There are many, many sources of information on aging well and staying safe—too many to cite in a single list. While this appendix is not comprehensive, it lists key government agencies and other organizations that offer up-to-date information and recommendations. The list is organized alphabetically by category and provides a brief description of the resource. Some agencies and organizations are included under more than one category. If you search on your own, you will most certainly find many more sources of good information.
AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)
601 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20049
888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people ages 50 and over. The organization is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all Americans as they age. It campaigns for what it views as positive social changes and delivers value to members through information, advocacy, and service.
Administration on Aging
c/o Administration on Community Living
1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Public inquiries: 202-619-0724
Eldercare locator (to find local resources): 800-677-1116
The mission of the Administration on Aging is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective system of home and community-based services that helps elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801, New York, NY 10118-0801
212-308-1414
http://americangeriatrics.org/public_education/
The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging was established by the American Geriatrics Society in 1999 to bring the expertise of geriatrics and gerontological health professionals to the public. The foundation draws on the expertise of AGS members to provide comprehensive information on the common diseases and disorders of older adults. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging’s flagship initiative is the Health in Aging website, a one-stop, comprehensive source of up-to-date information about what to do to stay healthy and what to do when health problems arise in later life.
Exercise and Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging
This 120-page guide describes the benefits of exercise and physical activity for older people. Learn how to set exercise goals and stick to them. Includes samples of exercises for endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility and a list of other resources.
National Institute on Aging
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292, Bethesda, MD 20892
800-222-2225 (TTY, 800-222-4225)
The institute provides general information on research and practical resources for the aging population. To sign up for regular e-mail alerts about new publications and other information, go to www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation. (See also next entry.)
National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
800-222-2225 (TTY, 800-222-4225)
The National Institutes of Health’s Senior Health website makes aging-related health information easily accessible for people seeking reliable, easy-to-understand, online health information. Special features make it simple to use. For example, you can click on a button to have the text read out loud or to make the type larger. This site was developed by the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine, both parts of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Alzheimer’s Association
225 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7633
800-272-3900
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading, global health organization giving support to caregivers and families of people with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s disease research.
Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
National Institute on Aging, P.O. Box 8250,
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
800-438-4380
The National Institute on Aging leads the federal government in conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The referenced segment of the website is devoted to Alzheimer’s disease. The ADEAR Center offers information and publications for families, caregivers, and professionals on diagnosis, treatment, patient care, caregiver needs, long-term care, education and training, and research related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Home Safety for People with Alzheimer’s Disease
Dec. 2008; NIH Publication #02-5179 NIA
www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/home_safety_for_people_with_alzheimers_disease.pdf
This is a 44-page booklet from the National Institute on Aging.
Medic Alert Foundation + Safe Return
2323 Colorado Avenue, Turlock, CA 95282
888-633-4298
This is a 24-hour, nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. Members of this program are identified by a piece of jewelry, like a bracelet or necklace, that they wear that provides an emergency phone number to call. The response center can identify the member’s contacts, making sure the person is returned home.
Children of Aging Parents
P.O. Box 167, Richboro, PA 18954
800-227-7294
This nonprofit group provides information and materials for adult children caring for elderly parents. Other caregivers may also find this information helpful.
ElderCare Online
50 Amuxen Court, Islip, NY 11751
This website features information, education, and support for caregivers, including safety advice, and links to additional caregiver resources. It is maintained by Prism Innovations, Inc., publishers of information for people ages 50 and older.
800-677-1116
Eldercare Locator is a nationwide directory-assistance service helping older people and their caregivers locate local support and resources. It is funded by the Administration on Aging, whose website at www.aoa.gov also features Alzheimer’s disease information for families, caregivers, and health professionals.
Family Caregiver Alliance
180 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, CA 94104
800-445-8106
The Family Caregiver Alliance is a nonprofit organization that offers support services and information for people caring for people with Alzheimer’s, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and other cognitive disorders.
Well Spouse Association
63 West Main Street, Suite H, Freehold, NJ 07728
800-838-0879
This nonprofit organization gives support to spouses and partners of people who are chronically ill and/or disabled. Among its offerings are support groups and a newsletter.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Administrative Office
607 14th Street, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20005-2000
202-638-5944
This nonprofit foundation dedicated to traffic safety research and education maintains a website that provides information and tools to help seniors drive safely longer. It helps seniors evaluate and improve their driving skills and offers resources for family and friends.
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
4301 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400, Arlington, VA 22203
703-522-4200
GrandDriver is a pilot program that provides information about aging and driving. It focuses on drivers over 65 and their adult children, urging both groups to learn more about the effects of aging on our ability to drive and to talk about these issues.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention
4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/Older_Adult_Drivers/index.html
This website provides up-to-date data and statistics on older drivers.
DriveWise
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
617-667-4074
Main Switchboard: 617-667-7000
Find a Doctor: 800-667-5356
Directions by Phone: 617-667-3000
TDD (for hearing impaired): 800-439-0183
www.bidmc.org/CentersandDepartments/Departments/Neurology/CognitiveNeurology/Drivewise.aspx
The goal of the DriveWise program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is to provide objective information about driving safety while providing support for individuals and their families.
Driving Decisions Workbook
by D. W. Eby, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Transportation
Research Institute, Social and Behavioral Analysis Division, 2000
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/1321;
www.umtri.umich.edu/library/pdf/2000-14.pdf
An interactive tool to help you evaluate and improve driving skills.
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Safety–HSST
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590
202-366-6836
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/older_users/
At this web address, the FHA has information on an older driver’s program.
The Hartford
Hartford Plaza
690 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06115
860-547-5000
www.thehartford.com/alzheimers
This website offering Alzheimer’s information, in the section “Dementia and Driving,” helps drivers with dementia and their families plan a successful transition from driver to passenger.
Administration on Aging
c/o Administration on Community Living
1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Public inquiries: 202-619-0724
Eldercare locator (to find local resources): (800) 677-1116
The mission of the Administration on Aging is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective system of home and community-based services that helps elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) (TTY/TDD, 877-486-2048)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
888-463-6332, 888-INFO-FDA
MedlinePlus
c/o National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
888-FIND-NLM (888-346-3656)
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s medical information website for nonprofessionals. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it provides information about diseases, medical conditions, and wellness issues in language laypeople can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information.
MedlinePlus provides access to extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on more than 900 diseases and conditions. There are directories; a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary; easy-to-understand tutorials on common conditions, tests, and treatments; health information in Spanish; extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs; health information from the media; and links to thousands of clinical trials. MedlinePlus is updated daily. There is no advertising on this site, nor does MedlinePlus endorse any company or product.
National Eye Institute
31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
301-496-5248
National Institute on Aging
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292, Bethesda, MD 20892
800-222-2225 (TTY, 800-222-4225)
The Institute on Aging provides general information on research and practical resources for the aging population. To sign up for regular e-mail alerts about new publications and other information, go to www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation. (See also next entry.)
National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225 (TTY, 800-222-4225)
This website offers health and wellness information for older adults. It makes aging-related health information easily accessible for people seeking reliable, easy-to-understand, online health information. This site was developed by the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine, both part of the National Institutes of Health.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
800-241-1044 (TTY, 800-241-1055)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
Consumer Hotline: 800-638-2772 (TTY, 301-595-7054)
Electrical Safety Foundation International
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209
703-841-3229
The Electrical Safety Foundation International is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471
617-770-3000
Established in 1896, the NFPA is the world’s leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety. NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
Choking information: nsc.org/SAFETY_HOME/HOMEAND RECREATIONALSAFETY/Pages/Choking.aspx
Common sources of food poisoning: foodsafety.gov/poisoning/index.html
Egg storage information: foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/eggstorage.html
Food and power outages: bt.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/needtoknow.asp
Food safety for the elderly: fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Food_Safety_for _Older_Adults.pdf
Food storage times in the fridge: foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html
General safe food handling and preparing: fightbac.org/safe-food-handling; foodsafety.gov/keep/types/index.html; and foodsafety.gov/keep/preparing/index.html
Poisoning in the United States: Fact Sheet: cdc.gov/homeand recreationalsafety/poisoning/poisoning-factsheet.htm
Unintentional poisoning: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Poisoning/index.html
American Academy of Audiology
11730 Plaza America Drive, Suite 300, Reston, VA 20190
800-AAA-2336
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850-3289
800-638-8255 (TTY, 301-296-5650)
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders receive services to help them communicate effectively. The referenced segment of the website for the general public provides resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders.
American Tinnitus Association
522 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 825, Portland, OR 97204
Mailing address: P.O. Box 5, Portland, OR 97207-0005
800-634-8978
This association provides current information on tinnitus. Its mission is to cure tinnitus through the development of resources that advance tinnitus research.
Federal Trade Commission advice on hearing aids: ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/health/hea10.shtmandftc.gov/whocares
Food and Drug Administration information on hearing aids: fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/HearingAids/default.htm
Hearing Loop is a nonprofit informational website created and maintained by Hope College. “Get in the Hearing Loop” is a campaign endorsed by the American Academy of Audiology and the Hearing Loss Association of America to educate and excite hearing aid users, as well as audiologists and other professionals who dispense hearing aids, about telecoils and hearing loops and their unique benefits.
Hearing Loss Association of America
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814
301-657-2248 (TTY, 301-657-2249)
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss. HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss and raise public awareness about the need for prevention, treatment, and regular hearing screenings throughout life.
“How’s Your Hearing?”
“How’s Your Hearing?” is a consumer-friendly website developed by the American Academy of Audiology to give consumers an overview of hearing, hearing loss, hearing aids, common conditions, and more. The site has a “Find an Audiologist” directory to help you locate an audiologist near you.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
800-241-1044 (TTY, 800-241-1055)
Telecoil information: nchearingloss.org/telecoil.htm?fromncshhh
National Eye Institute
31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
This website provides eye health information for the general public.