Informational and Consumer – Northwest Center for Creative Aging

Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement.

Practical Tips

5 Home Repairs Seniors Should Avoid Doing When They Are Alone: “Accidents happen, and these tasks are more likely to result in accident or injury.” From Expert Easy.
8 Ways to Beat Social Isolation & Loneliness As You Get Older: “Specific strategies recommended by the experts that will guide you through the process.” From Crossword Solver.
11 Retirement Planning Strategies for Late Starters: “Specific strategies recommended by the experts that will guide you through the process.” From Annuity.org.
Elderly Slips and Falls Guide: A guide that details why seniors are prone to slips and falls, how we can mitigate the risk, and what are the steps for the person and also their family or caregivers if it does happen. From Brown & Crouppen Law Firm.
Grants for Seniors: The volunteers who staff this non-profit site have “covered many resources in all 50 states and are now working on the biggest 200 cities to help elderly citizens easily reach benefits where they live.”
How to Apply for a Job When You’re Over 50 and Avoid Age Discrimination: A guide to positioning oneself and dealing with ageism in the employment market. From Resume.io.
Retirement Business Ideas: A list of “ideas that are suitable to maintain a relaxing and comfortable retirement without causing any extensive stress or ‘break the bank’ on your current retirement funds.” Offered by Commercial Capital Training Group.
Safety Tips for Seniors to Avoid Gun Violence: A guide we wish we didn’t need to share. From No Guns Allowed Signs.
Senior Sex Guide: A guide to “maintaining sexuality and intimacy after 60.” From The Pelvic Hub.
Senior Travel Safety and Security: A guide to everything from trip planning to medical coverage to how to stay safe on vacation. From Medicare FAQ.
Transportation for Seniors: A guide to the various options with Pros and Cons for each. Also includes a list of other transportation resources. From Senior Wing.
Transportation Options for Seniors Who Don’t Drive: A breakdown of transportation options, including the pros and cons of each option, from the Neptune Society.
We Need to Talk: Family Conversations with Older Drivers: A guidebook with useful information and questions about safety and driving we age. Presented by The Hartford/MIT AgeLab Partnership.

Consumer Guidance & Protection

25 Financial Resources for Seniors in Debt: A guide designed to help seniors in debt find financial assistance in many different forms, including: direct cash grants for food, housing, and other necessities; charitable low- or no-interest loans; free financial and employment counseling for seniors seeking work. From CreditRepair.com.
30 Common Credit Card Scams: A guide that explores such topics as how to improve your credit card security, identifying the most common scams, and what to do if you become a victim. From UpgradedPoints.
Grandfolk: A site that provides guidance on senior lifestyle, products, and services in such areas as finances, safety, health, auto, and insurance.
A Guide to Recognizing and Preventing Life Insurance Scams: Common types of life insurance scams, tips for recognizing and preventing them, what to do if you’ve been scammed, and demographics most at risk. From SelectQuote.
Senior Citizen Discount Guide: A quarterly survey of 18 categories of brands that offer seniors discounts. Put together by DealHack.
Senior Discounts: A guide to 600 stores that offer senior discounts. From Knoji, a “shopping knowledge hub where over 3 million monthly shoppers research before they buy.”
Senior’s Guide to Medicare: A detailed review of Medicare and what it covers. From SingleCare.

Consumer Safety & Product Recalls

Drug Center: An online resource for people experiencing serious side effects from drugs or medical devices.
Drug Dangers: Provides “information on a range of medications and medical devices that have serious complications.” The site is sponsored by Seeger Weiss LLP.
Recall Report: An organization “created to alert the public to the latest information on dangerous drugs and products.”
Seniors Guide to Medication Management: “Strategies for medication management for seniors to avoid medication errors.” From SingleCare.
Senior Safety Reviews: “Helpful guides, resources, tools, checklists, alerts and unbiased advice.”

Elder Abuse and Legal

Elder Law: Covers “a wide range of legal matters unique to aging and elderly Americans, such as long-term care options and elder abuse.” From FindLaw.
Emotional Support Animal Laws for Rentals: While emotional support animals are qualified for certain legal protections, they are not as extensive as those for service animals. This guide from TurboTenant provides information on the differences between them and tenant protections from the FHA.
Estate Planning in the Age of COVID-19: Information on “the proper legal documents to ensure their loved ones will be taken care of should they pass on.” From Legal Templates.
Everything You Need to Know About Nursing Home Abuse: A guide delineating the types of abuse (physical, emotional, financial, etc.), how to recognize the signs, reporting and preventing such abuse. From Levin & Perconti, Attorneys at Law.
Family Assets Senior Care Resources: “Comprehensive guides and eligibility tools for every senior care type and financial resource available to your family. Our guides cover health conditions, how to select the right care provider, and how to pay for care using Medicaid and other financial resources.”
A Guide to Spotting and Preventing Elder Abuse: A guide “for loved ones and caregivers of older adults as well as for those experiencing elder abuse.” From Premier Nursing Academy.
Nursing Home Abuse Center: A free online resource “designed to inform and encourage improvements to the status quo.” Not affiliated with any lawyer or law firm.
Nursing Home Abuse Justice: Founded “by a group of concerned advocates… this site exposes how seniors can be abused in nursing homes and why nursing homes are often responsible.”

Medical Alert Systems

Best Medical Alert Systems: Retirement Living Information Center examined 11 medical alert systems and make their recommendation for the three best choices for seniors in 2017.
Best Medical Alert System: Recommendations from Reviews.com, which investigated 23 popular medical alert providers and hand-tested 5 finalists to find their 2 top picks, both of which are also the Retirement Living Information Center’s top picks.
A Guide to Medical Alert Systems: Different types of Medical Alert Systems, where and how they work, and more. From MedicalAlert.org.
When Do I Need a Medical Alert System?: A checklist of reasons why you might want to consider getting such a system. Presented by Best Company.

Scam Protection

Common Repair Scams Targeting Seniors and How to Avoid Them: Everything from how to choose an auto repair shop and effective ways to avoid repair scams to what to do if you’ve been scammed. From Workshop Software.
Common Scams That Target the Elderly: A list of common scams and how to protect oneself from them.
How Can Seniors Avoid Fraud and What Can You Do About It?: This guide debunks “some of the methods used by con artists so that you can stay alert.” From Elite Elderly.
How to Keep Elderly Loved Ones Safe from Online Scams: Common scams, how to spot them, and what to do about them. From iReviews.
IRS Phone Scams: This guide teaches how you can detect IRS telephone scams – and what steps to take if you are targeted. From Community Tax.
Scam Protection Resource Guide: Includes scam warning signs, the most common types of fraud, how to avoid being scammed, and updates on the latest financial scams. From Birch Gold Group.
Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors: A detailed list from the National Council on Aging.

Technology: Internet

55 Ways to Save Money on Internet Safety: A guide to apps for Organization, Medical, Accessibility, Communication, Budgeting and Finance, Puzzle and Entertainment, and Fitness. Offered by WikiBuy.
Digital Money for Seniors: “A data driven guide to adjusting to the future of digital banking.” From Compare the Market.
How to Disable SSID to Hide Wi-Fi Network: “A Service Set Identifier or SSID is the name of the Wi-Fi connection which is displayed on a device when you search for nearby routers.” This article shares some warnings and some how-to’s to protect yourself. From Ivacy, a VPN provider.
How to Know If You Can Trust Your Fintech App: Short for “financial technology,” fintech refers to the application of digital tools (e.g., banking applications, web advisors) to help improve or automate the way we manage our finances. From University of Denver.
Internet Basics: A “complete guide for seniors.” From AllConnect.
Internet Safety: A guide to safe online shopping for seniors. From Sana Commerce.
Is Public Wi-Fi Safe?: Types and risks of public Wi-Fi, “Some do’s and don’t’s of connecting to public networks.” From Ivacy, a VPN provider.
Internet Terms Defined: A guide to the various internet definitions you may encounter as well as “commonly used acronyms and added in-depth explanations for some more complex terms.” From AllConnect.
Online Safety During Covid-19: A guide specifically geared to older adults. From UC Berkeley Extension.
Privacy in the Digital Age: A guide to what’s at stake and how to protect yourself. From Broadband Search.
What Is a Good Internet Speed?: A guide to evaluating internet plans and how many Mbps you need. From Verizon.
The Ultimate Internet Safety Guide for Seniors: Advice on how to protect your computer, avoiding common scams, recognizing legitimate websites and more. From Safety Detective.

Technology: General

45 Free Apps for Seniors to Promote Independence: A guide that includes suggestions about using free versions; setting up your browser; and “free and simple tweaks.” From Cool Tech Zone.
Aging in Place Technology Watch: “Market research that provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice.”
Beneficial Video Games for Seniors: Word.Tips has collected “a handy list of video games that are perfect for seniors — and other ages — to enjoy.” They also share that “the scientific community has shown increased interest in video games’ benefits to our physical and mental health.”
A Guide to Mobile Device Security and Phone Plans for Seniors: Discusses “the benefits of mobile technology for seniors, then provides practical advice for selecting a phone plan and securing a device against potential security concerns.” From Verizon.
A Guide to Smart Home Tech for the Disabled and Elderly: A guide to “smart home items that work by linking to a cloud-based setup and with your home’s online connection.” From The Reviews Insider.
Smart Tech for Seniors: A guide to “how seniors are using tech in the home, for health, and in everyday life.”
The Cell Phone Buyers Guide: A guide to the most common smartphone features. From Verizon.