Resources

Crisis Intervention

Call 911 immediately if you are worried about your safety or the safety of a loved one.   911 can be called for physical as well as psychological issues. You can also call 911 and request a “wellness check” by a police officer if you are unable to reach your elder by phone and you are worried they may have fallen or otherwise hurt themselves in the home.

Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas – Serving Clallam, Kitsap, and Jefferson Counties

Kitsap Mental Health Services – Crisis Response Team and help for adults dealing with mental illness or a mental health crisis

Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force – help with domestic violence

Suicide Prevention Hotline – list of local Washington hotlines for 24/7 help

Veterans Crisis Line – suicide prevention and crisis support for veterans, active duty personnel, and families/loved ones

Washington Recovery Help Line – 24 hour help for substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental illness

Health and Disability

ALS Association – Evergreen Chapter supporting people and loved ones living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Alzheimers Association Washington Chapter – Information, resources, and support.

American Cancer Society – Information, Resources, and Support

American Diabetes Association – Information, Resources, and Support

American Heart Association – Info and Resources

American Lung Association – Information, Resources, and Support

Bright Focus Foundation – Information on Alzheimer’s, Macular Degeneration, & Glaucoma

Cancer Care – Comprehensive website offering help and support for patients, caregivers, and loved ones dealing with cancer

Chemo Care – Information on specific chemotherapy medications, including known side effects, drug interaction information

Lung Cancer Alliance – National organization devoted to research, information, advocacy, and support for those dealing with lung cancer.

Medline Plus — Medical Encyclopedia

National Alzheimer’s Association – Information, resources, and support.

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation – Research & Education Center

Washington State Parkinson’s Association – programs to support health and wellness for patients living with Parkinson’s

Family

4th Angel – Patient and Caregiver Mentoring Program for People with Cancer

Caregiver Support Programs through DSHS in Washington State – Information, resources, and help for caregivers in Washington.

Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County – Offering mediation services to families when power struggles prevent clear decision making

Growth House – Education and resources for compassionate care, including a quiet music radio channel for relaxation and care of the sick

Kitsap County Family Caregiver Support Program – Support for unpaid family caregivers, including a drop in Support Center open M-F from 11am to 2pm

VA Caregiver Support – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Program for caregivers of veterans

Financial

Benefits Checkup – National Council on Aging – find benefit programs to help pay for medications, health care, food, and more

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly

Healthwell Foundation – Financial help with medical expenses when insurance is not enough

Kitsap Community Resources Veterans’ Assistance Program – financial help for veterans in Kitsap, including help with rent, energy & utilities, food, transportation, medical and prescription costs, burial costs, and more

Needy Meds – Online portal for finding help with the cost of medicine and some medical supplies

Partnership for Prescription Assistance – Onine portal for finding help with the cost of medicine

Housing

Center for Excellence in Assisted Living – Multi-agency resources for people residing in Assisted Living.

Housing Kitsap – Help with housing issues, including home rehabilitation financial assistance programs

Medicare – Website to Search for Skilled Nursing Facilities

Local Resources

Aging and Long-Term Support Administration – help with long term care, kinship care, in-home care, and more

Aging Options – professional services to preserve quality of life available throughout the Puget Sound Region

Kitsap Community Resources – Help for low-income Kitsap Community residents, including housing and energy assistance and veteran’s assistance

Kitsap County Aging & Long Term Care – WA State Area Agency on Aging (AAA) provides case management for Medicaid funded community services

Northwest Center for Creative Aging – Offers programs for engaging adults in vital and inspired living as they age

State of Washington government website – info for Washington’s aging elders

Washington Pioneer Network – Facilitating transformation in the culture of aging in the 21st century

National Resources on Aging

Administration on Aging – US Dept. of Health and Human Services

Aging Life Care Association – Mothership for Aging Life Care Managers

Aging With Dignity – goal to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and to promote better care for those near the end of life

Alliance for Aging Research — general aging research and information

American Association of Retired Persons – National organization supporting retired people

American Geriatrics Society — General information and advocacy site

American Health Care Association – Long term and post acute care providers advocating quality care and services for frail, elderly, and disabled individuals

American Society on Aging – Advancing knowledge on behalf of aging adults

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services – official US Government site

Elder Care Online – internet community of elder caregivers

Family Caregiver Alliance – National Center on Caregiving

The National Council on Aging – Improving the health and economic security of older adults

National Family Caregivers Association – education and peer support

National Institute of Health’s National Institute on Aging – Excellent resources, online information, and free publications on aging including Alzheimer’s and dementia.

NIH Senior Health- health and wellness information – Health and wellness information for seniors.

US Dept of Health & Human Services – Healthy aging, managing health conditions, care planning, and resources for older Americans.

US Department of Veterans Affairs – Veterans guide to geriatric services

Advocacy

Geriatric Mental Health Foundation – Support, information, and resources on mental health disorders affecting elders.

Medicare Rights Center – nonprofit consumer services organization

National Alliance for Caregiving – Advancing family caregiving through research, innovation and advocacy.

National Association for Homecare and Hospice – Advocacy, education, and information for home care and hospice providers.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – Advocating quality cancer care for all individuals touched by cancer.

Supportive Care Matters – a public awareness campaign sponsored by The Partnership for Palliative Care

The Coalition to Transform Advanced Illness Care (C-TAC) – Dedicated to comprehensive, high quality, person and family-centered care.

End-of-Life

Education in Palliative and End-of-lifeCare – resources for professionals as well as curriculum for caregivers

End of Life Washington- formerly Compassionate Choices – resource for exploring various end of life options including death with dignity

Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest – Initiative of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) and the Washington State Medical Assciation (WSMA)

Hospicenet – A general information resource on hospice

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization – Leading and mobilizing social change for improved care at the end-of-life.

Washington Hospice and Palliative Care Organization promoting quality compassionate end-of-life care

Washington State Medical Association understanding Advance Directives

Washington State Medical Association identifying choices for treatment at end of life

We Honor Veterans – a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with theDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Legal

American Bar Association – National association of American lawyers, often provides free legal guidance for people dealing with serious illness

National Association of Elder Law Attorneys – Improving legal services to people as they age and people with special needs.

US Living Will Registry– electronic storage for advanced directives

Washington Law Help – Northwest Justice Project offers free legal services for low income individuals