Links and Resources

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer
540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000
Rockville, MD 20850
301-427-1364
http://www.ahrq.gov
The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality is a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services devoted to research on health care quality, costs, outcomes, and patient safety. AHRQ's research helps people get information on how to choose health plans, doctors, or hospitals based on their performance. You can compare options to assist you in deciding on a nursing home.  It also creates and distributes personal health guides to help individuals keep track of their health care, and improve communication with their providers through its “Questions are the Answer” campaign.   AHRQ also provides information in Spanish through the Inicio Superhéroes section of the site. Spanish speakers will find tips on ways to stay healthy, talking with their doctor, recommendations on preventive testing, help in understanding prescriptions, a glossary of medical terms, and links to other resources that provide health information in Spanish.

El Inicio Superhéroes invita a los hispanos adultos a visitar un extenso sitio web, www.ahrq.gov/superheroes. Este sitio ofrece consejos para mantenerse saludable y cómo hablar con su médico, recomendaciones sobre exámenes preventivos, ayuda para entender las recetas médicas, un cuestionario y un glosario de términos médicos, así como enlaces a otros recursos que ofrecen información sobre la salud.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Information Clearinghouse
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
877-267-2323 (toll free)
410-786-3000
Medicare Hotline: 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) (toll free)
TTY: 866-226-1819 (toll free) or 410-786-0727
http://www.cms.hhs.gov
http://www.medicare.gov
http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a division of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS administers Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP (States Child Health Insurance Programs). A special feature for caregivers is “Ask Medicare,” a section of the site specifically designed to address caregivers’ questions. Ask Medicare covers information on billing, Medicare services and care options, as well as tools to help manage caregiver stress. The site also provides links to other resources for caregivers. Medicare.gov also offers various forms and publications for download on a number of topics, including general information on programs, information on enrollment and eligibility, coverage, prescription drug plans, and reporting fraud.

Eldercare Locator
http://www.eldercare.gov
1-800-677-1116
Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. The Eldercare Locator provides contact information for local agencies, in every U.S. community, that can help older persons and their families access home and community-based services like transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services.

My Family Health Portrait
https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/fhh-web/home.action
The Surgeon General's "My Family Health Portrait" is a free internet-based tool that helps you compile and organize your family health history. The information is private; it does not go to the government. If you choose, you can share information with family members, who can add their own information. You can also send it to your personal health care practitioner. The site also has a glossary of medical terms that is easy to search.

Family Medical Leave Act
http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/
Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Family Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible employees of covered employers to take care of family medical problems or one’s own health needs. The website explains the requirements and restrictions.

The National Center on Elder Abuse
(302) 831-3525
http://www.ncea.aoa.gov
The National Center on Elder Abuse is a program of the federal Area Agency on Aging (AOA). The website offers information on the types of elder abuse, and national and state resources on elder abuse.

National Family Caregiver Support Program
Washington, DC 20201
202-619-0724
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Caregiver/index.aspx
The National Family Caregiver Support Program is a federal program run by the U.S. Administration on Aging, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. AOA supports programs funded under the Older Americans Act. Services under the National Family Caregiver Support Program are administered locally by Area Agencies on Aging and include information and referral, respite, counseling, and supplemental services. In addition to serving family caregivers of older adults aged 60 and over, the program serves grandparents caring for grandchildren under the age of 18. AOA’s site offers information related to all aspects of aging. Its “elders” and “caregivers” pages provide information and assistance on supportive services available in the community.