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Additional resources can be found in each chapter of this Pathfinder. This section provides additional information for quick reference. These resources include: web site resources, links of interest, product catalogs, information about surfing the worldwide web and professional journals. These resources will provide CILs with tools to learn more about aging and resources that support the older consumer.

Part XIII: Helpful Resources and References

Surfing the Web - The Information Highway

For those of you who may be new to the Internet, one of the best tutorial websites we found is:
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/html/00start.html

It is an animated learning tool to help the user learn how to use the Internet. Some of the areas it focuses on are¹:

2. Describes Web Browsers - focuses on Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator as the two primary browsers

3. How the Web Works - what it consists of and describes the "client-server" system

5. Understanding Web Addresses - describes how your computer obtains access to sites

7. Bookmark and Favorites - teaches you how to save the addresses of sites so you can return to them quickly, without having to retype the address

8. Home Page - teaches you how to set your default home page such as for Yahoo.com or Microsoft.com, to establish your browser's start-up page

Searching

To obtain information about a particular subject, Google (www.google.com) is recognized as one of the best search engines. What is a search engine? The web definition is: "A tool that enables users to locate information on the World Wide Web. Search engines use keywords entered by users to find web sites which contain the information sought…."²

If you need more information on how to access the web, become familiar with how to access a search engine and go through the tutorial for specific training in which you need information.

For those of you who are current users of the Internet, the following are some key topic terms that can be typed into Google (www.google.com)³ to locate specific information about aging. These topics were used to collect information for this Pathfinder:

Links of Interest

AbilityHub.com - www.abilityhub.com

This website provides information on assistive technology for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This web site will direct you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers.

Benefits Checkup - www.benefitscheckup.org

BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands to find programs for people ages 55 and over to pay for some of the costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. It is a service from the National Council on Aging.

Children of Aging Parents - www.caps4caregivers.org

Children of Aging Parents is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to assist the nation's nearly 54 million caregivers of the elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population.

Comprehensive Assessment and Solution Process for Aging Residents (CASPAR) - www.ehls.com/caspar/caspar.html

CASPAR is an innovative and tested process for assessing homes and specifying modifications. It is based on the experience of Extended Home Living Services (EHLS) and developed with a Small Business Innovative Research grant from the National Institute of Health.

Drivers.com - www.drivers.com/Top_Older_Drivers.html

This site has various on-line information about driving, the environment, fuel economy, safe driving and driving behaviors, driver training courses to update skills. For the older driver, this web site provides a wealth of information about new technologies such as M.I.T.'s AgeLab's 2000 Smart VW Beetle. It has incorporated smart technology to help the older driver. It is fitted with a vision enhancement screen to reduce glare, a collision warning system, and an emergency alert system that beeps when a vehicle wanders from its lane. There are other useful devices that can help, such as corrective mirrors, raised driver seats, and pedal extensions.

Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (FHAG) - www.hud.gov/fhefhag.cfm

This document presents guidelines adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide builders and developers with technical guidance on how to comply with the specific accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

FirstGov.gov - Access for Seniors - www.FirstGov.gov

FirstGov web site provides any information you need or want to know about the U. S. government. The visitor can find a wealth of on-line information, services and resources. The visitor can search millions of web pages from federal and state governments, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Most of these pages are not available on commercial websites. FirstGov has the most comprehensive search of government anywhere on the Internet.

Grandparents Resource Center - www.grc4usa.org

The Grandparents Resource Center works with grandparents and family members to facilitate harmony, and foster intergenerational relationships, providing a broader security for the children in the family. They estimate that 1 out of every 10 children under the age of 18, is raised by a grandparent. The Center is a resource for grandparents that need assistance or guidance.

Healthfinder - www.healthfinder.gov

The Healthfinder web site provides information on various topics regarding health, prevention and wellness, illnesses, and alternative medicines. Health topics are organized relating to male, female, child or adult, parent or caregiver. Also available are resources on doctors, dentists, clinics, health insurance, Medicare, etc. Anything you want to know on a topic regarding health, this is one-stop shopping.

HousingCare.org - www.housingcare.org

This site aims to help older people make decisions about where to live, and any support or care they need. It will help you maintain, adapt or improve your home; find care or home help services; or move to retirement, or extra care housing, or to a care home. It is a partnership venture, led by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC).

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - www.hud.gov/fhe/fheacss.html

HUD provides a vast of practical information about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It contains information on modification funds, advocacy agencies, guidelines, disability rights in housing programs, accessible housing designs, model building codes and a question and answer section.

International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence - http://icadi.phhp.ufl.edu

The International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence will bring together researchers, practitioners, business leaders and people involved in aging policy to focus on these issues: smart technology; assistive technology; telehealth; home modification and universal design; transportation; injury prevention; consumer perspective and business perspective. In 2006, the conference will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Check out their web site for more information.

National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse (NAAC) - www.aptsforrent.com

The NAAC is the only national database of accessible apartments, with a registration of more than 46,000 units, covering more than 155 major metropolitan cities.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) - www.nari.org

NARI provides a guide for hiring a remodeler and lists of certified remodelers by region. Their web site includes UD articles and assistance in selecting a remodeler.

Well Spouse Foundation - www.wellspouse.org

Well Spouse is a national, not for profit membership organization which gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. They publish a bi-monthly newsletter, "Mainstay" available to their members. They work to help educate health professionals and the general public about the difficulties the caregivers face everyday. This organization has regional and annual conferences.

Journals:

Generations

Published quarterly by the American Society on Aging (ASA). According to ASA, each issue is devoted to bringing together the most useful and current information about a specific topic in the field of aging, with emphasis on practice, research and policy. Subscriptions, single copies and back issues are available through the ASA's website: www.generationsjournal.org

Journal of Applied Gerontology

It is the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society. Each issue is devoted explicitly to the application of knowledge and insights from research and practice to improvement of the quality of life of older individuals. Subscriptions are available through SAGE Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91320 or at website: www.sage.com

Assistive Technology

It is the official journal of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). The journal's purpose is to enhance communication between individuals working in all areas of assistive technology including researchers, developers, clinicians, educators and consumers. Subscriptions are available through RESNA, 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1540, Arlington, VA 22209-1903 or at their website: www.RESNA.org

We Have Moved

Part XIII:

Helpful Resources and References