Vital information and possible support services for the elderly can be obtained by contacting your local county office of senior services or elder affairs as well as your local social service department. Area adult daycare centers may also provide information on resources for the elderly in your area. These numbers can be located in the governmental pages of the phone book or through a web query.

* AARP
800-424-3410
Website: http://www.aarp.org

AARP supplies information about caregiving, long-term care and aging, including publications and audio-visual aids for caregivers.

* AGIS Network
866-511-9186
Website: http://www.agis.com/
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AGIS.com provides education, support, expert advice, local resources and a vibrant community for caregivers and families of the elderly.

* Eldercare Locator
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
800-677-1116
Website: http://www.n4a.org or http://www.eldercare.gov

Eldercare Locator provides referrals to Area Agencies on Aging via zip code locations. Family caregivers can also find information about many eldercare issues and services available in local communities.

* Home Instead - 40/70 Rule
Website: www.4070talk.com

What does a grown daughter say to her dad when he's hit a light pole with the car? How does an adult son ask his mom if she's taking her medications like she should? And how do siblings approach their parents about needing more help at home? These issues can challenge even the family where communication is free and open. Talking sooner is better than waiting until a crisis has occurred. That's what the "40-70 Rule" is all about. This advice is designed to help adult children and their aging parents deal with those sensitive topics that often make conversations difficult. The idea is that if you're 40, or your parents are 70, it's time to start talking about the issues of aging.

* The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
520-881-8008
Website: http://www.caremanager.org

Geriatric care managers (GCMs) are health care professionals, most often social workers, who help families in dealing with the problems and challenges associated with caring for the elderly. This national organization will refer family caregivers to their state chapters, which in turn can provide the names of GCMs in your area. This information is also available online.

* U.S. Administration on Aging
202-619-0724
Website: http://www.aoa.gov

The Administration on Aging is the official federal agency dedicated to the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older individuals and their caregivers. The AoA Website has a special section on family caregiving.

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End-of-Life Planning, Hospice, and Bereavement Information

* Aging with Dignity
888-5-WISHES (594-7437)
Website: http://www.agingwithdignity.org

Aging with Dignity publishes the Five Wishes Living Will document, a very user-friendly and comprehensive document that meets legal requirements in 35 states.

* Caring Connections
Website: http://www.caringinfo.org

Caring Connections provides free brochures on end-of-life topics including advance care planning, caregiving, hospice and palliative care, pain, grief and loss and financial issues. Caring Connections also provides Advanced Directives for all states.

* HospiceDirectory.org
800-868-5171
Website: http://hospicedirectory.org/

Online consumer database that lists hospices in North America and the U.S. All hospices are listed at no cost. It is a free service that assists families and individuals in locating a hospice within their community quickly. Also provides reliable information about hospice and end-of-life care to consumers.

* Hospice Foundation of America
800-854-3402
Website: http://www.hospicefoundation.org

The National Hospice Foundation hosts an annual teleconference on issues of bereavement, and has publications on grief and bereavement.

* The Compassionate Friends
877-969-0010
Website: http://www.compassionatefriends.org

This group offers telephone support and understanding to families who have lost a child. They maintain a resource library and have a national chapter network and newsletter.

* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Clearing House for Long-Term Care Information
Website: http://www.longtermcare.gov
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The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information provides information on planning and financing long-term care including planning for end of life care, and all major types of public and private financing to help cover long-term care costs.

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Health Insurance: Prescription Assistance Information

Family caregivers can contact their county or state Department of Health and Human Services for financial programs which may provide assistance for acquiring health insurance and prescription medications. Other possible financial resources may include social service agencies such as Catholic Charities, the Association of Jewish Families, and Children's Agencies. Local chapters of voluntary health agencies may also offer financial support programs and/or information on how to apply for such programs.

* AGIS Network
866-511-9186
Website: http://www.agis.com/
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AGIS.com provides education, support, expert advice, local resources and a vibrant community for caregivers and families of the elderly.

* Benefits Check-Up and Benefits Check-Up RX
Websites: http://www.benefitscheckup.org

A service of the National Council on the Aging, Benefits Check-Up and Benefits Check-UP RX help people over the age of 55 find federal, state, and local public and private programs that may pay for some of their medical care and/or prescription costs.

* HealthInsurance.com
800-942-9019
Website: http://www.healthinsurance.com

This website provides consumers and small businesses with quotes for health insurance and may help those who have lost their health insurance find an affordable alternative.

* Medicare
Website: http://www.medicare.gov

This is the official Website for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency responsible for Medicare Rx. The toll-free number is 800/MEDICARE.

* Medicare Rights Center
888-HMO-9050
Website: http://www.medicarerights.org

This is an independent source of health care information and assistance for older and disabled Americans, their caregivers, and the professionals who serve them. Medicare Interactive (MI) is the one-stop source for information about health care rights, options and benefits and it is designed to help people find answers to all their Medicare questions. The website also has a list of phone numbers for each state's "State Health Insurance Assistance Program."

* Medicare Rx Matters
Website: http://www.MedicareRxMatters.org

Designed to help users make decisions about the new Medicare prescription drug plan, this site has three specific portals: one for family caregivers, one for people with Medicare, and one for professionals. The Website provides an overview, easy-to-understand steps, and information to assist users in making personal decisions about Medicare prescription drug coverage.

* Medicine Program
573-996-7300
Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com

This program is for persons who do not have coverage either through insurance or government subsidies for outpatient prescription drugs and for those who cannot afford to purchase medications at retail prices.

* RxCompare
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.maprx.info

RxCompare™ is a free tool developed by Medicare Access for Patients-Rx (MAPRx) to help users determine if they need to enroll in a Medicare drug plan and, if they do, to systematically compare the drug plans where they live and select the best option for their prescription needs. RxCompareTM works in tandem with Medicare's on-line "Prescription Drug Plan Finder" and with information available from plans or 1-800-MEDICARE.

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Patient Advocacy Assistance and Programs

* Patient Advocate Foundation
800-532-5274
Website: http://www.patienta.org

Patient Advocate Foundation serves as a liaison between patients and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relating to a patient's condition.

Homecare Agencies

* National Association for Home Care and Hospice
202-547-7424
Website: http://www.nahc.org

This organization for home healthcare agency providers allows family caregivers to use the Internet to access a list of member agencies across the country.

* Visiting Nurse Associations of America
617-737-3200
Website: http://www.vnaa.org
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VNAA promotes community based home healthcare. Family caregivers can contact them to find their local VNA.

Assisted Living, Nursing Home, and Residential Care

* Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL)
703-533-8121
Website: http://www.ccal.org

CCAL is a national consumer-focused organization that is dedicated to representing the needs of residents in assisted living facilities and educating consumers, professionals, and the general public about assisted living issues. Family caregivers can request the publication "Choosing an Assisted Living Facility: Strategies for Making the Right Decision," which provides helpful information and a concise checklist for those contemplating this next step.

* National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
202-332-2275
Website: http://www.nccnhr.org

This organization serves as an information clearinghouse and offers referrals nationwide for help with concerns about long-term care facilities.

* NFCA Senior Housing Locator
206-575-0728
Website: http://www.snapforseniors.com/
e-mail: info@snapforseniors.comdvocate

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