ASA has also worked in collaboration with CDC over the past two years to identify significant health topics of interest to journalists who write about aging-related issues. This media project initiative has combined CDC’s expertise in public health science and health promotion interventions for older adults and ASA’s ability to present scientific information in a manner that journalists from the Journalists Exchange on Aging (JEoA) can readily use for writing stories about key public health topics. Media backgrounders on eleven topics (physical activity, adult immunizations particularly influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, disability issues, DES or diethylstilbesterol, falls related injury, West Nile virus, arthritis, hospital-based infections, cardiovascular health, and oral health) are available at http://www.asaging.org/media/cdc.cfm. Materials and media background pieces will be disseminated so that local, regional, and national journalists can write about the current activities in healthy aging occurring at CDC for their hometown audiences. This project has culminated with annual presentations made by CDC scientists on the various background topics at the National Council on the Aging/American Society on Aging joint national conference since 2002.
Aging and Public Health: Other National Links www.cdc.gov/aging/orglinks.htm
Other Federal Agencies
Maine Aging Resources-General www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/resources.htm
AccessMaine.org
AccessMaine.org contains a wide variety of resources and links to useful
information for children, adults, and seniors with disabilities. Find
information on community organizations, parent and family resources,
transition planning, state-based services, health information, and national
resources. There is also a dictionary of terms and a guide to using the
internet.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
Offer older adult home-based care services, support for caregivers, senior
information counselors, meals on wheels, adult day care, child care, plus many
other services. Maine has five AAAs.
Aroostook Area Agency on Aging
Serving Aroostook County.
Eastern
Area Agency on Aging
Serving Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington, and Hancock Counties.
Senior
Spectrum
Serving Somerset, Kennebec, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties.
Seniors
Plus
Serving Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties.
Southern
Maine Area Agency on Aging
Serving York and Cumberland Counties.
Bureau of Elder and Adult Services
Serves elders and adults with disabilities. Included on this page are links to
information on the many programs the Bureau is responsible for, policy
information, and information of interest to service providers in the state.
Dirigo Pines
Dirigo Pines is a University of Maine affiliated, comprehensive Retirement
Community in Orono, Maine, with one story cottages and an Inn that includes
apartments and assisted living suites.
HealthWeb of Maine
Provides direct access to a searchable database of health data and statistics
for the State of Maine and links to other health-related information at the
state and national level.
Legal Services for the Elderly
Provides free, legal assistance to socially and economically needy Maine
residents age 60 and older.
Maine Alzheimer's Association
Raises public awareness and serves as the statewide resource on Alzheimer's
disease and related disorders by providing information, education, referral,
and support services to families and professionals.
Maine Benzodiazepine Study
A group of clinicians in Maine and elsewhere in the US and other countries who
are focusing on identifying evidenced based best practices in place of chronic
benzodiazepine dependence. NOE also provides a benzodiazepine treatment group.
Maine For ME Senior Directory
The most comprehensive listing of Maine-based senior links as well as
businesses, news, search, chat and more.
Maine Health Access Foundation
The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF), created in 2000, is the state's
largest health care foundation. MeHAF promotes affordable and timely access to
comprehensive, quality health care and seeks to improve the health of every
Maine resident. In particular, MeHAF targets projects that serve the medically
uninsured and underserved.
Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
A Swedish word, Ombudsman (pronounced om-budz-man) is a specially trained
advocate who is given authority under federal and Maine law to investigate and
resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, long-term care consumers.
Maine State Housing Authority
Oversees public housing, services to the homeless, and programs for home
buyers. Offers data and reports on Maine housing.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Opened in the fall of 1997 as the first program for Maine people, 55 and
older. Members devise the curriculum and enroll in non-credit classes taught
by peers, primarily retired faculty from USM and other institutions. OLLI
provides support for the Maine Lifelong Learning Network which includes senior
college programs around the state of Maine offering education opportunities
for Mainers over 55.
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Provides part-time community service employment assignments for persons with
low incomes who are 55 years old or older and provides community services
while promoting transition to unsubsidized employment.
Surry Music Therapy
Individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive difficulties find that
music therapy opens new channels of communication and contact. Music as
therapy brings joy, beauty, a smile and laughter as well as a calming and
nurturing effect to some clients, while providing an outlet for frustrations
for others. It helps to activate and enhance the memory and quality of life
for elderly clients.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
The major educational outreach program of the University of Maine, with
offices statewide. UMCE provides Maine people with research-based educational
programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives. Offers two documents
on aging-related issues in Maine: A Coalition for a Maine Aging Initiative
Policy Report entitled Getting Old in Maine. The report identifies the issues
affecting Maine's elders and the areas where policy action is needed. Also
available: Situation Statement—Aging in Maine.
UNE Geriatric Education Center
UNE Geriatric Education is a center that deals with geriatric and gerontology
issues. Its focus is on healthy aging and how education, training, resources,
and research can promote the healthy aging process.
Other National Aging Resources-General
www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/resources.htm
Access America for Seniors
U.S. government web site for older adults.
Alliance for Retired Americans
National organization launched in January 2001 by a national coalition of
AFL-CIO affiliated unions and community-based organizations.
Alzheimer's Association
Chicago-based volunteer group providing caregiver resources, chapter
locations, and treatment and research information.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
Association representing represents 5,600 mission-driven, not-for-profit
nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and
senior housing facilities, and community service organizations.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Nonprofit association dedicated to shaping and enriching the experience of
aging for all its members and for all Americans.
American Society on Aging
National network of professionals in the field of aging.
Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work, AGE-SW
Provides leadership and assistance to social work educational programs and
professionals in order to advocate for the integration of gerontological
content in undergraduate and graduate social work education.
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
National membership organization devoted primarily to gerontological and
geriatrics education.
CyberSeniors.org
An organization dedicated to connecting older adults to the world at their
fingertips. Teaches older adults how to use computers and access the Internet
through hands-on curriculum specifically to meet the physical needs and
learning capabilities of older students.
Elderhostel
The nation's first and the world's largest educational and travel organization
for adults 55 and over.
Gerontological Society of America
Established in 1945 to promote the scientific study of aging, to encourage
exchanges among researchers and practitioners from various disciplines related
to gerontology, and to foster the use of gerontological research in forming
public policy.
Generations United
The only national membership organization focused solely on promoting
intergenerational strategies, programs, and public policies.
Family Caregiver Alliance
This national organization provides resources to help those who care for
disabled or frail elders. Includes information on managing Alzheimer's
disease, tax issues, work and eldercare, an online support group, and much
more.
Medicare Rights Center
Not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that older adults and people
with disabilities get good, affordable health care. Offers Medicare
information for consumers and professionals.
National Aging Information Center
This service of the U.S. Administration on Aging offers searchable databases
on AoA supported materials and reports, publications, a calendar of events,
statistical resources on the aging, GAO reports related to aging issues, and
weblinks.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (NAAAA)
The umbrella organization for the 655 area agencies on aging (AAAs) and more
than 230 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S. Advocates on
behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support
services are available to older Americans.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care
Practitioners (NAPGCM)
Non-profit, professional organization of practitioners whose purpose is the
development, advancement, and promotion of humane and dignified social,
psychological, and health care for the elderly and their families through
counseling, treatment, and the delivery of concrete services by qualified,
certified providers.
National Association of Social Workers - Section on Aging
A special membership section of the National Association of Social Workers
that advocates for public policies that affect the well-being of older people,
their families, and their communities; develops collaborations with consumers
and organizations in the field of aging; encourages research to advance
knowledge and enhance practice in aging increases awareness of issues on
aging; and promotes education and training.
National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc.
National organization working to improve the quality of life for elderly
African Americans and low income minorities.
National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
Provides information and leadership on federal and state regulatory and
legislative policy development and models and strategies to improve care and
life for residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
National Council on the Aging
The nation's first association of organizations and professionals dedicated to
promoting the dignity, self-determination, well being, and contributions of
older persons.
National Hispanic Council on Aging
National membership-based organization dedicated to improving the quality of
life for Latino elderly, families, and communities through advocacy, capacity
and institution building, development of educational materials, technical
assistance, demonstration projects, policy analysis and research.
National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
The nation's nonprofit advocate for the nation's (est.) 296,000 American
Indian and Alaska Native elders. Strives to better the lives of the nation's
indigenous seniors through advocacy, employment training, dissemination of
information, and data support.
National Institute on Aging
The Federal Government's principal agency for conducting and supporting
biomedical, social, and behavioral research on the aging process and the
diseases and special problems of older people.
Older Women's League
The only national grassroots membership organization to focus solely on issues
unique to women as they age, OWL strives to improve the status and quality of
life of midlife and older women. OWL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
that accomplishes its work through research, education, and advocacy
activities conducted through a chapter network.
Strengthening Aging and Gerontology Education in Social Work (SAGE-SW)
Provides gerontology training to social work educators with the ultimate goal
of increasing the gerontology competency of all social workers in order to
meet the needs of a growing aging population.
U.S. Administration on Aging
Federal agency providing home and community-based services to millions of the
nation's vulnerable and hard-to-reach older persons through the programs
funded under the Older Americans Act.