AARP Dementia Resource Guide

ALZHEIMERS.GOV The official federal government website about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Managed by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health and U.S.

Dept. of Health & Human Services. AREA AGENCIES ON AGING (AAAS) AAAs were established under the Older Americans Act in 1973 as “one-stop shops” to help connect older adults with needed

services in their local communities. Your local AAA can connect you with in-home services and community services such as Meals on Wheels and other help with meals, bathing, and household

tasks; respite care including adult day programs; and training and support for family caregivers. TO FIND THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING IN YOUR COMMUNITY: LONGTERMCARE.GOV An online clearinghouse

for information and tools to plan for your or your loved one’s long-term care needs, maintained by the federal Administration for Community Living. STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE

PROGRAMS (SHIP) Every state has a SHIP agency that provides free, confidential, personalized counseling to help residents navigate the Medicare and Medicaid systems, as well as veterans’

health benefits and private insurance. These agencies are funded by state and federal grants, and not affiliated with the insurance industry. SHIP counselors can explain your health plan

options, help you understand hospital bills and Medicare notices, help identify resources for prescription drug assistance and more. NURSING HOME COMPARE A searchable database with

information on every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country, as well as home health agencies, hospitals, hospice and rehab facilities. Provides quality ratings so you

can compare the options in your area. Maintained by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. MEDICARE Provides information about the Medicare program and how to find Medicare

plans and providers. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Provides information on retirement and disability benefits, including how to sign up for Social Security. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION:

GERIATRICS AND EXTENDED CARE Provides information about long-term services and supports for older military veterans, including home-based care, VA nursing homes, and respite care. VETERANS

ADMINISTRATION: CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM Provides supports and services for individuals or families caring for veterans. Connects caregivers with local caregiver support programs for

veterans. NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) Dementia is not the same thing as mental illness, but some people with dementia may also experience some type of mental illness, such as

depression. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service that provides information and referrals for people living with mental illness, their family members and caregivers.

THE NAMI HELPLINE CAN BE REACHED MON-FRI, 10AM–10PM ET, AT: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS A nonprofit association of lawyers and organizations that provide legal services for older

adults and people with special needs. You can use its searchable database to find lawyers in your area who specialize in long-term care, power of attorney and other aging and caregiving

issues. Individual attorney fees will vary. AARP FOUNDATION BENEFITS QUICKLINK Find public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using the

AARP Foundation Benefits QuickLINK tool.