Senior Health Links

Model Programs & Best Practices

National Governor's Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices
www.nga.org

Description: The NGA Center for Best Practices tracks state efforts, and provides research and analysis for states on emerging issues and state best practices.

Information Available: Best practices, latest documents on aging, technical assistance, reports, issue briefs, meeting summaries and a compilation of Olmstead and Ticket to Work resources for states.

The National Council on the Aging (NCOA)
www.ncoa.org/

Description: The NCOA, an association of organizations and individuals, serves as a national advocate for public policies, societal attitudes and business practices that promote healthy aging.

Information Available: Best practices in research, housing, health promotion and senior centers; advocacy on current issues; research projects; workforce news, programs, training materials and resources; NCOA programs and publications.

Federal Government:

Administration on Aging (AOA)
www.aoa.dhhs.gov/

Description: An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AOA promotes the dignity and independence of older people, and helps society prepare for an aging population. The AOA provides home- and community-based care for older persons and their caregivers.

Information Available: Latest news and highlights, facts and statistics on the health of older Americans, events and conferences, Alzheimer's resources, elder rights and resources, housing, nutrition, Ombudsman, promoting healthy lifestyles, services for seniors, addressing diversity, an Aging Network, civil rights, HHS poverty guidelines, transportation and funding opportunities.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Healthy Aging
www.cdc.gov/aging/

Description: The CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion targets its efforts at preventing and controlling chronic diseases by conducting studies, supporting programs and monitoring the health of the nation. The goal of the Healthy Aging program is to increase the number of Americans 65 or older who are physically active, eat a healthy diet and avoid tobacco use.

Information Available: Health information for older adults, health statistics and research, links to organizations, CDC-funded organizations, publications, announcements and a public health and aging listserv.

MEDLINEplus-Health Information
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seniorshealthgeneral.html

Description: MEDLINEplus, sponsored by the National Library of Medicine, includes a vast amount of health information on over 600 diseases and conditions. The site offers authoritative, up to date and appropriate health information for both health professionals and consumers.

Information Available: Latest news concerning seniors' health, publications from the National Institutes of Health, prevention and screening, associated conditions and aspects, research, genetics, law and policy, statistics, specific populations and links to related MEDLINEplus topics.

United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIHSeniorHealth
www.nihseniorhealth.gov

Description: NIHSeniorHealth works to make aging-related health information easily accessible for family members and friends seeking reliable, easy to understand online health information. This site was developed by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) both part of NIH.

Information Available: NIHSeniorHealth features authoritative and up-to-date health information from Institutes and Centers at NIH. In addition, the American Geriatrics Society provides expert and independent review of some of the material found on this web site. Each health topic (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, lung cancer and hearing loss) includes general background information, open-captioned videos, quizzes and frequently asked questions (FAQs). New topics are added to the site on a regular basis.

Missouri Government:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS),
Division of Senior Services and Regulation
www.dhss.mo.gov/SeniorServices/

Description: The Division of Senior Services and Regulation serves the State of Missouri to assure that all elderly and adult disabled citizens can remain independent and safe in their communities and homes by administering state and federal community-based programs. The division advises legislators, advocates, individuals, state agencies and other organizations regarding services and data available to support this function.

Information Available: Long-term care facility locator, Governor's Advisory Council on Aging, Missouri Senior Prescription Program, home and community services, protective services, long-term care regulation, area agencies on aging, the Missouri Guide for Seniors, Ombudsman Program and annual reports.

National Organizations:

American Society on Aging (ASA)
www.asaging.org

Description: The ASA, founded in 1954, works to enhance the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families.

Information Available: Publications, educational programs, diversity initiatives, resources on a variety of topics, conferences and trainings, newsletters, web guides and links for specific topics.

Archstone Foundation
www.archstone.org

Description: The Archstone Foundation, a private grantmaking organization, contributes towards the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging population. The Foundation's future focus will be on the careful allocation of resources and implementation of innovative programming while striving to improve the lives of society's elders.

Information Available: Publications on care-giving, elder abuse, end-of-life care, intergenerational issues and other white papers; funding opportunities; Foundation news and grantees; aging resources and grantee links.

Grantmakers in Aging (GIA)
www.giaging.org

Description: GIA, an educational organization for staff and trustees of foundations and corporations, attempts to promote and strengthen grantmaking for the benefit of an aging society.

Information Available: Conferences, links, GIA publications, member and partner publications, a tool kit, Director's reports and opportunity to request information or assistance from GIA.

National Academy on an Aging Society
www.agingsociety.org/agingsociety/

Description: A public policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society conducts research on issues related to population aging and provides information to the public, press, policymakers and the academic community.

Information Available: Quarterly reports, data profiles such as Young Retirees and Older Workers and Chronic and Disabling Conditions, reports such as The State of Aging and Health and Demography Is Not Destiny, research briefs, a Public Policy and Aging Report, fact sheets and links to specific topics related to aging (i.e. data sets, demographics, global aging, health and aging, geriatric workforce and minority aging)