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Senior Resources

Carrie Donovan
The Washington Post, October 17, 2000

 

The following listing is a guide, not a complete compilation of resources.

Area Agencies on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging in the metropolitan area provide information and referrals and match senior citizens with services such as meals at the senior centers and other nutrition sites, meal delivery to the homebound, advocacy, transportation, financial help, volunteer opportunities, visiting, telephone reassurance, grocery shopping assistance, income tax assistance, legal services, residential care homes, geriatric day care, physical fitness activities, job and housing counseling and respite care. Not all services are offered by all agencies; contact the local agency for specific information.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Makes referrals to local agencies on aging. Co-sponsors Eldercare Locator, a toll-free telephone databank of nationwide community services for older people, including health, homemaker, nutrition, transportation, legal and other services. Eldercare Locator, 800-677-1116.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE UNITS ON AGING

202-898-2578.

D.C. OFFICE ON AGING

202-724-5626.

CHARLES COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING

301-934-9305 (press 1 for Aging Division).

FREDERICK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGING

301-694-1604.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES

240-777-3000.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AGENCY ON AGING

301-699-2696.

ALEXANDRIA OFFICE OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES

703-838-0920.

ARLINGTON AGENCY ON AGING

703-228-5030.

FAIRFAX COUNTY AGENCY ON AGING

703-324-5411.

LOUDOUN COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING

703-777-0257.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING

703-792-6400.

Federal Agencies

ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

A division of the Department of Health and Human Services, AoA is the leading advocate within the federal government for older Americans. It funds programs at state and area agencies on aging, including group and home-delivered meals, in-home assistance for the frail elderly, transportation services, legal assistance, nursing home ombudsman services and senior center programs. AoA also funds research, demonstration and training programs. Call 202-619-0724

HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION

HCFA administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs, offers free publications and operates a telephone hot line/information service. HCFA, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850; 410-786-3000. HCFA Medicare Hotline, 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Web site www.hcfa.gov

MEDICAID

Medicaid services can be obtained through each county's Department of Social Services. For general information in D.C., call 202-724-5506; Arlington, 703-228-1350; Fairfax, 703-222-0880 for information or 703-324-7500 to apply; Prince William, 703-792-7500; Manassas City 703-361-8277; Manassas Park, 703-335-8880; Woodbridge, 703-792-4300; Alexandria, 703-838-0700; Falls Church, 703-533-5300; Loudoun, 703-777-0353; Montgomery, 240-777-3995 (for long-term care Medicaid); Rockville, 240-777-4600; Silver Spring 240-777-3100; Germantown 240-777-3420; Landover, 301-909-6000; Hyattsville, 301-209-5000; Howard, 410-872-4200; Anne Arundel, 301-261-1756; Frederick, 301-694-4575.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

NIA conducts and supports studies of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, aging, frailty, disability and rehabilitation, health and effective functioning, long-term care and other special problems and needs of older people. For information on Alzheimer's and related disorders, write: NIA Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, P.O. Box 8250, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250. For a list of free publications and an order form, call 800-222-2225. General information, call NIA 301-496-1752. Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center 800-438-4380. Web site www.nih.gov/nia

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Information, 800-772-1213. TTY, 800-325-0778. Web site www.ssa.gov

Area Clearinghouses

HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING AND ADVOCATES FOR OLDER PEOPLE PROJECT

Senior HICAP is a public service organization funded by the federal and state governments to provide health insurance information to older people. Appointments and information in D.C. 202-676-3900 (TDD 202-973-1079); Montgomery, 301-590-2819; Arlington, 703-228-5030; Prince George's, 301-699-2893; Howard County, 410-313-7392; Anne Arundel, 410-222-4464; Prince William, 703-792-7662; Fairfax, 703-324-5851; Loudoun, 703-777-0526; Alexandria, 703-228-5032. For other parts of Maryland, call 800-243-3425 (TDD 410-767-1083); Virginia, 800-552-3402.

LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE ELDERLY

A service organization for DC residents age 60 and over to provide legal representation and advocacy. Call 202-434-2120.

LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Helps people unable to afford normal attorney fees with certain civil cases, such as Social Security, Medicare claims, Medicaid coverage, nursing homes and other health-related matters. Offices throughout Northern Virginia. 703-532-3733.

OMBUDSMAN PROGRAMS

These programs help protect the rights of people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Numbers of local offices can by obtained from Area Agencies on Aging or by calling:

D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 202-434-2190.

Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 703-324-5861.

Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 301-699-2684.

Publications

ALEXANDRIA OFFICE OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES

Offers copies of the guide "Services For Older Alexandrians." Alexandria Office of Aging and Adult Services, Division of Community Programs, Dept. of Human Services, 2525 Mount Vernon Ave., Unit 5, Alexandria, Va. 22301. 703-838-0920.

AARP

Prints hundreds of brochures on a variety of topics. For a catalogue, call 202-434-2277 or write AARP Fulfillment, 601 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20049. Web site www.aarp.org.

ASSISTED LIVING FEDERATION OF AMERICA

Prints a free annual consumer edition of their magazine "Assisted Living Today" and a 15-page "Consumer Guide & Checklist". For a copy, call 703-691-8100 or visit the Web site www.alfa.org.

GREATER WASHINGTON PUBLISHING COMPANY

Publishes "Guide to Retirement Living," a free listing of local facilities including independent living facilities, long-term care facilities, assisted living, nursing facilities, extended care and in-home care. For a copy, call 800-394-9990 or write the Greater Washington Publishing Company, 9302 Lee Highway, Suite 750, Fairfax., VA 22031.

HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION

Offers a booklet about Medicare; available in print, Braille and audio cassette. For single copies, write U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244-1850; call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227); TTY/TDD 877-486-2048 or download brochures off the Web site www.medicare.gov.

IONA SENIOR SERVICES

Publishes "Resource Guide 2000", a free comprehensive directory of elder care resources. For a copy, stop by the Iona office at 4125 Albemarle St., NW or call 202-966-1055.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

NIA offers free single copies of publications dealing with health issues. For a list, contact NIA Information Center, P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057 or call 800-222-2225.

SENIOR DIRECTORIES

D.C. Office on Aging publishes a Senior Services Telephone Directory for seniors, caregivers and professionals. Directory topics include retirement living, and senior programs. The Office on Aging can also provide brochures and information about wills, nursing homes, Medicare, demographics and other topics. Pick up at office: 441 Fourth St. NW, 9th Fl., Rm. 950. 202-724-5626.

U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

The Consumer Information Center prints informational booklets on a variety of health and financial topics. For a catalogue of publications, call 888-878-3256 or read publications online at www.pueblo.gsa.gov

© 2000 The Washington Post Company