Resources on Aging and Disability
AARP Home Design Resources Lists Certified “Aging in Place” Specialists, profiles “livable” communities, has tips and checklists for making homes accessible and safe.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers promote the integration of long-term care information and referral services, benefits and options counseling services, and access to publicly and privately financed services and benefits for those in need of long-term supports and their families. 43 states have ADRCs that serve older adults and individuals with disabilities. In Montana these are:
Yellowstone County Council on Aging Resource Center (Billings)Missoula Aging ServicesArea II Agency on Aging (Roundup) serves Big Horn County, Carbon County, Fergus County, Golden Valley County, Judith Basin County, Musselshell County, Petroleum County, Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County, Wheatland County, Yellowstone County and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian Reservations.
Aging in Place Initiative This collaboration of national organizations and the MetLife Foundation conducts civic engagement workshops and provides resources for communities on improving their livability for older persons, and in turn, increasing livability for all people.
Alliance for Caregiving Publishes Today’s Caregiver Magazine. Web site lists support groups, provides a discussion forum and has “channels” dedicated to long term care issues, rural caregiving, technology, caregiver stories, medication management, mobility, and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia or ovarian cancer.
Alzheimers Association. Provides an online community and a toll-free, 24/7 Helpline in 140 languages. Local chapters offer core services to families and professionals, including information and referral, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services. CareFinder™ online guide helps individuals find the right care based on individual needs and preferences. Safe Return® is a nationwide identification, support and enrollment program that provides security for those who may wander. The Association also operates a large library, conducts an annual conference, supports research and publishes a peer-reviewed journal.
Alzheimer’s Disease International is the global umbrella organization of Alzheimer associations. It establishes and strengthens Alzheimer associations throughout the world, and raises global awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and all other causes of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins University
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mayo Clinic
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
American Geriatrics Society Professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults.
American Society on Aging (ASA).
HealthWord Monthly e-mail newsletter produced by the ASA’s Live Well, Live Long project, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Live Well, Live Long provides education and resources to professionals in the field of aging to help them improve health promotion and disease prevention efforts aimed at older adults. Current and past issues of HealthWord are available on the website.
Arthritis Foundation. Offers more than 100 free brochures on arthritis and related conditions, such as fibromyalgia.
Arthritis Foundation: Rocky Mountain Chapter Serves Colorado, Montana and Wyoming
Arthritis Foundation: Montana Branch
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: 406-600-4649
Email: bbarnhart@arthritis.org
Office Hours: 8:30-4:30P M-F Mountain
Assisted Living Federation of America Largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-operated assisted living communities for seniors. ALFA sponsors national conferences, research, publications and executive networks; and works to influence public policy by advocating for informed choice, quality care and accessibility for all Americans seeking assistance with long-term care.
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education is the only national membership organization devoted primarily to gerontological education.
Association of Montana Health Care Providers is a leadership organization and a principal advocate for health care facilities in Montana. MHA serves a diverse membership, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, critical access hospitals, home health and hospice agencies, psychiatric facilities, physician groups, assisted living centers, senior housing and insurance services.
Center for Aging Services Technology is a national coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging services organizations, research universities, and government representatives.
Center for Disability Issues in the Health Professions Western University of Health Sciences website offers products, courses and services, online resources, and news and announcements for health professions education, and to improve access for people with disabilities to health, health education and health care services. Resources include Aging with a Disability information and other tools for decreasing health care barriers.
Clearinghouse for the Community Living Exchange Collaborative provides information and training and technical assistance to state and territorial recipients of Systems Change Grants for Community Living.
Nursing Home to Community Program: A Discharge Planning Manual Designed to orient long-term care providers to the nursing home discharge process. Defines roles of the key partners who are involved in returning residents to community living and documents a standard protocol for accessing and maximizing partner resources.
Consumer Direct Personal Care (Billings & Missoula offices, but coverage is statewide) allows individuals of any age with health care needs to remain in their homes and communities and to avoid placement in an institution. This program is for individuals who are capable of directing their own personal care services or appointing a Personal Representative to act on their behalf. Program requirements include: eligibility for Montana Medicaid; need for assistance with activities of daily living; need for assistance with instrumental activities of daily living; authorization by a health care professional that assistance is necessary; and completion of an assessment for placement in the program.
Disability & Rehabilitation Research Project on Persons Aging with Hearing & Vision Loss: This collaboration of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University, San Diego State University, and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults focuses on strategies to improve outcomes for persons who are aging with dual hearing and vision loss, with a special emphasis on issues of persons who were either deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired, and who after age 55 acquired the second sensory loss.
Eldercare Locator provides home and community-based services to hard-to-reach older persons. Among these services are nutrition, such as home-delivered meals or meals served in congregate settings, transportation, legal assistance and health promotion counseling and training. This National Family Caregiver Support Program, focuses on those caring for family members who are chronically ill or who have disabilities. The program also helps those who are caring for younger family members, such as grandchildren and those with mental retardation or developmental disabilities.
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
Gerontological Society of America.
HealthandAge.com Novartis Foundation for Gerontology site offers latest research articles and book supplements.
Health, Wellness and Aging with a Disability Resources developed by June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant.
Healthy Aging Dietetic Practice Group is a practice group of the American Dietetic Association
International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at University of California – Los Angeles
Meals on Wheels Association of America
Meeting Life’s Challenges Free bi-monthly electronic magazine for people living with chronic illness.
Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Research findings, news, and tips on living with fibromyalgia, juvenile arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Wegener’s.
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Division of Senior and Long-Term Care administers aging services, adult protective services, and the state’s two veterans’ homes. It also helps to fund care for elderly and disabled Montanans who are eligible for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Montana Geriatric Education Center is a consortium of The University of Montana, the Northwest Research and Education Institute, and Montana Tech.
Montana Gerontology Society is dedicated to enhancing professional development and understanding among providers of services, seniors, volunteers, researchers, educators, students, and others associated with the field of aging.
Montana Long-term Care Ombudsman Program Long-term Care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Montana Senior Corps Montana has three Senior Corps programs: Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to more than 3,100 young people who have special needs; Senior Companions help more than 1,100 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes; Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers conduct safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects, tutor and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services through more than 890 groups across Montana.
National Adult Day Services Association
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has information and resources to help older adults and persons with disabilities live independently in their communities.
Area II Agency on Aging (Roundup) serves Big Horn County, Carbon County, Fergus County, Golden Valley County, Judith Basin County, Musselshell County, Petroleum County, Stillwater County, Sweet Grass County, Wheatland County, Yellowstone County and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian Reservations. Area IV Agency on Aging (Helena) serves Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Meagher and Park Counties. Area VI Agency on Aging (Polson)
- Older American’s Act provides services in Mineral, Lake, Sanders, the Flathead Reservation & Lincoln Counties
- Retired & Senior Volunteer Program provides services in Ravalli, Mineral, The Flathead Reservation & Lake Counties
- Foster Grandparents provides services in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Ravalli, the Flathead Reservation & Sanders Counties.
- Case Management Services are available in Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Ravalli, the Flathead Reservation & Sanders Counties.
- Information & Assistance Services are available in Mineral, Lake, Sanders, The Flathead Reservation & Lincoln Counties.
- Long Term Care Ombudsman Services are available in Mineral, Lake, Sanders, The Flathead Reservation & Lincoln Counties.
Area VIII Agency on Aging (Great Falls)
Area X Agency on Aging (Missoula) Centers in Alberton, Arlee, Condon, Florence, Frenchtown, Missoula and Seeley Lake provide a variety of meal programs, transportation, information & referral, care management, Ombudsman, and advocacy services.
Specialized Intervention Services – Western Montana Chapter (Missoula) Community based organization strives to protect and promote the health and welfare of persons with disabilities and the elderly in Flathead, Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, and Lincoln Counties. It has affiliations with the local Area Agencies on Aging in each of these counties. Programs include: Carrier Alert Program, Guardianship Program, Gatekeeper Program, Conservatorship Program, Financial Institution Training, and Representative Payee Program.
Belgrade Senior Friendship Center Bozeman Senior Center Belmont Senior Center (Butte) Manhattan Senior Center Prairie County Senior Citizens Programs (Terry) Three Forks Senior Citizen Club West Yellowstone Senior Center Yellowstone County Council on Aging (Billings) Centers in Billings, Broadview, Custer, Huntley, Laurel, and Worden provide Ombudsman services, Caregiver Support, Bookkeeping, Minor Home Repair, Meal Programs, and Transportation services (in Billings, Custer & Laurel).
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (Aging Life Care) A geriatric care manager is a health and human services professional, such as a gerontologist, nurse, social worker, or psychologist with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. Geriatric care managers work privately with older adults and their families to create a plan of care that meets the needs of the older adult.
National Center for Assisted Living
National Center for Senior Transportation is administered by Easter Seals and National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Provides resources for aging/human service providers; transportation providers; and for older adults & caregivers.
National Hispanic Council on Aging
National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) serves as advocate for the nation’s estimated 296,000 American Indian and Alaska Native elders. NICOA strives to better the lives of the nation’s indigenous seniors through advocacy, employment training, dissemination of information, and data support.
National Institute of Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases Provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of the bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, and hyperparathyroidism.
National Osteoporosis Foundation. Provides information for patients and professionals on preventing and treating osteoporosis.
National Resource Center on Native American Aging Based at the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health, the National Resource Center works closely with the local service providers throughout the nation to address the needs of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian elders.
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
Northern Montana Hospital – Senior Connections (Havre) is a health promotion outreach program geared specifically for the senior age group. Services are offered in surrounding communities within a 100-mile radius of NMH’s multi-level health care facility.
Northwest Research and Education Institute facilitates clinical and applied research, provides continuing medical education for physicians and other healthcare professionals, and coordinates community health education programs.
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives. Web site has a section for seniors.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities.
Regional Access Mobility Program (RAMP) of Montana is a nonprofit charitable organization which builds interior and exterior wheelchair ramps and other accommodations for accessibility. Services include installing grab bars, widening doors, installing accessible cabinets, installing stair lifts and elevators, and modifying electrical and plumbing systems.
Resource, Support & Development, Inc. (RSD) is based in Billings and operates the Billings Senior Activity Program for adults with developmental disabilities.
Rural Caregivers Comprehensive site features resource materials, caregiver organizations, disability organizations, diagnosis-specific organizations, support groups, state and regional resources, and resources on finances, living arrangements, accessibility, and emergency preparedness.
Senior Living Assistance and Caregiver’s Network provides information on assisted living, nursing homes, and Alzheimers care options and lets users search for resources by state, city, and zip code. The Network will rate facilities by soliciting information from residents and family members to use in conjunction with licensure reports. The site also includes a list of the worst nursing homes (by number of licensure infractions) in the U.S. Background information on each state and maps augment other information.
Senior Housing What you Need to Know booklet discusses what to consider in making housing decisions for yourself or a family member, and provides resources.
Spring Meadow Resources (Helena) A senior day program is available for people aging with developmental disabilities. The Creative Activities Program is a component of the Day Programs for all adults with disabilities, along with a blind/low vision component, and the community volunteers component.
Take Charge Challenge Developed by the New Mexico Office on Disability and Health, this inclusive 10-week physical activity program helps participants determine their own goals, participate in activities of their choice and receive rewards for meeting their goals.
United We Ride is a program of the Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), an interdepartmental council that coordinates a variety of federal programs funding transportation for older Americans, people with disabilities and persons with lower incomes. CCAM’s United We Ride Internet website includes information on transportation-focused grant opportunities, state activities, resources, and strategies for coordinating transportation across agencies. A newsletter is also available.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are designed so people can easily fit physical activity into their daily plan and incorporate activities they enjoy. The guidelines are based on the first thorough review of scientific research about physical activity and health in more than a decade. Guidelines are grouped by the following: children and adolescents, adults, older adults, pregnant women, adults with disabilities, and people with chronic medical conditions.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Aging Initiative provides a variety of factsheets on how the environment affects aging individuals and ways to respond. Materials are available in several languages and in low-literacy versions.