Internet Resources

Online Resources	Search Engines
Quick List of Premium Databases

Selected Web Sites - Sites for Seniors

Selected web sites are free resources available on the Internet and selected by librarians at Ramsey County Library

	Education	Minnesota Organizations
	Fitness and Exercise	National Organizations
	General Sites	News
	Housing	Prescription Drugs
	Legal Resources	Health

Education

Publications for Seniors
The US Food and Drug Administration makes available articles of interest to older adults. Topics include Arthritis, Cancer, Food Safety, Medical Treatment, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, and more.

SeniorNet
SeniorNet provides adults 50+ access to and education about computer technology and the internet.

Fitness and Exercise

Minnesota Senior Games
The games take place July 21-25, 2008 in Alexandria, MN. Event includes games plus evening social activities.

Seniors Training Advice
Explains physical changes associated with aging. Discusses benefits of regular physical activity and offers suggestions for getting started with an exercise program. Includes how-to perform exercises with illustrations.

General Sites

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Alliance for Aging Research
Devoted to improving older adults' health and independence through behavioral and medical research, this site covers health topics, research, advocacy, policy, and legislative issues with links to other age-related sites.

Elderweb
One of the first sites devoted to older adults, Elderweb contains 6,000 reviewed links to a wide range of articles including finance & law, housing & care, news, statistics, and links to regional resources.

Gray Times
This site currently lists 3500 links to sites of interest to older Minnesotans, their families and caregivers.

Infoaging.org
This site provides the latest research on the biology of aging, age-related health conditions, and healthy aging.

General Sites
This site provides links to other informative and fun sites for seniors.

Minnesota Board on Aging
Gateway to services for Minnesota seniors. Includes a wide range of services from transportation and housing options to health insurance to internet classes, all with a view toward helping seniors maintain their independence.

Housing

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Metro Paint-A-Thon
The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches will paint your house for free if you meet their guidelines. For disabled people over age 60.

Minnesota Nursing Home Inspection Reports
Provides the most recent inspection reports for most nursing homes. Some previous reports also available.

Nursing Home Compare
Compares nursing homes in your location according to your selected criteria. Offers explanations of why certain items are important when choosing a nursing home.

Senior Housing, Incorporated
Offers information on affordable housing for older adults plus information on related services. The complete listing, Senior Housing Directory, is available from Senior Housing, Inc. and is also available in the library, Ref 363.590846 S47

Legal Resources

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Crash Course in Wills and Trusts
A concise and practical guide to the law of wills and trusts.

Elder Law Answers
Provides information about legal issues facing older adults including retirement and estate planning, grandparents' rights, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, long term care planning and nursing home issues. It includes a listing of elder law attorneys.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Elder law can be complex and can encompass many different fields of law. This site offers a searchable directory of member attorneys plus lists of questions to ask before and after you hire an attorney.

Senior Law
Information for seniors and their advocates and attorneys. Includes links to Senior Law: Elder Law and Legal Resources on the Web.

Minnesota Organizations

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Meals on Wheels
Frail, homebound people may get a hot lunch delivered to their door. Special diets are available.

Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
Comprehensive site for Twin Cities residents. Offers overview of aging; housing options, caregiving tips, addresses and phone numbers of service providers including Meals on Wheels, transportation, home repair and more.

Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
Fact sheets, articles and links to information about elder abuse.

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Offers help on a wide variety of important topics to Minnesotans of all ages. Includes a link to the Office of the Ombudsman for Older Minnesotans.

Minnesota Senior Federation
Minnesota Senior Federation is the oldest & largest advocacy organization for Minnesota's older adults. This site presents topics of current interest to older Minnesotans including prescription drugs, housing, medicare justice, health care issues, employment & pension issues, and more.

Minnesota STAR Program
A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) was created by the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. Use this site to find or sell previously owned devices, find out who to contact in your area for your assistive technology needs, and locate funding for assistive technology devices.

National Organizations
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AARP
Offers a wide variety of databases providing information for seniors about all aspects of aging.

Aging Solutions
Offers advice for caregivers including daily living solutions, comprehensive checklists, and links to other eldercare sites.

BenefitsCheckUp
National Council on Aging offers an online questionnaire to help you determine the benefits you may be eligible for and tells you how to apply for them.

Caregiving.com
Offers survival guides, weekly tips, and online support groups for caregivers.

Eldercare Locator
Offers referrals to eldercare resources near you.

International Longevity Center-USA
This policy and education organization provides data on population aging, longevity, and the contributions of older adults to society. Site includes publications, links, organizational news and projects.

Medicare
Includes a participating physician directory, nursing home compare, prescription drug assistance programs, dialysis facility compare, medigap compare, supplier directory and more.

Medicare Rights
Explains Medicare benefits for all Americans. Compares Medicare plan options and provides prescription drug assistance information.

National Alliance for Caregiving
The NAC creates reports about caregivers; also fact sheets and tips for caregivers.

National Center on Elder Abuse
Describes the major types of elder abuse and their symptoms. Discusses legislation affecting elder abuse. Provides links to state & national data and surveys & reports about elder abuse. Offers suggestions for stopping abuse.

Owl - Older Women's League
OWL is a grassroots organization that focuses on issues unique to women as they age.��Issues addressed here are diverse and include how the Medicare drug benefit will affect women; how retirement affects women of color; mental health issues for older women; and more.��Includes link to the Minnesota chapter of OWL.

Social Security Online

News
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FirstGov for Seniors
The latest government news affecting senior citizens. Also provides easy access for seniors to federal government agencies.

Senior Journal
"Today's top senior citizen news" including politics, insurance, health, nutrition, and more.
The U. S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
Helps older adults track Senate bills and news of interest to them.

Prescription Drugs
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Food and Drug Administration
Provides information on prescription, generic, and over-the-counter drugs. Discusses Hot Topics, Food , Medical Devices, Biologics (vaccines, blood), Animal Feed and Drugs, and more.

MedicineNet.com
Information on prescription drugs. Includes some information on over-the-counter medicines.
RxList
Prescription drug information for consumers. Gives description of drug plus side effects and drug interactions. Gives a list of "most prescribed" drugs plus a list of new drug additions to the web site.

Health
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Alzheimers Disease.com
Provides information about Alzheimers disease for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Compares normal, age-related forgetfulness with Alzheimers. Gives suggestions for dealing with the disease.

American Academy of Audiology Consumer Resources
Information on hearing loss and purchase of hearing aids.

Arthritis Foundation
This site offers information about arthritis and over 50 related diseases. Includes information about medications and exercies.
Healthfinder
An alphabetical listing of health related topics especially for older adults.

Merck Manual
Search for health topics in the full text online version of the Merck Manual.

Macular Degeneration Network
Provides an overview of the condition. Includes a physician finder. Excellent links to other macular degeneration sites including alternative medicine, low vision aids, and diet and nutrition sites.
National Osteoporosis Foundation
Offers brief description of the condition, treatment options, and prevention suggestions. Gives tips on finding a doctor to treat osteoporosis, since no such specialty exists. Provides useful tips for living with osteoporosis.
National Stroke Association
Explains what you need to know about stroke: prevention, symptoms, emergency treatment, rehabilitation.
NIHSeniorHealth.gov
Explores health topics of interest to older adults including a section on medicine: how to take medicines safely, how medicines work, and much more.
Seniors' Health Topics
Alphabetical guide to health concerns for older adults
Us TOO
Provides information, counseling and educational meetings to assist men with prostate disease and their spouses/partners in making decisions about their treatment with confidence and support.