Information Services
6 Powerful Ways To Help Seniors Avoid Isolation
16 Chair Exercises for Seniors & How To Get Started
9 Essential Mobile Device Apps For Senior Citizens
Building The Ultimate Reading Nook For your Home
No Annual Fee Credit Card Article From US NEWS
Medical Debt Resources: Get Help Affording and Paying for Healthcare
Older Americans Act Programs
General information on the Older Americans Act
One of the scariest things about addiction is that it can make a person do things they never thought they would — and for some, that means committing fraud.
7 Steps To Take If You’re A Victim Of Identity Theft
Information Referral
Transforming Retirement with Extended Life Options
Information on all areas of retirement life, plus recommendations & resources (PDF/162 pages)
How to be a Resilient Caregiver
A resource featuring information & resources for healthy caregiving
Social Security
Social Security Benefits, Finances and Policy Questions: A Primer
A complete guide to all facets of the Social Security program
Retirement Planner
The Social Security Administration’s resources that may be helpful as you plan for the future
Medicare
Taking the Confusion Out of Buying Medicare Supplemental Insurance
A summary of the various Medicare Supplement options available
Protect Yourself Against Medicare Fraud
How to make yourself & your loved ones safer from Medicare fraud
Stop Medicare Fraud
A joint website through the US Dept. of Health & Human Services and the US Dept. of Justice
SHIP: Get Answers & Assistance with Medicare
A statewide program that provides free and objective counseling and assistance to persons with Medicare questions or problems
Compare Medicare Insurance Plans in Your Area
A free, interactive online resource that allows you to compare insurance plans available in your area
TennCare
Tennessee Elderly and Disabled Home- and Community-Based Services Waiver (E&D HCBS)
A general overview of TennCare’s CHOICES program, helping keep seniors at home
TennCare Fact Sheet
A fact sheet providing a clear overview of the TennCare program (PDF/2 pages)
Medicaid
What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?
A basic summary of the differences between Medicare & Medicaid
Ombudsmen
About Ombudsmen
What ombudsmen do, and how they advocate for nursing-home residents
Wills / Power of Attorney
Legal Resources for the Elderly
An extensive library of legal topics relevant to senior citizens and caregivers
Financial Services
Senior and Elderly Assistance Programs
Seniors can receive help from a number of assistance programs that specialize in meeting their needs
Estate Planning: The Basics
What happens to your hard-earned savings when you need long-term care?
Tips for Seniors in Preparing their Taxes
The IRS tells you how to avoid common errors with the standard deduction for seniors
SEC: Investment Resources for Seniors
Information and links to help seniors preserve and grow their investments
Veterans
East Tennessee Veterans’ Groups
A list of East Tennessee’s veterans’ groups, including websites & contact information
Helpful Links for Veterans
A large list of topics and articles of interest to U.S. veterans
Worksheet: Long-Term Care & Support for Veterans
Helpful worksheet when considering your needs and preferences for long-term services and support
Understanding Veterans’ Benefits–A Guide for Seniors
Information on veterans’ benefits as they apply to seniors (PDF/14 pages)
Higher Education Resources for Veterans and Their Families
More than 150 resources to help student veterans and their families
National Organizations
National Organizations
A list of websites for national organizations of interest to seniors
National Nonprofit Disease Organizations
Need reliable information on a disease or condition? Here’s a list of parent organizations
Housing & Long-Term Care
Senior Housing Options
An overview of senior living options & how to determine the right choice for you
Resolving Conflicts Over End-of-Life Care
Helpful tips for making difficult conversations a little easier
Five Reasons It’s Not Time for a Nursing Home
Think it may be time for a nursing home? Maybe. Or maybe not
HUD: Information for Senior Citizens
Financial assistance resources and guides for making the right housing choice
Guide to Long-Term Care in Tennessee
A publication that covers all aspects and options in long-term care (PDF/62 pages)
Protect Yourself From the Three Biggest Types of Homebuyer Fraud
Nursing Homes
Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home
Medicare’s official guide to evaluating & selecting a nursing facility.
Nursing Home Compare
Medicare has detailed information about every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country
Nursing Home Abuse
Know the signs of nursing home abuse, and what you can do to prevent or report it
What Caregivers Should Know About Nursing Home Care
A comprehensive overview of what nursing homes offer, and how to choose and pay for them
Assisted Living
Cost of Assisted Living
How to determine your budget & locate financial assistance
Hidden Costs of Assisted Living
Hidden assisted living costs that can affect your financial planning
Assisted Living Resources in Tennessee
Assisted living facilities by city
Find Assisted Living Resources in Kingsport
Locate assisted living and senior housing facilities in Kingsport
Retirement Communities
Questions to Ask When Selecting Active Independent Living & Retirement Communities
Handy take-along booklet with checklists and room to record information when evaluating living facilities (PDF/9 pages)
Study: Best Cities to Retire in Tennessee
Check out these top cities that may be the best places for retirees to put down roots
Adult Day Services
Benefits of Adult Daycare
A general article about another option for caregivers considering adult day services
About Adult Day Care
Information about adult day services & why they may be underused by caregivers
Subsidized Housing
HUD’s Public Housing Program
HUD’s overview page on public housing, with qualification & application information
Home Modifications
Home Modifications for the Elderly
How to plan & pay for necessary home modifications
Home Modification Fact Sheet
Promoting independence and preventing accidents
Preventing Home Improvement Fraud
How to Remodel for Accessibility
Assistive Devices
The Journey Through Caregiving: Assistive Technology and Older Adults
A helpful resource to prepare caregivers to care for an elderly loved one
Mountain Region Speech and Hearing
Assisting with hearing, speech, and swallowing disorders.
Types of Assistive Technology Products
Microsoft’s overview of the types of assistive technology products that help with communication
Gadgets Lend Elderly A Helping Hand
Small changes are enough to keep seniors in homes
In-Home Services / Care
Meals on Wheels Service Can Keep Many Seniors in their Homes
How a simple community service can keep seniors in their homes
Home Care Options for Senior Citizens
An overview of services available for in-home care
TennCare: To Qualify for CHOICES
A summary of the qualification requirements needed to participate in CHOICES
Quality of Life
Social Activities for the Elderly
Ways to stay active and involved after retirement
Senior Citizens Most Involved with Social Activity Least Likely to Become Disabled
Ongoing social activities can reduce the chance of disability by half
Exercise and Physical Activity
Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging (PDF/124 pages)
Senior Centers
What You Don’t Know About Your Local Senior Center
Today’s senior centers aren’t just for card games anymore
Senior Exercise and Fitness Tips
Health benefits and practical tips to stay active for a lifetime
Senior centers have become one of the most widely used services among America’s older adults
Employment
Five helpful hints for joining or remaining in the workplace
Websites that post jobs for seniors and retirees
Church Groups
Religious Activities for the Elderly
Church ministries promote social activity, bible study & fellowship
Lifelong Learning
ETSU’s programs committed to educating adult learners
10 Inspiring Education Trends Among Senior Citizens
These educational opportunities prove you’re only as old as you feel
Arts
Art Therapy: Enhancing the Lives of Older Adults
A comprehensive guide to finding or starting an art therapy program for seniors (PDF/6 pages)
Volunteer Opportunities
Brain Benefit for Seniors Who Volunteer
Johns Hopkins researchers show that volunteering can slow brain aging
Senior Volunteering: When You’re Young at Heart
Important questions to ask if you’re considering volunteering
Connects today’s 55+ with the people and organizations that need them most
Group Travel
Research and Compare Tour Operators
A list of the most popular senior tour operators and links to their websites
Disability Air Travel Information for Seniors and Disabled
Tips for making air travel easier and more comfortable for seniors
Travel Resources for the Disabled and Handicapped
Great guide for traveling with disabled or handicapped persons
Health & Wellness
10 Essential Health Tips for Seniors
The 10 most important things you can do to stay healthy
What to expect from your body—system by system—and how to improve it
How to Exercise if You Have Limited Mobility
Healthy Eating Advice For Wheelchair-bound People
Medical Issues
Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion
The CDC highlights four of the most common causes of chronic disease
The Major Killers of Americans: Research and Prevention
A discussion of heart disease, cancer & stroke
Medication
A complete database of medications, including their usage & side effects
Support Groups
Support Groups: What They Are and What They Do
Everything you wanted to know about choosing a support group
Funerals
Helpful guidelines to help you with every detail of planning a funeral
Don’t be taken advantage of when planning a funeral. The FTC explains your consumer rights
Wellness Activities
Wellness for Older Adults in Daily Life
Improving wellness in all areas of your life (PDF/4 pages)
Programs and services that can help you stay vital and stimulated
Health Centers & Clinics
Definitions of Health Insurance Terms
A glossary of common health insurance terms (PDF/8 Pages)
What to consider when selecting a doctor
Hospitals
Medicare’s official guide to choosing the right hospital for you (PDF/28 pages)
Health Care Institutions—Types of Hospitals
A comprehensive explanation of different hospital types
Hospice Care
Common questions about hospice care and the answers you need
What Hospice Costs are Covered by Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance?
An easy-to-understand chart detailing services covered by various insurance programs
Medical Equipment & Supplies
The place to check FDA recalls on medical devices & equipment
What You Should Know if You Need Medicare-Covered Equipment or Supplies
The official Medicare guide to covered medical equipment & supplies (PDF/8 pages)
Home Health Agencies
Home Care Services: Questions to Ask
Important questions to ask before hiring a home-health agency
Medicare’s list of home healthcare terms and their definitions
Licensed Home Health Agencies by County
Tennessee’s official listing of licensed home-health agencies by county (PDF/95 pages)
Health Department
Tennessee Department of Health: What We Do
An overview of the programs & services offered through the Department of Health
Basic Needs
How to Find Resources for Seniors
An extensive list of resources for seniors, and links to websites of interest
Meals on Wheels Service Can Keep Many Seniors in their Homes
How a simple community service can keep seniors in their homes
Food Pantries
Food Bank Locator: Tennessee Food Banks
A searchable database of food banks & pantries in Tennessee
Senior Health and Nutrition: What Seniors Should be Eating
An easy-to-understand explanation of the nutrition needed to stay healthy
Meals / Soup Kitchens
An overview of the available options for free meals
Transportation
Transportation and the Elderly
The issues facing older adults who are losing their ability to drive
Safe Living
Top 10 Technology Devices for Seniors
A review of 10 technologies that can contribute to increased senior safety
Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors
The Red Cross guide to preparing for a disaster, including an important checklist (PDF/32 pages)
How to reduce the risk of crime in all areas of life
Sign up for mobile weather alerts in the counties you choose
Fraudsters continue to find new ways to separate you from your personal information and your money.
Home Safety
Improving Home Safety for Seniors
A comprehensive list of steps to improve safety within your home
A to Z Guide to Security, Saefty and Prevention
Most Important Tips to Ensure Safety of Seniors at Home
Neighborhood Safety
45 Crime Prevention Tips for Seniors
Crime safety tips to help keep you safe
The official guide to starting & maintaining a neighborhood watch program (PDF/37 pages)
Reassurance Calls
How To Find a Service To Check on Older Adults
Daily services designed to check in on seniors & verify their wellbeing
Elder Abuse
Warning signs, risk factors, prevention & help for elder abuse
Searchable Tennessee database to alert you to potentially dangerous healthcare providers
Financial Self-Defense Guide for Seniors
Know the red flags and avoid financial abuse (PDF/32 pages)
Fraud / Scams
Seniors and Telemarketing Fraud 101
A downloadable booklet outlining telephone-based fraud and how to avoid it (PDF/16 pages)
Fraud: 6 Scams Aimed at the Elderly
A quick overview of the most common scams targeted at seniors
Understanding, Identifying and Preventing Telemarketing Fraud
Most older telemarketing fraud victims don’t realize that the voice on the phone is trying to steal their money
Information on common fraud schemes, including healthcare fraud and counterfeit medications
Legal Aid
Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number
How to prevent identity theft & what to do if it occurs (PDF/4 pages)
The Legal Handbook for Tennessee Seniors
An information and reference guide by the Tennessee Bar Association (PDF/341 pages)
