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Jobs For People Age 50 & Up (Consumer-SOS)

Caskets and Burial Vaults: Protect Yourself (Florida)
Tips to consider before entering into a contract for memorial services.

Advance Directives & Other End of Life Planning (Florida)
In depth brochure on how to plan for the end.

Senior Centers (Florida)
Senior centers are highly visible focal points within their communities and offer programs and services for older individuals in five main categories: health (including mental health), social, nutritional, educational and recreational.

Elder Rights Handbook (Florida)
Section I : Getting the Help You Need
Section II : Disease Prevention & Medical Care
Section III : Caregiver & Consumer Support
Section IV : Transportation
Section V : Housing & Property Rights
Section VI : Health Insurance Programs
Section VII : Elder Rights / Abuse & Fraud
Section VIII : Safety & Emergency Services
Section IX: Life Planning / End of Life Preparations
Resource Directories

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAEP) (Florida)
Assists low-income households, with at least one person age 60 and older, when the households are experiencing a home energy emergency.
Payments are for home heating or cooling and other emergency energy-related costs during the heating (October - March) and cooling (April - September) seasons.

Elder Farmers Market Nutrition Program (Florida)
Provides low-income elders (60 and older) living in select counties with coupons that can be redeemed for locally grown, fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh-cut herbs from participating farmers' markets.

Recognize and Avoid Telemarketing Fraud (Florida)

Daily Money Management

Getting Credit When You're Over 62

Preventing Fraud & Scams (Consumer-SOS)

How To Help Older Americans Avoid Loss Of Utility Services

Government Benefits You're Entitled To
Benefits Check Up is a free, easy-to-use service that identifies over a 1000 federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. Requires you first fill out a confidential questionnaire.

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Home Matters

Directory of 55+ Housing Communities (Florida)

Elder Rights Handbook (Florida)
Section I : Getting the Help You Need
Section II : Disease Prevention & Medical Care
Section III : Caregiver & Consumer Support
Section IV : Transportation
Section V : Housing & Property Rights
Section VI : Health Insurance Programs
Section VII : Elder Rights / Abuse & Fraud
Section VIII : Safety & Emergency Services
Section IX: Life Planning / End of Life Preparations
Resource Directories

Housing, Assisted Living, and Adult Daycare (Florida)
Provide information and technical assistance to elders and community leaders about affordable housing and assisted living choices, so that everyone can age in place with dignity.

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAEP) (Florida)
Assists low-income households, with at least one person age 60 and older, when the households are experiencing a home energy emergency.
Payments are for home heating or cooling and other emergency energy-related costs during the heating (October - March) and cooling (April - September) seasons.

Disaster Preparedness (Florida)
Links and advice on what to do.

Making The Home Senior Friendly
Tips and links on how you can improve their safety and comfort and keep them from household injuries.

Long-Term Care & Assisted Living (Consumer-SOS)

Alternative Living Arrangements
Offers general guidance on housing options for someone you love. Everything from independent living facilities to long term care.

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Transportation

Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (Florida)
To insure the availability of efficient, cost-effective, and quality
transportation services for transportation disadvantaged persons.
See Also Help By County.

Elder Rights Handbook (Florida)
Section I : Getting the Help You Need
Section II : Disease Prevention & Medical Care
Section III : Caregiver & Consumer Support
Section IV : Transportation
Section V : Housing & Property Rights
Section VI : Health Insurance Programs
Section VII : Elder Rights / Abuse & Fraud
Section VIII : Safety & Emergency Services
Section IX: Life Planning / End of Life Preparations
Resource Directories

Older Adults, Transportation and Longevity

License Renewal Procedures For Older Drivers (All 50 States & DC)

Fact Sheets For Seniors
The Government Administration On Aging has fact sheets on almost every topic.

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Other Topics

Dealing With Death 
Articles and brochures for the dying and those close to them.

Resource Directory For Older People 
An alphabetical list of links to every resource imaginable. 

Elder Care Topics (Nolo.com)
For information on Social Security, Retirement Plans, 
Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and Managed Care, Long-Term Healthcare, Estate Planning, Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney and more.

The Death of A Spouse (Good For All States) 
Check list of who to contact and what arrangements to make after the death of your spouse.

ElderCare Locator (Finding Community Assistance For Seniors)
The Eldercare Locator can put you in touch with state and local information that enables older persons to find help
to remain independent in their own homes.

You will get information on how to locate a wide variety of services like meals, home care transportation, housing
alternative, home repair, recreation, social activities, legal and other community services. 

Community-Based Services
Finding services for older people through government, non-profit or for-profit organizations. 

Government Services For Older Adults (All 50 States & DC)
Just one or two links per state, often to the Department or Bureau of Aging.

National Institute On Aging
Has health information and research programs for older people.

Administration On Aging Quick Index Of Elderly Topics

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Health & Medical 
Medicine & Treatments
Medical Directives/Living Wills
Doctors & Health Care
Long Term Care
Insurance & Benefits (Medicaid/Medicare, etc...)

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Long-Term Care & Assisted Living 

Assisted Living

Assisted Living and Nursing Home Resident's Rights (Florida)
See also Brochures on Residents' Rights

Choosing An Assisted Living Facility (BBB)

Selecting A Geriatric Care Manager
A geriatric care manager  specializes in helping older people and their families with long-term care arrangements. GCMs often have training in gerontology, social work, nursing or counseling and know about the cost, quality and availability of services in an older person’s community. 

Assisted Living Facilities, Alzheimer's & More (50 States & DC)
Find the right retirement community, assisted living residence, Alzheimer's facility or traditional nursing homes. Learn about the different types of care and the strengths and weaknesses of each facility.

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Nursing Homes

Assisted Living and Nursing Home Resident's Rights (Florida)
See also Brochures on Residents' Rights

Long Term Care Home Page For Florida (SHINE)

CARES (Florida Medicaid Recipients Only)
The Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) program performs a federally mandated function of conducting nursing home pre-admission screening and assessment for Medicaid long term care programs. Persons who are applying for Medicaid nursing home care are assessed by either a CARES nurse or social worker, with medical review by a physician prior to approval.  Objectives of the CARES Program include the following:

• Prevention of unnecessary or premature admission to a nursing home;
• More effective coordination of an individual's medical, social and psychological needs and resulting
     level of care;
• Referral and assistance in obtaining in-home and community services to avoid nursing home care;
• and Education of the public, particularly health care providers, about less costly alternatives to long
     term care.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - (850) 414-2000
At the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' website, you can access information about health and wellness, long-term care, community-based care, projects and publications.

Elder Services Directory (Florida)
Click on the map and see resources near you.

Assisted Living Facilities, Alzheimer's & More (50 States & DC)
Find the right retirement community, assisted living residence, Alzheimer's facility or traditional nursing homes. Learn about the different types of care and the strengths and weaknesses of each facility.

The Rights of Nursing Home Patients (Not State Specific)

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Hospices

Elder Rights Handbook (Florida)
Section I : Getting the Help You Need
Section II : Disease Prevention & Medical Care
Section III : Caregiver & Consumer Support
Section IV : Transportation
Section V : Housing & Property Rights
Section VI : Health Insurance Programs
Section VII : Elder Rights / Abuse & Fraud
Section VIII : Safety & Emergency Services
Section IX: Life Planning / End of Life Preparations
Resource Directories

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - (850) 414-2000
At the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' website, you can access information about health and wellness, long-term care, community-based care, projects and publications.

Elder Services Directory (Florida)
Click on the map and see resources near you.

Death And Dying  
Links dealing with death and dying issues such as hospice and palliative care, various terminal illnesses, grief and bereavement, and healthcare decisions.

All About Hospices (Information Brochures & Links)

Dealing With Death 
Articles and brochures for the dying and those close to them.

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Other Accommodations

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - Programs and Services (800) 963-5337
Call the Elder Helpline above to find out if you or your loved ones are eligible to receive benefits and services from one or more of these programs.

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAEP) (Florida)
Assists low-income households, with at least one person age 60 and older, when the households are experiencing a home energy emergency.
Payments are for home heating or cooling and other emergency energy-related costs during the heating (October - March) and cooling (April - September) seasons.

Elder Farmers Market Nutrition Program (Florida)
Provides low-income elders (60 and older) living in select counties with coupons that can be redeemed for locally grown, fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh-cut herbs from participating farmers' markets

Elder Rights Handbook (Florida)
Section I : Getting the Help You Need
Section II : Disease Prevention & Medical Care
Section III : Caregiver & Consumer Support
Section IV : Transportation
Section V : Housing & Property Rights
Section VI : Health Insurance Programs
Section VII : Elder Rights / Abuse & Fraud
Section VIII : Safety & Emergency Services
Section IX: Life Planning / End of Life Preparations
Resource Directories

Aging RESOURCE CENTER
Administrative entity accessible through multiple entry points that provides information and referral services and "no-wrong door" access to economic and long-term care services for all elders and their families, regardless of ability to pay.

Area Agencies on Aging
The eleven partner organizations work closely with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to develop effective and efficient projects benefiting a large number of Florida's constituency of over three and a half million seniors.

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
For employment, advocacy, disabilities, etc.

Alternative Living Arrangements
Offers general guidance on housing options for someone you love. Everything from independent living facilities to long term care.

Assisted Living Facilities, Alzheimer's & More (50 States & DC)
Find the right retirement community, assisted living residence, Alzheimer's facility or traditional nursing homes. Learn about the different types of care and the strengths and weaknesses of each facility.

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Complaints

Complaints Against a Long Term Care Facility (Florida)

Elder Abuse (Florida)
Hotline, reporting regulations and advocates.

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)
Where to go when you have a problem.

Legal Aid And Pro bono Help In Florida
Select your county for a directory of links and phone numbers.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - (850) 414-2000
At the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' website, you can access information about health and wellness, long-term care, community-based care, projects and publications.

Find The AARP In Florida
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

Phone #'s For Long Term Care Ombudsmen (State By State & DC)

For More Help,
See Legal Hotlines & Help Groups

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Fraud

Consumer Fraud Against the Elderly

Find The AARP In Florida
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

For More Help, 

See Legal Hotlines & Help Groups

You can also file a complaint with Federal Trade Commission using their Online Complaint Form or by calling the Consumer Response Center: toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD: 202-326-2502. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual problems for consumers, it can act against a company if it sees a pattern of possible law violations.

For More On Preventing Scams,
See:
Consumer-SOS/Scams & Cons
Consumer-SOS/Mail & Postal Matters
Consumer-SOS/Phone Matters

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Legal Hotlines & Other Help Groups
Legal Hotlines
Where Else To Get Help

Legal Hotlines

Florida Senior Legal Helpline
Free legal help for seniors.

A To Z Complaint Guide (Florida Government & Non Profit Directory)

Legal Aid And Pro bono Help In Florida
Select your county for a directory of links and phone numbers.

AARP - (888) 687-2277
AARP is a nonprofit membership organization of person 50 and older dedicated to addressing their needs and interests.

Benefits Help: Where To Find Assistance In Florida
A-Z help with where to get assistance with food stamps, emergency cash, mortgage assistance, rent assistance, utility assistance, Medicaid. Medicare, job training, homecare for the disabled, social security benefits, veteran benefits and more.

Aging Resource Center  (Florida)
Administrative entity accessible through multiple entry points that provides information and referral services and "no-wrong door" access to economic and long-term care services for all elders and their families, regardless of ability to pay.

Area Agencies on Aging (Florida)
The eleven partner organizations work closely with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to develop effective and efficient projects benefiting a large number of Florida's constituency of over three and a half million seniors.

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
For employment, advocacy, disabilities, etc.

Legal Hotlines For Older Americans  
Free legal help for people in 
AZ, CA, DC, GA, HI, IA, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MI, MS, NH, NM, OH, PA, PR, TN, TX, WA, WV.

Other Senior Hotlines (Google)
Has South Carolina and other states not listed above.

Elderly Services In All 50 States & DC
At least one and sometimes a whole page of links relating to senior issues, advocacy groups and legal help for seniors.

Senior Legal Hotlines
There are 20 states that have them and most offer free legal telephone advice to persons over 60. The Pennsylvania and Florida Hotlines charge. Senior legal hotlines are in the following states: Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Maine, Florida, West Virginia, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, California , Hawaii, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Washington, New Hampshire and Tennessee.  

Legal Services For Older Adults (Links With Descriptions)
Lawyers, Legal Help Orgs. & Consumer Tips (National)

State Long Term Care Ombudsmen (DC & 50 States)
Names, Addresses And Phone #s. No links.
Every state has an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system. 

For More Help, See Complaints

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Where Else To Get Help

Find The AARP Office Nearest You (All 50 States & DC)

Better Business Bureaus (Links Throughout The U.S.)

Reporting Fraud & Scams

Senior Law Homepage (Brochures & Lots of Links)

Low Cost Medicines
One-stop link to thousands of low cost medicines offered through hundreds of patient assistance programs sponsored by member companies, non-member companies and government and local organizations.

Benefits Checkup
Find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Please fill out their simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones.

For More Help See, 

Complaints And
Lawyers/Courts & Self Help

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Wills, Retirement & Estates

Florida Forms for Living Wills, Health Care Surrogates, and Advanced Directives
Living Will (Florida)
Designation of Health Care Surrogate (Florida)
Donor Form (Florida)
Wallet Card about Your Advance Directive (Florida)

Retirement, Estate Planning & Social Security (Nolo.com) 
Over 80 articles on the above subjects.

See Elder Care Topics (Nolo.com)
For information on Social Security, Retirement Plans, 
Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and Managed Care, Long-Term Healthcare, Estate Planning, Healthcare Directives and Powers of Attorney and more.

See Consumer-SOS Wills, Probate & Estates
See Consumer-SOS/Retirement, Estate Planning & Social Security

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Medicine & Treatments

Health Care Report Cards-How Does Your Hospital Rate?
Rates Thousands of Hospitals, Health Care Plans, Dentists, Physicians, Hospices and more.

Healthlinkplus.org
Index of health topics grouped by subject.  Links are arranged under "Health Insurance", "General Health Information", "Alternative Medicine", "Medical Research", "Health Care Providers",  "Mental Health", and "Evaluating Health Information On the Internet".

Low Cost Medicines
One-stop link to thousands of low cost medicines offered through hundreds of patient assistance programs sponsored by member companies, non-member companies and government and local organizations.

Benefits Checkup
Find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Please fill out their simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones.

See Consumer-SOS/Medicine & Treatments

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Insurance & Benefits

Insurance & Medicare (Florida)
Includes low cost prescription drugs.

Florida Bureau of Managed Health Care
Regulates Florida HMOs,  prepaid health clinics, provider service networks and exclusive provider organizations.

Consumer-Directed Care Plus (CDC+) (Florida)
Medicaid program in Florida that gives the consumer the opportunity to hire workers and vendors to help with daily needs such as housecleaning, cooking and getting dressed. Your paid workers may even be family members or friends. In order to be eligible for CDC+, you must be receiving services from the Medicaid Aged/Disabled Adult (ADA) Waiver or the Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (TBI/SCI) Waiver.

Elder Rights Handbook (Florida)
Section I : Getting the Help You Need
Section II : Disease Prevention & Medical Care
Section III : Caregiver & Consumer Support
Section IV : Transportation
Section V : Housing & Property Rights
Section VI : Health Insurance Programs
Section VII : Elder Rights / Abuse & Fraud
Section VIII : Safety & Emergency Services
Section IX: Life Planning / End of Life Preparations
Resource Directories

Insurance Counseling & Assistance (State By State & DC)
Provides free help with questions on long-term care costs. If you are confused about Medicare coverage of nursing home services, Medicaid eligibility requirements, private Long-Term Care Insurance, or have health insurance questions, contact them for help.

Government Benefits You're Entitled To
BenefitsCheckUp is a free, easy-to-use service that identifies over a 1000 federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. Requires you first fill out a confidential questionnaire.

The Three Medi's: Medicare, Medigap, Medicaid:

Social Security Disability Secrets
Advice, FAQS and in depth answers from a former Social Security Claims Examiner. Learn how to apply, how to prepare your case and more.

Healthlinkplus.org
Index of health topics grouped by subject.  Links are arranged under "Health Insurance", "General Health Information", "Alternative Medicine", "Medical Research", "Health Care Providers",  "Mental Health", and "Evaluating Health Information On the Internet".

Long-Term Care Insurance

The Medicare Website (U.S. Gov)

Viatical Settlements (FTC)

See Long-Term Care & Assisted Living 
See Consumer-SOS/Health & Medical
See Consumer-SOS/Insurance

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Children Of Aging Parents

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - Programs and Services (800) 963-5337
Call the Elder Helpline above to find out if you or your loved ones are eligible to receive benefits and services from one or more of these programs.

Caregiver Respite Programs (Florida)
These programs offer respite services to caregivers of frail elders and those stricken with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Each program is intended to provide family caregivers a much-needed break and increase their ability to continue to care for a homebound elder without becoming ill themselves. The first priority for these programs is to serve individuals who are not currently receiving other services.

Power of Attorney (Florida)
This pamphlet is organized into eight parts: (1) About the Power of Attorney; (2) Powers and duties of an Attorney-in-fact; (3) Using the Power of Attorney; (4) Relationship of the Power of Attorney to other legal instruments; (5) Health care and the Power of Attorney; (6) Termination of the Power of Attorney; (7) Financial management and the liability of an Attorney-in-fact and (8).

Guardianship 101 (Florida)
Basics on what the law is for being a guardian.

Alzheimer's Disease Florida Resources and Advocates

Alternatives To Guardianship
Explains your various legal options with your parent to help manage their assets. From power of attorneys to living  trusts and more.

Dealing With Death 
Articles and brochures for the dying and those close to them.

Caring For The Caregiver
Resources for children who take care of their elderly parents.

Making The Home Senior Friendly
Tips and links on how you can improve their safety and comfort and keep them from household injuries.

Florida Guardianship Handbook
GUARDIANS OF THE PERSON
GUARDIANS OF THE PROPERTY
EMERGENCY GUARDIANS
GUARDIANS OF INCAPACITATED ADULTS
GUARDIANS OF PROPERTY OF MINORS
GUARDIAN EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
PLANS
INVENTORIES
ANNUAL ACCOUNTINGS
TAX RETURNS
FEES AND EXPENSES

Statewide Public Guardianship Office (SPGO) (Florida)
Provide guardianship services to persons who do not have adequate income or assets to afford a private guardian and there is no willing family or friend to serve.

Senior Companion Program (Florida)
Provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping assistance, meal preparation, companionship and advocacy. They also provide respite to caregivers of frail elders. By remaining active and contributing to their communities, Senior Companion volunteers benefit from the program along with the clients they serve. Program goals include establishing new social service roles for lower-income elder volunteers through which they maintain a sense of self-worth, improved health and mental alertness.

Housing, Assisted Living, and Adult Daycare (Florida)
Provide information and technical assistance to elders and community leaders about affordable housing and assisted living choices, so that everyone can age in place with dignity.

Florida Forms for Living Wills, Health Care Surrogates, and Advanced Directives
Living Will Form (Florida)
Designation of Health Care Surrogate Form (Florida)
Donor Form (Florida)
Wallet Card about Your Advance Directive (Florida)

_________________________________________________

ElderCare Locator (Finding Community Assistance For Seniors)
The Eldercare Locator can put you in touch with state and local information that enables older persons to find help
to remain independent in their own homes.

You will get information on how to locate a wide variety of services like meals, home care transportation, housing alternative, home repair, recreation, social activities, legal and other community services. 

Alternative Living Arrangements
Offers general guidance on housing options for someone you love. Everything from independent living facilities to long term care.

Other Helpful Articles & Brochures

Other Advocates & Resources (Florida only)

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - (850) 414-2000
At their website, you can access information about health and wellness, long-term care, community-based care, projects and publications.

Elder Services Directory (Florida)
Click on the map and see resources near you.

Benefits Help: Where To Find Assistance In Florida
A-Z help with where to get assistance with food stamps, emergency cash, mortgage assistance, rent assistance, utility assistance, Medicaid. Medicare, job training, homecare for the disabled, social security benefits, veteran benefits and more.

Aging RESOURCE CENTER
Administrative entity accessible through multiple entry points that provides information and referral services and "no-wrong door" access to economic and long-term care services for all elders and their families, regardless of ability to pay.

Area Agencies on Aging
The eleven partner organizations work closely with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to develop effective and efficient projects benefiting a large number of Florida's constituency of over three and a half million seniors.

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
For employment, advocacy, disabilities, etc.

See Long-Term Care & Assisted Living 
See Consumer-SOS/Health & Medical
See Consumer-SOS/Insurance

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Related Topics
Health & Medical
Insurance
Disabilities
Wills, Probate & Estates
Lawyers, Courts & Self Help
Scams & Cons

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