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Thinking About Home
Care |
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The Administration on Aging website educates older people and
caregivers about benefits and services that can help them.
The U.S. Administration on Aging
Washington, DC 20201
202-619-0724
www.aoa.gov
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) website has information, education, advocacy, and community information for people over 50.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E. Street NW
Washington, DC 20049
888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)
www.AARP.org
The Healthy Aging for Older Adults website, sponsored by the
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, provides
information on a wide range of topics, including the following:
health-related behaviors; chronic diseases; infectious diseases;
immunizations for
adults; and injuries among older adults. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion: Healthy Aging for Older Adults
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
404-639-3311
www.cdc.gov/aging
NOTE: In the United States each state regulates healthcare
facilities differently. In your state, private home health
agencies may
not be formally regulated. The same holds true for assisted
living homes and adult foster homes. Quality can vary
widely. We direct
you to
local resources because they are the BEST source of up-to-date
information in your community. Make contacting them a priority.
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Communication |
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The American Foundation for the Blind is dedicated
to promoting employment, independent living, literacy and technology
for those who are visually impaired.
American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212-502-7600
Fax: 212-502-7777
www.afb.org
The National Association for the Deaf provides information and
support for people who are hard of hearing and advocates for
improved access.
National Association for the Deaf
814 Thayer Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500
TTY: 301-587-1789
Voice: 301-587-1788
Fax: 301-587-1791
www.nad.org
The National Institute on Aging provides free information on
choosing a doctor and communicating with medical professionals.
National Institute on Aging
Talking to Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People
NIA Information Center
PO Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
www.niapublications.org
The National Family Caregivers Association seeks to support,
educate and empower family caregivers. It also strives to improve quality
of life for caregiving
families. The association publishes a newsletter (free to caregivers)
and it's site has links to tips and guides on topics of interest
to
caregivers, such as communicating with healthcare professionals
and care
management
techniques.
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
10400 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
Tel: 301-942-6430
Toll Free: 800-896-3650
Fax: 301-942-2302
www.thefamilycaregiver.org
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Caring For Yourself |
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Caregiver.com is an upbeat online magazine for caregivers,
with discussion groups and links to regional resources.
Caregiver.com
6365 Taft Street Suite 3003
Hollywood, FL 33024
Tel: 954-893-0550
Toll-free: 800-829-2734
www.caregiver911.com
SATH provides vacation assistance for those with disabilities
and advocates for providing better accessibility by the travel
and
tourism industries.
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitals (SATH)
347 Fifth Avenue, Suite 610
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-447-7284
Fax: 212-725-8253
E-mail: sathtravel@aol.com
www.sath.org
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Setting Up Your Home, Safety and
Body Mechanics |
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The Center for Healthy Aging has launched a new fall
prevention action plan. The site contains statistics, information
on fall prevention, and tips for modifying the home to prevent falls.
Center for Healthy Aging
300 D Street, SW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20024
Tel: 202-479-1200
Fax: 202-479-0735
TDD: 202-479-6674
www.healthyagingprograms.org
This site contains information on avoiding back injury and on
conditions that can cause back pain, as well as treatment for these conditions.
SpineUniverse.com
1737 S. Naperville Road, Suite 203
Wheaton, IL 60187
www.spineuniverse.com
This website from the University of Southern California contains
articles about home modification and links concerning home
modification and other aging issues.
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home
Modification
Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California
3715 McClintock Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
Tel: 213-740-1364
Fax: 213-740-7069
Email: homemods@usc.edu
www.homemods.org
This website has a comprehensive section on home modification,
including information on where to get help for people
who cannot do the modifications
themselves. A form for e-mail questions and comments
is provided on the website.
CarePathways.com
Tel: 1-877-521-9987
www.carepathways.com
The NAHB Research Center was created by the National
Association of Home Builders to facilitate liaisons
between builders,
government, and industry to advance housing technology
and make housing
more affordable. The site has a section dedicated
to senior housing
which contains information about home modification
for accessibility and
assistive devices for the home. There are also
links to checklists for interior and exterior modifications
to the
home and to an
online bookstore.
National Association of Home Builders Research
Center (NAHB)
400 Prince George’s
Boulevard
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Tel: 301-249-4000
Toll-free 800-638-8556
Fax: 301-430-6180
www.nahbrc.org
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Preventing Infection in the Home |
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The CDC’s website has information on a vast
number of health topics, including infection control, vaccinations,
and individual diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
Tel: 800-311-3435
www.cdc.gov
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing HIV infection and improving the lives of those with HIV/AIDS.
AIDS.ORG
7985 Santa Monica Boulevard, #99
West Hollywood, CA 90046
www.aids.org
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency developed
by the United Nations to address world health concerns.
It's site
includes
information about specific diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Tel: (+ 41 22) 791 21 11
Fax: (+ 41 22) 791 3111
www.who.int
The Gay Men’s Health Crisis is a non-profit organization
dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS and to the promotion of dignity
for gay men and
lesbians.
Gay Men’s Health Crisis
The Tisch Building
119 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212-367-1000
www.gmhc.org
Hepatitis Foundation International offers resources and support to those living with hepatitis and information about hepatitis prevention.
Hepatitis Foundation International
504 Blick Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20904-2901
Tel: 800-891-0707
www.hepfi.org
The American Lung Association provides information about
tuberculosis and other lung disorders.
The American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 800-LUNGUSA
www.lungusa.org
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Normal and Abnormal Signs of Aging |
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This site offers general mental health information and information
about clinical trials and research being conducted in the field of
mental health.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Office of Communications
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Tel: 301-443-4513
Toll-free: 866-615-6464
TTY: 301-443-8431
Fax: 301-443-4279
www.nimh.nih.gov
The CDC’s healthy aging site promotes health and quality
of life for aging persons, as well as disease prevention. This page
also has a link to an alphabetized list of health topics and relevant
information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Healthy Aging for Older Adults
E-mail comments or questions to ccdinfo@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/aging
This comprehensive site from the U.S. National Library of Medicine
and the National Institutes of Health has information on over
700 health topics. There is also a link to information about
prescription
and over-the-counter medications, a medical encyclopedia, and
a dictionary of medical terms.
MedLine Plus
U.S. National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
Tel: 888-346-3656
www.medlineplus.gov
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Meeting Special Needs and Conditions |
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The Arthritis Foundation site has information and
links to resources for those with arthritis, including a link to
find your
local chapter. There is a buyer’s guide for products that
make tasks easier for people with arthritis, and a link for contacting
your congressperson about issues relating to arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation
PO Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
Tel: 800-283-7800
www.arthritis.org
The American Cancer Society site contains information for those
who have cancer and their families and friends, as well as
support resources
for survivors of cancer and tips for prevention and early detection.
There is a locator that you can use to find activities and
resources in your community.
American Cancer Society
Tel: 800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
The United Ostomy Association’s website offers information
for people of various age groups who have had diversionary surgery.
There is also information about prevention of and screening for
colon cancer and updates of relevant medical news.
United Ostomy Association, Inc.
19772 MacArthur Blvd., #200
Irvine, CA 92612-2405
Tel: 800-826-0826
www.uoa.org
The American Diabetes Association’s website includes news
and facts about diabetes, including research and prevention.
There
is information about nutrition, including recipes, and pointers
especially for parents and children.
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Tel: 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)
www.diabetes.org
SAFE is an international Internet coalition of stroke
survivors, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals
who work
in the field. The site has information about stroke
and signs
of stroke,
as well
as links to support resources.
SAFE (Stroke Awareness for Everyone)
8906 E. 96th Street, #311
Fishers, IN 46038
Fax: 317-585-9563
www.strokesafe.org
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association addresses
pulmonary hypertension, or continuous high
blood pressure in
the lungs, which can lead
to an enlarged heart. The site contains
health information, links to
support resources and a special section
with insurance information.
Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA)
850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 800-748-7274
www.phassociation.org
The American Heart Association offers information
on heart health and heart diseases
and conditions. The
site provides
a link
that allows you to find your local
AHA branch.
American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
Tel: 800-AHA-USA-1 or 800-242-8721
www.americanheart.org
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute’s website is
sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services and the
National Institutes for Health. It contains sections for patients and
their families, health care professionals, and researchers. The
section for patients is focused on education; there is also a link
to a list
of clinical trials.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute
PO Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Tel: 301-592-8573
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
The HeartCenterOnline’s site is focused on providing users
with the tools they need to educate themselves and monitor their
own health. The site also provides links to information about other
health topics, such as cancer, women’s health, and mental
health.
HeartCenterOnline (part of
HealthCentersOnline)
One South Ocean Boulevard,
Suite 201
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Fax: 561-620-9799
www.heartcenteronline.com
The Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center provides
current, comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) information
and resources from the U.S. Government’s National Institute
on Aging (NIA).
Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (a service
of the National Institute on Aging)
ADEAR Center
PO Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Tel: 800-438-4380
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The Alzheimer’s Association provides information about AD as
well as articles concerning the latest research in the field. There
is also an advocacy link for those who would like to take an active
role in fighting Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Association
225 N. Michigan Ave.
Fl. 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
Tel: 800-272-3900
www.alz.org
The COPD International website provides information for those
with COPD and their caregivers, as well as advice for kids
and teens. There are tips for coping, links to support resources,
both
online and offline, and detailed information on the latest drugs
being used to treat COPD.
COPD International
131 D.W. Highway
#627
Nashua, NH 03060
www.copd-international.com
The American
Lung Association’s website contains information about
various lung diseases, including cancer and COPD. It provides comprehensive
descriptions of treatment options for these diseases, as well as interactive
tools to help users better understand their own condition and options.
The site has a great deal of support information, including support
for those who are trying to quit smoking.
The American
Lung Association
61 Broadway,
6th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Tel: 800-LUNGUSA
www.lungusa.org
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Death, Dying and Hospice Care |
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The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
provides information and answers questions about hospice care. There
is a database in which you can search for hospice and palliative
care organizations in your area.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 625
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-837-1500
Fax: 703-837-1233
www.nhpco.org
The Hospice Foundation of America provides support to those who
are dealing with terminal illness, death and the grief and
bereavement process, including medical professionals and volunteers.
There
is
a link to a locator service that can help you find hospice
care available in your area.
Hospice Foundation of America
Tel: 800-854-3402
www.hospicefoundation.org
The U.S. Living Will Registry provides information about advance
directives and links to advance directive forms for each
state. Advance directives are documents
that allow
people to choose what kind of medical care they wish to
have in the event they are unable to make those decisions themselves.
An advance
directive can also designate someone else to make medical
decisions
for a person if that person is incapacitated. Living Wills
and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care are examples
of advance
directives.
U.S. Living Will Registry
523 Westfield Avenue
PO Box 2789
Westfield, NJ 07091-2789
Tel: 800-LIV-WILL (800-548-9455)
Fax: 908-654-1919
www.uslivingwillregistry.com
Federal law requires all hospitals to provide information
about advance directives to people in their communities,
including
information
about the laws specific to that state.
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Providing Personal Care |
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Abledata, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), provides objective reviews of
assistive devices and technology. The site does not sell the products it
reviews, but provides links to sites where they can be purchased.
ABLEDATA
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 800-227-0216
Fax: 301-608-8958
TT: 301-608-8912
www.abledata.com
Monterey Network of Care is an Internet-based network offering
resources to caregivers, consumers and service providers.
Monterey Network of Care
Trilogy Integrated Resources LLC
1101 Fifth Avenue, Suite 250
San Rafael, CA 94901
www.monterey.networkofcare.org
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Transfers and Ambulation |
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Abledata, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), provides objective reviews of
assistive devices and technology. The site does not sell the products it
reviews, but provides links to sites where they can be purchased.
ABLEDATA
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 800-227-0216
Fax: 301-608-8958
TT: 301-608-8912
Email: abledata@orcmacro.com
www.abledata.com
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Basic Healthcare Skills |
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Healthy Eating and Hydration |
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The USDA offers information about food safety, dietary
health, and food labeling and packaging. There is also a list of
food recalls and information on food technology. The USDA offers
dietary plans for people on a budget and a wealth of information
about MyPyramid, which was developed by the USDA.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Food and Nutrition Page
1400 Independence Avenue
S.W. Washington, DC 20250
www.usda.gov
The Nutrition.gov site contains information on healthy eating,
nutrition, and obesity prevention.
Nutrition.gov
National Agricultural Library
Food and Nutrition Information Center
Nutrition.gov Staff
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
www.nutrition.gov
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Emergency Care |
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The American Red Cross provides disaster relief services, as well as
health and safety services. The site offers disaster preparation tips,
news of worldwide relief efforts, and links for those wishing to
contribute to relief efforts or to give blood.
American Red Cross
American Red Cross National Headquarters
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-303-4498
Disaster Assistance: 866-GET-INFO (866-438-4636)
www.redcross.org
The American Heart Association offers information on heart health
and heart diseases and conditions. The site provides a link
that allows you to find your local AHA branch.
American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
Tel: 800-AHA-USA-1 or 800-242-8721
www.americanheart.org
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Medications |
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The FDA provides the latest information on labeling and
packaging requirements for prescription and over-the-counter medications.
The website also gives information about medical devices, such as pacemakers
and hearing aids. There are also links to report a problem with a
product or to comment on proposed FDA regulations.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
Tel: 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)
www.fda.gov
The Physician’s Desk Reference is a comprehensive resource
for information about prescription and over-the-counter medications,
including herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. It is available
in libraries, bookstores, and on the web at www.pdrhealth.com. |
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