Following is a list of helpful geriatrics resources that can be found outside of www.POGOe.org. 

Resources for Educators

• John A. Hartford Foundation Consortium for Geriatric Residency Training - Educational resources designed to increase the geriatric content of primary care residency training programs. http://sugerc.stanford.edu/index0.html
• Practice Improvement Modules/ABIM - ABIM’s Practice Improvement Modules are web-based tools that guide physicians through chart abstraction, patient survey and practice system inventory. http://www.abim.org/pims/
• AAMC GQ - The Medical School Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) is a national questionnaire administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). It is a tool for medical schools to use in program evaluation and to improve the medical student experience. http://www.aamc.org/data/gq/start.htm
• Geriatrics Interdisciplinary Team Training (GITT) - a training “kit” designed by eight project sites funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation that is aimed towards improving geriatric interdisciplinary team training. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/gitt/gitt.shtml
• GeriatricsRecruitment.org - Successful approaches to the recruitment of geriatrics learners from the John A. Hartford Foundation Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine and Training http://www.geriatricsrecruitment.org/
• Guidelines for Developing User Guides and Facilitator's Manuals for Educational Resources A clearly written facilitators manual is an essential element in producing sharable educational materials. This manual provides a comprehensive list of elements that can be considered when developing user guides for materials intended for use by others. http://www.pogoe.org/km/getdoc/10425
• Merck Manual of Geriatrics - The Merck Manual of Geriatrics is a comprehensive textbook addressing all areas of care for the elderly. The textbook takes an interdisciplinary approach, including information relevant not only for the physician and nurse, but also other caregivers: social workers, therapists, pharmacists, etc. Merck offers a search engine to retrieve specific information from the book, and also a Table of Contents that allows access to its chapters. http://www.merck.com/pubs/mm_geriatrics/

back to top

Continuing Medical Education and Training

• CME Courses - A list of Continuing Medical Education courses for physicians in the field of Geriatrics http://www.pogoe.org/cme
• FD~AGE - Faculty development programs for clinician-educators to expand and improve geriatrics clinical and teaching skills. http://www.pogoe.org/fd_age
• Education on Palliative and End-of-Life Care (EPEC) - The mission of the EPEC project is to educate all healthcare professionals on the essential clinical competencies in palliative care. The website provides information on how to become certified as an EPEC trainer.  http://epec.net/EPEC/Webpages/index.cfm
• Geriatrics in Primary Care Program (GIPC) - Based out of the Stanford Faculty Development Center. Each year six medical faculty are selected for training as Geriatrics in Primary Care (GiPC) seminar facilitators. The 1-month facilitator training course provides participants with the background knowledge and seminar leadership skills they need to deliver a series of eight 2-hour seminars to faculty and residents. http://sfdc.stanford.edu/previous_programs/geriatric_primary_care.html
• Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program - Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), the John A. Hartford Foundation, and others, MSTAR provides medical students an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, under the mentorship of top experts in the field. This program introduces students to research and academic experiences that they might not otherwise have during medical school. http://www.afar.org/medstu.html

back to top

Repositories

• Health Sciences Online - HSO provides a searchable collection of top-quality, free, online courses and references in medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, basic sciences, and other health sciences disciplines. http://www.hso.info
• Geriatric Web - The objective of the Geriatric Web is to create a web-based geriatric digital library to be used in the education of health care professionals and in the clinical care of older patients. http://geriatricweb.sc.edu
• Online Geriatrics University (GeriU) - GeriU is a learning management system with e-learning content funded by the Florida Teaching Nursing Home Program. It is an online community for long-term care and geriatrics education intended for medical students, residents, fellows and nurses in Florida. Publicly available content includes online modules on dementia in Alzheimer's disease, pain assessment, the Mini-Mental State Exam and gait and balance assessment. http://www.geriu.org/
• Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM) Clinical Toolbox for Geriatric Care - SHM’s clinical toolbox was developed by the Geriatric Task Force to provide Hospitalists with a compendium of resources, or “toolbox”, to facilitate and improve inpatient care of the elderly. It affords easy-to-access resources containing the best assessment tools and provides information allowing Hospitalists to quickly locate the best tool for any given clinical situation. http://www.hospitalmedicine.org/geriresource/toolbox/howto.htm
• EPERC - This site has been designed for use by medical school course/clerkship directors, residency and continuing education program directors, medical faculty, community preceptors, or other professionals who are (or will be) involved in providing EOL instruction to health care professionals in training. The purpose of EPERC is to share educational resource material among the community of health professional educators involved in palliative care education. http://www.eperc.mcw.edu/
• GEC Clearinghouse – The Clearinghouse provides health professional faculty, practitioners, and students information on aging and geriatric education resources available through the GEC’s. The site is also designed to encourage collaboration among geriatric education providers, reduce redundant efforts in geriatric education programming, and facilitate the identification of areas where further development of geriatric education materials is needed. http://www.nagec.org/content/gec-clearinghouse
• MedEdPORTAL - A web-based approach to online publication that promotes collaboration across disciplines and institutions by facilitating exchange of peer-reviewed medical educational materials, knowledge, and solutions. It is designed to help faculty publish and share educational resources.http://services.aamc.org/jsp/mededportal/goLinkPage.do?link=home http://www.pogoe.org/collections/meded-portal/
• MERLOT - A free and open resource designed primarily for faculty and students of higher education. Links to online learning materials are collected on the site along with annotations such as peer reviews and assignments. MERLOT is a continually growing catalog of resources organized by discipline into specific discipline communities and created to help faculty and students enhance their instruction and learning experience.http://www.merlot.org

back to top

Web Portals

• Nutrition and Aging – This website provides a portal to many different resources on the nutrition needs of the older adult. Through the Resources and Bibliography link on the main menu, you can find a list of reading materials on one of many specific topics with links to the journal or organization's website where you can access the material. There is a list of agencies and organizations that administer or provide nutrition services to older adults, which is accessible through the Aging Network menu option. Special features include a topical article, a FAQ with useful information and an archive of their bi-weekly highlights. Though it appears that the site hasn't been updated since 2008, most of the links are still relevant and still working. The website was created by Florida International University through a grant from the Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the website. Check out the website at nutritionandaging.fiu.edu.
• Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing - The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing seeks to shape the quality of health care older Americans receive by promoting the highest level of geriatric competence in all nurses. http://www.hartfordign.org/
• Ageline Database - This website from the AARP is a searchable database with summaries of publications about older adult and aging resources.  Links to full-text sources are available for some citations, and searches can be limited to publications for a general/consumer audience. Searches To Go provides access to pre-constructed searches on a variety of topics. A directory of acronyms, guide to internet resources related to aging, and links to statistical data are also provided on the site. Ageline access is free, but the number of concurrent users is restricted. http://research.aarp.org/ageline/home.html
• Palliative Care - This site is an outcome of the Nursing Leadership Consortium on End-of-Life Care, and serves as a portal for nurses to information on providing end-of-life care.  The site contains information on conferences, education, initiatives, organizations, publications, research and links to other resources. http://www.palliativecarenursing.net/index.html
• Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center - Provides online information for patients on the disease, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.  Resources for family and professional caregivers are also included, along with news, a database of clinical trials, directory of research centers, and an online newsletter. Links to other sources for Alzheimer's information and automated searches of the Combined Health Information Database are provided. Several free publications are provided, including the Connections newsletter, 2001-2002 Alzheimer's Disease Progress Report, and others on diagnosis, symptoms, research, caregiving, healthy aging, and treatment; some materials are available in Spanish language versions.http://www.alzheimers.org/
• Geriatric Mental Health Foundation - Provides consumer information on topics such as alcohol and drug abuse, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, depression, caregiving, and other concerns.  A searchable directory of geriatric psychiatrists and a list of links to additional resources are also provided. http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/default.asp

back to top

Blogs

• GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog for generalists, specialists, gerontologists, palliative care clinicians, and anyone else interested in care of the elderly or palliative care. The goals of this blog include creating an online community of interdisciplinary providers interested in geriatrics or palliative care, and providing an open forum for the exchange of ideas and disruptive commentary that changes clinical practice and health care policy. http://www.geripal.org/
• health AGEnda - This blog from the John A Hartford Foundation is dedicated to introducing aging and geriatrics into the broader conversation around health, health care and health policy. http://www.jhartfound.org/blog/

back to top

Demographics, Statistics and Reports

• AgeSource / AgeStats Worldwide - Developed by the AARP, this site describes clearinghouses, databases, libraries, directories, statistical resources, bibliographies and reading lists, texts, and Web "metasites" focused on aging or closely allied subjects and, in most cases, provides Internet links to them. http://www.aarpinternational.org/database/
• IOM Report - Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12089
• Geriatric Best Practices Initiative (and South Carolina Network & Implementation Initiative) - The Geriatric Best Practices Initiative focuses on exploring, evaluating and cataloging over 200 Geriatric Best Practices (senior healthcare and non-healthcare) across South Carolina and the region in order to move one step closer toward meeting the care needs of seniors. http://www.musc.edu/scgec/downloads/SC-GEC%20Best%20Practices%20Compendium.pdf
• ADGAP Longitudinal Study (Status of Geriatrics Workforce Study) - Since July 2000, the Institute for the Study of Health has been conducting a longitudinal study of training and practice in geriatric medicine. The study tracks progress in faculty development, growth of medical school-based academic programs, and teaching programs for medical students, residents, and fellows, as well as the practice of geriatrics. Data from the study can be used to determine whether recently implemented programs have strengthened physicians' geriatrics training and practice across the United States; to help guide future national policy; and to increase recognition of the importance of geriatric research and training programs. http://www.adgapstudy.uc.edu/Home.cfm
• Describing Death in America: What We Need to Know - This report examines what is known about quality of care and life at the end of life, with recommendations regarding additional types of data needed. http://www.nap.edu/books/0309087252/html/
• 2004-2005 Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease This report from the National Institute on Aging outlines the impact of Alzheimer's disease, research advances from 2004-2005, and future outlook. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/ADProgress2004_2005/
• Diabetes and Women's Health Across the Life Stages: A Public Health Perspective - This report, produced by the CDC, addresses diabetes in women in the United States and is intended for health care providers and public health advocates.  It includes chapters on demographics, adolescents, reproductive years, middle age, and older years, along with major findings and conclusions. The report also provides numerous statistical tables and figures, appendices including additional data and standards of care, and a glossary. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/women.pdf
• Age Pages and Fact Sheets - An online catalog of consumer-oriented publications on aging-related topics which can be ordered for free from the National Institute on Aging; the materials can also be viewed online and cover issues such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, hearing loss, and menopause. http://www.niapublications.org/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=4&cat=Age+Pages+and+Fact+Sheets
• Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts - This fact sheet from the National Institute of Mental health provides an overview of depression and suicide in older adults, with some statistics, research and treatment, and a list of symptoms to share with patients. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/elderlydepsuicide.cfm
• Vision Problems in the U.S.: Prevalence of Adult Vision Impairment and Age-Related Eye Diseases in America - This report provides statistical data and estimates regarding eye diseases in the United States population, including information on vision impariment, blindness, refractive error, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, with prevalence data provided by state, sex, and race. http://www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata/pdf/VPUS.pdf
• Older Americans: Key Indicators of Well-Being - This report from the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics examines indicators related to older Americans including population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care.  Graphs, detailed tables, and a glossary are included. http://www.agingstats.gov/chartbook2000/default.htm

back to top

Geriatric and Gerontological Societies and Associations

• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) - Resources for physicians and fellows, publications, advocacy, and information about the college of palliative care and palliative care certification. http://www.aahpm.org/ American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is an organization of physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to excellence in palliative medicine, the prevention and relief of suffering among patients and families by providing education and clinical practice standards, fostering research, facilitating personal and professional development of its members, and by public policy advocacy.  The website of the AAHPM provides information for medical professionals on hospice and palliative care, including details on membership in the organization, position statements, educational opportunities, a directory of fellowship programs, a database of available speakers, job listings, and other resources.   http://www.aahpm.org/
• American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) - Mental health information for older adults and their families. http://www.aagpgpa.org/
• American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (ABHPM) was formed in 1995 to establish and implement standards for the certification of physicians practicing hospice and palliative medicine. ABHPM creates and administers the certifying examination, works to implement high standards for training, and contributes to setting the standards for excellence in palliative medicine. http://www.abhpm.org/
• American Geriatrics Society (AGS), Education Division - A nationwide not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals, research scientists, and others concerned with improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people.  The American Geriatrics Society is a nonprofit organization of health professionals concerned with issues of geriatric patient care, public policy, and education; the AGS website provides clinical practice guidelines, continuing education resources, information on grant funding, and patient education materials.    http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/
• American Society on Aging (ASA) - ASA is the largest organization of professionals in the field of aging. ASA’s resources, publications, and educational opportunities are geared to enhance the knowledge and skills of people working with older adults and their families. http://www.asaging.org/
• Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) - A subset of the American Geriatrics Society, ADGAP advances academic geriatric education programs and supports geriatric research. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/adgap/default.asp
• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) - Devoted primarily to Gerontological education. AGHE helps to develop and sponsor education and training initiatives and to involve students, educators, researchers, and officials from across the country in providing resources for older adults. Website includes information for faculty and students, information about careers in aging, and publications on aging. http://www.aghe.org/site/aghewebsite/
• Consortium of E-learning in Geriatrics Instruction (CELGI) - CELGI’s mission is to collaborate and facilitate the development and portability of high-quality e-learning materials for gerontology and geriatrics professionals. CELGI is working on developing and incorporating specifications and standards for the creation and evaluation of e-learning materials for geriatric education. http://www.celgi.org
• End of Life Nursing Education Consortium Project (ELNEC) is a comprehensive, national education program to improve end-of-life care by nurses, and is funded by a major grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Primary project goals are to develop a core of expert nursing educators and to coordinate national nursing education efforts in end-of-life care. http://www.aacn.nche.edu/elnec/
• Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - GSA provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages. http://www.geron.org/
• National Association of Geriatric Education Centers (NAGEC) - NAGEC supports the national network of Geriatric Education Centers (GECs), dedicated to improving the education/training, supply, distribution and quality of health care professionals through strong community-academic partnerships. Their goal is ultimately to improve the quality of health care for all elderly individuals, including the underserved and minorities. http://www.hcoa.org/nagec/
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) develops public and professional educational programs and materials to enhance understanding and availability of hospice and palliative care; convenes frequent meetings and symposia on emerging issues; provides technical informational resources to its membership; conducts research; monitors Congressional and regulatory activities; and works closely with other organizations that share an interest in end of life care. http://www.nhpco.org/
• National Hospice Foundation (NHF) - A charitable organization that aims to broaden the understanding of hospice through research and education and improve the vision for end-of-life care.  The NHF's website features information on finding and selecting a hospice program, communicating end of life wishes, consumer brochures, and links to other public campaigns for hospice care.http://www.hospiceinfo.org/
• National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) - An association of nurses dedicated to improving the care of older adults.  NGNA's website contains information on membership and member resources (including continuing education and links to additional information), chapters, the annual convention, and awards and grants.http://www.ngna.org/
• National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) - A voluntary health organization that funds research and works to increase public awareness of osteoporosis, and provides information for patients through its website. Consumer-oriented portions of the site include an overview of the disease with bone health and bone density testing information, and information on risk factors, vitamins and supplements, exercise, medications, and talking to your doctor. http://www.nof.org/

back to top

Grant Awarding Organizations

• Atlantic Philanthropies - An organization dedicated to bringing about “lasting change in the lives of older adults, with a special emphasis on those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable because of ageism, poverty or poor health.” Atlantic Philanthropies helps to fund projects and organizations such as the International Longevity Center, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and the National Council on Aging. http://atlanticphilanthropies.org/
• D.W. Reynolds Foundation (DWRF) - DWRF provides grants to strengthen geriatrics training at individual academic health centers, as well as to train academic health centers’ faculty in geriatrics. http://www.dwreynolds.org/Programs/National/Aging/Aging.htm
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - The largest grant-awarding agency in the Federal government and its principal agency for protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services, often to underserved populations. http://www.hrsa.gov/
• John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) - The Hartford Foundation funds 81 programs spanning the spectrum of geriatrics academic and clinical training. Grants are made in two areas: Academic Geriatrics and Training, and Integrating and Improving Service. http://www.jhartfound.org/

back to top

Geriatrics Resources for Patients/Caregivers

• Aging in the Know - Created by the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA), this site offers consumer information on health and aging. It translates professional education resources on aging for a public audience, featuring information on common diseases and disorders that affect older adults. It also includes a What to Ask series that provides practical questions and tips to help consumers work with healthcare providers on developing the best care plan for themselves or loved ones. http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow
• AGS Foundation for Health in Aging The website of the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging, an organization founded by the American Geriatrics Society, provides information on the foundation's programs as well as health information for the public.  Resources for the public include the Eldercare at Home guide, an introduction to geriatrics, and educational resources on a variety of topics such as pain management, fall prevention, diabetes, and memory loss. The searchable directory section of the site provides links to the websites of organizations dealing with older adults' health, arranged by specific issue or health problem. Links to additional related websites are included as well. http://www.healthinaging.org/
• NIH Senior Health - NIH’s web site for seniors features health information from the National Institutes of Health.  This website is designed specifically for seniors.  The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) collaborated to create a website with tailored health information that is easy to navigate. Features include optional narration, adjustable font size, consistent page layout, and options for easy printing. Several senior health topics are available and provide quizzes, video clips and illustrations in addition to general information.  http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
• The Arthritis Foundation - Provides comprehensive consumer health resources on arthritis.  The Resources section of the site includes answers to frequently asked questions, select articles from Arthritis Today magazine, the Disease Center which provides easy to read fact sheets on several topics, a drug guide with articles and explanations of types of drugs, online brochures, and information on supplements and alternative therapies. Additional patient sections cover pain, surgery, lab tests, excercise, tips for living with arthritis and protecting joints, and a glossary of health care professionals describing their roles in patient care. RA Connect is an online community for arthritis patients, providing online chat, discussion boards, and personal stories, artwork and web pages. Other features include a directory of local offices, special information for those with juvenile arthritis, and a guide to easy to use products. http://www.arthritis.org/
• Health and Age.com - Provides health information for adults age 50+ to educate about a wide variety of medical conditions and assist with communication with health professionals. The information is provided from the perspective that aging is a lifelong process starting at birth, and not something that should be ignored until problems arise. While the site is sponsored by Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, the articles are edited by medical professionals and do not endorse any particular company or product. www.healthandage.com
• Administration on Aging (AoA) - AoA is the Federal focal point and advocate agency for older persons and their concerns. Through information, referral and outreach efforts at the community level, AoA seeks to educate older people and their caregivers about the benefits and services available to help them. http://www.aoa.gov/
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - AARP is a nonprofit membership organization of persons 50 and older dedicated to addressing their needs and interests.  The AARP is a nonprofit organization for individuals over the age of 50; its website provides consumer-oriented information on insurance and money management, health issues, political issues, and quality of life for older persons.   http://www.aarp.org/
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - CMS is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It administers the Medicare program. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
• International Longevity Center (ILC) - ILC is a research, policy and education organization helping societies address the issues of population aging and longevity in positive and constructive ways and highlighting older adults’ productivity and contributions to their families and to society as a whole. http://www.ilcusa.org/
• National Council on Aging (NCOA) - Founded in 1950, NCOA is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons and increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations. http://www.ncoa.org/
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) - One of the Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health. Provides leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.  The National Institute on Aging (NIA) website provides information on aging for consumers and researchers.  The Health Information section provides access to free consumer publications on several aging topics, including: a 32-page booklet on menopause, a guide for talking to your doctor, a searchable resource directory of national and state-level organizations aimed at helping the elderly (also available as a PDF document), women's health resources, an exercise guide, a guide to hearts and arteries, and several Alzheimer's publications, including a caregiver's guide. Full text access to newsletters including "Age Page" (from the NIA) and "Connections" (from the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center). This section of the site also includes the "Resource Directory for Older People," a database searchable by topic or state that provides links to relevant organizations. Details of research programs and funding and training opportunities are provided for professionals.   http://www.nih.gov/nia/
• Good Nutrition: It's A Way of Life - This website from the National Institute on Aging provides general guidelines for patients on what and how much to eat, lack of interest in food, intake of salt, fat, and fiber, making shopping easier, and reducing food costs; links to relevant organizations with contact details are also included. http://www.niapublications.org/engagepages/nutrition.asp
• Sexuality in Later Life - Addresses issues for consumers such as normal changes, causes of problems, surgery and drugs, safe sex, and links to relevant organizations for additional information. http://www.niapublications.org/engagepages/sexuality.asp
• Prostate Problems - This site from the National Insitute on Aging provides an overview for patients on prostrate problems, including common problems, prostate cancer, treatments, signs and symptoms, and links with contact details to relevant organizations for additional information; the page is also available in Spanish. http://www.niapublications.org/engagepages/prostate.asp
• Eldercare Locator - The Eldercare Locator is a searchable directory of eldercare information providers in the United States.  Users search by selecting their user group (individual, caregiver, or professional), entering location information, and selecting the aging topic on which information is needed. Addresses and phone numbers are provided with the results. A toll-free phone number is also available. The site provides fact sheets on eldercare topics, a glossary, and links to assessment tools and related resources for caregivers. http://www.eldercare.gov/eldercare/Public/Home.asp
• Aging Well - This website from the New York State Office for Aging provides consumer information on health and aging, including tips on eating well, fitness, self care, pharmacy issues, and safety. http://www.agingwell.state.ny.us/
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - A federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, originally known as the Health Care Financing Administration; its website provides information for professionals, government, and consumers.  Programs featured on the site include Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Program.  Professional resources related to these programs are divided by audience, including information for physicians, contractors, researchers, rural health clinics, hospitals and others. Consumer sections provide information for benficiaries of CMS programs such as Medicare, including eligibility. The site also provides news, statistics and data, coverage information, manuals, details of quality initiatives, regulations, and other resources. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs - This consumer website for Veterans of the United States military offers information on topics such as Health Care, Benefits, Burial & Memorials, Public Affairs, Congressional Affairs, Business Opportunities, Veteran Data, and Special VA Programs. Also provided are links to related organizations and a link to this website in spanish. http://www.va.gov/

back to top

Palliative Care Resources for Patients/Caregivers

• National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) - Educates, supports, and speaks for the 50+ million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness, disability, or the frailties of old age. http://www.nfcacares.org
• Well Spouse Association - Focuses on the needs of all spouses caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled husband, wife, or partner. Those who have “been there and done that” help others face the challenges of long-term caregiving. http://www.wellspouse.org
• American Hospice Foundation supports programs that serve the needs of terminally ill and grieving individuals of all ages. Its mission is to improve access to quality hospice care through public education, professional training, and advocacy on behalf of consumers. http://www.americanhospice.org/
• The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) is dedicated to increasing the availability of quality palliative care services in hospitals and other health care settings for people with life-threatening illnesses, their families, and caregivers. http://www.capc.org/
• HOMECARE Online - The website of the National Association for Home Care and Hospices, an organization representing home care agencies, hospices, home care aide organizations, and medical equipment suppliers.  The site features a consumer section that includes information on selecting a home care provider, types of services, standard billing and payment practices, and patient rights. An Agency Locator allows searching by city, state and zip code. The Peds@Home section features an electronic newsletter that highlights pediatric home care services and allows users to search for pediatric agencies. Also included are news and announcements, job listings, a bookstore, a list of links to affiliated organizations, legislative/regulatory information with online advocacy opportunities, and membership information. http://www.nahc.org/home.html
• Hospice Net - Provides resources for patients and families coping with end-of-life concerns; it includes sections on selecting hospice services, patient needs, talking to children, caregivers, and bereavement. http://www.hospicenet.org/
• Technology for Long Term Care - This site provides information on products available for assisting in long-term care, especially in the areas of assistance calls, fall management, incontinence, and wander management.  Overviews of key related issues, suggestions for additional reading (with some links to full-text articles), and product descriptions with feature details and distributor contact information are provided. Users may search the site or browse by topic; they may also submit consumer reviews of products. http://www.techforltc.org/ltc.cfm
• Perspectives on Death and Dying - This resource provides a series of essays on topics such as caring for the dying, grief, definitions of death, end of life decisions, and infanticide. http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/pecorip/SCCCWEB/ETEXTS/DeathandDying_TEXT/table_of_contents.htm
• American College of Physicians Home Care Guide for Advanced Cancer - The resource from the ACP provides consumer information on providing home care for cancer patients, and addresses topics such as pain, communication, grieving, the final weeks of life, and other concerns. http://www.acponline.org/public/h_care/
• Family Caregiver Alliance - This website provides consumer information on home caregiving and elder care, including tips, fact sheets, overviews of medical conditions, online discussion groups, newsletters, other publications, and additional resources for individuals confronting the issues associated with home care. http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp
• Caring Connections - Provides resources for consumers on planning and communicating wishes for end-of-life care, including information on advance directives, financial planning, hospice care, managing pain, information for caregivers, and other topics. http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1