Agencies that work with older adults can connect people to services and help answer questions, such as local:
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers
- Area Agencies on Aging
- County or Tribal Aging Units or Offices
- Senior Centers
Programs that can help older adults with financial tasks and needs include:
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, for help preparing income taxes
- Social Security's Representative Payment Program or the Department of Veteran Affairs' Fiduciary Program, for help with managing another person's benefits
- National Council on Aging's BenefitsCheckUp.Org website, for help determining eligibility for insurance, benefits and other programs
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, for information about brokerage accounts, statements and investments
- State Medicaid offices, for financial support for older adults and the people who help them
- National Center for Elder Abuse or local Adult Protective Services office, for help preventing or reporting suspected financial exploitation or other types of abuse
Professionals who can assist older adults with financial tasks include:
- Accountants and financial advisors, for help with budgeting, financial planning and taxes
- Social workers and case managers, for help finding local resources
- Lawyers, for making or updating legal documents
- Brokers, financial advisors, real estate agents and appraisers, for help managing investments or other assets
- Financial advisors, lawyers, bankers, accountants, law enforcement and adult protective services specialists, for protecting against or reporting financial exploitation
Family members and others who help older adults often cover transportation, home care and other costs. Programs that can assist them with the expenses and other challenges include:
- National organizations such as Cancer Care, the Alzheimer's Association, AARP or Caregiver Action Network for information, financial help, support groups and other assistance
- Family Caregiver Support Program and Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program, for help with expenses related to caring for someone in the home
- Internal Revenue Service website, for help with deductions, exemptions and other tax benefits of caregiving
- Local Medicaid offices, for financial and other support
