Web Resources for Seniors

• About Aging: Facts, Issues, Demographics, etc.
  | End of Life Issues |
• Aging Network & General Support
• Assistance in Your Home & Community –
  | Caregiver Support | Community Care Program | Grandparents Raising Grandchildren | Information & Assistance | Nutrition | Transportation |
• Awards & Recognition
• Diseases
• Education & Recreation
• Elder Rights –
  | Preventing Fraud | Abuse Prevention in your Neighborhood | Abuse Prevention within a Nursing Facility | Legal Services |
• Employment
• Gambling
• Grandparents & Children
• Housing Options & Nursing Homes
• Income / Insurance / Health Care Expenses
• Intergenerational & Volunteer Programs
• Legislation
• Prescription Drug Assistance
• Veterans Services

About Aging

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
Policy and Research for Professionals in Aging

Fed World, U.S. Department of Commerce – a gateway to government information

FirstGov – the U. S. Government's Official Web Portal, a gateway for citizens, businesses, and government employees that connects to millions of web pages, from the federal government, local and tribal governments and to foreign nations around the world
FirstGov for Seniors

Gerontology Program, Eastern Illinois University

Gerontology Program, Northern Illinois University

Gerontology Program, Western Illinois University

Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Michigan – a resource for researchers, educators, practitioners, and others interested in aging and older individuals

The Library of Congress

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – the largest US foundation devoted to improving the health and health care of all Americans

U.S. Census Bureau

• American Fact Finder

End of Life Issues:

• Last Acts, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation



• Grief and Loss and End-of-Life Topics, AARP

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Aging Network & General Support

American Society on Aging – a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families

"Illinois" Federal Clearinghouse – information on federal grant and procurement opportunities available for government and business leaders and non-profit organizations

The National Council on Aging – organizations and professionals promoting the dignity, self-determination and well-being of older persons

Team Illinois – an initiative to demonstrate that by partnering with local residents, elected officials and other stakeholders in communities, Illinois government can help communities build stronger infrastructures and achieve economic turnaround

Aging Network:

• U.S. Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – supports a nationwide aging network, providing services to the elderly, especially to enable them to remain independent



• Illinois Department on Aging – supports the statewide aging network



• Illinois Area Agencies on Aging:
  • Chicago Department on Aging
  • Suburban Area Agency on Aging
  • Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
  • Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
  • Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging
  • Central Illinois Agency on Aging, Inc.
  • East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
  • West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
  • Project LIFE Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
  • Southwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
  • Midland Area Agency on Aging
  • Southeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
  • Egyptian Area Agency on Aging, Inc.


• Statutes that direct the Illinois Department on Aging

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Assistance at Home & in your Community

Amplified Phones, Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) – offering FREE amplified phones to qualified residents with hearing impairments. This is not an equipment loan program, and all phones distributed through the ITAC voucher program become the property of the individual. Recipients will become eligible for new vouchers every four years.

Benefits Eligibility CheckUp, National Council on the Aging – find the right benefits programs to meet your needs

Elders and Families, U.S. Administration on Aging – information for older persons and families

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – enhancing Illinois' economic competitiveness by providing technical and financial assistance to businesses, local governments, workers and families.

• Community Development
• Community Services Block Grant Program – providing a range of services which assist low-income people to attain skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency

Illinois Department of Human Services –

helps older adults through...

• Medicaid eligibility determination
• Temporary cash assistance programs
• Food Stamps
• Social service programs
• Employment programs
• Health-related direct services
• Prevention programs
• Information and referral

will refer individuals and families directly to local programs and services including...

• Alcoholism and drug abuse treatment and prevention
• Counseling and education services
• Child care programs
• Developmental disability services
• Independent living facilities for the blind and disabled
• Mental health services
• Domestic violence programs
• Family case management
• Family planning
• WIC programs
• Youth services
• Programs for the homeless

• Blind Services
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
• Developmental Disabilities Services
• Mental Health Services
• Rehabilitation Services

Caregiver Support:

• See the Web Resources for Family Caregivers page.

Community Care Program:

• Nursing Home, Bureau of Long Term Care, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
  Nursing Home Services and Information for Couples – includes information on the Prevention of Spousal Impoverishment



• Senior Companion Program, Senior Corps, Corporation for National and Community Service

Information & Assistance:

• Eldercare Locator, U.S. Administration on Aging



• How to Find Help, U.S. Administration on Aging
  
  
  • Services for Seniors


• Senior HelpLine, Illinois Department on Aging

Nutrition:

• Food Inspection, Illinois Department of Agriculture



• Family Nutrition, Illinois Department of Human Services



• Food Stamps, U.S. Department of Agriculture



• Gateway to Government Nutrition Sites – guide to nutrition and health information on Federal Government Web sites



• Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services



• Meals on Wheels Association of America – the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need.



• Nutrition, U.S. Administration on Aging

Transportation:

• Driver Safety: 55 Alive, AARP



• Illinois Rural Transit Assistance Center, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs located at Western Illinois University



• Transportation, U.S. Administration on Aging



• Programs for Seniors, Illinois Secretary of State



• Transportation, Policy and Research for Professionals in Aging, AARP

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Awards & Recognition

Governor's Home Town Awards Program, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – to citizens of Illinois who give unselfishly of their time, money and efforts to make their communities better places to live and work

Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, Illinois Department on Aging – initiated by the General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate the achievements and contributions of citizens age 65 or older.

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Diseases

Alzheimer's Association

• 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

American Diabetes Association

American Cancer Society

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health

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Education & Recreation

ElderHostel – a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing extraordinary learning adventures for people 55 and over

Fairs:

• Art Fair Directory, Illinois Arts Council



• County Fairs, Illinois Department of Agriculture



• DuQuoin State Fair, Illinois Department of Agriculture



• Illinois State Fair, Illinois Department of Agriculture

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Elder Rights

Links to the following can be found in Statutes and Rules:

• Elder Abuse and Neglect Act
• Illinois Act on Aging
• Illinois Human Rights Act
• Older Americans Act

Elder Rights and Resources, U.S. Administration on Aging – Fact Sheet

Preventing Fraud:

• Consumer information, Illinois Attorney General



• Consumer Information, Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate



• Consumer Alerts and Warnings, Illinois Attorney General



• Crime Victim Services, Illinois Attorney General



• How to File a Complaint with the Illinois Attorney General



• Health Care Assistance, Illinois Attorney General



• People with Disabilities Rights, Illinois Attorney General



• Publications and Information, Illinois Attorney General



• Advocating for Older Citizens, Illinois Attorney General

Preventing Elder Abuse in your Neighborhood:

• Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Councils – convened by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1993 to establish a forum to improve the institutional, professional and community response to family violence including child abuse, domestic abuse, and elder abuse; to engage in education and prevention; the coordination of intervention and services for victims and perpetrators; and, to contribute to the improvement of the legal system and the administration of justice.



• Illinois TRIAD – an organization comprised of law enforcement, government entities and advocacy groups committed to the prevention of crimes against the elderly



• National Center on Elder Abuse – providing elder abuse information to professionals and the public; offering technical assistance and training to elder abuse agencies and related professionals; conducting short-term elder abuse research; and assisting with elder abuse program and policy development



• National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse – an association of researchers, practitioners, educators, and advocates dedicated to protecting the safety, security, and dignity of older Americans

Preventing Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes:

• Abuse in Nursing Homes, National Center on Elder Abuse



• For Patients, Illinois State Medical Society



• Illinois Citizens for Better Care - An advocacy and service organization that works to improve the care and quality of life of Illinois nursing home residents.



• Illinois Community Advocates for Residents' Empowerment (I CARE) – the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program for central Illinois



• Illinois Pioneer Coalition – provides long-term care settings with the education and tools needed to effect deep culture change, thereby transforming long-term care settings into real homes and improving the quality of life for individuals and staff in various settings throughout Illinois.



• National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform – provides information and leadership on federal and state regulatory and legislative policy development and models and strategies to improve care and life for residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities



• National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center – provides support, technical assistance and training to the 53 State Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs



• Nursing Home Abuse Center – provides comprehensive information on nursing home abuse and neglect for the elderly and their loved ones.



• Pioneer Network: Changing the Culture of Aging for the 21st Century



• When You Can't Go Home Again: Using Consumer Law to Protect Nursing Facility Residents, National Consumer Law Center then click on "Initiatives" > "Senior Initiatives" > "Consumer Information for Seniors"



• Web Resources related to Nursing Homes

Legal Services:

• Commission on Law and Aging, American Bar Association – dedicated to examining law and policy issues affecting older persons



• Consumers’ Guide to Legal Help on the Internet, American Bar Association



• Illinois Appellate Defender – represents indigent persons on appeal in criminal cases when appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, the Appellate Court or the Circuit Court



• Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago



• Legal Services, AARP



• National Eldercare Legal Assistance Project, National Senior Citizens Law Center



• Prairie State Legal Services, offers free legal services for low income persons and those over 60 who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them
  
  
  • Senior Citizens Handbook



• Probono Referrals, Illinois Attorney General



• Self Help Legal Center, School of Law, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale – information on Illinois law



• Seniors Initiative in Consumer Law, National Consumer Law Center then click on "NCLC Initiatives" > "Senior Initiatives"

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