Sites for Seniors

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'SITES for SENIORS' have been chosen by the South Plainfield Public Library staff. We have tried to choose the most useful sites available, but we cannot be responsible for accuracy of information at these sites. Please use all information gathered over the Internet with caution.

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Arts, Media, Culture, & Society

NOTE: A high-speed internet connection (cable or DSL) is recommended
for viewing and listening to audio / video presentations.

Arts & Creative Aging - A selection of essays, news, events, and websites dealing with aging and creativity. (Community Arts Network)

Backstory Radio new - An entertaining and informative weekly podcast about a wide range of topics in American History. (Virginia Foundation for the Humanities)

Conversations with History - Unedited video interviews with a wide range of distinguished guests, talking about their lives and their work. 'The interviews span the globe and include discussion of political, economic, military, legal, cultural, and social issues shaping our world.' (University of California)

Described and Captioned Media Catalog - 'The DCMP media library has over 4,000 free-loan described and captioned media titles... members can watch media online or order a DVD copy to be shipped to them.' The media library covers arts, business, health, home & family, literature, and science. Browse through the catalog by topic; you can apply filters to see only media with the accessibility features you need. Individuals must be deaf or hard of hearing (or the parent of a deaf or hard of hearing child) to register for membership, but registration is free. (U.S. Department of Education & National Association of the Deaf)

Fora TV - Presents unedited video of 'discourse, discussions and debates on the world's most interesting political, social and cultural issues' by 'poets, authors, policy experts, activists, madmen, government leaders, and visionary thinkers... hosted by institutions such as nonprofit councils, bookstores, universities, or public spaces.' Arranged by subject; use the menu bar across the top to navigate. (Commercial site)

Great Issues Forum new - Prominent leaders, writers, scientists, and other experts explore the critical issues of our time. The discussions focus on a different theme each year: in 2008-09 the theme was power (political, economic, military, cultural, & educational); for 2009-10 it is religion. (Graduate Center of the City University of New York et al.)

History Links - An extensive collection of annotated links to websites about history; arranged by subject. Selected for students, but many of these sites will be of interest to adult history buffs (South Plainfield Public Library). See the History of South Plainfield website for local history. See also New Jersey History and New Jersey Historical Commission. NJ History resources lists additional history-related Museums, Societies & Associations, Libraries, and other New Jersey History websites. Historical Voices is a searchable online archive of spoken word recordings spanning the 20th century, including Studs Terkel's 'Conversations with America'. For more on American History, see Backstory Radio , described above. For online history magazines see History Net, Smithsonian Magazine, and Archaeology.

Library of Congress Webcasts - Online videos on a wide range of topics, including biography, history, culture, education, government, literature, religion, and science & technology.

Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - A national network of cooperating libraries lending braille and audio materials, by postage-free mail, to eligible visually or physically handicapped borrowers in the United States. Includes books and magazines. Locally, the South Plainfield Public Library offers audio books, large print books, and homebound delivery. Call us at (908) 754-7885 for more information.

Mind Online - Conversations and lectures with leading thinkers, writers, and researchers on a wide range of topics. (University of Chicago)

Museum of Fine Arts Online Tours - Images and descriptions highlight paintings, sculpture, prints, photographs, and objects from around the world; there is also a 'Director's Choice' audio tour. Images may be zoomed, panned, enlarged, or e-mailed. (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

National Gallery of Art Podcasts - Online audio and video series on a wide range of art topics such as Pompeii and the Roman Villa, Afghan Treasures, Fontainebleau, Robert Rauschenberg, Edward Hopper, Amateur Photography, and more. (National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC)

New York Public Library Events Archive - Online webcasts of presentations on a variety of cultural topics as well as small business seminars.

Notable Books for Adults - An annual list of 25 titles selected for their 'significant contribution to the expansion of knowledge or for the pleasure they can provide to adult readers.' Includes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. (American Library Association)

Open Culture new - 'Open Culture brings together high-quality cultural & educational media for the worldwide lifelong learning community... Free audio books, free courses, free movies, free language lessons and other enriching content - it's all here.' (Commercial site; edited by Dan Colman, Associate Dean of Stanford University's Continuing Studies Program. Website is not affiliated with Stanford.)

Open Source Radio - 'American conversation with global attitude': a series of thoughtful discussions with authors, academics, and other experts, on diverse topics such as history, politics, economics, international relations, the arts, pop culture, science, environmental issues, and more (Brown University). See also Conversations with History , described above.

PBS Online Media - Access to a growing online library of past PBS programming as well as audio and video podcasts.

Reading Group Guides - Offers advice on starting and running a reading group, with book recommendations, reading guides, interviews, recipes, and more. (Commercial site)

Smithsonian - Online exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution, featuring art and design, science and nature, and history and faraway places. See also Smithsonian Magazine (commercial site).

TED Talks - An archive of thought-provoking and inspiring talks by the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers. Encompasses a broad range of topics in technology, design, entertainment, science, business, the arts, and global issues.

WGBH Forum Network - Live and archived webcasts of free public lectures on the arts, science, society, business, technology, and more.

Computers & Technology

Education

NOTE: A high-speed internet connection (cable or DSL) is recommended
for viewing and listening to audio / video presentations.

Annenberg Media - A variety of online instructional video programs in the arts, literature, history, science, and more. Audience level ranges from grades pre-K through adult. Free registration is required to view the programs. (Annenberg Foundation / Corporation for Public Broadcasting)

Elderhostel is now Exploritas.

Exploritas - Adventures in lifelong learning through educational travel, for adults age 55 and over. Non-profit organization; there is a charge for travel programs.

GCF Learn Free - Free tutorials, articles, and other learning materials aimed at helping you improve the technology, literacy, and math skills needed for success in both work and life. Covers a wide range of subjects from operating ATMs and reading subway maps to using office software and running a home-based business. Free registration required. (Nonprofit organization: Goodwill Community Foundation)

Lifelong Learning Institutes - Formerly Learning in Retirement Institutes. A directory of institutions dedicated to providing educational opportunities for older adults, plus information about the Learning in Retirement movement, and other resources related to lifelong learning. (Exploritas / Elderhostel Institute Network).

One Day University new - Professors from the world's top schools - Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, and many others - give online lectures (and some live classes in the New York area) covering many different subjects. There is a charge for these programs, but the site does offer a 14-day free trial for online classes. (Commercial site: The Learning Annex Network)

Open Courseware Consortium - Find free online college-level course materials covering a broad range of topics, from universities around the world. Includes course overviews, assignments, readings, handouts, practice exams, and related resources. (Nonprofit educational consortium)

Research Channel - An online video library of thousands of lectures, interviews, performances, tours, panel discussions, and other video presentations, covering Arts & Humanities, Business & Economics, Computer Science & Engineering, Health & Medicine, Education, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Browse by subject, program title, or institution. NOTE: SITE MAY NOT WORK IN INTERNET EXPLORER 6. (Nonprofit organization founded by leading research and academic institutions)

Science Café - 'A weekly conversation about the culture, conduct, and community of science... From stem cells and what sells to great ideas, yeasty trends and budding controversies, we will be developing a menu for your mind.' You can download audio files of the conversations, or read transcripts online (University of California, San Francisco).

South Plainfield Adult School [UPDATED!] - The current Adult School brochure and trip list in printable (PDF) format.

Stanford on iTunes - Download free audio recordings of faculty lectures, plus interviews, music and sports, to play on your iPod, Mac or PC, or to record on a CD; requires iTunes software (free download) (Stanford University). University of California at Berkeley also offers webcasts of courses and events. See iTunes U for lectures and other audio & video files from many universities and educational institutions.

Take Five - Online videos of short talks by university faculty on a wide variety of subjects. (University of Texas)

Employment & Business

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Age Discrimination - Questions and answers about laws protecting older workers from age discrimination, plus links to related resources. (From Workplace Fairness, a nonprofit organization)

America's Career InfoNet - An excellent place to start a job search, this site includes links to Employment Training Locator for Older Workers new ; Job Banks in every state; Career One Stop, offering a wide assortment of career information and job search tools; and America's Service Locator, a searchable directory of local service centers which offer PCs, faxes, copy machines, and many other services for job hunters. (US Department of Labor)

AARP Career / Work Resources - Helpful information for older workers, including preparing your résumé & cover letter, job tips for 50+, job search websites, help for laid-off workers, and more. (Commercial site)

Disability Info - Covers a variety of topics related to employment for people with disabilities, including advice for individuals seeking work; information on employment rights, laws and regulations; and resources for employment programs and job accommodations. For additional disability resources, see Job Accommodation Network. (US Department of Labor)

Mature Workers: Workforce Programs [UPDATED LINK!] - Information about the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides training and employment opportunities to low-income Americans over the age of 55; as well as Senior Environmental Employment (SEE), another jobs program for mature workers, and other work / volunteer opportunities for seniors. (National Council on the Aging)

Retirement Jobs - Search full-time, part-time, and flex-time job listings from 'age-friendly employers'. Membership is NOT required to view jobs; when your search results are blocked by the Premium Membership ad, click on 'Continue', then click on 'Continue with Basic Membership' to view your job list. NOTE: There are a limited number of job listings on the site; please use America's Career InfoNet and other websites from our JOBS & CAREERS page to conduct a comprehensive job search.(Commercial site)

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) - A nonprofit organization which gives retired businesspersons an opportunity to donate their time and talent to assist America's aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Includes how-to guides, video podcasts (BEWARE: There are commercial advertisements before each video, some of them longer than 2 minutes!), and other helpful online materials for small businesses.

Senior Corps - Volunteer opportunities for senior citizens. A related site, formerly Senior Service, is now Get Involved. (Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency)

Senior Job Bank - Job postings from employers who are committed to hiring baby boomers and older workers, plus resume and job alert registration for job seekers, as well as career and education information. A sister site, WorkForce 50, is described below. Free registration is required to use some features. NOTE: There are a limited number of job listings on the site; please use America's Career InfoNet and other websites from our JOBS & CAREERS page to conduct a comprehensive job search.

WorkForce 50 - Job listings, job-hunting advice, and related resources for people 50 and over. Browse by state or used the advanced search feature to find jobs by state, job category, and/or type of job (full-time, part-time, etc.). Free registration is required to use some features. NOTE: There are a limited number of job listings on the site; please use America's Career InfoNet and other websites from our JOBS & CAREERS page to conduct a comprehensive job search.

General Senior & Aging Resources

Grandparenting, Caregiving & Family

101 Things You Can Do With or For Kids - Suggestions for activities that you can do with youth, whether you have a lot of time or a little, and whether you're a parent, grandparent, neighbor, aunt, uncle, friend, mentor, volunteer, or someone who just enjoys spending time with kids. (Office of National Drug Control Policy)

AARP Grandparenting - Advice and links on raising, taking care of, or just spending time with your grandchildren. (Commercial site)

Caregiver NJ new - A searchable guide to available resources for adults and their families living in New Jersey, including basic information about caregiving, resources in your community, and other resources & services. (New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services)

Elder Abuse - Explains how to recognize elder abuse, what the risk factors are, who the abusers are, and how to get help for yourself or someone you know. (U.S. Administration on Aging)

Family Caregiving 101 - 'If you're caring for a loved one who is ill or disabled, this site was created for you. It's a great place to find assistance, answers, new ideas and helpful advice - for you and your loved one.' (National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving)

Fathering Tips for Grandfathers - Articles and resources to help guide your involvement in the lives of your grandchildren. (National Center for Fathering)

Financial Assistance for Legal Guardianship - Explains the New Jersey Kinship Care Subsidy Program, which provides financial help to people caring for their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other children. (Legal Services of NJ)

Grandloving - 'Creative, family-friendly ideas for keeping close to your grandchildren.... hundreds of tips and dozens of project ideas.' (By authors Sue Johnson and Julie Carlson)

Grand Magazine - 'Your resource for living the GRAND life, from the serious intergenerational issues of today to toy and book reviews, fun and games, vitality and wellness, fiscal fitness and financial insights, leisure and love, mind, body and soul.'

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Useful links to advice, assistance, and other resources for grandparents. (USAgov.gov)

Grief and Loss - Advice on how to cope with the death of a loved one. Includes practical information about funeral arrangements and legal & financial matters, as well as help with the emotional aspects of loss. (AARP; commercial site)

Guardianship Resources - Articles explaining what legal guardianship is and how to establish and maintain a guardianship. Also covers special circumstances, such as guardianship of an mentally disabled adult. (Nolo Press)

Health, Fitness and Health Care

AARP Health - Tips and articles on staying healthy and fit over 50, plus information about insurance & medicare, doctors & hospitals, and long-term care. Includes a drug interaction checker. (Commercial site)

Aging & Addiction - Examines drug and alcohol addiction among older adults, with resources for intervention and treatment. (Hazelden)

Air Quality and Older Adults new - Fact sheets for older adults and their caregivers about environmental health risks (indoor & outdoor air quality, extreme heat), and steps you can take to reduce those risks. These printable fact sheets are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Italian, French, and several other languages. Related information may be found on EPA's Aging Initiative page. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Alzheimer's Association - The latest research on Alzheimer's Disease, with information on risk factors, warning signs, diagnosis, treatment, and more. See also Alzheimer's Information (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research), and The Forgetting (©2008, PBS; includes ongoing news updates).

Can the Retiree Health Benefits Provided By Your Employer Be Cut? - Advice on understanding your employer's retiree health benefits plan. (U.S. Department of Labor)

CAREGIVING - See Grandparenting, Caregiving, & Family section.

Consumer Health Information for Seniors new - Health-related consumer information on a wide range of issues, including arthritis, cancer, health fraud, and nutrition. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Disability Information & Resources - An extensive directory of websites offering information on all kinds of disability-related products & services (assistive devices, medical supplies, clothing, grocery delivery, etc.); also covers health, political, and legal issues (personal site). For more on living with disabilities, see ASA/NEST's Access Resources and our Useful Websites: SPECIAL INTEREST: Disabled page.

Elder Abuse - Explains how to recognize elder abuse, what the risk factors are, who the abusers are, and how to get help for yourself or someone you know. (U.S. Administration on Aging)

Exercise for Seniors - Exercise tips for older adults. (National Institute on Aging)

Falls Among Older Adults - Unintentional falls are a common hazard for adults ages 65 and older, but there are proven strategies that can reduce falls and help older adults live better and longer. This page gives an overview of the problem of older adult falls and how they can be prevented (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). How to Get Up from a Fall explains the safest way to get up after a fall; includes diagrams (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons). For more safety tips, see Safe Aging and Safety Tips for Seniors, described below.

Health Care Advance Planning Toolkit - A consumer guide to making advance health care directives, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care. Includes self-help worksheets, suggestions, and resources. See also Health Care Advance Directives. (American Bar Association)

Health Insurance Plans: Consumer Guides new - Printable consumer guides offering basic information about different types of health insurance plans, managed care, long-term care, and disability insurance. (Health insurance industry association: America's Health Insurance Plans)

Long Term Care - A wide range of information and options to help you plan and pay for future long-term care needs. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Long Term Care Insurance - Q & A about what you need to consider when deciding on a long-term care insurance policy. (Insurance Information Institute)

Long Term Care Living - 'Guide to planning, preparing, and paying for long term care - for yourself or for a loved one.' (American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living)

Long-term Care Ombudsman Locator [UPDATED LINK!] - Do you (or a relative or friend) have a problem with a long-term care provider? An ombudsman can help you resolve complaints relating to long-term care. Click on the map to choose a state. (National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform)

Medicare - All about Medicare services, billing, providers, eligibility, etc. See also People with Medicare & Medicaid Center and the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder. (Official Medicare sites)

Medicare Rights Center - Information and advice for people with Medicare questions or problems. Includes Medicare Q & A and Medicare phone hotline (1-800-333-4114). For the latest news about Medicare coverage, see Families USA's Medicare page. (Nonprofit organizations)

Merck Manual of Health & Aging - Online medical text covers the Fundamentals of Aging, Caring for Self and Others, Medical Conditions, and Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues. (Merck & Co., Inc.; pharmaceutical company)

Multiple Medications - A brief article offering a few key principles of medication management for seniors and their families (Commercial site: WebMD). See also Millions of Older Americans Use Risky Drug Combos [UPDATED LINK!] (Associated Press / BlueCross BlueShield) and AARP Drug Interaction Checker.

National Council on Aging - Information on health & safety, benefits, jobs & economic security, and community action / volunteering. (Nonprofit organization)

National Institute on Aging - Publications on health for older adults. Most are available free online. (Government agency)

New Jersey Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing - Use this site to file a complaint about a health care facility, locate a hospital, nursing home or other health facility, find information about doctors, get help for a senior or caregiver, or plan for long-term care. The New Jersey Report Card has been replaced by Nursing Home Compare, described below. See NJ Health Care Consumer Reports and Guides for more information on hospitals, nursing homes, managed care, home health care, ambulatory surgery centers, and other health care services. (NJ Department of Health and Senior Services)

Nursing Home Compare - 'The primary purpose of this tool is to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.' You can search nursing homes by geography, by proximity, or by name. Also offers a list of residents rights, alternatives to nursing home care, and related links and publications, including a 68-page Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home [LINK OPENS A PDF DOCUMENT]. You can also view a list of nursing homes with poor performance records [LINK OPENS A PDF DOCUMENT]. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Older Americans Health - A selection of useful online news, publications, articles, and websites. (Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Oral Changes With Age - Answers common questions about dental care as you grow older. See also Dentures (American Dental Association) and Medline's Denture Links.

Safe Aging - Information and resources on senior safety, including fall prevention, pedestrian and motor vehicle safety, and prevention of elder abuse. Some resources are mainly for professionals and caregivers, but others will be useful to anyone. See also Safety Tips for Seniors new (Canada Safety Council).

Senior Corner [UPDATED LINK!] - News and facts about common health conditions affecting seniors, as well as information on health exams, drugs, and saving money. (Drug Digest, from pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, Inc.)

Senior Health - Information on various health problems associated with aging. This site allows you to adjust the type size on the web page for easier viewing, or hear the text read aloud (use your mouse to click on any part you wish to have read on each page). (National Institutes of Health)

Stepping Out - Advice for mature adults on walking to stay fit and maintaining your safety while you walk. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Strength Training for Older Adults - An exercise program designed to increase the strength of your muscles, maintain the integrity of your bones, and improve your balance, coordination, and mobility. Strength training can also help reduce the symptoms of chronic diseases such as arthritis. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Vision Loss Senior Site new - 'Designed to encourage aging adults with eye diseases to live independently and productively. The site connects seniors, family members, and caregivers to local services and showcases a wide range of assistive living products available to people with vision loss. It also contains information on the resources and tools needed to continue to read, shop, cook, manage finances, and go out with friends.' (American Foundation for the Blind)

Yahoo! News: Health - Seniors / Aging - The latest news on developments and government policies in health and medicine affecting older adults (commercial site).

Housing & Relocation

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CNN/Money Magazine's Best Places to Retire - Statistical rankings on housing costs, crime, leisure, culture, environment, access to health care, and more, for over 1,300 towns in the US. Feature articles offer additional tips & information. See also US News & World Report's Best Places to Retire and more great places to retire.

Energy Assistance - Information about how to apply for help with home heating bills from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Links to additional help are available from the NJ State Library's Financial Crisis Assistance page.

Reverse Mortgages - A reverse mortgage is a way to borrow cash against your home, without having to pay it back as long as you are still living there. This guide explains the basics of how reverse mortgages work and how they differ from other types of home loans, and helps you examine your different options and decide whether you would be better off selling your home or getting a reverse mortgage. A Reverse Mortgage Calculator helps you determine how much cash you might get (AARP; commercial site). See also Reverse Mortgages: A Resource for Older Homeowners (American Bar Association).

Senior Housing - Use this site to search for senior housing, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care, Nursing Care, or Continuing Care. Includes sections explaining the different options, advice on evaluating which option is best for you, and related information. (Commercial site: Homestore Network/Realtor.com)

Sperling's Best Cities for Seniors - This 2006 report on the state of senior care in large US cities identifies those with the best resources for less-active seniors, analyzing nearly 50 categories such as senior living facilities, comprehensive medical care, specialized transportation services, and a significant senior population. (Bert Sperling / Fast Forward, Inc.)

Law & Government

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Elder Care Legal Resources - Free articles, checklists, and helpful websites on medical and financial aspects of elder care. Legal forms such as Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney and Living Wills are also available, but there is a charge for them. (Nolo Press)

Government Benefits - If you need government benefits but aren't sure which ones are available to you, check this website. (U.S. government site)

Legal Publications for Older Americans [UPDATED LINK!] - Advice on health care advance planning & related topics, reverse mortgages, and finding legal help in your state. See also Health Care Advance Planning Toolkit and Health Care Advance Directives. ABA's Legal Guide for Americans over 50 is now available only for purchase. NOTE: Site may be slow to load and navigate. (American Bar Association)

Middlesex County Surrogate - 'In New Jersey, the person who passes on the validity of a will, gives the executor proof of his authority to administer the estate and sees to it that the executor handles the estate properly, is called the Surrogate.' The website provides information about Middlesex County wills, probate, estate taxes, and more.

National Senior Citizens Law Center - Provides advocacy for low-income elderly individuals, as well as those with disabilities. The site includes news, links, and publications on legal issues affecting seniors.

NJ Aging & Disability Resource Connection - Toll-free phone numbers and links to state and local services for seniors and adults with physical disabilities. (NJ Department of Health and Senior Services)

NJ Legal Services Directory - Legal Services of New Jersey provides free help for low-income individuals and families with civil law problems. A telephone hotline is also available from LSNJ.

NJ Professional Licensing Board Directories - Find out the current status of the professional license (active, inactive, suspended, or expired) for practitioners of more than 80 professions and occupations in the state of NJ, including doctors, lawyers, dentists, accountants, acupuncturists, social workers, veterinarians, barbers, funeral directors, locksmiths, and many more. (New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs)

Senior Services in New Jersey - Information on state services including health care, long term care, caregiver assistance, pensions, and benefits. (State of NJ)

Social Security Retirement Planner - If you are near retirement, this Retirement Planner can guide you step by step through the benefits process. It includes Social Security benefit calculators, eligibility information, FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), and other helpful resources and information. (Social Security Administration)

Taxes: Seniors & Retirees - Tax advice, forms, publications, and other tax-related information of particular interest to older Americans. (Internal Revenue Service)

Wills & Estate Planning - Advice on wills, living trusts, avoiding probate, power of attorney, estate taxes, life insurance, health care, retirement, and more (Nolo Press). For more on wills and estates, see Money Management section below.

USA.Gov for Seniors - A gateway to federal government information on topics such as consumer protection, education, jobs & volunteerism, health, retirement, money, taxes, travel, and more. (U.S. government site)

You and the Law In NJ: Seniors - A review of state law covering age discrimination, government aid & services, grandparents, nursing facilities, social security, and wills & trusts. (LSNJ)

Money Management & Consumer Info

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AARP Wise Consumer - Articles on avoiding scams, fixing or financing a home, saving money & energy, and other smart shopping tips. (Commercial site)

Banking on Your Investments - Alerts consumers to the fact that mutual funds, annuities and other investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), even when they are sold by a bank. (Consumer Action)

Better Business Bureau - Before dealing with an unfamiliar company or charity, you may want to search here to find out whether the BBB has a report on them. The site also offers an online complaint form, consumer tips, and links to local BBBs.

BBB Consumer Resource Library - Tips, alerts, quizzes, and other resources for consumers on topics such as autos, charities, computers, credit, health, scams, travel, and more. (Better Business Bureau)

Charity Navigator: Tips for Older Donors - Easy-to-follow precautions which can help you avoid charity scams and be sure you contribute only to legitimate and efficient charities.

Consumer Information: Computers & Internet - Useful information on avoiding all sorts of Internet fraud. Topics covered include spyware, identity theft, Internet auctions, e-payments, e-banking, free and low-cost PC offers, e-mail scams, and holiday shopping (Federal Trade Commission). See also Looks Too Good to be True (U.S. Postal Inspection Service, FBI, et al.).

Estate Planning Basics - Explains 'the proper methods of holding legal title to property during your life, and passing your estate on to your heirs in a manner and timing of your choosing, all with minimum taxes and intervention by the legal system.' (NAFEP©, an estate planning services and training company)

Financial Education: Senior Issues - Online publications for seniors covering Social Security retirement benefits, credit card debt, common scams that target the elderly, medical debt, funerals, and more. (Nonprofit organization: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco)

Frauds and Scams: Protect Yourself and Your Money - Online printable pamphlet describing some financial frauds and scams which typically target older people, and suggesting how to protect yourself and your money. Includes Fraud on the Phone, Fraud at the Door, Fraud through the Mailbox, and more, with precautions and additional information. See also Scams & Frauds, describing some of the latest scams and frauds in the news, with advice on avoiding them. (Federal Citizen Information Center)

Government Benefits - A free, confidential, and easy-to-use online screening tool to help you find out whether you qualify for government benefits.

Insurance and Consumer Finance Information for Seniors - Brief advice on avoiding insurance fraud, predatory lending, and related scams targeting seniors. (New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance)

Investment Fraud new - Tips for older investors on how to recognize fraudulent investment offers and report suspicious sales pitches & actual scams, plus links to Investor Alerts and related information.

My Money: Retirement - Links to a variety of online publications offering financial guidance for older Americans, covering retirement planning, social security & other benefits, financial security, IRAs, living trusts, job loss, savings, taxes, and more. Use the left-hand menu to find resources on related topics such as financial planning, budgeting, credit, privacy, fraud & scams, saving & investing, and starting a small business. (U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission)

Pension Help - Pensions and retirement savings plans in the U.S. are increasingly complex, leaving many people confused about their pension rights and benefits. This website provides a one-stop information and assistance resource for anyone who has questions or needs help with their pension benefits, no matter where they live in the U.S., and no matter what type of pension they have. (Nonprofit organization: Pension Rights Center)

Retirement Money Tools - Advice on pensions, IRAs, Social Security, and other sources of income for retirement (AARP). See also MSN's Retirement and Wills section and SmartMoney's Retirement page (Dow Jones / Hearst). (Commercial sites)

Taxes: Seniors & Retirees - Tax advice, forms, publications, and other tax-related information of particular interest to older Americans (Internal Revenue Service).

Wills & Estate Planning - Advice on wills, living trusts, avoiding probate, power of attorney, estate taxes, life insurance, health care, retirement, and more (Nolo Press).

Recreation & Leisure

Digital Photography Basics - Explains how to take, print, and share digital pictures, with related projects, plus a section on choosing and using Digital Cameras (Kodak). See also HP's Digital Photography. If you are interested in sharing videos with family and friends online, check out Motionbox.

Games for the Brain - Sudoku, Chinese checkers, word games, and other fun activities to help keep your brain fit. . See also SharpBrains' Brain Teasers, Cranky's puzzles & games and Thinks.com. (Commercial sites)

Gardens for Everybody - This site provides information about gardening tools and techniques for individuals with physical limitations. Topics covered include container gardening, raised beds, ergonomic tools, and gardening health & safety; includes links to additional information (University of Missouri Extension Center). See also Garden Forever (GardenScape Garden Tools, commercial site). For more great gardening websites, see our Useful Websites: GARDEN & LANDSCAPE page.

Hobby Directory - Enormous Google directory of organizations devoted dozens of hobbies from astronomy to yo-yos.

Monkey See - Free access to a growing collection of professionally-produced and user-generated how-to videos on a wide variety of topics, including Careers & Education, Health & Fitness, Hobbies & Crafts, Home & Garden, Love & Relationships, Personal Finance, Sports & Leisure, Beauty & Fashion, and more. When you select a video, the presenter's credentials are provided on the right-hand side of the screen, under the 'Expert' tab. (Commercial site)

Travel & Transportation

AARP Travel - Destinations, discounts, transportation tips, and online booking for transportation and lodgings; powered by Expedia. (Commercial site)

Aging Drivers - A guide for family, friends, and caregivers concerned about the safety of an older driver. (NY State Office for the Aging)

Alzheimer's, Dementia and Driving: a Practical Guide - Advice to help individuals diagnosed with dementia, and their caregivers, to determine when it is time to stop driving. (The Hartford)

Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary Series - Self-guided tours to U.S. historic places listed in the National Register. Itineraries provide descriptions of each historic place and its importance in American history; tourist information for historic sites, including hours, phone numbers, and links; interactive maps; color and vintage photographs; and links to related preservation and tourism web sites. (National Park Service)

Elderhostel is now Exploritas.

Exploritas - Adventures in lifelong learning through educational travel, for adults age 55 and over. Non-profit organization; there is a charge for travel programs.

Handicapped Plates & Placards - Information on how to obtain special parking privileges in New Jersey if you are temporarily or permanently disabled. (NJ Motor Vehicle Commission)

Older Driver Safety - An assortment of publications related to older drivers, including advice on driving if you have arthritis, Parkinson's, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, or seizures.