Resources for the Elderly and Their Caregivers

ABSTRACT

Objective: This article presents resources helpful to the elderly and their caregivers, covering healthy aging, physical conditions and mental health, end-of-life care, grief, housing options, and legal issues.

Method: A query was sent to the MEDLIB-L e-mail discussion list to find out what information on aging would be useful to the subscribers' patrons. After private responses were received, resources recommended by MEDLIB-L subscribers were reviewed. Then a search of consumer literature and websites was undertaken to fill in gaps in information needed.

Results: Resources that accommodate physical disabilities are mentioned, as are resources that provide information in more than one language. A recommended reading list is appended.

Conclusion: This compilation responds to the needs stated by MEDLIB-L subscribers. It is not a comprehensive review; no Medicare and Medicaid information is included and only a few housing care options are discussed. There is no information about sleep disorders, or legal issues other than elder abuse. Lastly, resources outside the United States were not mentioned.

Key Words:

• Aged
• exercise
• voluntary workers
• chronic disease
• suicide
• death
• grief
• housing
• home care services
• assisted living facilities
• nursing homes
• elder abuse