Find resources and programs using the Eldercare Locator service.
Senior citizens, their families, caretakers, and professionals can find assistance programs that focus on their needs using the free Eldercare Locator tool. There are hundreds of resources and organizations that are focused on supporting older Americans, and it can sometimes be difficult to get information on the programs in your state, town or city. It can also be challenging to find out how to apply for assistance, whether it is medical, food, financial or anything else. That is when Eldercare Locator can assist.
Anyone can use the free service. It is available for free, and it is a public service that is paid for by the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging. The federal government works closely with other non-profit organizations such as the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the United Way, and also the National Association of State Units on Aging. All of these groups both provide funding and/or list resources.
Information available from Eldercare Locator
Eldercare Locator will help people find all of the local as well as state area agencies on aging offices in their region. Seniors can also find details on other federal government, state and non-profit organizations. These organizations will provide everything from financial aid to material goods, referrals, or counseling. A main objective is to help seniors live independently and safely in their current homes or apartments. There are also tools used to screen the caller to see if they will be eligible for a benefit.
Not only can it sometimes be difficult to locate programs, it can also be difficult to find a trustworthy organization. So Eldercare Locator will also help identify quality senior services resources and rate them. All agencies listed are screened and rated for the quality of the services they provide. This will help a senior citizen avoid some type of scam organization. So find the top rated, most trustworthy community-based organizations that serve senior citizens, their families and caregivers.
Every effort is made by Eldercare Locator to identify, and to keep the client away, from companies that target the elderly or run fraud type schemes. Find more details and tips for seniors to avoid scams.
While the information is wide ranging, the demand for information on some services is higher than others. Some of what is most in demand includes transportation for seniors, meals (including home delivered), home care, and also caregiver training.
The amount of information contained in the government databases is quite extensive. Find help for almost any need. There is information and telephone numbers for assistance programs such as nursing home ombudsman, Alzheimer's hotlines, adult day care and respite services, consumer fraud, tax assistance, in-home care complaints, and free legal services. While some of it may be financial in nature, the free Eldercare Locator tool does not just focus on that.
There is also details on public health care and medical bill assistance, which includes Medicaid/Medigap information. Senior citizens, whether they are insured or not, can also find clinics, free prescription drugs, and more. Or learn about transportation for doctor appointments and errands.
Many senior citizens are also living check to check, often on a pension or 401K payment. Too many are still in debt or have outstanding loans or mortgages. The Eldercare Locator service can help older adults manage their finances as well as they have information on non-profit credit counseling agencies as well as credit unions, loan companies, and more. Various forms of assistance are available for this need. Even if the senior is looking for alternative sources of funding and has poor credit, then referrals can be given. Find low income loans.
The toll free number receives over 10,000 calls a month from those who need help and information. Legal, medical, and financial issues are among the most frequently requested topics. Seniors often need help paying for prescription drugs, escalating health care costs, and they need advice and support in managing finances such as energy bill assistance or food stamps. All of this and more can be accessed from Eldercare Locator. Home care assistance is also identified as one of the top requested service.
The bottom line is that the Eldercare Locator hotline and site connects callers to the best sources of information. It is all given at no cost to the caller. Get free information and advice in trying to address the issues, needs, or concerns of older persons, seniors, and their caregivers.
How to get information
You can search from the Eldercare Locator website. Or, to get arguably more personal communication, the service does operate a national toll-free referral number that is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging. So anyone can dial the number to get information on assistance programs, including financial, for older people and their families. Locate non-profits and community services for senior citizens and older adults in all parts of the country.
After dialing the toll free number, senior citizens and callers to the service will be referred to the best community or state sources of information. They will learn how to get assistance for their specific needs. A caller to the program can use the Elder Care Locator service to identify referral and information services that are provided by State and Area Agencies on Aging. It is estimated that there are almost 5000 state and local Information and Referral (I & R) service providers, and databases will identify them by town and ZIP code throughout the country.
Get information that can help you address the issue at hand, and get details on ways to get assistance. The Eldercare Locator service is open from Monday to Friday, and all requests for information are free as well as confidential. Dial 1-800-677-1116.
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