As soon as a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it is important to do some research to find out what local resources are available to you. With the exception of Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR), the following organizations are not affiliated with the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF). In addition, AHAF does not endorse any particular programs offered by these organizations.
Administration on Aging: This agency, part of 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. The agency provides home and community-based services to millions of older persons through the programs funded under the Older Americans Act. They also provide home-delivered meals programs or nutrition services in congregate settings, transportation, adult day care, legal assistance or health promotion programs. At nursing homes, they provide Ombudsmen who provide an ongoing presence monitoring care and conditions and providing a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves. The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides a variety of services to help people who are caring for family members who are chronically ill or who have disabilities. Their phone number is (202) 619-0724. You can access their website at: www.aoa.gov/.
Alliance for Aging Research: The Alliance for Aging Research is a citizen advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of Americans as they age. The goal of the agency is to strive to advance science and enhance lives through a variety of activities and initiatives including research, and provides educational efforts and resources to the general public. The Alliance efforts have made aging research a fast growing priority for medical research today as well as conducting surveys and polls about the aging public. Their phone number is (202) 293-2856. You can access their website at: www.agingresearch.org.
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center: Founded as part of the National Institutes on Health, the ADEAR Center offers up-to-date information about Alzheimer's disease for patients, caregivers and professionals. The center has a large national database and can put you in touch with state, regional, and federally funded services available in your community. The toll-free number is 1-800-438-4380. You can access their website at: www.alzheimers.org.
AD Lib, the Center's collection of nearly 8,500 materials related to Alzheimer's disease, is also available to the public. This database includes fact sheets, textbook chapters, journal articles, brochures, teaching manuals, directories, videos and other media, bibliographies, program descriptions, monographs, newsletters, and reports that are available from a wide variety of sources. Many of these materials are not found in other libraries or databases. You can access the website at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Resources/SearchHealthLiterature/.
Alzheimer's Disease Research, a program of the American Health Assistance Foundation: ADR funds scientific research and publishes materials
about Alzheimer's disease for patients and caregivers. Publications are aimed
at assisting the whole family, including children, in coping with Alzheimer's
disease. The toll-free number is 1-800-437-2423. You can access
our website at: www.ahaf.org
American Association of Retired Persons: This nonprofit membership organization is a good source of information on long-term care options, caregiving, legal and financial planning, Medicare and Medicaid, and legislative issues affecting the elderly. Their phone number is (202) 434-2277 or 1-888-687-2277. You can access their website at: www.aarp.org.
American Federation for Aging Research: This organization provides the latest information about groundbreaking new aging research tailored for a non-medical audience. Their phone number is (212) 703-9977 or 1-888-582-2327. You can access their website at: www.infoaging.org.
Area Agencies on Aging: Check the local phone book under "Aging" in the State Government pages. Each state has an Agency on Aging office located in its capital city. The state agency will refer you to one of its offices in your community. They can make referrals for a wide range of services, including home meal delivery, home health workers, transportation services and caregiver support groups.
Caring Connections: This is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), and is a national consumer engagement initiative to improve care at the end of life. They provide free resources and information to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and to connect with the resources they need. The phone number is 1-800-658-8898. You can access their website at: www.caringinfo.org.
Eldercare Locator: This national organization, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers information and referrals for a wide variety of senior community services. These include adult day care, respite for caregivers, transportation, home health care, meals on wheels, assistance with housing and other services available locally. The toll-free number is 1-800-677-1116. You can access their website at: www.eldercare.gov/eldercare/public/home.asp.
ElderLawAnswers.com: This organization supports seniors, their families and their attorneys in achieving their goals by providing information concerning crucial legal issues facing seniors and a network of highly qualified elder law attorneys nationwide. The toll-free number is 1-866-267-0947. You can access their website at: www.elderlawanswers.com.
Health Care Professionals: Initially, the best resource for anyone facing health care needs and choices is their attending physician. Some health care providers and services will be covered by Medicare/Medicaid with a physician's referral. Other professionals who might deal with your patient would be a psychiatrist, home health nurse or social worker.
HealthFinder: This website has health-care information for all ages and includes access to online journals, libraries and medical dictionaries. There is the pension search directory and a directory with Spanish words for Social Security Administration terms. You can access their website at: www.healthfinder.gov.
Local/State Health or Social Services Department: They can tell you what services in your state are covered by Medicare and which providers are Medicare/Medicaid certified. This agency should be able to provide information about support/respite services available in your area. Their numbers can be found in the local phone book.
Meals on Wheels: This organization provides seniors with meal programs. Their website’s meal program directory has the largest database of meal programs in the U.S. You can access their website at: www.mealcall.org.
Medicare: Medicare operates a toll-free hotline to answer questions about financial coverage and assists with patient's claims. The toll-free number is 1-800-633-4227. You can access their website at: www.medicare.gov.
MyGuide for Seniors: This organization provides the ability to search a housing directory for assisted living, independent living, retirement communities, nursing homes, and rehabilitation and long term care facilities. They also provide senior health and elder care resources. Their toll-free number is 1-800-851-4511. You can access their website at: www.myguideforseniors.com.
National Caregivers Library: This organization contains an online library for caregivers.You can access their website at: www.caregiverslibrary.org.
National Council on Aging: The National Council on Aging helps older people to remain healthy, find jobs, discover new ways to continue contribute to society after retirement, and take advantage of government and private benefits programs that can improve the quality of their lives. Their phone number is 202-479-1200. You can access their website at: www.ncoa.org/.
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. NIA conducts research, trains and develops research scientists, and provides resources to the general public.
A free directory designed to help older people and their families locate national organizations offering health information, legal aid, self-help programs, educational opportunities, social services, consumer advice, or other assistance is located on the website. The directory lists over 200 federal agencies, professional societies, private groups, and voluntary programs. Their phone number is (301) 496-1752 or call toll-free 1-800-222-2225. You can access their website at: www.nia.nih.gov.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: This organization helps family members of terminally ill patients locate either in-hospital care or home health care. Some hospices have special divisions for Alzheimer's patients. The toll-free number is 1-800-658-8898. You can access their website at: www.caringinfo.org.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: The Library of Congress administers a free library program of Braille and recorded materials circulated to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries. Books and magazines in recorded form (talking books) or in Braille are delivered to eligible readers by postage-free mail and are returned in the same manner. Specially designed record players and cassette players are also loaned to those borrowing talking books. Their phone number is (202) 707-5100 or 1-800-424-8567. You can access their website at: www.loc.gov/nls/.
NIHSeniorHealth.gov: This website for older adults was developed by the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine, both part of the National Institutes of Health. Featuring health information from the NIH. You can access their website at: nihseniorhealth.gov
Senior Citizens Bureau: The bureau is a free, non-profit community resource for the elderly, children of the elderly and other caregivers, advocates and professionals. Free or low cost services and guidance are available to senior adults. The phone number is 1-888-801-2497. You can access their website at: www.seniorcitizensbureau.com.
SeniorDECISION.com
Offers a list of home health care and senior housing options by state and area with consumer ratings and reviews.
www.seniordecision.com
SNAPforSeniors: This organization provides free online senior housing information that lists all housing providers and their vacancies. Their phone number is 1-888-651-7627. You can access their website at: www.snapforseniors.com.
Social Security Information Hotline: If you have questions about social security payments or eligibility, this hotline will direct you to the proper office or department. The toll-free number is 1-800-772-1213.