HELPFUL LINKS

• Adult Protective Services (APS) – This is a state-mandated program that investigates situations
  involving seniors (age 65 or older) and dependent adults (physically or mentally impaired 18 to
  64 year olds) who are reported to be endangered by physical, sexual or financial abuse,
  abandonment, isolation, abduction, neglect or self-neglect. Any endangered elder or dependent
  adult is eligible. Call the Elder Abuse Hotline, (877) 477-3646, or APS Mandated Reporters Hotline,
  (888) 202-4248; your report will be confidential. For frequently asked questions about APS, go to
  http://dcss.co.la.ca.us/APS/APSfaqtext.htm.
  
  
• Alzheimer’s Association of Southern California – An outstanding resource for anyone needing
  information about dementia and Alzheimer’s – from patients to caregivers to health care
  professionals. Go to http://preview.alz.org/californiasouthland/ The association’s diverse resources
  include caregiver support groups and educational information that includes online professional
  training. The association is also a leading advocate for the needs and rights of people with
  dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and their families. Their Helpline is (800) 272-3900 and
  regional offices/phone numbers are on the association’s website.
  
  
• Bet Tzedek: The House of Justice – A non-profit, public interest law center that provides free
  legal services to low-income residents of Los Angeles County. Bet Tzedek also produces the
  following brochures: "Assisted Living Companion," "Nursing Home Companion, A User Friendly
  Guide to California’s Nursing Home Laws," and "If Only I Had Known, Misrepresentations by
  Nursing Homes Which Deprive Residents of Legal Protection,". Offices are in Los Angeles –
  (323) 939-0506 and North Hollywood – (818) 769-0136. http://www.bettzedek.org/.
  
  
• California Department of Health Services - Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are licensed by the
  California Department of Health Services, which investigates complaints and inspects SNFs for
  compliance with state regulations. In Los Angeles, call (323) 869-6711 or (800) 228-1019.
  http://www.dhs.ca.gov/.
  
  
• California Department of Social Services (DSS) - DSS licenses Retirement Care Facilities for the
  Elderly (RCFEs) – which includes assisted living and board and care facilities. You may review a
  facility’s inspection record but must call in advance; complaints about RCFEs are also reported to
  DSS. Call (310) 568-1807, (818) 596-4334 or (323) 980-4934.
  http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/default.htm.
  
  
• California Nursing Home Search - An online resource providing the most recent inspection
  records for California skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). http://www.calnhs.org/
  
  
• Center for Health Care Rights - The Center's Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program
  (HICAP), supported by volunteers, provides free community education and counseling assistance
  with Medicare and related health insurance issues through advocacy or legal representation. Call
  (213) 3833-4519.
  
  
• Dial A Ride - Many cities offer this low-cost shuttle bus service to disabled and senior residents.
  They often limit which geographic areas they serve and require 24-hour notice. Most also require
  that an application be filled out in advance. Costs are typically $1 per one-way trip. For information
  on Pasadena’s Dial A Ride program, for example, go to http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/trans/TRANS.
  
  
• Foundation of the State Bar of California - The Foundation produces an excellent publication –
  "Seniors & the Law: A Guide for Maturing Californians". For copies, e-mail your request to
  seniors@calbar.ca.gov or mail your request to "Seniors and the Law," Office of Media and
  Information Services, The State Bar of California, 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105-1639.
  
  
• Leeza’s Place - Founded by TV personality Leeza Gibbons and her family, Leeza’s Place was
  created in tribute to Leeza’s mother and grandmother, and in response to the growing needs of
  both those who suffer from memory disorders and their caregivers. Their emphasis is on
  education and caregiver support. Located at1370 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood, CA 90028.
  Call (323) 460-6877. http://www.leezasplace.org/.
  
  
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - Ombudsman representatives attempt to assure that
  residents of residential care facilities (including nursing homes) have their problems heard and their
  rights protected. Representatives visit California residential care facilities to investigate concerns
  of residents and will investigate problems in response to a telephone call or letter. Reports are
  confidential. In Los Angeles County, call (213) 617-8957 or (213) 617-8958. The statewide crisis
  line is (800) 231-4024. http://ombudsman.lacounty.info/other_ombuds.asp.
  
  
• Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center - Provides diverse support to people caring for loved ones, including education and referrals to resource such as respite care. Located at 3715 McClintock Ave., LA, CA 90089. Go to http://www.losangelescrc.org or call (800) 540-4442.
  
  
• Los Angeles County Department of Community and Senior Services - Has an excellent site
  providing a wide range of information of interest to clients, families, organizations and individuals
  concerned with senior issues. http://ltcconnection.lacounty.info/.
  
  
• Medicare - For general information, provider fraud and information on approved nursing homes,
  call (800) 633-4227. For Part D fraud, waste or the abuse hotline, call (877) 772-3379.
  http://www.medicare.gov/.
  
  
• Minnesota Safety Council - The council has an excellent websitethat helps people conduct a room-by-room evaluation of their home's safety and risk for falls. Solutions are offered for any problem that is identified. Go to http://www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/SeniorSafe/falls/.
  
  
• New Lifestyles - A free-to-the-public directory with comprehensive Los Angeles and Ventura
  County listings of nursing/rehab centers, assisted living facilities, providers specializing in
  Alzheimer’s/dementia care, retirement communities, home care and day care providers, and
  hospice services. Call (800) 869-9549 for copies. http://www.newlifestyles.com/.
  
  
• Senior Legal Hotline - This resource claims to provide seniors with fast, accurate advice on any legal subject, by phone and via the Internet. http://www.seniorlegalhotline.org.
  
  
• Social Security - For earnings/benefits status and referrals to local offices, call (800) 772-1213.
  For Social Security fraud, waste and the abuse hotline, call (800) 269-0271. http://www.ssa.gov/.