Resources & Services
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Where can I find resources and services that help older adults?

1. The Eldercare Locator

  • Nationwide, directory assistance service designed to help older persons and caregivers locate local support resources.
  • Provides information on how to locate a wide variety of services like meals, home care transportation, housing alternative, home repair, recreation, social activities, legal and other community services.
  • Provides the names and phone numbers of organizations within a desired location, anywhere in the country.
  • It is a public service of the Administration on Aging and it is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the National Association of State Units on Aging.
  • To find services and resources in your area call the toll-free number:
    1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern Time.
  • The online version will provide consumers with basic contact information about elder service agencies in the state and local area requested by zip code.

2. Resource Directory for Older People

  • Online directory that provides the names, addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of organizations that serve older adults.
  • Includes Federal Government agencies, State Units on Aging, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, AoA-supported resource centers, professional societies, private groups and volunteer programs.
  • It is a cooperative effort of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA).
  • The Resource Directory can be accessed at: <http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/resource.html>

3. The Meals on Wheels Association of America

  • Provides a “Search for a Program” service through their website. Click the tab “Search for a Program” on the left side of their home page and follow the instructions.

4. Benefits Check Up

  • A new computer program, established by the National Council on Aging, helps older Americans, their families and caregivers determine what benefits seniors qualify for and how to claim them.
  • The Benefits-Checkup database has information on roughly 1,000 different federal and state programs designed to help older citizens, including Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, food stamps, pharmacy assistance, property tax relief, veterans benefits, health insurance, counseling, heat and energy programs and nutrition services.
  • The process begins at www.benefitscheckup.org. A questionnaire pops up with inquiries about income, health, prior work experience, and other pertinent information. It takes about 15 minutes to fill out and results in a report that tells the senior about benefits programs for which he or she qualifies. The Benefits Checkup is completely confidential.

Posted on: 08/01/01
Last Updated:05/07/2004