Friends of the
Encino-Tarzana
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Where to Turn for Senior Assistance

by Shari Roan

Many government and private organizations offer information and assistance for seniors who want to remain in their own homes.

Supportive services programs for naturally occurring retirement communities (NORC):

• United Jewish Communities offers a description of the role of supportive services programs and a list of 40 specific communities that are part of its nationwide Aging in Place Initiative.


• Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles has information on local supportive services programs.


• Beacon Hill Village provides information on its privately funded program in Boston and offers a brochure, "The Village Concept: A Founder's Manual," on creating a NORC village.

• The American Assn. of Homes and Services for the Aging is a network of organizations that provides services for older Americans living in their own homes.


• The National Aging in Place Council offers businesses information on forming networks to serve seniors; it also provides a chapter locator and a consumer guide to aging in place.


• The Aging in Place Initiative, a joint project of Partners for Livable Communities and the National Assn. of Area Agencies on Aging, explains how to organize a network.


• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation offers guidance on building communities to meet the needs of older adults.


• The International City/County Management Assn. provides local governments with tools and practices to enhance livability for older adults: www.icma.org/aging

Aging-in-place technology and specialists:

• The National Assn. of Home Builders offers information on how to find aging-in-place specialists for home remodeling: www.nahb.org
  


• The American Assn. for Homecare suggests how to choose a home health agency: www.aahomecare.org


• The National Assn. for Home Care & Hospice offers information and a provider locator database: www.nahc.org

General resources on aging:

• The city of Los Angeles Department of Aging lists local services for the elderly and a calendar of events: www.lacity.org/doa


• The National Assn. of Area Agencies on Aging provides resources for communities on preparing for an aging population: www.n4a.org


• The AARP has information on housing, home design and care-giving: www.aarp.org


• The U.S. Administration on Aging provides resources for all aspects of aging, including various housing choices in old age, assistive technology and home remodeling: www.aoa.gov


• The International Longevity Center- USA, which educates people on how to live longer and better and advises society on how to maximize the benefits of today's age boom, offers information on care-giving and finances in old age: www.ilcusa.org


• The California Department of Aging provides a home modification fact sheet and home safety checklist: www.aging.ca.gov