Consumer Health Resources for Senior Citizens

This page will serve as a resource for members and care givers of the Western New York senior citizen community interested in consumer health information.

MedlinePlus - A good general resource for consumer health information from the National Institutes of Health.

healthfinder: just for you: seniors - A searchable health information resource by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Administration on Aging - A site containing information about health legislation affecting older Americans and their caregivers as well as programs and services for this age demographic.

Alliance for Aging Research Consumer Information - Includes an information section that hosts full-text brochures about health issues that affect the senior citizen population.

CDC Health Topics: Senior Health- Links to information regarding health information and disease prevention and control as well as the option to join listservs, view vital statistics and other information.

ElderWeb - Information regarding long term care.

FDA Information for Seniors - Printable articles and brochures on a wide range of health topics that affect senior citizens. Selected publications on this site can also be viewed in Spanish.

My Personal Health Record - Keeping your own personal health record (PHR) allows you to provide doctors with valuable information that can help improve the quality of care you receive. A PHR can help you play a more active role in your healthcare.

National Institutes on Aging (NIA) - A user-friendly page that covers a wide range of topics related to aging.

NIH Senior Health - A collaborative effort by the National Institute of Aging and the National Library of Medicine to provide health information for senior citizens. This site has features such as enlargeable text and speech options.

SPRY: Health Resources for Seniors - Information regarding “applied research and education programs designed to enable people to age with purpose, and to continue to have meaningful engagement in their lives. Of special concern are disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.

Canadian Health Network - Seniors - A Website from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This site contains consumer health information and resources for Canadian seniors.

Back to the top

Ask NOAH About :Aging and Alzheimer's disease - Health information for the aging population.

Oncolink - The Abramson Cancer of the University of Pennsylvania has available, many different resources for the consumer with a variety of search options including an Ask the Expert page where select questions of interest to the general public are answered by a medical panel. A different topic is covered weekly.

Cancer Survival Toolbox: Topics for Older Persons - Information regarding cancer treatment and care for the older person. The site has options such as downloadable pdf files in English, Spanish and Chinese and also provides the option for the user to listen to information.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute - The site for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute contains links to clinical trials,a pull-down menu where types of cancer can be searched, as well as information on prevention, research and other general information regarding this disease.

Back to the top

Aging With Dignity - This site provides “practical information, advice and legal tools you need to ensure your wishes and those of your loved ones will be respected.”

American Geriatrics Society - Advocacy and public policy information affecting older Americans.

New York State Center for Consumer Health Care Information - This site contains information about “physician credentials and disciplinary actions, results of recent hospital and nursing home surveys, performance measures for managed care plans, and physician and hospital performance for cardiac bypass surgery. Also contained is information regarding how to file a healthcare complaint as well as clinical guidelines and best practices.”

Back to the top

AARP Webplace - This resources includes a health and wellness section that provides resources both in English and Spanish.

The American Cancer Society - Homepage for the American Cancer Society.

The American Dietetic Association - This site contains food and nutrition information as well as fact sheets and healthy recipes.

The Alzheimer's Association - Site for the Alzheimer’s Association.

The American Heart Association - The American Heart Association homepage.

The American Arthritis Foundation - This site contains links to research, resources and events and programs related to arthritis.

Back to the top

Allegany County Office for the Aging - Information regarding local health offices and services offered to seniors in Allegany County.

Cattaraugus County Department of Aging - Resources for residents of Cattaraugus County who are 60 and older.

Chautauqua County Office for the Aging - Wellness resources for senior residents of Chautauqua County.

Erie County Department of Senior Services - Information for residents of Erie County regarding local programs and services for senior citizens.

Genesee County Care Options for Seniors - A resource page for Genesee County senior residents with links to long term care, housing options and other information regarding aging.

Monroe County Aging and Adult Services - This site provides links to program services, health care and Medicade for resident seniors of Monroe County.

Health Association of Niagara County - Local information and services for resident Niagara County seniors.

Orleans County Office for the Aging - Information regarding services for senior citizens living in Orleans County.

Wyoming County Office for the Aging - Caregiver, health care and nutrition information as well as local resources and information for residents of the Wyoming County senior community.

Healthy Ontario - Consumer Health Information for Ontario Residents from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

Back to the top

Prevention Magazine - A variety of health topics can be found here such as high blood pressure and diabetes, physical fitness, and food and nutrition information.

Open Access Medical Journals - This site provides links to medical journals that have free access to journal articles such as New England Journal of Medicine, Diabetes as well as many more. Most journals allow for free access after one year therefore issues may be not be current.

Maturity Health Matters - This online magazine published by the FDA focuses on health news for older adults, their families and caregivers.

Getz, K., & Borfitz, D. (2002) Informed consent: a guide to the risks and benefits of volunteering for clinical trials . Boston, MA : CenterWatch (Available through the NIOGA and Buffalo and Erie County Library Systems).

Back to the top

Learn About Your Medications - This site was established by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP)with a mission to help pharmacists and the public use medications safely and effectively. Learn about your medications by typing the drug name into the search box and links to step-by-step instructions for administration, and tips and tools, will be provided.

FDA's Index to Drug Specific Information - A list featuring most FDA approved drugs. Each drug listed contains a Patient and Consumer Information Sheet, Medication Guide, and an Information page.
Not all FDA approved drugs are listed here, please use the link below to search for drug information not found in this index.

Food and Drug Administration: Consumer Health Information - A comprehensive site from the FDA regarding a variety of consumer health topics.

FDA Approved Drug Products - This site allows searches by drug Name, active ingredient, application number or browsing by drug name. Monthly Drug Approval Reports can also be found here.

Consumer Drug Information - Information for consumers regarding prescription and over-the-counter medications approved by the FDA since 1998.

MedlinePlus: Drug & Supplement Information -

Ontario Public Drug Programs - Information regarding payment and fees for residents of Ontario. This site also contains changes to legislation regarding drugs and drug information and includes information on MedsCheck, a government program for those patients taking three or more medications for a chronic condition.

Back to the top

The Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+ - A 38 page printable booklet by the US Deparment of Health and Human Sevices Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that includes such topics as talking to your doctor, preventative health, cancer testing and information regarding regular check ups.

Shape Up America - “Founded in 1994, Shape Up America! is a 501©3 not-for-profit organization committed to raising awareness of obesity as a health issue and to providing responsible information on healthy weight management”. *<i>(From shapeup.org)</i>

Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging - Information provided by the National Institutes of Health regarding fitness and exercise.

NIH Senior Health: Eating Well As You Get Older - Nutrition information provided by the National Institutes of Health including food safety and tips for healthy shopping.

Back to the top

Doc Finder - Information on American Medical Association licensed member physicians in the United States.

Professional Misconduct and Physician Discipline - A searchable listing of physicans and physician assistants who have been disciplined since 1990.

New York State Hospital Information - Use this site to search for hospitals alphabetically by name, region or county, or by procedures performed.

US News and World Report's America's Best Hospitals 2007- A yearly ranking of hospitals based on selected criteria. The site has an A-Z listing and methodology for selection as well as a searchable list by specialty.

Ontario Doctor Search - Search for information about Ontario Physicians including hopital privledges,specialty information and new patient acceptance status.

Back to the top

Medicare Consumer Information Website- Information regarding Medicare and Medicade.

OHIP Information - Ontario Health Insurance Plan Information.

Back to the top

The Merck Manual Home Edition - An online medical dictionary for patients and caregivers.

Stedman's Medical Dictionary - A commercial for profit site that host a free online dictionary of medical terms and definitions.

MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary - A feature of this site gives the user the ability to search for unfamiliar terms and spellings by typing in the first few letters of the search term followed by an *. MedlinePlus will then find all terms beginning with the letters entered.

Back to the top

WNY Consumer Health website evaluation - Evaluation Criteria.

Back to the top

Not all sources of information on the Internet provide current, complete or accurate information. This resource guide is by no means a substitution for professional medical opinion or attention. This guide is to be used in conjunction with care from a qualified medical professional. Only your physician can best advise you on matters related to your health.

Western New York Consumer Health

Created by/Editor: Deborah Chiarella, MLS