Links

1. Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA). www.retiredamericans.org   For information on the 3.5 million member national Alliance (ARA), including:  its mission; how it is organized; leaders; fact sheets on aging issues; reports and studies on issues, such as social security and Medicare; resources available, membership benefits such as: health insurance, money and credit, health and well being, educational and travel services.  Check out Congressional voting records on senior and retiree issues.

2.  Hawaii State AFL-CIO.  www.hawaiiaflcio.org It is a voluntary federation of 70 Hawaii local unions whose parent international or national unions are affiliated at the national level with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).  Check out the "Bill of Rights" for all workers in Hawaii, which include:  right to join unions to bargain collectively; right to a "living wage" for their labor; right to safe and healthy working conditions; right to earn their living in an environment free from all forms of discrimination; right to a livable and secure retirement; right to participate in the political process; union community services program. 

3.  AFL-CIO.  www.aflcio.org  The AFL-CIO is a voluntary organization of 56 national and international labor unions, representing 10.5 million members including 2 million members in Working America, a new community affiliate.
Check out this website for information on national issues affecting working people and their families, including workers rights, health care, pension reform, political, human, civil and women's rights.  Lots of info on unions.

4. Hawaii State Legislature.  http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/   An easy to use official website of the State Legislature to get info such as:  status of bills and documents, Hawaii Revised Statutes, information about the House and Senate, with excellent listing of links to the governor, congressional delegation and the various state departments and agencies.

5. Hawaii Executive Office on Aging (EOA).  www.hawaii.gov/health/eoa   EOA is the designated lead agency in the coordination of a statewide system of aging and caregiver support services in the State of Hawaii, as authorized by federal and state laws. The federal Older Americans Act establishes an Aging Network and provides federal funding for elderly support services, nutrition services, preventive health services, elder rights protection, and family caregiver support services. Chapter 349 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes establishes the Executive Office on Aging as the focal point for all matters relating to older adults' needs and the coordination and development of caregiver support services within the State of Hawaii.  Check out the “Useful Websites” for more sources of information.  

6. Honolulu County Elderly Affairs Division.  www.elderlyaffairs.com/  This is the Area Agency on Aging for the City and County of Honolulu since 1973.  Check out its excellent publication “Senior Information and Assistance Handbook, 2007-2009” on line and other information available.  The Hawaii, Maui and Kauai have similar agencies and their contact numbers are listed in the EOA website, listed above.  This Division operates the Senior Helpline for help or information about senior services—just call:  768-7700.

7. Medicare.  http://www.medicare.gov/   Official website of Medicare, the federal health insurance program for most people 65 and over.

8. Social Security.  http://www.ssa.gov/   Official website of the Social Security Administration.  Info on programs for retirees, family members, survivors and persons with disabilities.

9. Information on Aging.  http://www.infoaging.org/   Info on aging, common diseases, health and life style, etc. provided by American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR).

10. NIH Senior Health.  http://www.nihseniorhealth.gov/   A good “talking” website for older adults, easy to navigate.  Topics are well organized and many topics of interest such as: falls, depression, hearing loss, Alzheimer’s, and many more.  NIH is the National Institute of Health.

11. Health Finder. http://www.healthfinder.gov/  This website “…is an award-winning Federal Web site for consumers, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services together with other Federal agencies.  Since 1997, healthfinder.gov has been recognized as a key resource for finding the best government and nonprofit health and human services information on the Internet.  healthfinder.gov links to carefully selected information and Web sites from over 1,500 health-related organizations.”

12. DHHS Health.  http://www.health.gov/    This website “…is a portal to the Web sites of a number of multi-agency health initiatives and activities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal departments and agencies.”

13. Administration on Aging (AoA).  http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/  This site provides a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of topics, programs and services related to aging. Valuable info for older individual, a caregiver, a community service provider, a researcher, or a student, provided in a user-friendly way.  For over 35 years, the AoA has provided home and community-based services to millions of older persons through the programs funded under the Older Americans Act, such as home-delivered meals programs or nutrition services in congregate settings, or transportation, adult day care, legal assistance or health promotion programs. Its National Family Caregiver Support Program provides a variety of services to help people who are caring for family members who are chronically ill or who have disabilities.

14. Eldercare Locator.  http://www.eldercare.gov/   The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging.  It is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community. Just one phone call 1-800-677-1116 week days, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) or Website visit provides an instant connection to resources that enable older persons to live independently in their communities. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.  Click here to learn more about the service.

15.  Kokua Council.  http://www.kokuacouncil.org/  Check this website for recent reports on meetings of the Council and public agencies such as Kupuna Caucus, Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place, Silver Legislature.