We like to think that everything on the Internet is fact. That is far from the truth! Discovery Commons At Bradenton hosts various computer and Internet classes for seniors wanting or learn more about and enjoy access to the World Wide Web. The Internet is an amazing resource for researching almost anything in your life. But knowing the right places to look for information is equally important. CAPHIS, the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section of the Medical Library Association put together a list of the top senior health websites you can trust.
CAPHIS, the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section, is a section of the Medical Library Association, an association of health information professionals with more than 5,000 individual and institution members. MLA fosters excellence in the professional achievement and leadership of health sciences library and information professionals to enhance the quality of health care, education, and research.
Administration on Aging
http://aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx
Website is designed to assist older people and their caregivers to quickly obtain information on aging-related topics and government-sponsored programs. There is excellent information on elder rights, promoting a healthy lifestyle, finding state and local elder-care programs, national and state benefits and services for seniors, long-term care insurance, and caregiver support programs.
AgingCare: an Online Community for Caregivers
https://www.agingcare.com/
Online community created for caregivers of elderly parents. Includes information on the most common health problems, financial and legal matters, making choices between different housing options, and more. One can sign up for their newsletter and participate in forums and blogs on caregiving topics.
The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging
https://www.healthinaging.org
The American Geriatrics Society Foundation created this website to provide consumers and caregivers with up-to-date information on health and aging. Overseen by a team of experts on caring for older adults, HealthinAging.org’s content is based on resources that the American Geriatrics Society has developed for its professional members.
CDC’s Health Aging
http://www.cdc.gov/aging/
This Centers for Disease Control’s website has statistics and research information including the latest State of Aging and Health and State of Mental Health and Aging in America reports, information on the Healthy Brain Initiative and advance care planning and chronic disease management, and links to other articles, reports, and organizations.
The Family Caregiver Alliance
https://www.caregiver.org/
Information, services, and support for caregivers and families of persons with chronic, disabling health conditions. It offers fact sheets in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese on conditions such as dementia, Parkinson disease, and stroke. As an advocacy group it also offers statistics, public policy information, and reports. It includes caregiver advice and tips and hosts online discussion groups.
Geriatric Mental Health Foundation
http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/
The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation was established by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry to raise awareness of psychiatric and mental health disorders affecting the elderly, promote healthy aging strategies, and increase access to quality mental health care for the elderly. The website has patient information for older adults and their families, information on finding a geriatric psychiatrist, and some fact sheets in Spanish.
Healthy Aging
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-aging/MY00374
Reviewed by Mayo Clinic staff this site has very readable articles on aging, conditions that often affect older adults, and healthy living. Articles are authoritative, short and, cover topics such as sex and intimacy and anti-aging therapies that often aren’t found on other sites.
Medicare.gov
https://www.medicare.gov/
The official U.S. government website provides a wealth of information on Medicare health plans, drug coverage, and costs. It also offers tools to find whether a test, item, or service is covered and for finding doctors, providers, hospitals, plans, and suppliers. Online forms are provided for applying to the program, replacing a Medicare card, or changing an address.
MedlinePlus Seniors’ Health
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seniorshealthissues.html
Created by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), this website comprises links to reliable health information throughout the web. It provides access to the latest news, overviews of senior health issues, research, statistics, aging organizations, clinical trials, and more. Links also guide you to pre-formatted article searches on PubMed.
National Institute on Aging
https://www.nia.nih.gov/
NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life and is the primary Federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease research. Information and tips on healthy aging is included. Resources are available in both English and Spanish. Copies also are provided in PDF format where applicable. Print versions are available for online ordering. Health and aging organization database lists more than 350 national organizations that provide help to older people.
NIH Senior Health
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
This website for older adults makes aging-related health information easily accessible for those seeking reliable, easy to understand online health information. Well-illustrated and readable, it includes many short videos and links out to other sites for additional information. It also allows increases in contrast as well as size of type for easier viewing.
Discovery Commons At Bradenton is a retirement community in Florida offering Assisted Living and Memory Care to seniors. Learn more about our programs by contacting us online or giving us a call at 941.798.3727
