Area Resources for Seniors

• Searchable map of the region's senior care resources
• CareFlash: Free personal websites for patients and families involved in medical circumstances.
• LOA Area Agency on Aging: Provides case management, operates Meals-On-Wheels, runs “Are You Okay?” automated telephone reassurance to seniors who live alone, provides volunteer opportunities, information, advocacy and assistance. Contracts with other area agencies for services including adult day care, homemaker and personal care services, emergency transportation, counseling. 345-0451.
• Adult Care Center: Runs centers in Roanoke and Salem that provide weekday activities and health services to physically and cognitively impaired adults. Accepts Medicaid (eligibility restrictions apply), Veterans Administration benefits, some long-term health insurance; some scholarships are available. 983-1026.
• Blue Ridge Independent Living Center: Helps people with disabilities, including seniors, access services to help them live independently; can help disabled seniors access home health, home repairs/modifications and assistive devices. 342-1231.
• Roanoke Area Alzheimer's Association: Offers referrals for dementia patients and caregivers, support groups, educational programming and “respite grants” for full-time caregivers in need of a break. 345-7600.
• Carilion Center for Healthy Aging : Brings together medical teams with geriatric expertise in assessment, medicine, psychiatry, counseling, nursing and nutrition. Serves as a consultant to doctors, families and individuals. 981-7653.
• thefamilycaregiver.org: Provides information about organizations providing caregiver support, tips for family caregivers, workshops and educational campaigns.
• benefitscheckup.org: This site, a service of the National Council on Aging, provides information on more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It offers information on programs that help low-income seniors pay for everything from prescription drugs to electricity bills. You can also use the site to apply for benefits programs.
• medicare.gov: The official site for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Click on "Medicare & You 2007" to learn what Medicare covers and, perhaps more important, what it doesn't cover. Seniors and caregivers can also use this site to compare prescription drug plans and supplemental insurance policies. You can also use the site to search for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes in your area.
• National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers: NAPGCM is the primary trade group for geriatric care managers, professionals who help family members monitor and manage care for aging parents. You can use the site to search for a care manager in your area.
• Eldercare Locator: A nationwide directory of support services for older people and their caregivers.
• LongTermCareLiving.com: This site, sponsored by the National Center for Assisted Living and the American Health Care Association, provides information about assisted living, nursing homes and other types of long-term care.
• AARP: This site offers information on caregiving, housing for seniors, legal issues and driver safety. Also includes tips on hiring a home health care worker.
• 2-1-1: Phone service that refers callers to health and human service providers, including resources for seniors; operated by the Council of Community Services.