University Health Services

Dementia is not a specific disease rather it’s a term used to describe a set of symptoms which may include; memory loss, problems with behavior, problem-solving, and more. Types of dementia include; Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease, and more.

• American Psychological Association: This national site has extensive information about psychology-related topics and developments within psychology.
• Health Finder: Healthfinder, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a gateway to more than 1,800 agencies and organizations.
• The Mayo Clinic: The site offers an index of diseases listed A-Z, 11 Condition Centers (Alzheimer's for example), and eight Healthy Living Centers (such as Women's Health).
• Medline: For information about diseases and conditions, pharmaceutical drugs, and other helpful resources.
• Mental Health America (MHA)
• Mental Help
• Women's Health: Part health encyclopedia, part women's advocate, this National Women's Health Information Center site draws on thousands of publications from a federal clearinghouse.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

• ALS Association
• Muscular Dystrophy Association - ALS Division

Arthritis is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions.

• Arthritis Foundation
• Arthritis Health
• Arthritis Today
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

• The American Cancer Society (ACS)
• Cancer Net
• CancerCare: A national non-profit which provides free professional help to people with all cancers through counseling, education, support groups, and direct financial assistance.
• Lung Cancer Alliance
• Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center: Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center is an online support and advocacy center that offers educational support to mesothelioma patients, family members, and caregivers.
• Women's Cancer Resource Center: Services include free therapy for low income women, information and referral hotline, legal services, resource library, peer support groups, in-home support services. Located in Berkeley, CA.
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
• OncoLink, Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis.

• COPD Foundation
• American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)
• American Lung Association

• American Diabetes Association
• Center for Disease Control (CDC)- Diabetes
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease

• Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Fall Prevention
• Fall Prevention Center of Excellence

• American Academy of Audiology article: "Untreated Hearing Loss Linked to Depression, Social Isolation in Seniors"
• American Tinnitus Association
• Federal Trade Commission advice article: " Buying a Hearing Aid"
• Hear-It
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

• American Heart Association
• Mended Hearts
• Separate program for children: Little Mended Hearts.
• National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease: This organization also offers a Sister Match program; a one-on-one peer support program.
• Yale University School of Medicine: Heart Book - An online, free textbook about the heart. Link goes to index; however 'Part V: Special Situations - Chapter 21,' may be helpful as it discusses heart disease in the elderly.

Also known as ‘high blood pressure;’ it happens when the force of the blood pumping through your arteries is too strong.

• American Heart Association
• American Hypertension Foundation
• Blood Pressure and Your Health (Booklet)
• Mayo Clinic: High Blood Pressure
• Mayo Clinic: Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure only in the arteries of the lungs.

• AgingCare.com
• National Association for Continence

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.

• MS Connection
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that happens when you lose too much bone, make too little bone or both.

• American Bone Health
• National Osteoporosis Foundation
• NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases Center

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people.

• National Parkinson's Foundation
• Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF)
• Stanford Parkinson's Community

A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.

• National Stroke Association
• The Internet Stroke Center
• The Mayo Clinic Stroke Page
• The Stroke Family

^{Information about the Sensory Trigger Method related to aphasia (loss of speech) that is sometimes associated with stroke.}

• The American Foundation for the Blind
• The California Council of the Blind
• Laser Eye Surgery Hub: Library of resources for blind and vision-impaired individuals.
• Learning Ally: Allows users to access more than 70.000 books and materials in audio format. Patron must have a certified reading print disability or vision impairment to be eligible.
• Lighthouse International
• Lions Center for the Blind
• National Federation of the Blind
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of Braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the US by postage-free mail.

Alameda County Adult and Aging Services
(510) 577 1900
The Department of Adult and Aging Services provides services through Adult Protective Services (APS), IN-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Cal Long Term Care, the Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services, the Public Guardian/Conservator, the Qualifies Medicare Beneficiary Unit (QMB), Veterans Services, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and subcontracted services under the Older Americans and Californians Acts. 

Alameda County Network of Care
This comprehensive, Internet-based resource is for the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as their caregivers and service providers.

Spectrum Community Services for LGBT elders
Case management, senior nutrition, attendant registry, and rental subsidy services to residents for southern and Central Alameda County. 

City of Oakland: Senior Companion Program
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, 94612
(510) 238-3080
Senior Companion volunteers meet critical community needs and touch the lives of adults who need extra assistance to live independently in their own homes or communities.

Adult Day Services Network of Contra Costa
(925) 682 1000
Adult Day Services provide supervised daytime programs to frail elders and adults with physical/mental limitations which includes meals, transportation, and therapeutic activities.

Spectrum Center for LGBT Concerns in Marin County
912 Irwin Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 
(415) 472 1945
Spectrum Center offers information and referral, support groups, senior activities , and a friendly visiting program for LGBT elders. The center strengthens and promotes acceptance of diversity and LGBT issues