Finding Senior Resources

August hosts National Senior Citizens Day, but every day can be Senior Citizens Day online, if you know where to look.

There are literally thousands of programs for seniors in this country—some local, some national–some easy to find, others hidden away in the small print on a government website. Here’s a quick rundown of some popular online resources to help you live your best life…and age with attitude!

Here are some sites to help you find that elusive program or service you’ve been looking for;

Senior Planet

Senior Planet: besides all the programs and free classes offered by Senior Planet online, it offers helpful information on how to access important resources, such as the ACP Affordable Connectivity Program.  Watch this overview of this important program.

The Eldercare Locator 

The Eldercare Locator is an extremely helpful public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that connects you to services for older adults and their families. You can also reach them by phone.  This site has all kinds of helpful information and links, including support services, housing, elder rights, insurance, and transportation.  Their phone number 1-800-677-1116,  connects you with an information specialist who will  help you find the right agency or service.   Enter your ZIP code or city and state to find resources in your community including Area Agencies on Aging that provide information and assistance for older adults and caregivers.

The Administration for Community Living  

The Administration for Community Living: ACL-funded Resource Centers: The drop down menus on this site provide links to over 25 agencies that serve seniors—some for professionals and some for both consumers and professionals.  The links are helpful since you may not find them easily elsewhere, such as links to a pension rights website, an elder abuse site and a site that assists communities who want to set up aging-in-place programs.

AFELA.org

AFELA.org: This organization was created by Florida elder law attorneys to provide a way for seniors to find legal help.  They have links to a number of national legal resources that might be helpful such as a legal advocacy organization that helps disadvantaged seniors obtain health care and public assistance benefits, one that helps them obtain health care and another which provides support for Medicare-related abuse.

The AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation:  AARP is the primary clearinghouse and elder advocacy organization in the country.  This site features their foundation which provides all kinds of help for seniors including a local Assistance Directory to find food, housing, health and employment programs in your area.  You’ll also find sites that help with employment, food, and social isolation.

Aging Care.com

Aging Care.com: You have probably heard of most of these programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and SSI but it’s helpful to have them all together in one place.  There are one or two that may be unfamiliar, including the Ombudsman program and a link to a site where you can check your benefits.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: This is a helpful state by state list of eldercare resources.  The individual state sites have a lot more information about what’s available in their state and nationally.

Great Senior Living

Great Senior Living: This comprehensive site has an extensive list of information about and links to resources of all kinds, including income and taxes, Medicare and prescriptions, hearing aids, mobility aids, dental care, housing and rent, mortgages, home repairs and improvements, in-home care, downsizing, legal advice, technology.

Caregiving.org

Caregiving.org: This site conveniently aggregates caregiving resources on the internet, including Alzheimer’s and Dementia caregiving, cancer caregiving, and caregiving for people with a variety of disabilities and rare diseases.

Whatever you’re looking for one of these sites is bound to have a link to it…but wait, there’s more!

Are You Digital Skills Ready?

Want to get even more digitally savvy? Senior Planet is proud to work with AARP Foundation on the Digital Skills Ready@50+™ program, made possible through a generous grant from Google.org. The resources  are focused on digital essentials to help older adults find and secure jobs, change careers, or explore entrepreneurship. Visit here to learn more and register  – registration is required.

 

Erica Manfred’s articles and humorous essays have appeared in print and online publications including the Washington Post, Atlantic, Salon, Village Voice, and the New York Times.   A self proclaimed Geezer Geek, now in her seventies, she specializes in writing about aging.  She’s the author of four books, including her memoir,  I’m Old So Why Aren’t I Wise; Snarky Senior in the Sunshine State.   You can subscribe to her newsletter at SnarkySenior.com or visit her website at EricaManfred.com