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.

AARP
601 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20049
888-OUR-AARP (687-2277)
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, healthcare, quality-of-life issues, older workers' rights, retirement planning

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 Health Care Association
1201 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20005-4015
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
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-303-4498
Web site: http://www.redcross.org
Referral to local chapters, transportation to medical appointments, printed information, health education programs, disaster relief

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

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244
Medicare Hotline: 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
877-486-2048 (TTY)
202-690-6145
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov
Answers questions on health insurance to supplement Medicare

Medic Alert Foundation
2323 Colorado
Turlock, CA 95381-9009
888-633-4298
Web site: http://www.medicalert.org
Bracelets and necklaces with medical information, 24-hour answering service, speak with staff

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
1730 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Ste. 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116 (M-F, 9 am - 8 pm, EST)
202-872-0888
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 Personas Mayores
234 E. Colorado Blvd. #300
Pasadena, CA 91104
626-564-1988
Web site: http://www.anppm.org
Will answer individual questions and make referrals to local agencies

National Association for Home Care and Hospice
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
1220 L Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
202-637-8400
Membership-based organization dedicated to improving life for African American and low-income elderly

National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
202-332-2276
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
300 D Street, SW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20024
202-479-1200
TDD: 202-479-6674
Web site: http://www.ncoa.org/index.cfm
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 and Palliative Care Organization
1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 625
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-837-1500
Hospice Help Line: 800-658-8898
Web site: http://www.nhpco.org
Printed information, referrals to local hospice services, state-specific advance directives, 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
TTY: 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 Asian Pacific Center on Aging
1511 Third Avenue, Suite 914
Seattle, WA 98101-1626
800-33-NAPCA (800-336-2722)
Web site: http://www.napca.org/
Staff answers consumer questions and makes referrals

National Rehabilitation Information Center
4200 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 202
Lanham, MD 20706
800-346-2742
301-459-5984 (TTY)
Web site: http://www.naric.com
Resource guides, referrals, printed information, information specialists

National Women's Health Information Center
Office on Women's Health
200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 712E
Washington, DC 20201
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
Health Information: 202-628-7814
Web site: http://www.nwhn.org/
Advocacy group for women's issues, booklets on 70+ women's health issues

Social Security Administration
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd., Room 4200
Baltimore, MD 21235
800-772-1213
TTY: 800-325-0778
Web site: http://www.ssa.gov
Answers to questions regarding benefits available in many languages

United Network for Organ Sharing
PO Box 2484
700 North 4th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
888-894-6361
Web site: http://www.unos.org
Organ donor cards, information

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