Assistance & Advocacy
AARP
601 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20049
888-687-2277; www.aarp.org/
A nonprofit organization that offers
information and resources, educational programs, advocacy, community services and support for adults 50 and older
Alzheimer’s Caregivers online support
Offers education, information and support to persons caring for someone with a progressive memory problem
Alzheimer’s Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601
800-272.3900; www.alz.org/
Provides support, education, information and outreach
National Council for Aging Care?
2519 Connecticut Ave., NW
202-783-2242; www.aging.com
Offers free publications on selecting
housing and care options and provides lists of accredited care communities
American Society of Aging (ASA)
833 Market St., Suite 511
San Francisco, CA 94103-1824
415-974-9600; www.asaging.org/
A nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families
Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA)
1650 King St., Suite 602,
Alexandria VA 22314
703-894-1805; www.alfa.org/
Provides information and education to consumers, industry partners and researchers. Offers an online directory of homes and services by city and state
Beyond Indigo
This membership online support site provides
emotional support and information to caregivers
facing terminal illness, death and dying, and bereavement. Contains a message board organized by topic, information for caregivers, and tools and resource
Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
P.O. Box 167, Richboro, PA 18954
800-227-7294; www.caps4caregivers.org/
Helps adult children understand the needs and
concerns of everyone involved in the caregiving
relationship. Extensive national information resource files and publications on a variety of
caregiver issues are available
Family Caregiver Alliance
180 Montgomery St., Suite 1100,
San Francisco, CA 94104
800-445-8106; www.caregiver.org/
Addresses the needs of families and friends
providing long-term care at home. It offers programs at national, state and local level to support and sustain caregivers
Gray Panthers
1612 K St., NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
800-280-5362; www.graypanthers.org/
Citizen activist group working on senior issues
Medicare Rights Center
520 Eighth Ave., N Wing, 3rd Fl.
New York, NY 10018
212-869-3850; www.medicarerights.org/
An independent source of Medicare information, assistance and advocacy which works toward
helping older adults and people with disabilities get quality, affordable health care
National Alliance for Caregiving
4720 Montgomery La., 5th Fl., Bethesda, MD 20814
www.caregiving.org/; email: info@caregiving.org/
A national resource for caregiving, consisting of an alliance of 25 national organizations, that increases public awareness, develops national programs and conducts research regarding caregiving. Offers a searchable resource database called the Family Care Resource Connection
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
1604 N. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716-3102
520-881-8008; www.caremanager.org/
Association of professional practitioners whose purpose is the development, advancement and promotion of humane and dignified social, psychological and health care for the elderly and their families through counseling, treatment and the delivery of concrete services by qualified, certified providers
National Family Caregivers Assoc.
10400 Connecticut Ave., Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
301-942-6430; 800-896-3650
www.nfcacares.org/
A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing
support and assistance to caregivers through
information, education, public awareness and
advocacy. Offers caregiving tips, advocacy updates and online resources
National Family Caregivers Support Program
www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/carefam/carefam.aspx/
Health and Human resources offers online guide that provides information, support and assistance
The National Respite Locator Service
Helps parents, caregivers and professionals find respite services in their state and local area to match their specific needs
Older Women’s League (OWL)
3300 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 218, Arlington VA 22201
703-812-7990; www.owl-national.org/
Provides support and lobbying on issues of concern to senior women
The Well Spouse Foundation
30 E. 40th St., New York, NY 10016
800-838-0879
The Well Spouse Foundation is a national, nonprofit membership organization that gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. It provides a bimonthly newsletter, Mainstay, mutual aid support groups in many areas, letter writing support groups and an annual conference and other regional and weekend meetings around the country. The organization also works to make health care professionals and the general public aware of the great difficulties caregivers face every day
Consumer Protection
Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance
4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203
www.bbb.org/us/charity/
Collects and distributes information on hundreds of nonprofit organizations that solicit nationally or have national or international program services. Includes reports on charities, alerts, tips on giving
Consumer Action Website
Offers a consumer assistance handbook
U.S. Postal Service, Inspection Service Operations Support Group: Mail Fraud
www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov/
Mail fraud order forms, information and reports
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
2301 McGee St., Suite 800, Kansas City, MO
www.naic.org/
Publishes Consumers’ Guides
Government Agencies
Adult Caregivers in the United States: Characteristics and Differences in Well-being, by Caregiver Age and Caregiving Status |
www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2013/13_0090.htm
The article is an examination of the characteristics of adults who are providing regular care or assistance to friends or family members who have health problems, long-term illnesses, or disabilities
Administration on Aging U.S. Depart. of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201
202-619-0724; www.aoa.gov/
Oversees the National Family Caregiver Support Program
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244
800-633-422; www.cms.hhs.gov
The official depository for information on Medicare and Medicaid.
Department of Health and Human Services National Health Information Center
P.O. Box 1133, Washington, DC 20013
www.healthfinder.gov/
Contains a health information library, caregiver section, health care services and systems information and a directory of organizations, including government agencies, clearinghouses, non-profits and universities
Executive Office of the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
202-456-1414; www.whitehouse.gov/
Correspondence to the president, and requests for Presidential Greetings
Federal Information Center
888-878-3256; www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
Provides the answers to questions about the Federal Government and everyday consumer issues
FirstGov for Seniors
800-333-4636; www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml
Online government resources including information on consumer protection, education, health, legal, finances and retirement. Also includes links to other government agencies
Internal Revenue Service
800-829-1040; www.irs.gov/
Meals on Wheels program
To learn about the program: www.mowaa.org/
To find a program: www.mealcall.org/
Provide home delivered meals for frail elders
Medicare Hospital Compare
Provides information about how well hospitals care for patients with certain medical conditions or surgical procedures, and results from a survey of patients about the quality of care they received during a recent hospital stay
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
A range of HCBS are available optionally to states through a variety of statutory authorities including new Affordable Care Act programs, HCBS waivers, other waivers, and State Plan Amendments. These include many services that help beneficiaries and caregivers
Medicare Nursing Home Compare
Provides detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
1730 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
202-872-0888; www.n4a.org/
The umbrella organization for the 655 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the United States provides information and access services and coordinates and administers programs for adults such as community and home-based services
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. 20892
www.health.nih.gov/
Provides leadership and direction to programs designed to improve the health of the nation by conducting and supporting research: in the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and cure of diseases. Offers a database of health issues, provides resources
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235
800 -772-1213; www.ssa.gov/
U.S. Senate Legislation & Records
www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm
Provides documentation of recent legislative activity, a search for bills, roll call votes and Congressional records
U.S. House of Representatives
Office of the Clerk
Provides documentation of recent floor activity, a search for bills, roll call votes and Congressional records
Women’s Health Information Center
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Serv.
800-994-9662
Offers resources for caregivers
Health Care Education & Support
Alzheimer’s Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17
800-272-3900; www.alz.org/
The association is involved in research and support, and is dedicated to finding preventions, treatments and, eventually, a cure for Alzheimer dementia. Provides information care consultation, and supportive services
American Academy of Family Physicians
P.O. Box 11210, Shawnee Mission
KS 66207-1210
800-274-2237; www.aafp.org/
Provides national lists of family doctors
American Cancer Society
866-228-4327; www.cancer.org/
Provides support groups, discussion board
American Diabetes Association
1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria VA 22311
800-342-2383; www.diabetes.org/
Provides research, information and advocacy. Links to programs in Massachusetts
American Geriatrics Society
The Empire State Bldg., 350 5th Ave.,
Suite 801, New York, N.Y. 10118
212-308-1414; www.americangeriatrics.org/
Provides health links, booklets on health care. Professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults
American Health Care Association
1201 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005
202-842-4444; www.ahcancal.org/
Represents the long term care community to the nation at large — to government, business leaders, and the general public. It also provides lnformation, education and administrative tools
The Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669, Atlanta GA 30357
800-283-7800; www.arthritis.org/
Provides information regarding drug treatments and pain management; message boards
Better Vision Institute
1700 Diagonal Rd., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22314
703-548-4560; www.thevisioncouncil.org/
Publishes vision education pamphlets, conducts consumer outreach
National Stroke Association
9707 E. Easter La., Bldg B, Centennial CO 80112
800-787-6537; www.stroke.org/
Provides outreach to stroke survivors and their caregivers through a national call center
Medic Alert Foundation International
2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA 95382
888-633-4298; www.medicalert.org/
Emergency medical identification cards
and bracelets
Merck
A research-Dr.n pharmaceutical
products and services company that
discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of medicines. It offers manuals on health and aging, geriatrics, diagnosis and therapy
National Osteoporosis Foundation
1232 22nd St., NW
Washington DC 20037
800-223-9994; www.nof.org/
Offers education, advocacy, doctor locater
National Parkinson Foundation
1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Miami Fla. 33136-1494
800-327-4545; www.parkinson.org/
Offers education, training and outreach and links to local chapters
The Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116; www.eldercare.gov
For long-distance caregivers it finds
services for a senior in his or her locality
National Family Caregiver Support Program
www.acl.gov/NewsRoom/Publications/docs/National_Family_Caregiver_Support_Program2014.pdf
The program calls for all States, working in partnership with Area Agencies on Aging and local community-service providers, to have five basic services for family caregivers: Information to caregivers; Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services; Individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training to assist the caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles; Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities; Supplemental services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by family caregivers
Web.md
Provides services that help physicians, consumers, providers and health plans navigate the complexity of the healthcare system
Home Care
National Association
for Home Care and Hospice
228 Seventh St., SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-547-7424; www.nahc.org/
Publishes “How to Choose a Home Care Provider.” Trade association representing the interests and concerns of home care agencies, hospices, home care aide organizations, and medical equipment suppliers
Hospice
National Hospice and Palliative Care Org.
1700 Diagonal Rd., Suite 625, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-837-1500; www.nhpco.org/
Publishes a nationwide directory of hospices
Housing Alternatives
National Council for Aging Care
2519 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
202-783-2242; www.aging.com
Offers resources and information about not-for-profit nursing homes,continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and senior housing facilities, and home and community-based service providers
Assisted Living Federation of America
1650 King St., Suite 602, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-894-1805; www.alfa.org/
An association exclusively dedicated to the assisted living industry and the population it serves. Offers a directory of providers, a checklist of things to look for when looking for assisted living, definition of this type of housing and other information and guidance
Legal Assistance
American Bar Association
Commission on the Legal Problems of the Elderly
740 15th St., NW, Washington, DC 20005
202-662-1000; www.abanet.org/
Publishes guides to obtaining legal help, attorney locator, and legal aid
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
1801 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20507
202-663-4900; 800-669-4000; www.eeoc.gov/
Handles age-discrimination employment complaints
National Senior Citizens Law Center
1444 Eye St., NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202-289-6976; www.nsclc.org/
Provides information on issues and links
Prescription Drug Assistance
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
950 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
202-835-3400; www.phrma.org/
Offers a list of drug companies that provide drugs at a discount for those who meet eligibility
requirements
Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)
A patient assistance program developed by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc. (ESSDS) provides qualified low-income individuals and families with access to generic versions of brand name medications
Veterans
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420
800-827-1000; www.va.gov/
Disabled American Veterans
P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250
877-426-2838; www.dav.org/