FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Department of Defense Funds Mesothelioma Clinical Trails

There are a number of federal agencies that fund cancer research. The most well-known is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) which is the largest institute in the National Institutes or Health as well as the largest cancer research organization in the world. NCI’s budget for fiscal year 2009 was $4.97 billion. Other federal government agencies, including other NIH Institutes and Centers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also fund cancer research. But perhaps the strangest agency in the cancer field is Department of Defense. Initially an umbrella group called the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) fought successfully to create the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP) in 1992. This was an end run around other agencies in order to get more funding specifically for breast cancer which has more funding than any other disease in the nation except AIDS. Since 1992 over $2 billion has been allocated to peer-reviewed breast cancer research through this program.<

Recently the Department of Defense (DoD) has branched out into mesothelioma research. In 2008, awarded its first research grant of $2.4 million award to Courtney Broaddus, M.D., for her work on macrophage-induced inflammation in mesothelioma. The grant was awarded as the result of a directive by the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to fund research in mesothelioma.

The DoD funding of mesothelioma research makes sense in that a common factor in asbestos exposure and the subsequent development of mesothelioma is military service. Until its ban in the 1970s, asbestos was used throughout the military and in particular in shipbuilding. It is estimated that about a third of those who die from mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos on the ships and in the shipyards of the United States Navy.

In 2009, the Department expanded the program by awarding several million dollars in funding to three research projects that focus on investigating the early detection of mesothelioma, identifying new therapeutic targets, and implementing a clinical trial on new therapy.

The funding for research on mesothelioma lags far behind that of other cancers. From 2004 to 2007, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invested less than $6 million on mesothelioma research - only 0.1 percent of its annual budget. Two comparisons put this number into perspective. Breast cancer research from the NCI alone received $685 million in 2009. And The Washington Post reports in a September 6, 2010 story that Defense Department spending on military music bands is estimated at more than $500 million a year. So it appears that it is more important to fund the blowing of brass instruments than it is to fund research for finding a cure to mesothelioma cancer that effects the lives of many who die from the desease they contracted from exposure to asbestos on the ships and in the shipyards of the US Navy.

These numbers highlight the urgent need to raise more money for mesothelioma research, which is the sole purpose of the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America.

Please click here to jump to our support page and demonstrate your concern for finding a cure to mesothelioma cancer by giving generously.

Resources for Financial Assistance to Mesothelioma Cancer Patients

Cancer imposes heavy economic burdens on both patients and their families. For many people, a portion of medical expenses is paid by their health insurance plan. For individuals who do not have health insurance or who need financial assistance to cover health care costs, resources are available, including Government-sponsored programs and services supported by nonprofit organizations. Cancer patients and their families should discuss any concerns they may have about health care costs with their physician, medical social worker, or the business office of their hospital or clinic.

Listed below are Government agencies, organizations, and programs that are designed to provide assistance for cancer patients and their families. Resources provided by individual organizations vary, and it is important to check with a specific group to determine if financial aid is currently available. Organizations that provide publications in Spanish or have Spanish-speaking staff have been identified.

Cancer Treatment

Government

  • The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care offers Health Centers that provide health care to low-income and other vulnerable populations. Health Centers care for people regardless of their ability to pay. They provide primary and preventive health care, as well as services such as transportation and translation. To locate a Health Center , visit the "Service Delivery Sites" Web page at http://www.hrsa.gov on the Internet.
  • Hill-Burton is a program through which hospitals receive construction and modernization funds from the Federal Government. Hospitals that receive Hill-Burton funds are required by law to provide a reasonable volume of services to people who cannot afford to pay for their hospitalization and make their services available to all residents in the facility's area. Information about Hill-Burton facilities is available by calling the toll-free number or visiting the Web site shown below. A brochure about the program is available in Spanish.
    Telephone: 1-800-638-0742 ( Maryland residents call 1-800-492-0359)
    Web site: http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/
  • Medicaid (Medical Assistance), a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for people who need financial assistance for medical expenses, is coordinated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). At a minimum, states must provide home care services to people who receive Federal income assistance such as Social Security Income and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Medicaid coverage includes part-time nursing, home care aide services, and medical supplies and equipment. Information about coverage is available from local state welfare offices, state health departments, state social services agencies, or the state Medicaid office. Check the local telephone directory for the number to call. Information about specific state contacts is also available on the Web site listed below. Spanish-speaking staff is available in some offices.
    Telephone: 1– 877–267–2323
    Web site: http://www.medicaid.gov/
  • Medicare is a Federal health insurance program also administered by the CMS. Eligible individuals include those who are 65 or older, people of any age with permanent kidney failure, and disabled people under age 65. Medicare is divided into two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A pays for hospital care, home health care, hospice care, and care in Medicare-certified nursing facilities. Part B covers medically necessary services, including diagnostic studies, physicians' services, durable home medical equipment, and ambulance transportation; Part B also covers screening exams for several types of cancer. To receive information on eligibility, explanations of coverage, and related publications, call Medicare at the number listed below or visit their Web site. Some publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff is available.
    Telephone: 1–800–633–4227 (1–800–MEDICARE)
    TTY: 1–877–486–2048
    Web site: http://www.medicare.gov
  • The Veterans Administration (VA) provides eligible veterans with treatment for service-connected injuries and other medical conditions. The VA offers limited medical benefits to family members of eligible veterans. The VA cancer program provides users of the veterans' health care system easy access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services. Its Web site offers cancer facts, information about care, a list of VA-designated comprehensive cancer centers, and the VA's national cancer strategy. For more information about the VA cancer program, visit the VA Cancer Web page at http://www1.va.gov/cancer/index.cfm on the Internet. Some publications are available in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff is available in some offices.
    Telephone: 1–877–222–8387 (1–877–222–VETS)
    Web site: http://www.va.gov/health/

Nonprofit Organizations

  • The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MRFA) is a national nonprofit organization with the goal of finding better treatments for this difficult cancer. It offers free information and practical help to people with mesothelioma and their loved ones, and provides funding for mesothelioma research studies. For instance, MRFA has funded all phases of clinical trials for Veglin and is currently funding the phase III Veglin clinical trials soon to begin at the USC/Norris comprehensive cancer medical center.
    Telephone: 1-800-909-MESO (6376)
    Web site: http://www.mesorfa.org
  • CancerCare is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Financial assistance is given in the form of limited grants for certain treatment expenses. Services are provided by oncology social workers and are available in person, over the telephone, and through the agency's Web site. CancerCare's reach also extends to professionals—providing education, information, and assistance. A section of the CancerCare Web site and some publications are available in Spanish, and staff can respond to calls and e-mails in Spanish. Information about financial assistance for all cancers is available at http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php on the Internet.
    Telephone: 1–800–813–4673 (1–800–813–HOPE)
    Web site: http://www.cancercare.org
  • NeedyMeds is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or health care costs. The information at NeedyMeds can be obtained anonymously and is free of charge. NeedyMeds is an information source similar to the Yellow Pages; it does not supply medications or financial assistance, but helps people find assistance programs and other available resources.
    Web site: http://www.needymeds.com/
  • The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides education, legal counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters.
    Telephone: 1–800–532–5274
    Web site: http://www.patientadvocate.org
  • The PAF's Co-Pay Relief Program provides limited payment assistance for medicine to insured patients who financially and medically qualify. For more information about the Co-Pay Relief Program:
    Telepone: 1–866–512–3861
    Web site: http://www.copays.org
  • Patient Assistance Programs are offered by some pharmaceutical manufacturers to help pay for medications. To learn whether a specific drug might be available at reduced cost through such a program, talk with a physician or a medical social worker or visit the drug manufacturer's Web site. Most pharmaceutical companies will have a section titled “patient assistance programs” on their Web site. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has information about more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs.
    Telephone: 1–888–477–2669 (1–888–4PPA–NOW)
    Web site: https://www.pparx.org

Practical Needs of Mesothelioma Cancer Patients

In addition to cancer treatments, many cancer patients need assistance paying for transportation to and from medical appointments and basic living expenses such as food and housing. Listed below are organizations dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families during and after the patient's treatment.

Government

  • Eldercare Locator is a referral service provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Eldercare Locator information specialists will link callers with state and area agencies on aging for information and referral to local agencies that provide a wide array of senior services. This service is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EST.
    Telephone: 1–800–677–1116
  • GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of Federal agencies with a shared vision to provide improved, personalized access to government assistance programs. This Web site's online screening tool is free, easy-to-use, and completely confidential. The user answers a series of questions, then the Web site generates a list of government benefit programs that the user may be eligible to receive, along with information about how the user can apply.
    Telephone: 1–800–333–4636 (1–800–FED–INFO)
    Web site: http://www.benefits.gov
  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the Government agency that oversees Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. Social Security provides monthly income for eligible elderly and disabled individuals. More information about these and other SSA programs is available by calling the toll-free number listed below. Spanish-speaking staff are available. Additional contact information for the SSA is available at http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm on the Internet.
    Telephone: 1–800–772–1213
    TTY: 1–800–325–0778
    Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is administered by the SSA and supplements Social Security payments for aged, blind, and disabled people with little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Information on eligibility, coverage, and how to file a claim is available from the SSA. The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool is available at http://ssabest.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-finder on the Internet.
    Web site: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/

Nonprofit Organizations

  • The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America (MRFA) is a national nonprofit organization with the goal of finding better treatments for this difficult cancer. It offers free information and practical help to people with mesothelioma and their loved ones, and provides funding for mesothelioma research studies. For instance, MRFA is currently funding the phase III Veglin clinical trials to soon begin at the USC/Norris comprehensive cancer medical center.
    Telephone: 1-800-909-MESO (6376)
    Web site: http://www.mesorfa.org
  • The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers programs that help cancer patients, family members, and friends cope with the treatment decisions and emotional challenges they face. To get information about these programs, call the national ACS office, or find a local ACS office by typing your location into the search boxes on the “My Local ACS Office” Web page at http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/ on the Internet. Some materials are published in Spanish. Spanish-speaking staff is available.
    Telephone: 1–800–227–2345 (1–800–ACS–2345)
    Web site: http://www.cancer.org

Hope Lodge, a temporary housing program supported by ACS, provides free, temporary housing facilities for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment. For more information about this program, or to find locations of Hope Lodges, call the ACS's toll-free number.
Telephone: 1–800–227–2345 (1–800–ACS–2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/

The Road to Recovery is an ACS service program that provides transportation for cancer patients to their treatments and home again. Transportation is provided according to the needs and available resources in the community and can be arranged by calling the toll-free number or by contacting the local ACS office.

The ACS offers Taking Charge of Money Matters, a workshop for people with cancer and their loved ones about financial concerns that may arise during or after cancer treatment, regardless of the person's health insurance coverage. The session provides an opportunity to discuss financial matters with guest speakers who are knowledgeable about financial planning. More information about this workshop is available on the ACS Web page at http://www.cancer.org/ on the Internet.

  • The National Patient Travel Helpline provides information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the national charitable medical air transportation network.
    Telephone: 1–800–296–1217
    Web site: http://www.patienttravel.org/

Other Financial Assistance Resources

In addition to the Government-sponsored programs and organizations already listed, these general resources may also be helpful:

Government

  • Some nonprofit community hospitals are able to provide care for patients in need of financial assistance. Other hospitals have indigent or charity care programs funded by state and local governments. For information about these programs, contact a hospital social worker, who will be able to explain these types of programs. Another type of assistance may be offered through your local health department. The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service may be able to provide information about local programs by phone at 1–800–4–CANCER (800 422-6237).

State and local social services agencies can provide help with food, housing, prescription drugs, transportation, and other medical expenses for those who are not eligible for other programs. Information can be obtained by contacting your state or local agency; this number is found in the local telephone directory.

  • The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can provide information about tax deductions for medical costs that are not covered by insurance policies. For example, tax deductible expenses might include mileage for trips to and from medical appointments, out-of-pocket costs for treatment, prescription drugs or equipment, and the cost of meals during lengthy medical visits. Deductible-qualified medical expenses include those incurred by the patient, spouse, and dependents. Medical expenses may also be deducted for someone who would have qualified as a dependent for the purpose of taking personal exemptions except that the person did not meet the gross income or joint return test. Nursing home expenses are allowable as medical expenses in certain instances. If the patient, a spouse, or dependent is in a nursing home, and the primary reason for being there is for medical care, the entire cost, including meals and lodging, is a medical expense. The local IRS office, tax consultants, or certified public accountants can determine whether medical costs are tax deductible.
    Telephone: 1–800–829–1040
    Web site: http://www.irs.gov

Nonprofit Organizations

Community voluntary agencies and service organizations such as the United Way of America, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and Catholic Charities may offer help. These organizations are listed in your local phone directory. Some churches and synagogues may provide financial help or services to their members.

Patients coming to the US for Mesothelioma Cancer Treatments

Some people living outside the United States may wish to have their cancer treatment in this country and require financial assistance to do so. Many facilities in the United States treat international cancer patients. These facilities may also provide support services, such as language interpretation, assistance with travel, and guidance in finding accommodations near the treatment facility for patients and their families. They might also be aware of resources that provide financial assistance to international patients.

If you live outside the United States and would like to obtain cancer treatment in this country, you should contact cancer treatment facilities directly to find out whether they have an international patient office. See our list of mesothelioma specialists for contact information (http://www.mesorfa.org). . The NCI lists contact information for designated cancer centers throughout the United States. This list is located at http://cancercenters.cancer.gov on the Internet.

For additional information about the process and requirements involved when traveling to the United States for treatment, you can review the “Finding a Treatment Facility for Patients Living Outside the United States” section of the NCI fact sheet How To Find a Doctor or Treatment Facility If You Have Cancer located at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/doctor-facility on the Internet.

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Drug Assistance Programs (Indigent Drug Programs)

Patient Assistance Programs are offered by many pharmaceutical manufacturers to help pay for medications. These programs are sometimes called Indigent Drug Programs. To learn whether a specific drug might be available at reduced cost or for free through such a program, talk with a physician or a medical social worker or visit the drug manufacturer's web site. Most pharmaceutical companies will have a section entitled “patient assistance programs” on their web site.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has information about more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs. If you have easy internet access then this website is the best place to start for getting financial assistance to pay for the drugs your doctor is recommending. You can type in the name of the drug and see right away what programs are available to you.

Telephone: 1–888–477–2669 (1–888–4PPA–NOW)
Web site: https://www.pparx.org/

At the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, you can call toll free (800) 909-Meso (6376) to talk with one of our Cancer Information Specialists (CIS) who will gladly look up the phone numbers or the web site of the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug you are using. The CIS can explain to you the process of getting the drug for free. Typically your doctor will need to sign off on the application form. You can either fill the form out online or you can print it out. The most commonly used drug for mesothelioma is doxorubicin, also called Doxil. For example, you can apply for that drug at http://www.doxiline.com.

You can also call toll free number to the pharmaceutical company to request the application form be sent to you.

Telephone Numbers of Some Pharmaceutical Companies' Assistance Programs

Company Drug Toll-free Telephone Number
Ortho Biotech Products doxorubicin (aka Doxil) 800 553-3851
Sicor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Carboplatin, Cisplatin 800 729-9991
Pfizer Camptosar, Lyrica, Motrin 866-776-3700

 

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National Organizations That Can Help

People with cancer and their families sometimes need assistance coping with the emotional as well as the practical aspects of their disease. This fact sheet includes some of the national nonprofit organizations that provide this type of support. It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all organizations that offer these services in the United States, nor does inclusion of any particular organization imply endorsement by the Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. The intent of this fact sheet is to provide information useful to individuals nationally. For that reason, it does not include the many local groups that offer valuable assistance to patients and their families in individual states or cities.

  • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    Telephone: 404–320–3333
    Toll Free: 1–800–227–2345 (1–800–ACS–2345)
    Web site: http://www.cancer.org

The ACS is a voluntary organization that offers a variety of services to patients and their families. The ACS also supports research, provides printed materials, and conducts educational programs. Staff can accept calls and distribute publications in Spanish. A local ACS unit may be listed in the white pages of the telephone directory under “American Cancer Society.”

American Cancer Society (ACS) Supported Programs:

This is both a telephone and Web-based service for cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and friends. The telephone component (1–877–333–HOPE) provides survivors and families access to pre-recorded discussions. The Web-based component offers live online chat sessions, virtual support groups, pre-recorded talk shows, and personal stories.

  • I Can Cope

I Can Cope is a patient education program that is designed to help patients, families, and friends cope with the day-to-day issues of living with cancer.

This program was developed by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association Foundation in cooperation with ACS and the National Cosmetology Association. It focuses on techniques that can help people undergoing cancer treatment improve their appearance. The entire program is also available in Spanish.

  • CancerCare, Inc.
    Telephone: 212–712–8080
    1–800–813–4673 (1–800–813–HOPE)
    212–712–8400 (administration)
    E-mail: info@cancercare.org
    Web site: http://www.cancercare.org

CancerCare is a national nonprofit agency that offers free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Services are provided by oncology social workers and are available in person, over the telephone, and through the agency's Web site. CancerCare's reach also extends to professionals—providing education, information, and assistance. A section of the CancerCare Web site and some publications are available in Spanish, and staff can respond to calls and e-mails in Spanish.

The Cancer Hope Network provides individual support to cancer patients and their families by matching them with trained volunteers who have undergone and recovered from a similar cancer experience. Such matches are based on the type and stage of cancer, treatments used, side effects experienced, and other factors.

  • Cancer Information and Counseling Line (CICL) (of the AMC Cancer Research Center)
    Telephone: 1–800–525–3777
    E-mail: ciclhelp@amc.org
    Web site: http://www.amc.org

The CICL, part of the Psychosocial Program of the AMC Cancer Research Center, is a toll-free telephone service for cancer patients, their family members and friends, cancer survivors, and the general public. Professional counselors provide up-to-date medical information, emotional support through short-term counseling, and resource referrals to callers nationwide between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Individuals may also submit questions about cancer and request resources via e-mail.

  • Hospice Education Institute
    Telephone: 207–255–8800, 1–800–331–1620
    E-mail: info@hospiceworld.org
    Web site: http://www.hospiceworld.org

The Hospice Education Institute serves a wide range of individuals and organizations interested in improving and expanding hospice and palliative care throughout the United States and around the world. The Institute works to inform, educate, and support people seeking or providing care for the dying and the bereaved. HOSPICELINK, a service of the Institute, maintains a computerized database and up-to-date directory of all hospice and palliative care programs in the United States. HOSPICELINK helps patients and their families find hospice and palliative care programs, and provides general information about the principles and practices of good hospice and palliative care.

The LAF, a nonprofit organization founded by cancer survivor and cyclist Lance Armstrong, provides resources and support services to people diagnosed with cancer and their families. The LAF's services include Cycle of Hope, a national cancer education campaign for people with cancer and those at risk for developing the disease, and the Cancer Profiler, a free interactive treatment decision support tool. The LAF also provides scientific and research grants for the better understanding of cancer and cancer survivorship.

LCA offers programs designed to help improve the quality of life of people with lung cancer and their families. Programs include education about the disease, psychosocial support, and advocacy about issues that concern lung cancer survivors.

  • National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
    Telephone: 301–650–9127, 1–877–622–7937 (1–877–NCCS–YES)
    E-mail: info@canceradvocacy.org
    Web site: http://www.canceradvocacy.org

The NCCS is a network of groups and individuals that offer support to cancer survivors and their loved ones. It provides information and resources on cancer support, advocacy, and quality-of-life issues. A section of the NCCS Web site and a limited selection of publications are available in Spanish.

  • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
    Telephone: 703–837–1500, 1–800–658–8898 (helpline)
    E-mail: info@nhpco.org
    Web site: http://www.nhpco.org

The NHPCO is an association of programs that provide hospice and palliative care. It is designed to increase awareness about hospice services and to champion the rights and issues of terminally ill patients and their family members. The NHPCO offers discussion groups, publications, information about how to find a hospice, and information about the financial aspects of hospice. Some Spanish-language publications are available, and staff are able to answer calls in Spanish.

  • National Patient Travel Center (NPTC)
    Telephone: 1–800–296–1217
    E-mail: mercymedical@erols.com
    Web site: http://www.patienttravel.org

The NPTC provides the National Patient Travel Helpline, a telephone service that facilitates patient access to charitable medical air transportation resources in the United States. The NPTC also offers information about discounted airline ticket programs for patients and patient escorts, operates Special-Lift and Child-Lift programs, and brings ambulatory outpatients to the United States from many overseas locations.

  • Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
    Telephone: 757–873–6668, 1–800–532–5274
    E-mail: help@patientadvocate.org
    Web site: http://www.patientadvocate.org

The PAF provides education, legal counseling, and referrals to cancer patients and survivors concerning managed care, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters. The Patient Assistance Program is a subsidiary of the PAF. It provides financial assistance to patients who meet certain qualifications. The toll-free number is 1–866–512–3861.

  • R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc.
    Telephone: 816–932–8453 (816–WE–BUILD) 1–800–433–0464
    E-mail: hotline@hrblock.com
    Web site: http://www.blochcancer.org

The R. A. Bloch Cancer Foundation matches newly diagnosed cancer patients with trained, home-based volunteers who have been treated for the same type of cancer. The Foundation also distributes informational materials, including a multidisciplinary list of institutions that offer second opinions. Information is available in Spanish.

  • Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network
    Telephone: 818–788–5225, 1–800–477–7666 (1–800–GRP–ROOM)
    E-mail: info@vitaloptions.org
    Web site: http://www.vitaloptions.org

The mission of Vital Options is to use communications technology to reach people dealing with cancer. This organization holds a weekly syndicated call-in cancer radio talk show called “The Group Room®,” which provides a forum for patients, long-term survivors, family members, physicians, and therapists to discuss cancer issues. Listeners can participate in the show during its broadcast every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time, by calling the toll-free telephone number. A live Web simulcast of “The Group Room” can be heard by logging onto the Vital Options Web site.

The Wellness Community provides free psychological and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. The organization offers support groups facilitated by licensed therapists, stress reduction and cancer education workshops, nutrition guidance, exercise sessions, and social events.

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The following are also commonly recommended web sites found to provide helpful senior care resources:

Adult day care centers typically provide social activities, meals and various health care services that can range from medication management to physical therapy. Adult day care locations may operate as stand-alone facilities, or may be located in nursing facilities, senior centers or other areas. AdultDayCare.org is a national resource for adult day care centers. Our directory contains 4,500 adult day care locations across the United States.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS is the federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Provides information for health professionals, regional governments, and consumers.  Additional information regarding CMS and it's programs is available at http://www.cms.gov

In order to serve a growing senior population, AoA envisions ensuring the continuation of a vibrant aging services network at State, Territory, local and Tribal levels through funding of lower-cost, non-medical services and supports that provide the means by which many more seniors can maintain their independence. The mission of AoA is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective system of home and community-based services that helps elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.

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