Health Links

AGING

General Information About Aging

Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia

Arthritis

Hearing and Vision Problems

Menopause

Osteoporosis

Parkinson's Disease

Living Arrangements and Caregiving Resources

DYING AND DEATH

General Resources

Advance Directives, Estate Planning, Wills

Funerals

Hospice and Palliative Care

Organ Donation

Physician-Assisted Suicide

AGING General Information About Aging

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) (http://www.aarp.org) Provides information on all aspects of aging, including health promotion, health care, and retirement planning.

Access America for Seniors (http://www.seniors.gov) A gateway to government resources on the Internet for older Americans.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Staying Healthy at 50+ (http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/50plus) Describes ways that people over age 50 can keep themselves well through lifestyle and regular screening tests and immunizations.

AgingStats.Gov: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (http://www.agingstats.gov) Provides statistics on older Americans in a variety of areas, including health status, economics, and population.

Aging Well (http://www.agingwell.state.ny.us) A practical resource for seniors that includes information on diet, exercise, safety, and medical care.

American Geriatrics Society Patient Education Forum (http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/index.shtml) Includes information on dementia, caregiving, stroke awareness, and other topics related to aging.

American Savings Education Council: Savings Tools (http://www.asec.org/toolshm.htm) Includes brochures, worksheets, and interactive quizzes to help people set savings and retirement goals.

Elderhostel (http://www.elderhostel.org) Sponsors educational adventures for adults age 55 and older; site includes a searchable catalog of programs.

ElderWeb (http://www.elderweb.com) A gateway to aging resources on the Internet, with information about health, housing, and financial issues.

Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging and the National Aeronautics and S... (http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/pubs/nasa-exercise) Provides practical advice on fitness for seniors; includes animated instructions for specific exercises.

Food and Drug Administration: Active Aging (http://www.fda.gov/oc/olderpersons) Includes articles, brochures, and other materials on a variety of health issues of interest to older people; also provides links to related sites.

Food and Drug Administration: Seniors and Food Safety (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/seniors.html) Provides information for seniors on how to prevent foodborne illness.

Health Care Financing Administration (http://www.hcfa.gov) Provides information, statistics, and other material on http://www.medicare.gov Medicare and Medicaid.

MedlinePlus: Senior's Health (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seniorshealth.html) Provides news, information, and links to sites relating to the health of older Americans.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys: The Law and Aging (http://www.naela.org/naela/lawaging.htm) Provides consumer-oriented information on topics such as long-term care insurance, estate planning, elder abuse, and Medicare.

National Aging Information Center (http://www.aoa.gov/naic/default.htm) Provides current statistics and publications about aging Americans.

National Center for Health Statistics: Trends in Health and Aging (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/otheract/aging/trenddata.htm) Provides statistics and information on health-related behaviors, health status, health care system use and costs for older Americans.

National Center on Elder Abuse (http://www.elderabusecenter.org) Develops and disseminates information and statistics relating to elder abuse.

National Council on Aging (http://www.ncoa.org) Provides helpful information on retirement planning, health promotion, and lifelong learning.

National Institute on Aging (http://www.nih.gov/nia) Provides fact sheets and brochures on aging-related topics.

National Resource Center on Aging and Injury (http://www.olderadultinjury.org) Provides information on injury prevention among older adults.

SeniorNet (http://www.seniornet.com) An organization that provides computer technology education for older adults; sponsors many discussion groups for seniors.

United Nations International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) (http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/iyop) UN site devoted to the 1999 observance of the International Year of Older Persons.

U.S. Administration on Aging (http://www.aoa.gov) Provides fact sheets, statistical information, and links to other resources on aging.

U.S. Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov) Provides current statistics on aging and the elderly, including information on income and housing; easy access to commonly requested information is available through http://www.census.gov/main/www/subjects.html Subjects A to Z and http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet American FactFinder.

Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia

Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.org) Offers tips for caregivers and patients, as well as information on research into the causes and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center (http://www.alzheimers.org) Provides information about AD and related forms of dementia.

MedlinePlus: Dementia (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dementia.html) Provides news and links to information about dementia.

Washington University in St. Louis: Alzheimer Page (http://www.biostat.wustl.edu/ALZHEIMER) Provides information and links about Alzheimer's Disease; it is a companion page to an e-mail discussion group.

Arthritis

Arthritis Foundation (http://www.arthritis.org) Provides information about arthritis, including free brochures, referrals to local services, and research updates.

Arthritis National Research Foundation (http://www.curearthritis.com) Includes a bibliography and links to sites with information on all forms of arthritis.

CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Arthritis (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/arthritis.htm) Provides general information about arthritis risk factors and prevention.

MedlinePlus: Arthritis (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/arthritis.html) Includes news and links to information about arthritis.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (http://www.nih.gov/niams/healthinfo) Provides fact sheets on different forms of arthritis, osteoporosis, and other conditions.

Hearing and Vision Problems

American Macular Degeneration Foundation (http://www.macular.org) Presents basic information about the different types of macular degeneration as well as advice about medications.

MedlinePlus (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus) Provides information on a variety of hearing and vision problems of concern to seniors, including http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html cataracts, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/glaucoma glaucoma, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/maculardegeneration.html macular degeneration, and http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hearingdisordersdeafness.html hearing disorders and deafness.

National Eye Institute (http://www.nei.nih.gov) Provides information about diseases of the eye and help in finding a local eye specialist.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (http://www.nidcd.nih.gov) Provides information on hearing loss, hearing aids, and speech problems.

Wills Hospital: Glaucoma (http://wills-glaucoma.org) Provides information about glaucoma, including diagnosis and treatment.

Menopause

MedlinePlus: Menopause (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/menopause.html) Includes links to news and information about menopause from government agencies and professional organizations.

National Institute on Aging: Menopause (http://www.nih.gov/health/chip/nia/menop/men1.htm) Provides background information on menopause and its association symptoms as well as suggestions for managing potential long-term effects; a related http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/agepages/menopause.htm Age Page on Menopause provides additional information and resources.

North American Menopause Society (NAMS) (http://www.menopause.org) Provides general information about menopause and answers to frequently asked questions.

Planned Parenthood: Menopause-Another Change in Life (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/WOMENSHEALTH/menopause.htm) Includes information on managing menopause symptoms and on hormone replacement therapy.

Osteoporosis

Dairy Council of California (http://www.dairycouncilofca.org) Provides an online calcium quiz to help determine if you consume recommended amounts of calcium.

National Institutes of Health: Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases-National Resource C... (http://www.osteo.org) Provides information about osteoporosis prevention and treatment; includes a special section on men and osteoporosis.

National Osteoporosis Foundation (http://www.nof.org) Provides up-to-date information on the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis.

Parkinson's Disease The following sites provide information on Parkinson's Disease:

American Parkinson Disease Association (http://www.apdaparkinson.com)

MedlinePlus: Parkinson's Disease (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parkinsonsdisease.html)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (http://www.ninds.nih.gov)

National Parkinson Foundation (http://www.parkinson.org)

Parkinson's Action Network (http://www.parkinsonaction.org)

Parkinson's Disease Foundation (http://www.parkinsons-foundation.org)

Parkinson's Resource Organization (http://www.parkinsonsresource.org)

Living Arrangements and Caregiving Resources

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) (http://www.aahsa.org) Provides information about living and care arrangement available for older adults.

Assisted Living Federation of America (http://www.alfa.org) Provides consumer-oriented publications about assisted living and a searchable directly of assisted living residences.

Caregiver Survival Resources (http://www.caregiver911.com) Designed to help people cope with the demands of caregiving.

Caregiving Online (http://www.caregiving.com) Provides tips and information, support groups, and links to related sites.

CareGuide (http://www.careguide.net) Provides resources for locating and evaluating elder care.

CareScout (http://www.carescout.com) Provides information and ratings on many types of assisted living residences and nursing homes; also includes an online assessment to help determine the amount of assistance a senior may need as well as tips for caregivers.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (http://www.n4a.org) Includes the Eldercare Locator, which helps caregivers locate services for older adults in their own communities.

Nursing Home Compare (http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp) Provides information about nursing homes, including reports from recent inspections.

Senior Housing (http://www.seniorhousing.net) Provides tools and information to help older adults and their families select appropriate housing and care arrangements; also includes health information of interest to seniors.

DYING AND DEATH General Resources

Association for Death Education and Counseling (http://www.adec.org) Provides resources for education, counseling, and caregiving related to dying, death, grief, and loss.

AZCentral: Día de los Muertos (http://www.azcentral.com/rep/dead) Provides history, information, and images relating to Day of the Dead celebrations.

Bereavement and Hospice Support Netline (http://www.ubalt.edu/www/bereavement) Supplies a national directory of bereavement support groups, listed by state and type of bereavement.

The Compassionate Friends (http://compassionatefriends.org) Offers support to people grieving the death of a loved one, especially children; site contains information on regional support groups, lists of books on death and dying, and suggestions for coping with grief.

Death and Dying Grief Support (http://www.death-dying.com) Offers comfort, support and education about issues surrounding death; site includes message boards, information about legal issues, and special pages for children and teens.

Dougy Center (http://www.dougy.org) Offers education about childhood bereavement and support groups for bereaved children.

Dying Well (http://www.dyingwell.com) Focuses on wellness through the end of life.

The End of Life: Exploring Death in America (http://www.npr.org/programs/death) Information and links relating to end-of-life issues; based on a National Public Radio series.

GriefNet (http://www.griefnet.org) Sponsors e-mail support groups in the areas of death, grief, and major loss.

Growth House (http://www.growthhouse.org) A gateway to Internet resources on life-threatening illness and end-of-life issues.

Kearl's Guide to Sociological Thanatology (http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/death.html) Provides resources related to sociocultural aspects of death.

Last Acts (http://www.lastacts.org) Provides news, articles, and links related to end-of-life issues.

On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/onourownterms) Includes information on end-of-life issues, care options, and therapy and support; based on a PBS series.

Project on Death in America (http://www.soros.org/index.htm) Promotes an understanding of issues related to the culture and experience of dying.

Advance Directives, Estate Planning, Wills

American Bar Association: Writing Your Will (http://www.abanet.org/publiced/practical/wills.html) Provides practical advice about wills and probate; a related section covers advance directives.

Court TV: Wills and Trusts: The Basics (http://www.courttv.com/legalhelp/elder/wills/basics.html) Provides basic information about preparing a will.

Final Thoughts (http://www.FinalThoughts.com) Combines end-of-life issues with estate planning in a creative way.

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company: Making a Will (http://www.metlife.com/Lifeadvice/Money/Docs/willintro.html) Basic information and links about preparing a will; related documents cover planning an estate and inheritance.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys: The Law and Aging (http://www.naela.org/naela/lawaging.htm) Provides consumer-oriented information on topics such as long-term care insurance, estate planning, and durable power of attorney for health care.

Nolo Press: Wills and Estate Planning (http://www.nolo.com) Provides answers to questions about planning for death, from writing a basic will to organ donation.

Partnership for Caring (http://www.partnershipforcaring.org) Provides information about right-to-die issues and supplies advance directives that meet specific state requirements.

Funerals

Better Business Bureau: Prepaid Funeral Plans (http://www.bbb.org/library/funeral.asp) Provides consumer advice about funeral planning.

Federal Trade Commission: Funerals-A Consumer Guide (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/funeral.htm) Provides helpful advice about funeral products and services.

Funeral Consumers Alliance (http://www.funerals.org) Provides consumer-oriented information about funeral planning, funeral costs, and such topics as embalming and choosing a monument.

International Cemetery and Funeral Association: Consumer Resources (http://www.icfa.org/consumer.html) Includes answers to frequently asked questions about embalming, cremation, funerals, cemeteries and burials, and related topics.

National Funeral Directors Association (http://www.nfda.org) Provides consumer resources related to funeral costs, arranging funerals and memorial services, and bereavement support.

Selected Independent Funeral Homes (http://www.nsm.org) Provides information on choosing a funeral home, advice on arranging a funeral, and the Code of Good Funeral Practices.

Hospice and Palliative Care

American College of Physicians/American Society for Internal Medicine: End-of-Life Care C... (http://www.acponline.org/ethics/eolc.htm) Includes information for physicians and patients about end-of-life care, including pain management and terminal sedation.

Growth House: Palliative Care (http://www.growthhouse.org/palliat.html) Includes background information and links on palliative care, hospice, pain management, and related topics.

Hospice Foundation of America (http://www.hospicefoundation.org) Provides information about hospice care and selecting a local hospice.

Hospice Patients Alliance (http://www.hospicepatients.org) Provides information and resources on many issues relating to hospice care.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (http://www.nhpco.org) Provides information about hospice care and supplies a national directory of hospices listed by state and city.

Organ Donation The following sites provide information about organ donation:

Coalition on Donation (http://www.shareyourlife.org)

National Kidney Foundation (http://www.kidney.org)

Transplant Recipients International Organization (http://www.trioweb.org)

TransWeb (http://www.transweb.org/default.htm)

United Network for Organ Sharing (http://www.unos.org)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Organ Donation (http://www.organdonor.gov)

Physician-Assisted Suicide

DeathNet: Advancing the Art and Science of Dying Well (http://www.rights.org/deathnet) Provides information about right-to-die issues from all points of view.

Hemlock Society (http://www.hemlock.org) An advocacy group that supports physician aid in dying for terminally ill persons.

Longwood College Library: Doctor-Assisted Suicide Page (http://web.lwc.edu/administrative/library/suic.htm) Information about physician-assisted suicide and links to related sites.

Oregon Health Division: Physical Assisted Suicide (http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/chs/pas/pas.htm) Provides information about Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, which allows physician-assisted suicide in certain cases.