Medicare. Official US Government site for  Medicare information. Includes: 

• Medicare Health Care Compare. Detailed information on Medicare's health plan options such as costs and benefits covered, quality of plans in maintaining health or treating iillness and information on people leaving managed care plans
• Medicare Basics. An overview of essential information
• Nursing Homes.How to choose a nursing home (alternatives, payment, checklist, patient rights) Sections of this site include
• Nursing Home Compare which gives number of beds, ownership, information about residents of the nursing home,  and information about the nursing home staff including the number of registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and nursing assistants in each nursing home

Nursing Home Checklist, useful when inspecting a home

Ecin Extended Care Information Network. This a directory of  nursing homes, home health care agencies, hospices, retirement communities, pediatric facilities and long term care institutions. It is national in scope with some 40,000 institutions listed in over 8,500 cities. The site does not rate or evaluate the facilities. Another feature is a link a an e-mail newsletter the ECIN Newsletter.  

HFCA -Nursing Home Compare. Summaries of inspection reports on every Medicare or Medicaid certified nursing home in the country. Facilities can be located by state, county, zip code, city or by the name of the facility. Reports include ownership, contact information and the results and date of the last inspection. Scope and severity of care deficiencies are given in graphic form. 

American Geriatrics Society. "The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging's Web site provides news releases on issues such as the Clinton Administration's proposed long-term care initiative and Congress approved Health Professions Bill; and an article on clinical practice guidelines on pain management (in PDF). At the Patient Education Forum, you will find questions and answer pages on a growing list of topics such as Alzheimer's disease; safe driving for seniors; urinary incontinence; falls and balance problems; and end of life care. Also includes an annotated list of links as well as a bibliography on related sources. " Site described in Librarian's Index to The Internet.  

The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. 

Because We Care: A guide for people who care. Published by the Federal Administration on Aging, covering such issues as long term care, home modifiations or hiring a home care employee. 

BenefitsCheckUpAn interactive guide to state and federal  assistance programs for the elderly. Published by the National Council on Aging. 

NeedMeds.comA directory of drug companies which provide medications at low or no cost for people without  insurance. Programs can be found by using the name of the drug or by company name. Includes patient assiantces application forms and drug information sources. 

Meals-on-Wheels and Senior Meal Programs. Online nationwide directory of senior meal programs. Lists providers by city within each state.  
 
 

Caregiver Resources Family Caregiver Alliance. Tips, research and advocacy designed to help improve the lot of caregivers and the quality of their care  Well Spouse Foundation. "Well Spouse is a national, not for profit membership organization which gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled."  Children of Aging Parents. "Children of Aging Parents is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to assist the nation's nearly 54 million caregivers of the elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population"  Eldercare Online. "ElderCare Online is a beacon for people caring for aging loved ones. Whether you are caring for a spouse, parent, relative or neighbor, we are committed to providing an online community where supportive peers and professionals help you improve quality of life for yourself and your elder"  Eldercare Locator "connects those who need assistance with state and local agencies on aging and community organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers."