Helpful Resources For Aging & Elderly Care

We have partnered with some of our most trusted colleagues to better serve your needs. Let us help you navigate through all the challenges of senior care. In addition to the resources in the next section below, we can provide personal references for the following:

• Geriatric Care Management
• Veterans Benefits
• Social Security Benefits
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Real Estate Services
• Elderlaw & Estate Planning
• Moving/Relocation Services
• Hoarding/Organizing/Cleaning Services
• Notary Services

RESOURCES: HELPFUL LINKS

AARP A membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service. www.aarp.org/

Access Access Services is responsible for the administration of Access, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated paratransit transportation program for Los Angeles County and is committed to improving the mobility on public transit of persons with disabilities. Download the Access application form. accessla.org

ALS Association To lead the fight to cure and treat ALS through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families. www.alsa.org/

Alzheimer’s Association The leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. www.alz.org/

American Cancer Society Dedicated to helping persons who face cancer. Supports research, patient services, early detection, treatment and education. www.cancer.org/

American Diabetes Association An organization created to help prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. www.diabetes.org/

American Heart Association The mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

Arthritis Foundation A voluntary health agency covering all arthritis and related conditions. www.arthritis.org/

Autism Society of America Dedicated to raising and allocating funds to address the many unanswered questions about autism. www.autism-society.org/

California Office of the Patient Advocate Californians for Patient Care 
 promotes access to safe, quality and appropriate healthcare for all Californians. 1-888-828-0885 www.calpatientcare.org

CalPers Online Health Plan Chooser Website to help California public employees compare health plan costs, doctors, hospitals and benefits. 1-888-225-7377 (multiple languages)
 1-(877)-249-7442 (TTY). www.calpers.ca.gov

California Office of Patients’ Rights Advocacy for patients hospitalized with mental illness. 1-916-575-1610 www.disabilityrightsca.org

California Regional Centers Provides services for children with developmental disabilities. (916) 654-1690;
 (916) 654-2054 (TTY). www.dds.ca.gov/RC/RCList.cfm

Caring for Your Parents www.pbs.org/wgbh/caringforyourparents/index.html

Caregivers guide to Seniors Diabetes Care https://www.caring.com/caregivers/guide-to-senior-diabetes-care/

Center for Mental Health Services Provides information about mental health. 1-800-789-2647 www.beta.samhsa.gov/about-us

Drugwatch Awareness group that aims to educate the public about prescription/OTC drugs, medical devices, drug recalls and other health issues affecting the elderly. www.drugwatch.com

Family Caregiver Alliance Information and help for family caregivers: 
1-800-445-8106 (Spanish). www.caregiver.org (Available in Spanish, Chinese)

Harbor Regional Center Offers services and resources to persons with developmental disabilities pursuant to the Lanterman Act. www.harborrc.org/

Health Care News and Advocacy California Health Care Foundation
Research and news on health care systems and costs. www.chcf.org

Health Coverage Guide Information on health insurance for small businesses, including cost estimates, tax savings and legal rights. www.healthcoverageguide.org

Health Rights Hotline Information on choosing a health plan or medical group, understanding your benefits, and finding other health care resources www.hrh.org

H.E.L.P. A local organization in Torrance that is dedicated to helping people meet aging-related legal and care challenges. www.help4srs.org/

Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Clinics Licenses and takes complaints on hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics 
1-916-552-8700
; 1-800-236-9747. www.dhs.ca.gov

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Accredits and takes complaints on health care organizations; information on health care standards
 1-800-994-6610 (for complaints and concerns.) www.jcaho.org

Keep Safe Coalition A local organization in Torrance that helps prevent abuse and financial fraud towards seniors. www.keep-safe.org/

Lifeline The trusted medical alert service provider. www.lifelinesys.com/info

Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center Serves family caregivers of a brain impaired or frail, older adult in LA County. http://www.la4seniors.com/lcrc.htm

Medi-Cal (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, is the federal government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid (in California: Medi-Cal), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. 
1-877-267-2323;
 1-866-226-1819 (TTY) www.cms.hhs.gov

Medi-Cal (CA Department of Health Care Services) State offices for Medi-Cal (the California name for Medicaid) program providing health care for people of low income and/or costly disabilities 
1-800-541-5555 (English/Spanish); 
1-916-636-1980 (many languages); 
1-866-784-2595 (TTY) www.medi-cal.ca.gov

Medicare The official Medicare website and phone number
 1-800-MEDICARE (English/Spanish) 
1-877-486-2048 (TTY) www.medicare.gov (Spanish)

Medicare/Aging (California Health Advocates) The leading Medicare advocacy and education non-profit in California. Information on Medicare in California, Medicare Part D and other prescription drug programs, and financial aid for low-income seniors
 1-800-434-0222 (English/Spanish.) Publications only. www.cahealthadvocates.org

National Parkinson Foundation To improve the quality of life for persons with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. www.parkinson.org/

National Institute on Aging Information for seniors about aging, staying healthy, and getting health care
. 1-800-222-2225 (Spanish) 
1-800-222-4225 (TTY). www.nia.nih.gov

National Senior Citizens Law Center Advocacy for the independence and well-being of seniors with low incomes. www.nsclc.org

Opica Adult Day Care www.opica.org

Partners in Care Foundation A Multipurpose Senior Services Program that helps seniors and their families in their home. www.picf.org/

Project Angel Food In-home meal and food delivery. www.projectangelfood.com

Social Security (Medicare/SSI) (800) 772-1213 www.ssa.gov

Specialized Furniture and Medical Supplies Be Rite Medical Equipment & Supply www.beritedme.com/

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Website for the Affordable Care Act. 1-877-696-6775. www.healthcare.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs http://www.caregiver.va.gov http://www.va.gov

Wise and Healthy Aging Adult Day Care www.wiseandhealthyaging.org

Recommended Reading

Elder Care Made Easier Somers, M., 2006, Addicus Books.

How to Care for Aging Parents: A Complete Guide Morris, V., 2004, Workman Publishing.

Moving for Seniors: A Step-by-Step Workbook Morris, B., 2001, Smooth Transitions.

The Essential Guide to Caring for Aging Parents Rhodes, L., 2012. Alpha Books (Penguin Group).

Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir Chast, R., 2014. Bloomsbury USA; First Edition.