The ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Association, http://www.alsa.org.
The association provides information on research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy related to ALS.
Alzheimer’s Association, http://www.alz.org.
The association gives information on research, assistance, resources, and advocacy related to this disease.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), http://www.aarp.org.
Myriad sections of the Web site are geared to individuals who are over 55 and their families.
American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, http://www.abanet.org/aging.
The center provides information on research, education, and advocacy, including information about serving as a health-care representative.
American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org.
This nationwide community-based voluntary health organization is dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
American Diabetes Association, http://www.diabetes.org.
The association supports diabetes research, information, and advocacy.
American Heart Association, http://www.americanheart.org.
This association provides information and training regarding heart health (in conjunction with the American Stroke Association).
American Hospice Foundation, http://www.americanhospice.org.
The foundation improves access to quality hospice care through public education, professional training, and advocacy on behalf of consumers.
American Lung Association, http://www.lungusa.org.
The association works to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.
American Parkinson Disease Association, http://www.apdaparkinson.org.
The association works to “ease the burden and find a cure for Parkinson’s disease” through research, patient support, education, and raising public awareness.
American Stroke Association, http://www.strokeassociation.org. (in conjunction with the American Heart Association).
The Assisted Living Federation of America, http://www.alfa.org.
This organization is geared to senior adults, families, and information seekers looking to find assisted living for themselves or family members. ALFA is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally operated assisted living communities for seniors. It provides resources for seniors and their families, as well as for professionals in the field.
Cancer Lifeline, http://www.cancerlifeline.org.
The goal of this organization is to optimize the quality of life for all people living with cancer.
Care At Home Eldercare Services, http://www.CareAtHomeSeattle.com.
This Seattle-area resource is for in-home care providers and solutions.
Caresource Healthcare Communications, http://www.caresource.com.
Two attorneys started this fee-based resource for print, Web, and multimedia to provide high quality, up-to-date, competitively priced information. They published Kenny and Oettinger’s The Family Care Book (see Bibliography), an excellent resource.
CaringBridge, http://www.caringbridge.org.
This is an online resource for connecting with those to whom an individual gives access. It provides private, secure space for health updates and photos along with responses from those who check in.
Children of Aging Parents, http://www.caps4caregivers.org.
This national organization assists the nation’s 54 million caregivers of elderly and chronically ill persons with reliable information, referrals, and support, and builds awareness of the valuable services that caregivers provide.
The Eldercare Locator, http://www.eldercare.gov.
This is a nationwide toll-free service to help seniors and their caregivers find local services. It is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, designed to connect older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on seniors.
ElderCare Online, http://www.ec-online.net.
This is an online resource and support network for caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance, http://www.caregiver.org.
The alliance provides information for family members caring for someone with head injury, Alzheimer’s, or related dementia. It supports and sustains families and friends providing long-term care.
The 50-Plus Lifelong Fitness, http://www.50plus.org.
This organization promotes a more active lifestyle for those who are fifty or older.
Five Wishes, http://www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.
Five Wishes helps you express, and discuss with family and physicians, how you want to be treated medically, personally, emotionally and spiritually, if unable to speak for yourself.
Full Circle, http://www.fullcirclecare.org.
This Web site provides updated resources, information, and individual assistance to family caregivers. It is an easy-to-use and comprehensive Web site, helping family caregivers complete the cycle of care.
Healthy Aging Partnership, http://www.4elders.org.
The Web site is a Puget Sound resource for “living life as a healthy adult.”
Interfaith CarePartners, http://www.interfaithcarepartners.org.
The mission of this nonprofit organization is to “work with partner organizations to assist their development of service programs that manifest each congregation’s commitment to member care.”
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
This organization funds blood cancer research, education, and patient services.
Livestrong, http://www.livestrong.org.
Medic Alert Foundation International, http://www.medicalert.org.
This nonprofit group maintains a national database for individuals with serious health issues.
Muscular Dystrophy Association, http://www.mdausa.org.
The goal of this association is to create “a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than 1 million Americans.”
National Adult Day Services Association, c/o the National Council on Aging, Inc.,
http://www.ncoa.org.
The association is dedicated to improving the health of older persons and increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society, and future generations.
National Association for Visually Handicapped, http://www.navh.org.
This worldwide organization serves the hard-of-seeing.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, http://www.caremanager.org.
The association gives both peer support and help for those interested in looking for or evaluating a geriatric care manager.
National Family Caregivers Association, http://www.nfcacares.org.
This group supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, http://www.nationalmssociety.org.
NMSS is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.
NOLO Law for All Plain English Law Centers, http://www.nolo.com.
This organization is known as “the nation’s leading provider of do-it-yourself legal and business solutions for those of us without law degrees or MBAs.” They provide information, not advice, on many topics, including health-care directives and powers of attorney. NOLO is an affiliate of the Kolimbo Network.
Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu.
This organization focuses on collaborative clinical research to solve the medical management and acute rehabilitation problems of individuals with SCI.
The Support Team Network, http://www.supportteam.org.
This organization produces an informative Web site about all aspects of care-team creation and maintenance. It also provides a training and resource center for the development of volunteer support teams for persons with health concerns or other special needs. It is designed for congregations or organizations.