Senior Resource Guide

Following is a list of resources--agencies, organizations, associations, and support groups--that provide help and information to the public.

All information available on or through these Web sites is for general information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. RelayHealth disclaims responsibility for any harmful consequences resulting from the misinterpretation or misapplication of information or advice contained in these resources.

AARP
Web site: http://www.aarp.org
Phone: 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)
For people 50 and older, specializes in insurance, driver education courses, tax counseling; local chapters help carry out mission in the areas of community services, legislation and voter education efforts, healthcare, quality-of-life issues, older workers' rights, retirement planning

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
Web site: http://www.aahsa.org
Phone: 1-202-783-2242
Oversees nursing homes

American Health Care Association
Web site: http://www.ahcancal.org
Phone: 1-202-842-4444
A federation of organizations representing long-term care providers and the people they serve

American Red Cross
Web site: http://www.redcross.org
Phone: 1-800-redcross (1-800-733-2767)
Referral to local chapters, transportation to medical appointments, printed information, health education programs, disaster relief

Department of Veterans Affairs
Web site: http://www.va.gov
Spanish Web site: http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/espanol/factsheets/
Phone: 1-800-827-1000 (TDD: 1-800-829-4833)
Connects callers to regional office to answer questions regarding benefits, counselors on line

Disabled American Veterans
Web site: http://www.dav.org
Phone: 1-877-I Am A Vet (1-877-426-2838)
Referral to local chapters for support, entitlements

Medicare
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov
Medicare Hotline: 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; TTY: 1-877-486-2048
Answers questions on health insurance to supplement Medicare

Medic Alert Foundation
Web site: http://www.medicalert.org
Phone: 1-888-633-4298
Bracelets and necklaces with medical information, 24-hour answering service, speak with staff

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Web site: http://www.n4a.org
Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., ET)
Eldercare Locator provides assistance in identifying local community resources for seniors nationwide (services include nursing homes, legal help, benefits issues)

National Association for Hispanic Elderly
Web site: http://www.anppm.org
Phone: 1-626-564-1988
Will answer individual questions and make referrals to local agencies

National Association for Home Care and Hospice
Web site: http://www.nahc.org
Phone: 1-202-547-7424
Information on how to select a home care agency

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged (NCBA)
Web site: http://www.ncba-aged.org
Phone: 1-202-637-8400
Membership-based organization dedicated to improving life for African American and low-income elderly

National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR)
Web site: http://www.nccnhr.org
Phone: 1-202-332-2276
Newsletters and other information for consumers and professionals on long-term care issues such as resident rights, laws and regulations, physical and chemical restraints, malnutrition and dehydration, and resident assessment and care planning.

National Council on the Aging (NCOA)
Web site: http://www.ncoa.org/index.cfm
Phone: 1-202-479-1200 (TDD: 202-479-6674)
Programs to help older people remain healthy and independent, find jobs, increase access to benefits programs, and discover meaningful ways to continue contributing to society.

National Council on Patient Information and Education
Web site: http://www.talkaboutrx.org
Phone: 1-301-656-8565
Educational materials to stimulate and improve communication of information on the appropriate use of medicines to consumers and healthcare professionals

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Web site: http://www.nhpco.org
Phone: 1-703-837-1500
Hospice HelpLine: 800-658-8898
Printed information, referrals to local hospice services, state-specific advance directives, information specialists

National Indian Council on Aging
Web site: http://www.nicoa.org
Phone: 1-505-292-2001
Advocacy group for American Indian and Alaska Native elders, provides information on elderly issues, employs elderly in selected areas

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Web site: http://www.nih.gov/nia
Phone: 1-301-496-1752 (TTY: 800-222-4225)
Information on health and research to improve the health and well-being of older Americans

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NACPA)
Web site: http://www.napca.org
Phone: 1-800-33-NAPCA (1-800-336-2722)
National advocacy organization committed to the dignity, well-being and quality of life of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) in their senior years

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
Web site: http://www.naric.com
Phone: 1-800-346-2742
Disability- and rehabilitation-oriented information

National Women's Health Information Center
Web site: http://www.4woman.gov
Phone: 1-800-994-WOMAN (1-800-944-9662); TDD: 888-220-5546
Articles and links to resources for women's health issues.

National Women's Health Network
Web site: http://www.nwhn.org
Phone: 1-202-347-1440, or 202-628-7814 for health information
Advocacy group for women's issues within the healthcare system

Social Security Administration
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov
Phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Answers to questions regarding benefits available in many languages

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
Web site: http://www.unos.org
Phone: 1-888-894-6361
Organ donor cards, information

United Way of America
Web site: http://www.unitedway.org
Phone: 1-703-836-7100
Community agencies and resources