Resources & Links

This resource list is a sampling. There are other organizations. This is not an endorsement of their services, but simply a reference.

Eldercare Locator

To find elder care services throughout the U.S., call the Eldercare Locator: 800 677-1116.

This is an information telephone number. It will help connect you with the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in the community in which you want local services. the local AAA has a comprehensive database of community agencies and programs serving elders and their caregivers in their area.

Voluntary Health Agencies

Contact the national office of the group you are interested in and obtain the local phone number of their chapter in your area. Here is a list of major national voluntary health agencies:

Alzheimer's Association, 800.272.3900; www.alz.org

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, 800.598.4668; www.aard.org

American Cancer Society, 800.ACS-2345 (227.2345); www.cancer.org

American Diabetes Association, 800.342.2383; www.diabetes.org

American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), 800.32-amfAR (392.6327); www.amfar.org

American Heart Association, National Center, 800. AHA-USA1 (242.8721); www.americanheart.org.

American Kidney Fund, 800.638.8299; www.kidneyfund.org

American Liver Foundation, 800.GO-LIVER (465.4837); www.liverfoundation.org

American Lung Association® To connect to local offices: 800.LUNG.USA (596-4872); www.lungusa.org

American Parkinson Disease Association, 718.981.8001; www.apdaparkinson.org

American Tinnitus Association, 800.634.8978; www.ata.org

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, 800.782.4747; www.alsa.org

Arthritis Foundation, 800.283.7800; www.arthritis.org

Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, 800.7.ASTHMA (727.8462); www.aafa.org

Cancer Research Foundation of America, 800.227.CRFA (2732); www.preventcancer.org

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, 800.343.3637; www.ccfa.org

Easter Seals Society, 800.221.6827; www.easter-seals.org

Epilepsy Foundation, 800.EFA.1000 (800.332.1000); www.epilepsyfoundation.org

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, 888.394.3937, TDD: 800.683.5551; www.blindness.org

Huntington's Disease Society of America, 800.345.HDSA (4372); www.hdsa.org

Kidney Cancer Association, 800.850.9132; www.kidneycancerassociation.org

The Brain Tumor Society, 617.924.9997; www.tbts.org

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 800.955.4572; www.leukemia-lymphoma.org

Lupus Foundation of America, 800.558.0121; www.lupus.org

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 800.541.5454; www.myasthenia.org

Myositis Association of America, 800.821.7356; www.myositis.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 800. 950.NAMI (6264); www.nami.org

National Down Syndrome Society, 800.221.4602; www.ndss.org

National Hemophilia Foundation, 800.42.HANDI (424.2634); www.hemophilia.org

National Mental Health Association, 800.969.NMHA (6642), TTY: 800.433.5959; www.nmha.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 800.FIGHT.MS (344.4867); www.nationalmssociety.org

National Osteoporosis Foundation, 202.223.2226; www.nof.org

National Psoriasis Foundation, 800.723.9166; www.psoriasis.org

National Sleep Foundation, 202.347.3471; www.sleepfoundation.org

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 800.981.BONE (2663); www.oif.org

The Paget Foundation, 800.23.PAGET (237.2438); www.paget.org

Sjogren's Syndrome Founcation, 800.4SJOGREN (475.6473); www.sjogrens.org

Spina Bifida Association of America, 800.621.3141; www.sbaa.org

Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc., 888.4.TOURET (486.8738); www.tsa-usa.org

Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, 800.225.6872; www.tsalliance.org

Caregiving can be draining. Try keeping a sense of perspective and balance in your life by having a sense of humor and try to focus on the positive aspects. - Blanche Katz, the Eldercare Educator

A List of Helpful Resources

Aging in Stride (a book available from Easter Seals) - This guide to healthy and successful aging covers many of the topics discussed in this booklet, but in much greater detail. To order, visit www.AgingInStride.org /EasterSeals or call 800-448-5413

Aging Parents: The Family Survival Guide - This guide is designed top help family members respond to eldercare crises and to plan ahead for long-term care giving. To order, call 888-777-5585 or order online at www.agingparents.com

ElderWeb: An Online Eldercare Source - Designed to assist older Americans, professionals and family members, this web site covers eldercare and related issues with extensive array of links. www.elderweb.com

Travel Tips for Older Americans - U.S. Dept. of State’s Home Page – Listing/Describing latest information for International travel.
http://travel.state.gov/olderamericans.html

Guide to Retirement Living - Listings of senior housing, assisted living, nursing homes, and home healthcare services for Mid-Atlantic States (VA, MD, NJ, D.C., PA, and DE)703-536-5150 or 800-394-9990; Web site: http://www.retirement-living.com
Call for free single copy of this magazine

Other Organizations

Academy of Elder Law Attorneys - Non-Profit Association – Assist lawyers, Bar Assoc. and others who work with older clients and their families. Also, help locate elder law attorney. 530-881-4005; www.naela.org

Alzheimer's Association, Inc. - Voluntary Health Organization – Dedicated to research and cure for Alzheimer’s Disease – help find right care – check CareFinder™.; 800-272-3900; www.alz.org

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging - Professional association of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing services people need, when they need them, in the place they call home; includes adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities, and nursing homes. 202-783-2242; www.aahsa.org

The Caregivers Marketplace - 401-364-9100; www.caregiversmarketplace.com ; Discounts on goods and services purchased via enrollment

Choices in Dying/Partnership for Caring - 202-296-8071 or 800-989-9455; Helpline: (800) 658-8898; www.partnershipforcaring.org;  Caring Connections is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) funded by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation to improve end-of-life care.

Elder Care Locator - 800-677-1116; www.eldercare.gov;  Public Service of the U.S. Administration on Aging; Assists in finding local Area Agency on Aging for available resources.

Health Insurance Association of America - 202-824-1600; http://www.hiaa.org;  National trade association of U.S. health insurance companies; publishes A Consumer's Guide to Long-Term Care

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers - 520-881-8008; http://www.caremanager.org;  Describes how professional assistance can help. Provides free referrals nationwide.

National Council on the Aging, Inc. - 202-479-1200; http://www.ncoa.org;  National non-profit organization provides programs working on behalf of older Americans.

National Institute on Aging - 301-496-1752; www.aoa.dhhs.gov.  U.S. Administration on Aging provides government information about the Older Americans Act; establish programs, services, opportunities for older Americans and their caregivers.

National Guardianship Association - 520-881-6561; www.guardianship.org.  Provides education, certification and network opportunities for Guardians to promote highest level of values. Provides a Guardian location finder.

National Family Caregiver Association - 800-896-3650; www.thefamilyvaregiver.org.  Non-profit organization reaches across medical diagnosis, relationships, and life stages to address common needs and concerns for all 50 million American caregivers – Provides programs and publications for caregivers.

National Alliance for Caregiving - 415-434-3388; www.caregiving.org.  Non-profit coalition of organizations – Provides support to family caregivers and professionals – Increase public awareness of issues facing caregivers , conducts research, policy analysis, and develops programs.

NOTE: NFCA and NAC created www.FamilyCaregiving101.org Site designed to provide caregivers with tools, skills, and information needed to protect own physical and mental health while providing high quality care.

References

Adamec, C., THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO ELDERCARE, 1999, Macmillan General Reference, New York, New York

Brammer, L., Bingea, M., CARING FOR YOURSELF WHILE CARING FOR OTHERS: A CAREGIVERS SURVIVAL AND RENEWAL GUIDE, 1999, Vantage Press Inc., New York, New York

Burack-Weiss, Ann, THE CAREGIVER’S TALE; Loss and Renewal in Memoirs of Family Life,
2006, Columbia University Press, New York, New York

Burger, S., Fraser, V., Hunt, S., Frank, B., and The National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, NURSING HOMES: GETTING GOOD CARE THERE, Impact Publishers Inc., Atascadero, California

Coste, Joanne Koenig, LEARNING TO SPEAK ALZHEIMER’S, A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease, 2003, Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York

Feil, N., THE VALIDATION BREAKTHROUGH: SIMPLE TECHNIQUES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S-TYPE DEMENTIA, 2002, Health Professions Press, Baltimore, Maryland

Green, C., TOTAL MEMORY WORKOUT: 8 EASY STEPS TO MAXIMUM MEMORY FITNESS, 1999, Bantam Books, New York, New York

Ilardo, J.A., Rothman, C.R., ARE YOUR PARENTS DRIVING YOU CRAZY?, 2001, VanderWyk & Burnham, Acton, Massachusetts

Ilardo, J.A., AS PARENTS AGE: A PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDE, 1998, VanderWyk & Burnham, Acton, Massachusetts

Kuba, Cheryl A., NAVIGATING THE JOURNEY OF AGING PARENTS; What Care Receivers Want,
2006, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, New York, New York

Lori, K., Holman, H., Sober, D., Laurent, D., Gonzalez, V., Minor, M., LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS, 2000, Bull Publishing Company, Palo Alto, California

Loverde, J., THE COMPLETE ELDERCARE PLANNER, 2000, Three Rivers Press, New York, New York

Marcell, J., ELDER RAGE OR, TAKE MY FATHER…PLEASE! HOW TO SURVIVE CARING FOR AGING PARENTS, 2000, Impressive Press, Irvine , California

Marosy, J., ELDERCARE:A SIX-STEP GUIDE TO BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY, 2002, Bringing Elder Care Home Publishing, Worcester, Massachusetts

Mizell, L., STREET SENSE FOR SENIORS: HOW TO STAY SAFE IN A VIOLENT WORLD, 1994, Berkley Books, New York, New York

Morse, S., and Robbins, D. Q., MOVING MOM AND DAD, 1998, Lanier Publishing International,Ltd., Petaluma, California

Morris, V., HOW TO CARE FOR AGING PARENTS, 2004, Workman Publishing, New York, New York

National Institute On Aging, EXERCISE: A GUIDE FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING, 2001, NIH Publications #01-4258

National Institute On Aging, TALKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR: A GUIDE FOR OLDER PEOPLE, 2005, NIH Publications #05-3452

Nelson, M., Baker, K., Roubenoff, R., Linder, L., STRONG WOMEN AND MEN BEAT ARTHRITIS, 2002, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, New York

Nielsen, J., Leopard, A., Caldwell, K., HELPING AN ELDERLY RELATIVE TO REMAIN HOME: SERVICE AND SUGGESTION, 1993, Chase Printing Company, Nashville, Tennessee

Norlander, L., McSteen, K., CHOICES AT THE END OF LIFE: FINDING OUT WHAT YOUR PARENTS WANT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE, 2001, Fairview Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Peters, E., HARD QUESTIONS SIMPLE ANSWERS: A WORKBOOK TO TAKE THE CRISIS OUT OF CAREGIVING, 2002, Seven Locks Press, Santa Ana, California

Pipher, M., ANOTHER COUNTRY: NAVIGATING THE EMOTIONAL TERRAIN OF OUR ELDERS, 1999, Riverhead Books, New York, New York

Rantz, M., Popejoy, L., Zwygart-Stauffacher, M., THE NEW NURSING HOMES: A 20 MINUTE WAY TO FIND GREAT LONG-TERM CARE, 2001, Fairview Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ross, S. B., PITCHING IN WHEN YOUR ELDERLY PARENTS NEED HELP, 1999, Creative Opportunities, Laguna Niguel, California

Sabitino, C., Coleman, N., Edelstein, S., Carp, N., Stiegel, L., Wood, E., THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION: LEGAL GUIDE FOR OLDER AMERICANS: THE LAW EVERY AMERICAN OVER 50 NEEDS TO KNOW, 1998, Times Books, A Division of Random House. Inc., New York, New York

Sandell, D., Hudson, L., ENDING ELDER ABUSE: A FAMILY GUIDE, 2000, QED Press, Fort Bragg, California

Sav-On Health Magazine, THE SAV-ON HEALTH SELF-CARE ADVISOR: THE ESSENTIAL HOME HEALTH GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, 2001, Time, Inc., Health, Birmingham,
Alabama

Sheldon, P., LONG-TERM CARE: YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING GUIDE, 2001, Kensington Publishing Company, New York, New York

Snowdon, D., AGING WITH GRACE: WHAT THE NUNS STUDY TEACHES US ABOUT LEADING LONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE MEANINGFUL LIVES, 2001, Bantam Books, New York, New York

Twichell, K., A CAREGIVER’S JOURNEY: FINDING YOUR WAY, 2001, Writers Club Press, Lincoln, Nebraska

Twichell, K., MEDICAL JOURNAL WORKBOOK, A Caregiver’s Journey Supplement, 2003,
Karen L. Twichell, Newport Beach, California

Warner, M. L., THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALZHEIMER’S-PROOFING YOUR HOME, 2000,
Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, Indiana

These resources are provided by Blanche S. Katz, MSN, RN, GNP, The ElderCare Educator - www.blanchektaz.com .