and nutrition and the elderly.
National Caucus and Center on
Black Aged, Inc.—www.ncba-aged.org
Strives to improve the lives of elderly African Americans and low income
minorities.
National Council on the Aging,
Inc. (NCOA)-- ncoa.org
A national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the
health and independence of older persons and increasing their continuing
contributions to communities, society and future generations
National Hispanic Council on
Aging (NHCoA)—www.nhcoa.org
An advocate organization with the primary purpose of improving the quality of
life for Latino elderly, families and communities. Since its inception, the
NHCOA has focused on the importance and functions of the family to assist the
elderly in every aspect of living and to provide needed care in old age.
National Indian Council on Aging
(NICOA)-- www.nicoa.org
Advocate for improved, comprehensive health and social services to American
Indian and Alaska Native Elders. NICOA is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation
that employs more that 30 full time staff.
Older Women’s League
(OWL)—www.owl-national.org
As the only national grassroots membership organization to focus solely on
issues unique to women as they age, OWL strives to improve the status and
quality of life of midlife and older women. OWL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization that accomplishes its work through research, education, and
advocacy activities conducted through a chapter network.
Senior Net—www.seniornet.org
SeniorNet is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of computer-using adults, age 50
and older. 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.
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Benefits
Access to Benefits
Coalition—www.accesstobenefits.org
Ensures that Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes and resources know
about and can make the best use of all available resources for reducing the
costs of prescription drugs, including Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
(starting in January 2006), the extra help available for paying prescription
drug costs (available through the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage), the
Medicare-approved drug discount card program, State Pharmacy Assistance
Programs, Patient Assistance Programs, and more.
BenefitsCheckUp—www.benefitscheckup.org
or www.benefitscheckuprx.org
Operated by the National Council on the Aging, this Web-based service
identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans in each
community. You must fill out a short questionnaire which is used only to
determine which programs an older person qualifies for.
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services—www.cms.hhs.gov
www.medicare.gov
The official U.S. government website for those with Medicare.
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Caregiving
Eldercare Locator -
www.n4a.org/locator.cfm
N4A operates the Eldercare Locator, a toll-free nationwide telephone service
(1-800-677-1116), which helps caregivers locate services for older adults in
their own communities. This service is supported by a cooperative agreement
with the U.S. Administration on Aging.
And Thou Shalt
Honor—www.andthoushalthonor.org
Nationwide directory of community services for caregivers, PBS programs and
town hall meetings, caregiving news, books and tapes and resource center.
Caregivers
Marketplace—www.caregiversmarketplace.com
A free service for family caregivers that offers savings and education on a
wide range of goods and services needed and used by anyone who "gives, gets or
needs care." Toll Free 1-866-327-8340.
Family Caregiver
Alliance—www.caregiver.org
The first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the
needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA now offers
programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.
Interfaith Care
Partners—www.interfaithcarepartners.org
Non-profit organization that works with partner congregations to assist their
development of service programs that manifest each congregation's commitment to
member care that serves both its own families and as an outreach program in the
wider community.
National Alliance for
Caregiving—www.caregiving.org
Dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who
help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family
caregivers.
National Family Caregivers
Association—www.nfcacares.org
Information and resources for caregivers.
National Association of
Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM)-- www.caremanager.org
Care managers are professionals who coordinate caregiving services. They can be
helpful when family members are not able to play an active role. Locate a
Geriatric Care Manager.
Rosalyn Carter Institute for
Caregiving—www.rci.gsw.edu
Through research, education, and training, the RCI promotes the mental health
and well-being of individuals, families, and professional caregivers;
promulgates effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of
caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring
communities.
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Civic Engagement/volunteering
American Society of Directors of
Volunteer Services—www.asdvs.org
Association for Volunteer
Administration--www.avaintl.org
The Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA) is the global professional
membership association for individuals and organizations working in the field
of volunteer resources management, and organizational staff, professional
consultants, and businesses who serve them.
Civic
Ventures—www.civicventures.org
Civic Ventures is a think tank as well as an incubator, creating ideas and
inventing programs that help society achieve the greatest return on experience.
They focus on the vanguard of a new movement made up of a growing number of
Americans who are redefining the second half of life. These people are not just
extending their years on the job; they are doing work that adds meaning to
these years. They want to share their experience while acquiring new
experiences. They are inventors, organizers, leaders, activists, teachers, and
entrepreneurs who attach deep meaning to the notion of giving back.
Corporation for
National and community Services, Senior Corps—www.nationalservice.org
Through grants and other resources—including the energy and efforts of citizens
age 55 and over—Senior Corps helps meet the needs and challenges of America’s
communities. Grants administered through Senior Corps provide funding for three
special programs: Foster Grandparents connects volunteers age 60 and over with
children and young people with exceptional needs; Senior Companion Program
brings together volunteers age 60 and over with adults in their community who
have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living; RSVP offers “one
stop shopping” for all volunteers 55 and over who want to find challenging,
rewarding and significant service opportunities in their local communities.
Energize
International—www.energize.org
Resources and information for directors of volunteers
Idealist—www.idealist.org
Post jobs, events, and volunteer opportunities
Independent
Sector--http://www.independentsector.org
A coalition of leading nonprofits, foundations and corporations strengthening
not-for-profit initiative, philanthropy and citizen action. The organization
publishes reports on the volunteer and charitable activities of older adults.
Leadership Greater
Hartford, 3rd Age Initiative—www.leadershipgh.org
Develop potential for those 50+ so that they can share their experience,
knowledge and talents for the community.
NCOA
RespectAbility—www.respectability.org
RespectAbility is a collaborative initiative designed to help community
organizations and decision-makers find ways to empower the growing population
of older Americans to use their abilities, their experience and their energy to
help address community problems through volunteer work and employment.
Points of Light
Foundation—www.pointsoflight.org
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages
and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social
problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and
services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life — businesses,
nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth,
and older adults — to volunteer.
Service
Leader—www.serviceleader.org
ServiceLeader.org, a project of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community
Service at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs of the University of
Texas at Austin, provides information on all aspects of volunteerism.
Volunteers of America—www.voa.org
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, spiritually based organization
providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and
community involvement.
Volunteer
Match—www.volunteermatch.org
Matches volunteers with jobs throughout the United States.
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End-of-Life Information
Center for Practical
Bioethics—www.practicalbioethics.org
Raises and responds to ethical issues in health and healthcare.
LastActs.org
A campaign to improve end-of-life care by a coalition of professional and
consumer organizations.
National Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization (NHPCO)—www.nhpco.org
The largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and
palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The
organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to
hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people
dying in America and their loved ones.
On Our Own
Terms: Moyers on Dying
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Interfaith
Association of Jewish Aging
Services--www.ajas.org
A unique forum that promotes and supports elder services in the context of
Jewish values through education, professional development, advocacy, and
community relationships.
Catholic Charities
USA—www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
Catholic Charities USA is the membership association of one of the nation's
largest social service networks. Catholic Charities agencies and institutions
nationwide provide vital social services to people in need, regardless of their
religious, social, or economic backgrounds. Catholic Charities USA supports and
enhances the work of its membership by providing networking opportunities,
national advocacy and media efforts, program development, training and
technical assistance, and financial support.
Faith in
Action—www.fiavolunteers.org
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, spiritually based organization
providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and
community involvement.
Forum on
Religion, Spirituality and Aging-- www.asaging.org/networks/FORSA
FORSA is a constituent group of the American Society on Aging (ASA), the
largest professional membership association in the field of aging . FORSA
members include anyone interested in the spiritual, religious and philosophical
aspects of aging.
National Interfaith Coalition on
Aging (NICA)—www.ncoa.org
A constituent group of NCOA, NICA provides practical guidance in addressing the
central role spirituality plays in the lives of senior adults. Clergy and lay
persons from various faiths add to NICA’s network to study and advance the role
of spirituality in the aging process.
Interfaith Care
Partners—www.interfaithcarepartners.org
Interfaith CarePartners is a non-profit organization that works with partner
congregations to assist their development of service programs that manifest
each congregation's commitment to member care that serves both its own families
and as an outreach program in the wider community.
National Council of
Churches—www.ncccusa.org
The National Council of Churches, founded in 1950, is the leading force for
ecumenical cooperation among Christians in the United States. The NCC's member
faith groups — representing a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox,
historic African American and Living Peace churches — include 45 million
persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the
nation.
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Health
Health Ministries
Association—www.hmassoc.org
International membership organization that encourages, supports, and develops
leaders in emerging practices that integrate faith and health.
Alzheimer's
Arthritis
Cancer
Heart Attack
MS
Stroke
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Legal
Elder Law Answers—www.elderlawanswers.com
The combination of an informed consumer and a qualified attorney produces the best legal results for the clients. ElderLawAnswers supports seniors, their families and their attorneys in achieving their goals by providing information about crucial legal issues.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys—www.naela.com
A non-profit association that 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 deal with the many specialized issues involved with legal services to the elderly and people with special needs.
National Consumer Law Center—www.consumerlaw.org
The National Consumer Law Center is the nation's consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers to use powerful and complex consumer laws to assure justice for vulnerable, low income Americans.
National Senior Citizens Law Center--www.nsclc.org
The National Senior Citizens Law Center advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well-being of low-income elderly individuals and persons with disabilities.
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Research
AARP's Age Line--http://research.aarp.org/ageline/home.html
A searchable electronic database containing detailed summaries of publications about older adults and aging, including books, journal and magazine articles, research reports, and videos.
Alliance for Aging Research—http://www.agingresearch.org
Dedicated to supporting and accelerating the pace of medical discoveries to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health.
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Transportation
Easter Seals—www.easterseals.com
Volunteer Transportation Solutions
Beverly Foundation—www.beverlyfoundation.org
New ideas and options are fostered to enhance mobility and transportation for today's and tomorrows' older population.
Recommended Readings
Printable Recommended Readings List (PDF)
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