It Shouldn't Be This Way: The Failure of Long-Term Care

Appendix 2: Web-Based Resources

173 Appendix 2 Web-Based Resources on Long-Term Care AARP [American Association of Retired Persons] National Organization www.aarp.org Provides information on AARP member benefits, legislative issues, and life transitions. Administration on Aging www.aoa.gov The Administration on Aging Web site provides specific ways to contact more local resources such as on state units on aging and area agencies on aging. Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org Residential Care: A Guide for Choosing a New Home is published by the Alzheimer’s Association for families looking for residential care for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. Call 1-800-272-3900 for a free copy. American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) www.aahsa.org/public/consumer.htm AAHSA is a national organization consisting of more than five thousand not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, senior housing and assisted living facilities, and community services. This site provides tips on choosing facilities and services as well as a searchable directory. Kane&WestFinalPages.indd 173 3/26/05 12:07:46 AM I T S H O U L D N ' T B E T H I S WAY 174 American Health Care Association (AHCA) www.ahca.org AHCA is a nonprofit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing nearly twelve thousand nonprofit and forpro fit assisted living, nursing facility, developmentally disabled, and subacute care providers that care for more than 1.5 million elderly and disabled individuals nationally. CareGuide www.eldercare.com Features a full range of services, articles, and resources for elder care. Visitors can explore the site via the Resource Guide, or find content by taking an elder situation assessment. CarePlanner www.careplanner.org A decision-support tool for successful living and care choices for seniors, caregivers, family, friends, and professionals. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp CMS (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration) is the federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid.This site is the homepage for Nursing Home Compare; it provides rudimentary information about all Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes by city and state and how they performed on their last inspection; a directory of state long-term care ombudsman programs and state survey agencies, and other useful information. It includes A Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home. Eldercare Locator www.eldercare.gov Nationwide directory of state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that can direct older adults and their caregivers to sources of care. National Association of Home Care www.nahc.org Contains information relevant to the interests of the home care and Kane&WestFinalPages.indd 174 3/26/05 12:07:47 AM A P P E N D I X 175 hospice community and tips for consumers on choosing a home care provider. National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) www.ncal.org NCAL is the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association, the nation’s largest organization representing long-term care. The Web site provides general advice about assisted living. National Citizens´ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform www.nccnhr.org/ Their Consumer Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home includes a checklist for selecting a nursing home and other information for families who want quality nursing home care. This and other publications are available from the National Citizens´ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform. National Council on the Aging www.ncoa.org The National Council on Aging is a complex organization that addresses many issues related to aging, depression, employment, family care, health care, hearing impairment, housing, long-term care, pain, personal finance, religion and spirituality, substance abuse, and sexuality. The Web site provides general advice on a variety of topics. National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center www.ltcombudsman.org Provides information about a national team of volunteers who visit residents of long-term care facilities to offer friendship and to listen to concerns and problems; provides a link for locating local ombudsmen. Senior Law www.seniorlaw.com Provides access to information about elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, estate planning, trusts, and the rights of the elderly and disabled. Kane&WestFinalPages.indd 175 3/26/05 12:07:47 AM Kane&WestFinalPages.indd 176 3/26/05 12:07:47 AM ...