Reverse Mortgages with Aloha
Senior Resources – Local And National
National Council on Aging (NCOA) - http://www.ncoa.org, (202) 470-1200
NCOA is an association of organizations and professionals dedicated to promoting the dignity, self-determination, well-being, and contributions of older persons.
National Institute on Aging (NIA) - http://www.nia.nih.gov, (301) 496-1752
NIA is one of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its Web site provides extensive consumer information, such as The Resource Directory for Older People, a database of information that includes federal and state agencies, resource centers, professional societies, private groups and volunteer programs.
National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) - http://www.nof.org, (202) 223-2226
NOF is a nonprofit, voluntary health organization focusing on osteoporosis research, education and advocacy. The Web site provides information on prevention, patient information, and locating a doctor.
The Rose Resnick LightHouse - http://www.lighthouse-sf.org, (415) 431-1481, TTY (415) 431-4572
The Rose Resnick LightHouse offers comprehensive services and serves as an advocacy agency for the blind and visually impaired.
AARP – http://www.aarp.griefandloss/support
Find a local grief support group at this page.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – http://www.aa.org
Grief & Loss Resource Center – http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/grief/grief.html
Grief Recovery - http://www.grief.net
Griefnet - http://rivendell.org
Hospice Foundation of America – http://www.hospicefoundation.org/grief.html
National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI) - http://www.nami.org
Children of Aging Parents – http://www.caps4caregivers.org, 1 (800) 227-7294
Stepfamily Association of America, Inc – http://www.saafamilies.org, 1 (800) 735-0329
Well Spouse Foundation - http://www.wellspouse.org, 1 (800) 838-0879
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers – http://www.caremanager.org, (520) 881-8008
National Association of Social Workers - http://www.maswdc.org, 1 (800) 638-8799
Adult Children of Alcoholics - http://www.adultchidlren.org, (310) 534-1815
Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc – http://www.codependents.org, P.O. Box 33577, Phoenix, AZ 85067-3577
Family Caregiver Alliance – Online Support Groups – http://www.caregiver.org, (415) 434-3388, 1 (800) 445-8106
Administration on Aging (AoA) - http://www.aoa.org, 1 (800) 677-1116
The AoA Web site contains helpful information on Caregiving, including a government-sponsored program called Eldercare Locator that finds community assistance for seniors nationwide.
Adult Care Services - http://www.aoa.gov/NAIC/Notes/adultday.html
Sponsored by AOA, this Web site provides consumer information and a national directory for adult day care services.
Aging Network Services (ANS) - http://www.ans.com, (301) 657-4329
ANS helps select a geriatric care manager to visit seniors in all areas of the country. They match up the senior care professional with skills in the area of particular need.
AARP – http://www.aarp.org, 1 (800) 424-3410
Search the sire for “caregivers” to obtain consumer information, or phone them.
American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org, 1 (800) 227-2345
American Diabetes Association – http://www.diabetes.org, 1 (800) 342-2383
Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) – http://www.caps4caregivers.org, 1 (800) 227-7294 (24-hour hotline)
CAPS was originally founded by children with aging parents.
Meals on Wheels Association of America – http://www.mealsonwheelsassn.org/, (703) 548-5558.
The Web site provides a search directory to find local Meals on Wheels organizations.
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) - http://www.nfcacares.org, 1 (800) 896-3650
NFCA supports family caregivers and publicly represents this constituency. NFCA promotes self-advocacy and self-care.
National Hospice Organization - http://www.hospiceinfo.org, 1 (800) 658-8898
This Web site contains information about the national hospice program and includes links to many other sites on this subject.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) – http://www2.aahsa.org
American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) – http://www.seniorshousing.org
Assisted Living Federation of America – http://www.alfa.org/
Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living – http://www.ccal.org
The Eden Alternative - http://www.edenalt.com/welcome.htm
Elderweb - http://www.elderweb.com
National Center for Assisted Living - http://www.ncal.org
BenefitCheckUp - http://www.benefitscheckup.org.
This is an online tool that screens for federal, state, and some local private and public benefits for adults ages 55 and over.
Campaign for Home Energy Assistance - http://www.liheap.org, (202) 429-8855, fax (202) 429-8857
This clearinghouse provides free telephone and email referrals for people who want to know where to apply for low-income energy assistance.
Directory of Crime Victim Services - http://ovc.ncjrs.org/findvictimservices.
This is a Web-enabled, online resource sponsored by the United States Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). Use the directory to locate victim services in the United States and other countries.
Family Caregiver Alliance – http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp, email info@caregiver.org, (415) 434-3388, 1 (800) 445-8106, fax (415) 434-3508
The Family Caregiver Alliance works to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. FCA has programs at national, state, and local levels to support and sustain caregiver.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) - http://www.naela.org, (520) 881-4005, fax (520) 325-7925
The NAELA searchable directory of elder law attorneys can be found online.
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) - http://www.elderabusecenter.org, email ncea@nasua.org, (202) 898-2586, fax (202) 898-2583
NCEA is a gateway to resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Web site includes a list of state elder abuse hotlines.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) – http://www.nhpco.org, (703) 837-1500, fax (703) 837-1233
NHPCO represents hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. It provides public and professional educational programs and materials to enhance understanding and availability of hospice and palliative care.
American Association of Diabetes Educators - http://www.aadenet.org, 1 (800) 338-3633
This multidisciplinary professional organization is dedicated to advancing the practice of diabetes self-management and care through education, research, and advocacy.
American Cancer Society (ACS) - http://www.cancer.org, 1 (800) 227-2345
The ACS is a nationwide community-based organization headquartered in Atlanta with state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices. The Web site provides medical information, treatment decision tools, news updates, support resources, and more.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) – http://www.diabetes.org, 1 (800) 342-2383
The ADA is the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information, and advocacy.
American Heath Association (AHA) – http://www.americanheart.org, 1 (800) 242-8721
AHA’s mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by providing education, advocacy, and publications.
American Public Health Association (APHA) – http://www.apha.org, (202) 777-2742
APHA is the largest health organization for public health professionals. It provides programs, publications, education, and advocacy. The Web site contains journals and articles on many chronic illnesses.
Arthritis Foundation (AF) – http://www.arthritis.org, 1 (800) 283-7800
The AF is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports people afflicted with more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions with advocacy, programs, services, and research.
Body Health Resources Corporation – http://www.thebody.com
This Web site is for educational purposes and offers an opportunity to ask experts questions on a variety of topics relating to HIV/AIDS.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – http://www.cdc.gov, (404) 639-3286.
CDC is the federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people.
Center for Research on Chronic Illness (CRCI) - http://nursing.unc.edu/crci, email crci@unc.edu.
CRCI’s mission is “To assist vulnerable people who are chronically ill to maximize their health.”
Chronic Illness Research Foundation – http://www.chronicillnet.org
A multimedia internet information source dedicated to chronic illnesses, providing information to a broad audience from researchers to patients.
Conill Institute for Chronic Illness (CICI) – http://www.conillinst.org, (215) 746-7267
CICI sponsors educational programs for patients and their families, employers, physicians, and other health care providers, and selected industries whose customers may have special needs.
HealingWell.com – http://www.healingwell.com
An information source for patients, caregivers, and families coping with chronic diseases with library of articles and video webcasts or chronic illnesses.
Improving Chronic Illness Care (ICIC) - http://www.improvingchroniccare.org, (206) 287-2704, fax (206) 287-2138
ICIC’s mission is to support providers caring for chronically ill patients with guidelines, specialty expertise, and information systems.
Mended Hearts, Inc – http://www.mendedhearts.org, email: info@mendedhearts.org, 1 (888) 432-7899 – information line, (214) 706-1442 national office
Affiliated with the American Heart Association, Mended Hearts partners with 460 hospitals and rehabilitation clinics to offer services to heart patients through visiting programs, support group meetings, and educational forums.
National Academy on an Aging Society -http://www.agingsociety.org, (202) 408-3375, fax (202) 842-1150
The Academy is a nonpartisan public policy institute providing information to the public.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nia.nih.gov, (301) 592-8573
A division of the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides information for patients and the pubic, health professionals, and researchers.
National Institute on Aging (NIA) – http://www.nia.nih.gov, (301) 496-1752
NIA is one of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Web site follows the efforts of the government in researching aging. They also provide extensive consumer information such as The Resource Directory for Older People, a database of information that includes federal and state agencies, resource centers, professional societies, private groups, and volunteer programs.
PBS – http://www.pbs.org, (703) 739-5000
“Who cares: Chronic Illness in America,” a PBS broadcast, appears on the Web site.
Unites States Department of Health and Human Services – http://www.jjs.gov, (877) 696-6775
Numerous articles appear on this site, including those addressing diseases and conditions, aging, and resource locators for senior housing.
American Cancer Society (ACS) – http://www.cancer.org, 1 (800) 227-2345
ACS provides extensive resources to help people quit smoking. ACS provides local chapters throughout the country.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – http://www.acsm.org/index.asp, (317) 637-9200
ACSM certifies health and fitness practitioners and provides references to local practitioners.
American Dietetic Association Nutrition & Health for Older Americans – http://www.earight.com/catlog/older.html
Offers publications specifically designed for seniors, including Nutrition & Health for Older Americans.
Fifty-Plus Fitness Association (FPFA) – http://www.50plus.org, (650) 323-6160
FPFA promotes active lifestyles for older people. FPFA publishes a newsletter, distributes books and videos, and sponsors activities such as “fun run” for seniors.
Food and Drug Administration’s Older Persons Web site – http://www.fda.gov/oc/olderpersons, 1 (888) 723-3663
This FDA Web site has numerous articles, brochures, and other publications with information for older people on a wide range of health issues, including nutrition and food safety. Selected publications are also in Spanish.
Information about sage food handling is available from the FDA hotline 1 (888) 723-3663.
The USDA Meat and Poultry hotline 1 (800) 535-4555, is also a good source.
Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) Department of Agriculture - http://www.nalusda.gov/fnic
FNIC, part of the federal government, provides information, publications, and audiovisual materials on nutrition. Resource guides on nutrition and older people, heart disease, diabetes, vegetarianism, food safety, and food labeling are available.
National Osteoporosis Foundation – http://store.yahoo.com/nof/membership.html
NOF is a key resource for people seeking up-to-date, medically sound information on the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of osteoporosis. Provides free single copies (up to five different titles) of patient/public education publications.
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) – http://www.fitness.gov, (202) 690-9000
PCPFS conducts programs, projects, and campaigns that emphasize the importance of regular physical activity, fitness, and sports participation for children, adults (including seniors),and persons with disabilities.
Ageless Design – The Alzheimer’s Store - http://www.agelessdesign.com, http://www.alzstore.com, 1 (800) 752-3238
This online store (paper catalogs are available) offers many products for ensuring the safety and dignity of people with dementia, including door alarms, medication dispensers, incontinence aids, telephone technology, and more.
Eldercare Locator - http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp, 1 (800) 677-1116
The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-base organizations that serve seniors and their caregivers.
Mayoclinic.com - http://www.mayoclinic.com
From the Web site, click on “Diseases and Conditions,” then choose “Alzheimer’s disease”.
Aging America – http://www.demko.com/aa030301.htm
The Web site contains three self-help pamphlets on aging and spirituality.
Aish.com - http://www.aish.com/spirituality, (972-2) 628-5666 – Israel (international call)
One pf the world’s largest programs that explores the question of why be Jewish, this sponsored site contains articles on spirituality.
The Catholic Health Association - http://www.chausa.org, (314) 427-2500
The Catholic Health Association sponsors senior spirituality groups in many of its parishes across the country. This site offers slide shows and video presentations of workshops on spirituality and the senior.
The Center on Aging of Union-PSCE – http://www.ttgst.ac.kr
An online annotated bibliography for approaching aging gracefully, the site focuses specifically on religion, aging, and spirituality.
Knowledgism - http://www.knowledgism.com/main/spirit.asp
A free subscription site containing articles from various authors on spirituality and knowledgism.
Science and Religion Bookstore - http://www.scienceandreligionbooks.org
An online bookstore. This site contains publications on spirituality and health.
Spiritual Eldering Institute – www.spiritualeldering.org, (303) 449-7243
A national, not-for-profit organization, the institute offers resources for seniors to maximize their lives. Tapes, workshops, and books are available.
Questia - http://www.questia.com, (713) 358-2600
Questia is the largest online library containing research on spirituality. It is a subscription site. Over 70,000 books and journals appear here and can be read online.
Caring Connections - http://www.caringinfo.org, 1 (800) 658-8898
Caring Connections is a national program to improve care at the end of life offered by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Caring Connections provides information and resources related to Caregiving and end-of-life issues, as well as a link to and the ability to print state-specific forms for advance directives.
End-of-Life Choices - http://endoflifechoices.org, 1 (800) 247-7421
End-of-Life Choices is a nonprofit organization that advocates for choice, dignity, and control at the end of life through written materials, speakers, and workshops.
Respecting Choices: An Advance Care Planning Program Different Than the Rest – http://www.gundluth.org/eolprograms
Respecting Choices is a grass-roots campaign to complete advance directives.
U.S. Living Will Registry – http://www.uslivingwillregistry.com
This Web site provides a guide to preparing advance directives with state-specific forms and a national online registry for these documents. Seniors can complete an advance directive and file their documents on the registry, where health care providers can access them. The service is free to registrants.
Estate Planning Links - http://www.estateplanninglinks.com
A helpful consumer site regarding general estate planning information.
Findlaw - http://www.findlaw.com
This site provides general information on estate planning and the opportunity to locate an attorney who specializes in estate planning.
National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys – http://the.nnepa.com
This site provides general information on estate planning and the opportunity to locate an attorney who specializes in estate planning.
NOLO-Law for All - http://www.nolo.com
This site contains broad information on estate planning, trusts, probate, wills, estate and gift taxes, and incapacity.
SmartMoney, Estate Planning Section - http://www.smartmoney.com/estate
This site includes consumer information, articles, and calculators for net worth and estate taxes.
Administration on Aging - http://www.pensionrights.org/
This site is the Administration on Aging’s center for assistance on pension issues.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
These agencies are available in essentially every community to provide low-income seniors with a variety of services, including home-delivered meals, homemaker services, care management, and caregiver support services.
Benefits Calculator - http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/calculator.html
This calculator is provided by the Social Security Administration
Benefits Checkup – http://www.benefitscheckup.org
This site identifies federal and state benefits available to seniors who provide a small amount of demographic information.
CalcCentral.com – http://www.calccentral.com/retirement.html
This page on the CalCentral site offers retirement planning calculators of many varieties.
Faith Communities
Many communities fulfill a strong social role in providing services to seniors. Churches may run adult day care programs or provide meals or shelter. Organizations such as Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Services often have some care management and companion services available for seniors.
Financial Engines – http://www.financialengines.com
Financial Engines offers a Web-based calculator that analyzes relative portfolio risk and the probability of reaching retirement financial goals with a given portfolio.
The Financial Planning Association - http://www.fpanet.org, 1 (800) 282-7526
This is the financial planning industry association’s Web site.
Internal Revenue Service - http://www.irs.gov, 1 (800) 829-1040
This government site contains information about taxation and forms that can be downloaded.
IRS.com - http://www.irs.com
This is not the IRS government site.
Medicare - http://www.medicate.gov
Medicare’s Web site offers detailed information on its programs, as well as Medicaid enrollment, qualifications, and benefits.
The Motley Fool - http://www.motleyfool.com
A great site for articles regarding a variety of financial, investment, and tax topics.
mPower Advisors, L.L.C - http://www.mpowercafe.com/
this site is sponsored by mPower Advisors, a registered investment advisor founded in 1995, which provides information on retirement planning.
National Association of Securities Dealers – http://www.nasd.com
NASD Public Disclosure Hotline 1 (800) 289-9999
Pension Rights Center - http://www.pensionrights.org, (202) 296-3776
The Pension Rights Center is the country’s only consumer organization dedicated solely to protecting and promoting the pension rights of American workers, retirees, and their families.
Schmidt Enterprises - http://www.taxsites.com
This site is a tax and accounting site directory and features an extensive list of federal guidelines to help with tax preparation.
SmartMoney.com – http://www.smartmoney.com
A free online service, Smart Money provides a magazine, newsletters, and more on various topics surrounding financial planning, including tax planning.
Supplemental Security Income - http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/
This government site provides a wealth of information on SSI, including a screening tool to determine eligibility for benefits and an online calculator to determine benefits.
TaxNewsletters – http://www.taxnewsletters.com, 1 (800) 599-7108
Access the site map for an easy search of topics regarding taxes and tax planning.
Today’s Seniors - http://www.a-guide-for-seniors.com/index.html
This site contains a variety of information on financial issues for seniors, including retirement calculators.
Center for Long-Term Care Financing - http://www.centerltc.org
The Center for Long-Term Care Financing is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring quality long-term care for all Americans.
The Kiplinger Retirement Report - http://www.kiplinger.com
This site has an overview of long-term care and some advice on purchasing long-term care insurance policies.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) - http://www.ncoa.org
Articles of interest on long-term care appear on this site. NCOA offers a paperback book, Planning for Long-Term Care ($19.00) that provides alternatives on how to finance long-term care and explores whether long-term care insurance is appropriate for an individual.
State Insurance Departments
Every state has a department of insurance that regulates insurers and assists consumers. For more information, check the government listing in your local telephone book for state’s department of insurance.
United Seniors Health Cooperative – (202) 479-6973
Department of Veterans Affairs - http://www.va.gov
This federal agency supporting American veterans operates its National Cemetery Administration, a network of national cemeteries that offer plots to military veterans.
Funeral Consumer Alliance (FCA) - http://www.funerals.org, 1 (800) 765-0107
FCA is a consumer organization dedicated to seeking meaningful, dignified, and affordable funerals. This site provides a wealth of information about funeral planning and directs consumers to local memorial societies for local information.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - http://www.ftc.gov
This federal regulatory agency protects consumers against unfair and deceptive practices and provides consumer information.
Kavod v’Nichum – http://www.jewish-funeral.org
This site, whose name translates to “honor and comfort” provides information and training about Jewish death practices.
Massachusetts Commission on End of Life Care – http://www.endoflifecommission.org/end_pages/funeral_planning.html
Consumers can find information here on funeral planning.
National Anatomical Service – 1 (800) 727-0700
This service provides information about body donations and can refer consumers to different medical and dental schools.
Social Security Administration – http://www.ssa.gov, 1 (800) 772-1213
For information on death and survivor benefits, contact your local Social Security office, call the toll-free number, or contact the agency’s Web site.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – http://www.medicare.gov, 1 (800) 633-4227
This site is geared to the general public. It offers many helpful informational tools, including “Personal Plan Finder” with community-specific Medicare plan option descriptions and comparisons; “Nursing Home Compare,” “Home Health Compare,” and “Dialysis Facility Compare,” with provider-specific quality information; “Prescription Drug and other Assistance Program” (PDAP) that contains Medicate discount drug card and drug price information at local pharmacies; “Helpful Contacts,” a roster with the contact information for Medicare’s fiscal intermediaries, carriers, DMERCs, and other state agencies; and “Participating Physician Directory” and “Supplier Directory.” The site offers most of Medicare’s beneficiary-oriented publications, including FAQs on eligibility and enrollment along with many coverage topics.
Family Kaiser Foundation - http://www.kff.org, (650) 854-9400
The Kaiser Family Foundation has an outstanding Web site with hundred of fact sheets, issue papers and program summaries related to Medicate and Medicaid.
Recommended Reading:
Aging and the Life Course, by J. Quadagno. McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Social Forces and Aging: An Introduction to Social Gerontology, 10th ed., by R. C. Atchley & A. S. Barusch. Wadsworth Publishing, 2003.
Feeling Good Handbook, David Burns, Plume Books, 1999.
Burns adapts cognitive therapy to deal with a wide range of problems. Feeling Good Handbook teaches its readers how to remove the mental obstacles that bar them from success.
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Delta Trade Paperbacks, 1990.
Kabat-Zinn is the founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
Grief Recovery Handbook, John W. James & Russell Friedman, Perennial Press, 1998.
The authors illustrate what grief is and how it is possible to recover and regain energy and spontaneity. The handbook offers grievers specific activities that help them complete the grieving process and accept loss.
Window to Window: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Rebuilding Your Life, Genevieve Davis Ginsburg, Fisher Books, 1997.
Window to Window answers the number-one question asked: “Why didn’t anyone ever tell me it would be like this?”
Caregiving Across the Life Cycle, available on the AdultCare Web site at http://www.adultcare.com
National Family Caregivers Association http://www.nfcacares.org
Eldercare 911: The Caregiver’s Complete Handbook for Making Decisions, by Susan Beerman and Judith Rappaport-Musson (2002, Amherst, NY: Prometheus).
The Gifts of Caregiving: Stories of Hardship, Hope and Healing, by Connie Goldman (2002, Minneapolis, MN: Fairview Press).
Love, Honor & Value: A Family Caregiver Speaks Out about the Choices & Challenges of Caregiving, by Suzanne Geffen Mintz (2002, Kensington, MD: National Family Caregivers Association).
CareGuide. Guide to assisted living facilities: What is an assisted living facility? http://www.careguide.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=CG_Resources&file=article&sid=882
Medline Plus, Nursing Homes,http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nursinghomes.html
The Forgetting. Alzheimer’s: Portrait of an Epidemic, by David Shenk. New York: Anchor Publishing, 2003
This is a biography of Alzheimer’s disease written by journalist and NPR commentator David Shenk.
Just the Facts and More Kit.
The Alzheimer’s Association produces these fact sheets that provide practical strategies for handling common behavior problems in Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.
Long Distance Caregiving: A Survival Guide for Far Away Caregivers, by Angela Heath, Denver, CO: American Source Books, 1996.
This handbook covers everything from support groups to care plans to financial issues involved in caring for a loved one across state and national lines.
Losing My mind-An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer’s, by Thomas De Baggio, New York: The Free Press.
This is a first-person account of the daily struggle of living with AD.
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life, by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins.
Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 2001.
This is the third edition of an invaluable resource that provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of the process of AD and tips on coping with the disease, as well as financial, legal, and housing information.
Suggested Viewing
The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer’s, 2003 video and DVD documentary, narrated by David Hyde Pierce. Available from Warner Home Video.
This film originally aired on PBS.
Caring Conversation Workbook is a workbook to help shift the focus of end-of-life planning to include discussions with family and friends and to help families advocate o a patient’s behalf. An advance directive form is also included. These publications are available from the Center for Practical Bioethics, http://www.practicalbioethics.org, 1 (816) 221-1100
Consumer’s Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning is a helpful guide published by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging. It contains information needed and questions to ask about completing an advance directive. It can be downloaded at no cost from http://www.abanet.org/aging/toolkit/tool2-lock.pdf
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness by Joanne Lynn, MD and Joan Harrold, MD 1999. New York: Oxford University Press
This book addresses various end-of-life issues. It provides information on different chronic illnesses, how to plan ahead, how to live with illness, forgoing medical treatments, and other topics.
Hard Choices for Loving People: CPR, Artificial Feeding, Comfort Measures Only and the Elderly Patient by Hank Dunn. A readable and helpful 48-page guide to end-of-life decision-making. A&A Publishers, Inc. Available on the Web at http://hardchoices.com
The Tax Adviser. This magazine published by the American Institute of CPAs offers in-depth discussions of tax strategies and rules. Although written for tax practitioners, even a novice can learn from the information and analysis.
Choosing a Medigap Policy: 2003 Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare.
Developed by the Centers for Medicate and Medicaid Services (SMS) jointly with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. For the most up-to-date version, visit http://www.medicare.gov and select “Publications”.
Call 1 (800) 633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Long-Term Care Planning, by Marilee Driscoll, foreword by Kimberly Lankford. Alpha Publishing, 2002.
Financing Long-Term Care Needs: Exploring Options and Reaching Solutions.
The Health Insurance Association of America, 2002.
How to Protect Your Family’s Life Savings from Catastrophic Illness, (5th Edition), by Harley Gordon. Financial Strategies Press, 2001.
Long-Term Care: Your Financial Planning Guide, by Phyllis R. Shelton. Kensington Publishing, 2003
The Shoppers Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, revised 2003. http://www.naic.org
When Caring Isn’t Enough: Meeting the Need for Long-term Care with Long-term Care Insurance, by Samuel Larry Feldman. The National LTC Network Staff, 2000.
Carlson, Lisa. Caring for Your Own Dad. Hinesburg, VT: Upper Access Publishers, 1987.
Carlson offers advice for people who want to take charge of funeral and body disposition arrangements for family members.
Mitford, Jessica. The American Way of Death, New York: Macmillian, 1982, The American Way of Death Revisited, New York: Knopf, 1998. Muckraker and longtime critic of excess in the funeral industry, Jessica Mitford discusses the technical, financial, and social customs surrounding the American funeral.
Daniel Nicolosi, Senior Loan Officer, NMLS #240914 
