Federal Agencies | State Agencies | Elected Officials | Iowa Area Agencies on Aging | Care Giver

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Federal Agencies

FirstGov for Seniors
www.seniors.gov
Portal Site for Seniors to FirstGov -providing easy, one-stop access to all online U.S. Federal Government resources. FirstGov for seniors is especially developed to provide easy access to government resources especially for seniors.

2005 White House Conference on Aging
www.whcoa.gov
The White House Conference on Aging occurs once a decade to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence and economic security of current and future generations of older persons. The 2005 White House Conference on Aging occurs as the first wave of the baby boom generation prepares for retirement, creating an important opportunity to creatively assess aging in America and improve the lives of older Americans.

Administration on Aging
www.aoa.dhhs.gov
Information about the Administration on Aging and its programs for the elderly, information about resources for practitioners who serve the aged, statistical information on the aging, and information for consumers (older persons and their families) including how to obtain services for senior citizens and electronic booklets on aging related issues. It also includes a link to AoA's National Aging Information Center and extensive links to other aging related Web resources.

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov
The official web site of the Social Security Administration with information on retirement, disability, survivors and supplemental security income benefits.

Medicare
www.medicare.gov
A consumer beneficiary Website that provides access to information about Medicare, Medicare health plans, contact information and publications, as well as information about health care fraud and abuse and nursing homes.

Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov
The home page for the Department of Veterans Affairs provides links to veterans benefits and services, as well as information and resources for other Departmental programs and offices.

National Institute on Aging
www.nih.gov/nia
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) website has health information and more about the work of NIA researchers and the community of scientists engaged in aging research. For the general public, they offer consumer-oriented information on a wide range of topics important to older people and their families as well as a description of their research program.

U.S. Government Website on Identity Theft
www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
How can someone steal your identity? By co-opting your name, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. This site is maintained by the Federal Trade Commission and includes government reports and Congressional testimony, law enforcement updates, and links to other sites with helpful information about identity theft.

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State Agencies

LifeLong Links
www.lifelonglinks.org/
A resource to help you think about and plan for your needs, now and in the future. Whether you are responding to a current need or planning for the future, LifeLong Links can help you find your way through an array of choices, information, and options. In the aging community, these options are sometimes called “long-term care” or “aging in place.” In the disability community, these are “community supports” or “supports for independent living.” This Web site provides links for both populations.

Access Iowa Government
www.iowa.gov
The official website for the state of Iowa has links to state agencies as well as other information for Iowans and visitors.

Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
www.state.ia.us/elderaffairs
The Department of Elder Affairs administers a variety of programs for Iowans age 60 and older directly and in cooperation with the Area Agencies on Aging.

Senior Health Insurance Information 
Program for Iowa (SHIIP)
www.shiip.state.ia.us
The Senior Health Insurance Information Program can help you find answers to the important questions you have on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, and other health insurance issues.

Iowa Attorney General's
Consumer Protection Division www.state.ia.us/government/ag/consumer/index.html The Consumer Protection Division protects consumers from fraud and ensures fair competition in the marketplace. The Division enforces a number of laws that protect the buying public from false or misleading advertisements or sales practices and also informs the public about how to avoid becoming the victim of consumer fraud through press releases, information brochures, public speeches, and monthly Consumer Advisory newsletter columns. On this site, you can find a form to file a consumer complaint online, read or search our press releases, read or download consumer brochures, review consumer protection laws, and link to other helpful consumer sites.

Iowa Department of Human Services
www.dhs.state.ia.us
Information on public benefit programs for Iowans: Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA)
www.state.ia.us/government/dia
DIA is the state agency responsible for inspection of all Chapter 135C licensed health care facilities in Iowa and various Medicare/Medicaid entities. DIA also investigates complaints of substandard care or services in the entities they inspect.

Iowa Bureau of Vital Records
www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/health_statistics.asp
Iowa Bureau of Vital Records records all vital events occurring in the state such as birth, death, and marriage, and has an interstate exchange agreement with all of the other states.

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Elected Officials

Federal Officials
Congressman Leonard Boswell - Grundy, Poweshiek and Tama Counties 
www.house.gov/boswell

Congressman Bruce Braley - Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan and Butler Counties
http://braley.house.gov

Congressman Tom Latham - Chickasaw, Hardin and Marshall Counties
www.house.gov/latham

Senator Charles Grassley
www.senate.gov/~grassley

Senator Tom Harkin
www.senate.gov/~harkin

Congressional Committees
Senate Select Committee on Aging
www.senate.gov/~aging

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State Officials
Governor Thomas Vilsack
Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson
www.governor.state.ia.us/

State Legislature
www.legis.state.ia.us
Information on the Iowa General Assembly, legislation, and other information related to the legislative branch of the Iowa Government.
To find your Legislator: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/

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Iowa Area Agencies on Aging

Click here for links for Iowa Area Agencies on Aging.

National Aging Organizations

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
www.n4a.org
N4A is the umbrella organization for the 655 area agencies on aging (AAAs) and more than 230 Title VI Native American aging programs in the U.S. They operate the Eldercare Locator, a toll-free nationwide telephone service (1-800-677-1116), which helps caregivers locate services for older adults in their own communities. The Locator can also be searched on-line. N4A publishes the National Directory for Eldercare Informationwhich includes a listing for all Area Agencies on Aging, Title VI grantees and State Units on Aging

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CareGiver

Iowa Family Caregiver Support Program
www.iowafamilycaregiver.org
The Iowa Family Caregiver Support Program is a partner with the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging and provides caregivers information, emotional support, and access to local resources for your parent, spouse or friend.

Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
www.iowalegalaid.org/hotline
The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans is the first place to go to get information and advice about elder law issues. The Legal Hotline is a special project of Iowa Legal Aid that provides legal advice and other services to Iowans who are 60 or older. The Hotline’s services are free and confidential. You can get legal information and advice about most non-criminal issues.

Alzheimer's Association
www.alz.org
The Alzheimer's Association, a national voluntary health organization, provides information and services to people with Alzheimer's, caregivers, researchers, physicians, and health care professionals. Locally, the Alzheimer's Association East Central Iowa Chapter provides information and support.

Benefits CheckUp
www.benefitscheckup.org
The Benefits CheckUp is an online service of the National Council on Aging that helps older Americans, their families and friends quickly identify federal and state assistance program that may improve their quality of life. A simple online questionnaire helps determine which programs the individual may qualify for and how they might help.

Health in Aging
www.healthinaging.org  
The American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health in Aging advocates on behalf of older adults and their special needs through public education, clinical research, and public policy. The site includes Eldercare at Home: An FHA Resource for Families Giving Care at Home

National Alliance for Caregiving
www.caregiving.org  
The National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit joint venture created in 1996 to support family caregivers of the elderly and the professionals who serve them. 

Administration on Aging Caregiver Resources
www.aoa.gov/caregivers
Caregiver Resources on the Administration on Aging website. Includes Because We Care - A Guide for People Who Care.

For more information and support, visit these Web sites:
Caregiving Newsletter
National Family Caregivers Association
Well Spouse Foundation

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