Resources
Useful Articles
Helpful Links
The Illinois Department on Aging helps older people live independently in their own homes and communities. Working with Area Agencies on Aging, community-based service providers and older people themselves, the Illinois Department on Aging strives to improve quality of life for current and future generations of older Illinoisans. http://www.state.il.us/aging/
The Southwest Suburban Center on Aging is a community resource for older adults and their families in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. From in-home services and support to opportunities for health and wellness, the Agency is meeting the needs of today's older adults and their families within the community. http://www.swscoa.org/
Aging Well is a partnership in 20 communities in the greater Lyons Township Illinois area. The partnership is composed of hundreds of older adults and over 130 community based organizations working together to create an environment in which people can age well. http://www.agingwellpartnership.org/Index.html
The Association of Senior Service Providers is a network of professionals who work with, or on behalf of seniors. Members include representatives from the long-term care industry, retirement communities, home health agencies, hospitals, community-based organizations, private practitioners, colleges and universities, government offices and more. http://www.assp-dupage.org/
AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older.http://www.aarp.org
The US Department of Veterans Affairs provides patient care and federal benefits to veterans and their dependents. http://www.va.gov/
The Social Security Administration's mission is to advance the economic security of the nation’s people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs. www.ssa.gov
The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is a FREE statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. SHIP is sponsored by the Illinois Division of Insurance. http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Ship/ship_help.asp
The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age. http://www.naela.com/
The Midwest Geriatric Care Managers Association is an association of private practitioners whose purpose is the development, advancement and promotion of humane and dignified social, psychological, and health care for the elderly and their families. The association is committed to working towards the highest quality of care for the elderly and their families through education, advocacy, and high standards of practice. http://www.midwestgcm.org/
The Older Americans Act of 1965 established the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency’s Assistant Secretary for Aging leads the administration. This organization calls for a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Americans. It specifically targets seniors at risk of losing their independence. http://www.aoa.gov/
The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. http://www.nfcacares.org/
Aging America Resources helps you decide how to help aging friends and family. This community benefits from the collective wisdom and experience of people who have already faced these challenges. Their forums are full of people who have been down the road already and are willing to share their experiences. The site aims to help you overcome the many frustrations and uncertainties that lie ahead. Aging America Resources provides perspectives and advice --NOT absolutes and answers. The material is unbiased toward any specific product or service. http://www.agingusa.com
The National Alliance for Caregiving: The Alliance is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers. http://www.caregiving.org
Solutions for Better Aging features a comprehensive selection of products designed to solve problems related to aging, special needs and physical challenges. They sell over 20,000 products direct from the manufacturer. This site also features a vast selection of links to other resources and information. Please feel free to call Solutions for Better Aging toll free at (888) 405-4242. http://www.agenet.com
Evercare Connections, an affiliate of UnitedHealth Group, is a care advocacy program designed to help people who are faced with the challenges and difficult decisions of caring for an aging parent, relative or friend. http://evercarehealthplans.com/evercare_solutions.jsp
In 1995, the Meals On Wheels Association of America established the ProjectMeal Foundation as its fundraising and grant-giving arm in order to combat the growing problem of hunger and malnutrition among the elderly. http://www.mowaa.org/
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry is a national association representing and serving its members and the field of geriatric psychiatry. It is dedicated to promoting the mental health and well being of older people and improving the care of those with late-life mental disorders. AAGP’s mission is to enhance the knowledge base and standard of practice in geriatric psychiatry through education and research and to advocate for meeting the mental health needs of older Americans. http://www.aagpgpa.org/
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) represents over 7,000 assisted living providers, continuing-care retirement communities and independent care providers. Founded in 1990, the federation seeks to advance the assisted living industry and enhance the quality of life for the one million-plus consumers it serves. ALFA broadened its membership in 1999 to embrace all housing and care providers who share a consumer-focused philosophy of care. http://www.alfa.org
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is the premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to older adults. With an active membership of over 6,000 health care professionals, the AGS has a long history of effecting change in the provision of health care for older adults. In the last decade, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies and practices regarding health care for older people. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/
Senior Job Bank exists to help keep older workers in the workforce longer. Senior Job Bank offers an easy, effective and free method for senior citizens to find occasional, part-time, flexible, temporary and even full-time jobs. Through Senior Job Bank, homeowners and businesses deal direct with more mature, experienced and reliable workers. http://www.seniorjobbank.org/
The Alliance For Aging Research is the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and accelerating the pace of medical discoveries to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health.http://www.agingresearch.org/
The National Association for Home Care vigorously protects the rights of home care and hospice providers and patients. They’ve been doing it since 1982. Thanks to their members, the NAHC is the top-ranked, most energetic health care trade association in existence. The unified voice of their membership ensures Congress and regulatory agencies listen when the NAHC speaks. http://www.nahc.org/
The non-profit Aging with Dignity was established because you and your family deserve better. We provide you with the practical information, advice and legal tools you need to ensure your wishes and those of your loved ones will be respected. By helping you improve your own quality of care, we can bring about dramatic change, one person at a time.http://www.agingwithdignity.org/
