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If You are Looking for a Wonderful, Comprehensive
Resource for Senior Citizens and for Those Who Care for Them - PLEASE
visit TheRubins.com. To review their information, CLICK HERE
For information from the Government, try Senior Citizens' Resources Official information and services from the U.S. government BY CLICKING HERE
Alzheimer’s Association
National Office................................... 800-272-3900
WEB: www.alz.org
(Nonprofit organization providing a national resource
line and website for Alzheimer’s Disease information)
Alzheimer’s Disease Education
and Referral Center ...........................800-438-4380
WEB: www.alzheimers.org
(Federally-funded resource center for Alzheimer’s
Disease)
Caregiver Guide for Alzheimer’s
WEB: www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publications/
caregiverguide.htm
(Online publication with tips for caregivers on how to
manage a variety of common dementia-related
issues.)
Eldercare Locator .............................. 800-677-1116
WEB: www.eldercare.gov
( Contact info for local aging service providers
nationwide)
Credit Reports, Free
WEB: www.annualcreditreport.com
NAMI : WEB: www.nami.org
(Advocacy, support for individuals and families, and
education about mental illness)
AT&T Telecommunications Center for Customers
with Disabilities.................................. 800-982-2891
TTY .........................................................800-251-5325
(Telecommunication devices for hearing, visually, and
physically impaired)
Hearing Aid Helpline.......................... 800-521-5247
International Hearing Society, 16880 Middlebelt Rd,
Suite 4, Livonia, MI 48154
WEB: www.ihsinfo.org
(Free kit of consumer information regarding hearing
loss and hearing aids)
Hearing Loss Assn of America .......... 301-657-2248
TTY ......................................................... 301-657-2249
7910 Woodmont Ave, Ste 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814
WEB: www.hearingloss.org
(International organization for hard-of-hearing
persons, which provides advocacy, support, and
educational publications and information on local
support groups)
AARP Driver Safety Program
(aka 55 Alive)..................................... 888-227-7669
WEB: www.aarp.org
(Information on local mature driving courses)
Eldercare Locator .............................. 800-677-1116
WEB: www.eldercare.gov
( Contact info for local aging service providers
nationwide)
Social Security Administration ................. 790-2782
Toll-Free................................................. 800-772-1213
4701 Old Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh
WEB: www.ssa.gov
(Applications and information regarding Social
Security Benefits and Medicare)
Medicare Information....................... 800-MEDICARE
WEB: www.medicare.gov
(Website has information and tools to help compare
prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans,
nursing homes, home health care companies, etc, as
well as more general info on what Medicare does and
does not cover.)
Rx Assist................................... WEB: www.rxassist.org
(Provides specific information and applications for
drug company patient assistance programs. These
programs provide free medications to eligible lowincome
individuals.)
Rx Outreach ....................................... 800-769-3880
WEB: www.rxoutreach.com
(Mail-order source for reduced-cost generic drugs.
Offers 3-month supply of over 100 medicines for $20-
30. Income-limited. No age restriction. Includes
some medicines not included in the Medicare Part D
program, such as anti-anxiety drugs.)
Xubex Pharmaceutical Services ....... 866-699-8239
WEB: www.xubex.com
(Similar to Rx Outreach)
Partnership for
Prescription Assistance..................... 888-477-2669
(Database of prescription assistance programs.)
National Institute on Aging .............. 800-222-2225
WEB: www.nia.nih.gov
(Call for publications on aging, disease, nutrition, and
health care)
Arthritis Foundation...........................800-883-8806
WEB: www.arthritis.org
(Resource and referral information on arthritis)
Nat’l Osteoporosis Foundation......... 800-223-9994
WEB: www.nof.org
(Written and video information about osteoporosis)
Nat’l Parkinson Foundation.............. 800-327-4545
WEB: www.parkinson.org
(Information and publications on Parkinson’s
Disease)
American Cancer Society
Road to Recovery...............................800-227-2345
(Volunteer-based transportation to and from cancer
therapy appointments. Caller will be referred to local
coordinator who can try to match them with a
volunteer.)
National Patient Air Transport Helpline
Mercy Medical Airlift...........................800-296-1217
(Assists patients who need to travel for medical
reasons and cannot afford to pay)
Veteran’s Administration Benefits
and Information Hotline.................... 800-827-1000
WEB: Home: www.va.gov Benefits:vaonline.va.gov
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ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF AN OLDER ADULT
Adults with aging relatives or neighbors often wonder, “When should I start to worry? What should I be looking
for?” Here are some things to look for when visiting, that may give you a hint that help is needed. For many of
these questions, all you have to do is keep your eyes open. Other issues, like money management, may
require more careful and tactful questioning.
In general, you are looking for signs of change from past behavior -- are they behaving differently from their
past normal patterns? If you do notice a problem, talk it over with the older adult first, expressing your
concern in a tactful, nonjudgmental way. Express your concern, but don’t over-react. Depending on what you
hear, you may also need to talk to other family members, close friends, or the older adult’s physician.
Remember that there could be a variety of explanations for many of these problems, including simple loss of
mobility, physical limitations, chronic pain, vision or other sensory losses, confusion due to medication
problems, depression, or possibly dementia. Help may be needed, but the person may still be able to
continue living independently once problems are identified and supports are in place. Don’t panic!
Driving:
Driving skill can be an early casualty due to vision loss, early-stage dementia, or other neurological problems
that impair concentration.
•Look at the car. Any recent dents or scrapes?
•Let them drive when you go somewhere that is familiar to them. Do you feel safe? Any close calls or
unusual variations in speed? Any signs of confusion about where to go?
Mail:
A casual glance around can sometimes be very telling in terms of lost organizational skills or possible
depression or anxiety that results in avoidance.
•Is there a stack (or many stacks) of unsorted mail?
•Are bills and other important correspondence mixed in with outdated junk mail?
•Are there an unusual number of sweepstakes entry forms or charitable or political solicitation letters?
(This can be a hint that an older adult is being taken in by fraudulent or deceptive marketing or has
been responding to telephone solicitations for money.)
Paying bills and managing money:
This can be a little harder without asking prying questions or looking at bank statements, but you may see
evidence or hear stories about services getting cut off, or hassles with the bank.
•Are the utility bills getting paid on time? Rent or mortgage payments?
•Is the checkbook balanced?
•Any signs of overdrafts?
•Are there a lot of credit card bills? Are payments being made?
Housekeeping:
Remember, you’re looking for evidence of significant change from past behavior, so if Dad was always sloppy,
the fact that he doesn’t live up to your personal standards isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, if
Mom, the perfect housekeeper, now doesn’t seem to care that the dishes are piling up in the sink, it’s time to
ask questions.
•Is the home reasonably clean?
•Have there been major changes in the level of cleanliness?
•Are there strong odors in the home?
•Is laundry getting done regularly? Do their clothes seem clean? Do they wear the same clothes all the
time?
•Is the home cluttered? Are there safety hazards due to walkways being blocked?
Meal preparation and nutrition:
Appetite can change with age and activity level, but changes in the way things taste or smell are also quite
common in older adults. Sometimes this is an early sign of a more serious medical problem, or may result in a
problem if it leads to not eating regularly. Physical limitations such as back pain can also reduce the ability to
stand long enough to prepare food, and loneliness or depression can take away the desire to prepare
nutritionally varied meals.
•Are they eating regular meals?
•Any sign of loss of appetite or changes in taste or smell (picking at food, only eating a few foods)?
•Are they able to prepare food for themselves?
•Is there a reasonable amount and variety of food in the refrigerator and cupboards?
•Any signs of rotten food, or unusual overstocking of certain items?
•Do they appear to have lost weight recently?
Personal care:
Changes in dress or personal grooming can also reflect a variety of issues. Perhaps arthritis makes it difficult
to put on some kinds of clothing, but wearing the same clothes over and over may also indicate depression or
other problems.
•Does the person appear well-groomed and appropriately dressed?
•Are their clothes clean?
•Do they change clothes regularly, or do they always seem to be wearing the same thing?
•Does he or she seem to be bathing regularly?
•Can he or she get in and out of the tub or shower without assistance?
•If there are prescription medications, does the person seem to be taking them regularly? Does he or
she have a system for remembering when to take them?
Changes in social behavior
Again, if there have been changes in this area, the question is, “why?” Is it a transportation problem? Do they
hesitate to go to social gatherings because hearing loss makes conversation difficult? Or are they
withdrawing from the world because of grief or depression?
•Does the person still see friends and participate in social activities? If not, why not?
•If they went to church previously, do they still go?
•Do they seem lonely or isolated?
Mental status:
These are just a few indicators that there may be a problem with depression or possibly a neurological
disorder. Remember that there may be many explanations for these behaviors, some of which are quite
treatable, so don’t assume “it’s just old age”. Not all old people are miserable, focused on death, or living in
the past.
•Have they lost interest in things they used to enjoy?
•Do they seem unusually worried, hopeless, or sad?
•Do they repeat questions or stories over and over?
•Do you have to repeat or explain things multiple times to get them to understand?
•Are they able to recall recent events accurately?
•Do they have difficulty concentrating on a conversation, a book, or a television program?
•Do they seem unusually sleepy during the day? Do they have a regular sleep schedule?
•Do they seem uncharacteristically angry or suspicious?
Remember: observe, express concern, get more information if needed, plan, and then, act!
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| If You are Looking for a Wonderful, Comprehensive Resource for Senior Citizens and for Those Who Care for Them - PLEASE visit TheRubins.com. To review their information, CLICK HERE
For information from the Government, try Senior Citizens' Resources Official information and services from the U.S. government BY CLICKING HERE
Alzheimer’s Association
National Office................................... 800-272-3900
WEB: www.alz.org
(Nonprofit organization providing a national resource
line and website for Alzheimer’s Disease information)
Alzheimer’s Disease Education
and Referral Center ...........................800-438-4380
WEB: www.alzheimers.org
(Federally-funded resource center for Alzheimer’s
Disease)
Caregiver Guide for Alzheimer’s
WEB: www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publications/
caregiverguide.htm
(Online publication with tips for caregivers on how to
manage a variety of common dementia-related
issues.)
Eldercare Locator .............................. 800-677-1116
WEB: www.eldercare.gov
( Contact info for local aging service providers
nationwide)
Credit Reports, Free
WEB: www.annualcreditreport.com
NAMI : WEB: www.nami.org
(Advocacy, support for individuals and families, and
education about mental illness)
AT&T Telecommunications Center for Customers
with Disabilities.................................. 800-982-2891
TTY .........................................................800-251-5325
(Telecommunication devices for hearing, visually, and
physically impaired)
Hearing Aid Helpline.......................... 800-521-5247
International Hearing Society, 16880 Middlebelt Rd,
Suite 4, Livonia, MI 48154
WEB: www.ihsinfo.org
(Free kit of consumer information regarding hearing
loss and hearing aids)
Hearing Loss Assn of America .......... 301-657-2248
TTY ......................................................... 301-657-2249
7910 Woodmont Ave, Ste 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814
WEB: www.hearingloss.org
(International organization for hard-of-hearing
persons, which provides advocacy, support, and
educational publications and information on local
support groups)
AARP Driver Safety Program
(aka 55 Alive)..................................... 888-227-7669
WEB: www.aarp.org
(Information on local mature driving courses)
Eldercare Locator .............................. 800-677-1116
WEB: www.eldercare.gov
( Contact info for local aging service providers
nationwide)
Social Security Administration ................. 790-2782
Toll-Free................................................. 800-772-1213
4701 Old Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh
WEB: www.ssa.gov
(Applications and information regarding Social
Security Benefits and Medicare)
Medicare Information....................... 800-MEDICARE
WEB: www.medicare.gov
(Website has information and tools to help compare
prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans,
nursing homes, home health care companies, etc, as
well as more general info on what Medicare does and
does not cover.)
Rx Assist................................... WEB: www.rxassist.org
(Provides specific information and applications for
drug company patient assistance programs. These
programs provide free medications to eligible lowincome
individuals.)
Rx Outreach ....................................... 800-769-3880
WEB: www.rxoutreach.com
(Mail-order source for reduced-cost generic drugs.
Offers 3-month supply of over 100 medicines for $20-
30. Income-limited. No age restriction. Includes
some medicines not included in the Medicare Part D
program, such as anti-anxiety drugs.)
Xubex Pharmaceutical Services ....... 866-699-8239
WEB: www.xubex.com
(Similar to Rx Outreach)
Partnership for
Prescription Assistance..................... 888-477-2669
(Database of prescription assistance programs.)
National Institute on Aging .............. 800-222-2225
WEB: www.nia.nih.gov
(Call for publications on aging, disease, nutrition, and
health care)
Arthritis Foundation...........................800-883-8806
WEB: www.arthritis.org
(Resource and referral information on arthritis)
Nat’l Osteoporosis Foundation......... 800-223-9994
WEB: www.nof.org
(Written and video information about osteoporosis)
Nat’l Parkinson Foundation.............. 800-327-4545
WEB: www.parkinson.org
(Information and publications on Parkinson’s
Disease)
American Cancer Society
Road to Recovery...............................800-227-2345
(Volunteer-based transportation to and from cancer
therapy appointments. Caller will be referred to local
coordinator who can try to match them with a
volunteer.)
National Patient Air Transport Helpline
Mercy Medical Airlift...........................800-296-1217
(Assists patients who need to travel for medical
reasons and cannot afford to pay)
Veteran’s Administration Benefits
and Information Hotline.................... 800-827-1000
WEB: Home: www.va.gov Benefits:vaonline.va.gov
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