There are many senior services available to help with a variety of seniors' needs. Whether you are a senior citizen yourself or the loved one or caregiver of a senior, knowledge of these services can save you time, money, and frustration. Many of these services actually provide care or aid to seniors, but some of these services provide opportunities for seniors to become more involved in their communities.
Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels provides food to low-income seniors and others in need. Food is offered on a sliding scale basis, with most people paying a couple of dollars or less per meal. Meals are delivered directly to your door, providing an additional benefit to those of limited mobility. For more information, visit Meals on Wheels online.

Medicare

Established in the 1940s, Medicare is one of America's oldest, most established senior services. It is a national insurance plan for senior citizens, offering low cost prescription plans, health treatments, and doctor's visits. The myriad of options can be difficult to navigate, but, in general, you are eligible as soon as you reach 65. If you are disabled, you are likely eligible at an even younger age. While the many different Medicare plans are confusing, the savings make it well worth the effort. Visit the Medicare website or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out which plan is right for you.

Senior Housing

Seniors now have many housing options. If living in your own home is no longer practical or desirable, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement communities, and independent facilities are all viable options. Discuss your options with family, friends, and your attorney or financial planner in order to get a broad overview of the situation.

Senior Outlook provides a searchable database of senior housing locations in America. The site also offers informative articles on what costs may be covered by Medicare and private insurance, and which ones you will likely be expected to pay yourself.

Senior Legal Matters

Unfortunately, there are individuals who prey on the weak, ill, or vulnerable. Many of these folks have set their sights on the elderly. From telephone scams to nursing home abuse, seniors fall victim to abuse on a daily basis. Luckily, there is a whole host of services designed to protect senior citizens from dishonest or abusive people. If you or a loved one has been the target of fraud or abuse, visit the following websites:

The National Center on Elder Abuse provides information, articles, and statistics about senior abuse. The site also offers a hotline you can call if you suspect abuse. To find your state-specific hotline, visit the state directory page.
The National Long Term Care Ombudsmen Resource Center advocates for the rights of those living in nursing home and assisted living facilities.
AARP provides informative articles about protecting yourself against fraud, scams, and identity theft.
Administration on Aging is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides links to free legal hotlines for people over age 60.
Senior Sites features listings of nonprofit senior housing facilities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The site also provides links to state-specific, nonprofit housing organizations.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides low-cost housing options and financial options for those who qualify. The site also offers articles about modifying your existing home to make it more appropriate for your changing needs. If you still decide to move, the site offers many articles about retirement living and senior apartments.
Finding Local Senior Services

Seniors are often unaware of all the services available to them locally. If you are a senior or the relative or friend of a senior, contact the following places in your area:

Department of Human Resources: DHR typically has a senior services division. You'll need to contact your local DHR office and then ask to speak to their social worker who tends to senior issues.
Local health department: Your county's health department can put you in touch with the local senior services department, where you can find out more about their activities and services.
Local senior center: Senior centers are found in cities throughout the U.S. Look in your local phone book for the nearest senior center or contact your local health department.
Nursing homes and churches: Nursing homes and churches are often privy to organizations within the community that provide services to senior citizens.
Activity-Oriented Services

Active seniors often long to get involved in their community, but they don't know where to begin. The following places often welcome seniors as volunteers or participants.

Schools: The foster grandparent program provides a wonderful opportunity for seniors to work with school children as teachers' helpers within the classroom and throughout the school, as needed. Seniors can contact their local schools to volunteer.
Volunteer organizations: From the Red Cross to a local arts program, there are often numerous opportunities for seniors to volunteer within their community.
Library: Many libraries depend upon their Friends of the Library organization to raise money and provide much-needed help throughout the year.
Senior citizen centers: These centers are typically open several days throughout the week and provide a place for seniors to share lunch, play games, and socialize. In many cases, transportation is provided through a federally-funded shuttle service.
Changing Needs

Finally, whether you are a senior or know someone who is, keep in mind that every person's needs change as he or she ages. Keep in mind that the services that best suit a senior now may become obsolete in a few years. Review needs periodically so that you can find the new services that suit your life (or the senior's life for whom you are a caregiver). With a little help from these types of organizations, the senior years can be happy and healthy ones.8a513c6f9ddf523bae5738bb32f67ed4.js" "">