Senior Resource Guide

Following is a list of resources -- agencies, organizations, associations and support groups -- that provide help and information to the public.

All information available on or through these web sites is for general information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Clinical Reference Systems disclaims responsibility for any harmful consequences resulting from the misinterpretation or misapplication of information or advice contained in these resources.

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008-1520
202-783-2242
Web site: http://www.aahsa.org
Oversees nursing homes

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20049
800-424-3410
Web site: http://www.aarp.org
For people 50 and older, specializes in insurance, driver education courses, tax counseling; local chapters help carry out mission in the areas of community services, legislation and voter education efforts, health care, quality-of-life issues, older workers' rights, retirement planning

American Health Care Association
1201 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20005-4015
800-321-0343
202-842-4444
Web site: http://www.ahca.org
A federation of organizations representing long-term care providers and the people they serve

American Red Cross
8111 Gatehouse
Falls Church, VA 22042
202-737-8300
Web site: http://www.redcross.org
Referral to local chapters, transportation to medical appointments, printed information, health education programs, disaster relief

Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
1609 Woodbourne Road, Suite 302-A
Levittown, PA 19057-1511
800-277-7294
800-777-3319
Web site: http://www.careguide.net
Printed information and support for caregivers of older people

Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20420
800-827-1000
Veteran's Assistance Service
TDD: 800-829-4833
202-273-5771
Web site: http://www.va.gov
Spanish Web site: http://www.vba.va.gov/spanish/spanish.htm
Connects callers to regional office to answer questions regarding benefits, counselors on line

Disabled American Veterans
807 Maine Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-554-3501
Web site: http://www.dav.org
Referral to local chapters for support, entitlements

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
200 Independence Ave. SW, Rm. 303-D
Washington, DC 20201
Medicare Hotline: 800-MEDICARE(633-4227)
877-486-2048 (TTY)
202-690-6145
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov
Answers questions on health insurance to supplement Medicare

Legal Services for the Elderly
130 West 42nd Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212-391-0120
Lawyers offer advice and answer questions

Medic Alert Foundation
2323 Colorado
Turlock, CA 95381-9009
800-825-3785
Web site: http://www.medicalert.org
Bracelets and necklaces with medical information, 24-hour answering service, speak with staff

National Alliance of Senior Citizens
2525 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
703-528-4380
Information about government programs for older Americans

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
927 15th Street NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116 (M-F, 9 am - 8 pm, EST)
202-296-8130
Web site: http://www.n4a.org
Eldercare Locator provides assistance in identifying local community resources for seniors nationwide (services include nursing homes, legal help, benefits issues)

National Association for Hispanic Elderly
Associacion Nacional Por Persones Mayores
1452 West Temple Street, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90026-1724
800-953-8553
213-487-1922
Will answer individual questions and make referrals to local agencies

National Association for Home Care
228 7th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003-5809
202-547-7424
Web site: http://www.nahc.org
Material on how to select a home care agency

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged
1424 K Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
202-637-8400
Web site: http://www.ncba-aged.org
Membership-based organization dedicated to improving life for African American and low-income elderly

National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
1424 16th Street NW, Suite 202
Washington, DC 20036-2211
202-332-2275
Web site: http://www.nccnhr.org
Bimonthly packet of information about what is happening on Capitol Hill regarding issues concerning the elderly

National Council on the Aging
409 3rd Street SW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20024
202-479-6653, 6654
TDD: 202-479-6674
Information for providers and specialists in the field of gerontology, printed information

National Council on Patient Information and Education
4915 St. Elmo Ave., Suite 505
Bethesda, MD 20814-6053
301-656-8565
Web site: http://www.talkaboutrx.org
Educational materials to promote understanding between patients and their providers

National Hospice Organization and Palliative Care Organization
1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-243-5900
Hospice Help Line: 800-658-8898
Web site: http://www.nhpco.org
Printed information, referrals to local hospice services, information specialists

National Indian Council on Aging
10501 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 210
Albuquerque, NM 87111-3846
505-292-2001
Web site: http://www.nicoa.org
Advocacy group for American Indian and Alaska Native elders, provides information on elderly issues, employs elderly in selected areas

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Information Center
Bldg. 31, Room 5C27
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892
800-222-2225
301-496-1752
Web site: http://www.nih.gov/nia
Printed information about issues of interest to older people, information specialists

National Pacific/Asian Resource Center on Aging
Melbourne Tower, Suite 914
1511 Third Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101-1626
206-624-1221
Staff answers consumer questions and makes referrals

National Rehabilitation Information Center
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910-5638
800-346-2742
301-495-5626 (TTY)
Web site: http://www.naric.com
Resource guides, referrals, printed information, information specialists

National Women's Health Information Center
8550 Arlington Blvd.
Fairfax, VA 22031
800-994-WOMAN (944-9662)
888-220-5546 (TDD)
Web site: http://www.4woman.gov
Office of Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services provides articles and links to resources for women's health issues.

National Women's Health Network
514 10th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-1440
Orders only: 202-628-7814
Web site: http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org
Advocacy group for women's issues, booklets on 70+ women's health issues

Social Security Administration
W. High Rise Building
6401 Security Blvd., Room 4200
Baltimore, MD 21235
800-772-1213
410-965-1720
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov
Spanish Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/espanol/
For questions regarding benefits

United Network for Organ Sharing
P.O. Box 13770
1100 Boulders Parkway, Suite 500
Richmond, VA 23225-8770
800-355-SHARE (355-7427)
Web site: http://www.unos.org
Organ donor cards, information

United Seniors Health Cooperative
409 3rd Street SW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20024
202-479-6973
Web site: http://www.unitedseniorshealth.org
A nonprofit consumer advocacy organization committed to fostering a culture of health and independence through increased access to unbiased consumer information and to enhancing community services and resources for older adults

United Way of America
701 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2045
703-836-7100
Web site: http://www.unitedway.org
Community agencies and resources