This gateway to government information and services for seniors and those who work on their behalf is the product of a government-wide initiative. Users can visit the site to receive an estimate of their Social Security benefits and verify benefits they have received, compare Medicare options, buy stamps and track packages, find federal agencies, or review annotated online resources for a variety...

Written by Jenny Schuetz for Harvard University's Working Paper series and as part of the Joint Center for Housing Studies, this 112-page work explores the future of assisted living developments throughout the United States. For those unfamiliar with the notion of assisted living, these facilities offer a "combination of housing, supportive services, and personal care that enables frail seniors to...

Brought to the Web by the National Council on the Aging (NCOA), with assistance from a number of national organizations and companies, this new site is designed to help seniors become aware of benefits they may not be receiving. According to NCOA, millions of seniors do not collect the foodstamps or SSI income to which they are entitled or do not participate in Medicaid, though they are eligible....

The National Academy Press (NAP) has provided the Internet community access to a prepublication copy of the book Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America. Recent research has shown that between one and two million Americans age 65 or older have been abused and mistreated by someone (either a relative or caregiver) responsible for their care and/or protection....

What can one expect in an assisted living facility? It can be hard to evaluate their seemingly bucolic surroundings based solely on their websites and promotional literature. The team at Frontline teamed up with Pro Publica to craft this well-done documentary on the assisted living industry in the United States. Visitors can watch the entire 53 minute documentary online or explore the site's...

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine recently launched NIHSeniorHealth.gov, a website developed from NIA research on older adults, cognitive aging, and computer usage. This easy-to-use website "makes aging-related health information easily accessible for adults 60 and older" and serves as "a useful tool for family members and friends who are seeking online...

A joint effort of the National Institute on Aging and the Administration on Aging, the Resource Directory for Older People offers annotated links for close to 300 organizations and agencies that provide information or assistance to the elderly. Designed to serve the needs of older people, their families, professionals who work with the elderly, and librarians, the directory is browseable by...

The Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a Web page. It contains information about AoA and its programs, information about resources for practitioners, statistical information on the aging, and information for consumers (older persons and their families) including how to obtain services and electronic booklets on aging related issues. It also includes a link...

The United States Census Bureau periodically issues brief reports highlighting research based on the latest Census; this particular report deals with the changing demographics of the older foreign-born population in the United States. Based on a random sample of 57,000 households, the 19-page report contains information about socioeconomic characteristics of this cohort, including marital status,...