Human Development & Family Studies DatabasesHuman Development & Family Studies Resources
United States Health Resources
National Aging and Age-Related Organizations on the Web is an American Society on Aging service.Yahoo's Senior Health/Aging list of useful Web links. One can go further into the topic by clicking on Government Agencies or Institutes, OR go backward into the general topic of Senior Health
The Active Aging Partnership maintains lots of useful lists, including Organizations, and Aging and Physical Activity Links. Also a useful Public Information/Active Aging Tips and a page of links to Publications and Other Resources.
The well-known federal government information site, USA.gov maintains an excellent general information site for seniors at USA.gov for Seniors. Much of the following information is actually linked from this site, so this is a good place to start.
The Administration on Aging is the federal agency which represents aging policy and programs in the nation. A huge amount of information, easily accessed with the Topics Index. Also a very useful State and Area Agencies on Aging site, with links, addresses and phone numbers of all such agencies in the states. Also a very useful Statistical Information on Older Persons site, and The Aging Network with a large amount of contact information. The Elder Care Locator allows you to simply enter a state and zip code and find services nearby.
The National Institute on Aging "leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life". For a complete listing of their free, online publications and resources, check the NIA Health Information site. This agency attempts to cover all aspects of aging. For more specific aspects, try one of the agencies below.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse publishes a huge number of research reports online. Use their Search Engine and enter "elderly" and "drug abuse".
The National Institute of Mental Health published many useful reports concerning aging the the elderly, as related to mental health. Again, use their Search Engine and search under the typical terms such as "elderly" and "aging", or more specific conditions such as "Alzheimer's" (which brings up well over 200 documents!).
The Health Resources and Services Administration covers a broad area of federal policy related to health services for the elderly in the U.S., as does the related agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Census Bureau Age Data - ongoing surveys on all age-related topics, with excellent sections on the Older Population (55+) and the Elderly Population (65+). This is THE primary statistical resource on the aging population of the U.S.!
The Internation Population Center Census Bureau site includes many excellent online publications concerning aging in the world, such as An Aging World: 2001, Older Workers, Retirement and Pensions and Gender and Aging: Caregiving, among others. The 2000 Census of the United States also provides many age and aging statistical compliations, down to the neighborhood level.
The NIH Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains an excellent Healthy Aging for Older Adults site, with a multitude of online publications and data resources. The CDC also provides several highly informative "aging" related sites, such as Healthy Aging, covering morbidity, mortality and epidemiology data site for the aging population of the U.S., and the data oriented Aging Activities, from the National Center for Health Statistics. Average Life Expectancy is another useful CDC site.
The U.S. government HealthFinder topical site on Aging includes links to many organizations, public, private, and non-profit. Also sites concerning Elder Abuse and Elder Care.
The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging maintains a number of excellent publications, including Older Americans 2000 and also links to aging related sites of other federal government agencies. A VERY useful source of aging information.
The National Library of Medicine health information site, MedlinePlus, maintains a very informative Senior's Health Topics site, with links to a huge variety of organizations, health information sites, etc.
The Food and Drug Administration provides a subject site, Aging: FDA Information for Older People, which lists their publications on this subject, as well as such services as Seniors And Food Safety and Buying Medicines Online
The North Carolina Division of Aging, of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Resources, is the primary N.C. state government agency for issues and developments concerning aging. Area agencies within the state and county senior citizen centers are listed, along with numerous other aging related topics, such as retirement, housing, long term care, volunteerism, staying active, to mention just a few. There is also a link to Other Aging Sites.
The National Association of State Units on Aging is actually a national non-profit membership organization comprised of 57 State and Territorial Government Agencies on Aging. Similar to the Administration on Aging, "State Agencies on Aging" site listed above.
The Illinois Dept. on Aging maintains one of the most informative aging resource sites available. Information onElder Rights, and Public Awareness, along with many other programs and sources of information, such as Pharmaceutical Assistance in Illinois.
The Duke Long Term Care Resources Program was developed in order to "enhancement of effective long term care policy and service development in the interest of vulnerable adults and their families". Their major program initiatives include Leadership in an Aging Society, Teaching Communities, and Aging at Home, and there is a Publications and Research site.
The UNC Institute on Aging "works to enhance the well-being of older North Carolinians through statewide collaboration in Research, Education, and Public service".
The Piedmont Triad Council of Governments maintains an excellent service agency for seniors, the Area Agency on Aging, which "is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating aging services for seven counties in the Piedmont Region". Something of a clearinghouse for local senior and aging resources and services, this site includes lists of Area Providers, a Long Term Care Ombudsman service, Prescription Drugs Assistance Programs, and access to and information on the state policy body knows as the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. A very thorough and useful local services for seniors site.
Addressing Diversity is an Administration on Aging site with an excellent list of aging organizations and services.
Facts on Aging: Health Issues for Older Minorities is an Illinois Dept. on Aging site with information for aging minorities.
The Office of Minority Health maintains a useful Publications site.
The Minority Affairs Committee of the American Medical Student Association maintains an informative Facts on Aging: Minority Elderly Population statistical essay.
The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging represents a growing trend in minority advocacy and issues, like the NHCOA below. It's "mission is to serve as the leading national advocacy organization committed to the dignity, well-being and quality of life of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) in their senior years". A variety of programs for the elderly APA community, with an emphasis on health issues. Useful advice, "Q&A" Ask NAPCA section.
The National Hispanic Council on Aging is one of a growing number of Web sites and organizations which approach the subject from a minority point of view. The NHCOA "is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latino elderly, families, and communities through advocacy, capacity and institution building, development of educational materials, technical assistance, demonstration projects, policy analysis and research." There is no "Spanish or English" choice on the site, as most pages are in English and a few in Spanish. Questions on any subject related to aging and Hispanics answered online in their Ask Ricardo section.
Another minority approach to aging, the National Indian Council on Aging, with a useful Publications and Newsletters site, and an excellent Interactive Health Atlas of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders. "NICOA strives to better the lives of the nation's indigenous seniors through advocacy, employment training, dissemination of information, and data support".
Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research is the creation of a number of federal agencies concerned with minority health issues. The program is intended to decrease the minority/non-minority differential in health and its social sequelae for older people by focusing research upon health promotion, disease prevention, and disability prevention. Their online Reports are useful, and they offer an extensive page of Links on the topic of minority aging and health.
Accessibility Ready Communities boasts that it is the "only web page designed for the sole purpose of allowing individuals of all ages and their caregivers to age in place, age with dignity, age with purpose, and age with security in an elder friendly environment". a service of Aging & Cultural Consultants, Inc., a commercial consulting firm which specializes in aging issues, this is one of a growing numnber of businesses which consult with government, communities and families on the issues facing an aging population and the problems of growing older in place.
AARP - the American Association of Retired Persons has a huge Web presence. Look at the site map and Check out AARP Guide to Internet Aging Resources.
Adult Development and Aging (APA Division 20) - a regular newsletter, links, and other publications about the psychology of aging.
AgeNet is a comprehensive, national eldercare network which brings together suppliers of eldercare products and services with businesses such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health care providers, health systems, and organizations or companies with employee assistance programs. Their Solutions for Better Aging is particularly useful to seniors.
ALFA Online is the Assisted Living Federation of America, an organization created to "advance the assisted living industry and enhance the quality of life for the approximately one million consumers it serves". Everything you ever wanted to know about assisted living, including links to all state affiliates, including the North Carolina Assisted Living Association.
The Alliance for Aging Research is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and independence of Americans as they age. Sign up for their free, online newsletter, Living Longer & Loving It!, and take a look at their impressive list of Health Topics on Aging, with online reports and information. Longer, formal publications are available on their Bookshelf.
The Alliance for Retired Americans is an organization originally founded to serve the needs of retired AFL/CIO affiliated union members, but has now come to represent the needs of virtually all retired seniors. The Resources and Issues functions of the Alliance are the most useful.
The Alzheimer’s Association - diagnosis, treatment, resources for caregivers, etc.
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aged maintains an excellent list of geographically arranged Links to member facilities and services.
The American Federation for Aging Research states its mission as promoting healthier aging through biomedical research. Thus promoting research through grants and funding is part of their goal, and awards up to $ 60,000 are available. Their Publications are free, but NOT available online.
American Society on Aging - "a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families". Excellent publications and resources links, including the ASA pub, Aging Today.
The Arthritis Foundation provides information on a condition which probably affects more seniors than any other health issue. Access to the latest issue of Arthritis Today and many other online publications via their Resources site. Also a Drug Guide.
Caregiver’s Handbook - lots of information for caregivers and care receivers in this 9 part, online manual.
Elderhostel - the nation's first and the world's largest educational and travel organization for adults 55 and over.ElderWeb is "designed to be a research site for both professionals and family members looking for information on eldercare and long term care, and includes links to information on legal, financial, medical, and housing issues, as well as policy, research, and statistics". Also includes an excellent email ElderWeb.com Newsletter.
End of Life: Exploring Death in America - a site developed in conjunction with a series produced by National Public Radio. It contains a vast amount of information about dying and death, including many stories posted by ordinary people about their experiences with the deaths of friends and family members and their own life-threatening illnesses.
Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement (EASI) - EASI is often called the institution, "by which senior citizens can become active, positive participants in determining the sustainability of their communities, their nation and their world."
Experience Corps attempts to mobilize the time, talent, and experience of older adults in service to communities. The initial focus has been connecting older adults with children and youth by providing schools and youth-serving organizations with a critical mass of caring older adults to improve academic performance and aid in the development of young people. For seniors looking for a means of helping their communities by volunteering their time and talents.
50Plus is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote an active lifestyle for older people. Includes an outstanding online Library of fitness materials for older adults, and a useful Resources section with related links.
FindLaw internet legal resources is easily the best, free legal information site on the Web, and FindLaw contains a large amount of information for seniors. Use the FindLaw "Search" window at the top of the main site and put in terms like "aging".
The Gerontological Society of America, and it's policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society are non-profit professional organizations with more than 5000 members in the field of aging. The GSA "provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages". The GSA even maintains an online Journal Search for all GSA journals, with full text since Feb., 2000. The NAAS also provides some free, online reports and publications.
Geropsychology Central - describes itself as, "an online resource devoted to the study of neurological, psychological, and sociological aspects of the aging process."
Guide To Retirement Living - information such as housing options, legal issues, and links to other sites for older people.
The International Longevity Center is a "not-for-profit, non-partisan research and education organization whose mission is to help societies address longevity and population aging in positive and productive ways and highlight older people's productivity and contributions to their families and society as a whole". Includes a major online Publications site, their ongoing Projects, and a useful Links to related sites.
The International Society for Aging and Physical Activity (ISAPA) is an international not-for-profit society which promotes research, clinical practice, and public policy initiatives in the area of aging and physical activity. ISAPA publishes the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (only tables of contents and abstracts free online), and a free online Newsletter. Also includes a very extensive list of Aging and Physical Activity Links, and links to ISAPA Regional Web Pages.
The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations is an umbrella group for a "coalition of 47 national non-profit organizations concerned with the well-being of America's older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena". A good site for major policy issues such as Medicare and Social Security.
The Medicare Rights Center "is a national, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that helps ensure that older adults and people with disabilities get good affordable health care". If you have Medicare problems or issues or just want to know more about the ins and outs of Medicare, this is the place to visit.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A), is an "umbrella organization for the 655 area agencies on aging (AAAs) and more than 230 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S." In its lobying role, the N4A "advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans", and thus provides a useful public policy information source.
The National Council on the Aging is an "association of organizations and professionals dedicated to promoting the dignity, self-determination, well being, and contributions of older persons". Their Publications site includes the current issue of their online journal, Innovations, as well as many other useful publications. A major service of the NCOA is BenefitsCheckUp, which allows a search of more than 1,000 federal and state programs and finds those for which the senior may be eligible.
The National Senior Citizens Law Center, as the title implies, represents the legal and governmental advocate area of senior rights and services. Unfortunately, only sample issues of their very useful publications are available free, online.
The National Senior Games Association is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for seniors through fitness and sports participation. Sponsors such state, national and international competitions as the Senior Olympics, to be held next in 2005.
The New England Centenarian Study, a Boston University med-school program, is an effort to study the characteristics of this rapidly growing segment of the population in order "to discover the secrets of successful aging".
The Old Age Page of the Global Ideas Bank is a United Kingdom section within an unusual Web site that is an "International Suggestion Box for socially innovative non-technological ideas and projects." The site is sponsored by the Institute for Social Inventions in London, England. Anyone is invited to submit his or her own innovative ideas in descriptions of up to 1,000 words. It includes some intriguing and creative ideas. Check it out!
SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, is a resource partner with the Small Business Administration, providing assistance to small businesses through direct counseling, email counseling, and workshops. A good means for retired executives to contribute their experience back into the commercial success of their communities.
The SeniorLaw site is a service to seniors from the law firm of Goldfarb and Abrandt. Some good, free legal information and senior issues legal articles. Oriented somewhat toward New York state law, but applicable everywhere.
SeniorNet is another virtual community for older adults. Focuses on computer technology and the use of the Internet to improve the lives of seniors.
SeniorSites - an example of the kind of information available to older persons, this one concerns non-profit senior housing and services.
Third Age - a multifaceted website for older adults with discussion groups, health information, and an on-line site called "the Wired Ager". "Third Age" refers to persons beyond midlife. "Fourth Age" is often used to describe people over 85.
Whole Brain Atlas - a Harvard med-school site, with lots of information about the aging brain (normal aging and diseases of aging).
