Web Resources on the Issue of Long Term Care
Advocates for the Aging
Citizen’s Advisory Council, IONA
IONA's Citizen Advisory Council serves as the DC Commission on Aging's Mini-Commission in Ward 3. It is composed of individuals affiliated with organizations or civic groups who share a concern for the welfare of older persons. The CAC monitors IONA programs, helps to educate the community on senior issues, and advocates on behalf of older people.
e: Byoung@iona.org
District of Columbia Long Term Care Ombudsman AARP
The Long Term Care Ombudsman program receives and investigates complaints about resident care in long-term care homes and community residence facilities, helps promote and ensure rights for residents, and gives information about long-term care/nursing homes and community facilities.
e: dcombuds@aarp.org
Families USA Foundation
Families USA is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans. Working at the national, state and community levels, we have earned a national reputation as an effective voice for health care consumers for over 15 years.
IONA Senior Services
IONA Senior Services is a nonprofit community organization in northwest Washington, DC, dedicated to enabling older people to live with dignity and independence. Through its professional staff, corps of volunteers, and close collaboration with other organizations, IONA provides services and access to programs designed to meet the needs of seniors and their families. IONA educates and advocates to achieve a deeper understanding of and a strong community commitment to seniors.
National Caucus and Center on Black Aged
The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged is the only national organization whose major focus is improving life for African American and low-income minority elderly. The late Hobart C. Jackson of Philadelphia, a nursing home professional, who was a well-respected champion of the African American elderly, founded the Caucus in 1970. Mr. Jackson and a group of concerned citizens organized The National Caucus on Black Aged to assure that the 1971 White House Conference on Aging would address the particular needs of African American elderly.
National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 25 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form the National Institute on Aging to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people. Subsequent amendments to this legislation designated the NIA as the primary federal agency on Alzheimer's disease research.
OWL: The Voice of Midlife and Older Women
OWL is a national membership organization that works to improve the status and quality of life of midlife and older women. OWL bridges the gap between women's groups and organizations representing the aging to achieve these goals. OWL has created a powerful and effective grassroots network of 58 active chapters nationwide run by women dedicated to winning economic, political, and social equity for midlife and older women. OWL members undertake national public education and advocacy campaigns, and work through forums, campaigns, and coalitions to put those issues in the public spotlight and on the legislative agenda.
Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care
Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care seeks to foster long-term changes in health care institutions to expand access to services and improve quality of care for dying people and their families.
The Alliance for Aging Research
The private, not-for-profit Alliance for Aging Research is the nation's leading citizen advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of Americans as they age. The Alliance was founded in 1986 to promote medical and behavioral research into the aging process. Since then, and as the explosion of the Senior Boom approaches, the Alliance has become the voice for Baby Boomer health by developing, implementing and advocating programs in research, professional and consumer health education and public policy.
The American Geriatric Society
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is the premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well being of all older adults. With an active membership of over 6,000 health care professionals, the AGS has a long history of effecting change in the provision of health care for older adults. In the last decade, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies and practices regarding health care for older people.
The Center for Communication and Consumer Services
The Center for Communication and Consumer Services serves as a central source for a wide variety of information on aging for older people, their families, and those who work for or on behalf of older persons. The Center for Communication and Consumer Services resources include program and policy-related materials for consumers and practitioners as well as demographic and other statistical data on the health, economic, and social conditions of older Americans.
The Gerontological Society of America
The Gerontological Society of America is a non-profit professional organization with more than 5000 members in the field of aging. GSA provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages.
The Global Action on Aging
Global Action on Aging is an international grassroots citizen group that works on issues of concern to older people. It reports on older people's needs and potential within the globalized world economy. And it advocates by, with, and for older people worldwide.
The National Coalition of National Mental Health Professionals and Consumers, Inc.
The National Coalition of Mental Health Professionals & Consumers is a national organization of professionals, consumers, and consumer advocates. The Coalition promotes a mentally healthy nation where those who suffer from mental and emotional disorders are treated fairly and humanly, where admitting to treatment for mental and emotional distress is no longer stigmatized. The coalition addresses the negative impacts of managed care on patients and professionals in mental health care by increasing distress and promoting rather than abolishing stigmas.
