Links
Below are links to other organizations with an interest in home care quality, geriatrics, improvement, or teambuilding.
Accreditation
Associations
Consumer
Government
Nurses
Quality Improvement
Research
Accreditation
Community Health Accreditation Program
CHAP is an independent, non-profit accrediting body which provides consultation on improving the quality of community based health care services, along with a broad network of professional staff resources.
The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission works to improve the safety and quality of care through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.
Associations
Aging & Public Health Section of the American Public Health Association
The Aging & Public Health Section (formerly the Gerontological Health Section) of the APHA works to improve the health, functioning, and quality of life of older people and to bring public attention to their unmet health and long term care needs through research and advocacy aimed at reforming governmental health care programs.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
The AFA web site includes information about Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, caregiving strategies and behavioral issues, news about Alzheimer's disease, and links to AFA member organizations.
American Academy of Home Care Physicians
The American Academy of Home Care Physicians works to serve the needs of physicians and related professionals and agencies interested in improving care of patients in the home.
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
The ACPA offers peer support, education and materials for people with pain seeking to improve the quality of their lives, and for the health care professionals who help them.
American Health Quality Association
The American Health Quality Association represents Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) and professionals working to improve the quality of health care in communities across America.
American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
AGS is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people. AGS provides support through activities in clinical practice, professional and public education, research, and public policy.
American Society on Aging
The American Society on Aging provides resources, publications, and educational opportunities to enhance the knowledge and skills of people working with older adults and their families.
Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs
The Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs facilitates the development of leadership skills among academic geriatricians and provides an ongoing forum for Program Directors and leaders in academic geriatrics to discuss the wide variety of issues that they encounter.
Gerontological Society of America
The Gerontological Society of America works to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
LeadingAge (formerly AAHSA)
LeadingAge works to offer not-for-profit aging-services providers the information and support they need to create the future of aging services. LeadingAge provides information and resources on legislative, operational, and legal issues and opportunities affecting aging-services providers.
National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the nation's largest trade association representing home health agencies, hospices, home care aide organizations, and medical equipment suppliers. NAHC addresses the interests and concerns of home health agencies through educational programming, promotion of professional development, quality of care initiatives and lobbying activities.
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
NFCA educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for those who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA offers a library of information and educational materials.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization represents hospice and palliative care programs and professionals. NHPCO develops educational programs and materials; convenes meetings and symposia; provides technical informational resources; conducts research; and monitors regulatory activities.
National Transitions Of Care Coalition (NTOCC)
The NTOCC web site provides information to help healthcare professionals understand how poor transitions impact care delivery and how they can help improve transitions in their setting.
Web Edition of Geriatrics At Your Fingertips™
The American Geriatrics Society's Geriatrics At Your Fingertips web site is a free guide to the evaluation and management of geriatric diseases and disorders. It includes a variety of assessment tools and algorithms, specific information on drug interactions and adverse events, and useful phone numbers and web sites.
Consumer
AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ improve the quality of their lives. AARP's site includes an extensive policy and research section for professionals in aging.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Their web site provides information on the latest Alzheimer care strategies, research findings and advocacy initiatives; as well as providing updates on programs, partners and events.
Ask Medicare Initiative
A web-based forum for the sharing of information for caregivers, partners, and the health care community. Includes: Medicare's Planning for Your Discharge: A comprehensive guide for patients and caregivers preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other health care setting.
Caring Connections
Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is a national consumer and community engagement initiative to improve care at the end of life. It provides free resources and information to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services before a crisis.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
FCA offers programs to support and sustain the important work of families and friends caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. FCA's web site provides a wealth of caregiving advice, resource listings, newsletters, fact sheets, research reports, policy updates and discussion groups.
Healthinaging.org
A comprehensive website created by the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) that provides up-to-date, expert health information to older adults—especially those with multiple, complex health problems—and their caregivers. It includes educational videos, printer-friendly tip sheets, insightful expert blogs, and much more.
Million Hearts
A national initiative launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in September 2011 to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.
National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)
NCPIE works to advance the safe, appropriate use of medicines through enhanced communication. Their web site provides helpful resources, many focused on the senior population, for both consumers and healthcare professionals to support safe medicine use.
National PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Association
The National PACE Association's web site offers numerous resources and tools for registered providers to understand the PACE model, assess their organization’s commitment and capacity, assess their community’s needs, and move forward with development or expansion of a PACE program.
National Sleep Foundation
The National Sleep Foundation provides information and advice to help the public better understand the importance of sleep and the benefits of good sleep habits, and recognizing the signs of sleep problems so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Next Step in Care
Next Step in Care, supported by a United Hospital Fund Campaign, provides information and advice to help family caregivers and health care providers plan safe and smooth patient transitions between care settings.
Nutrition.Gov
This website provides easy, online access to government information on food and human nutrition for consumers.
PalliativeDoctors.org
PalliativeDoctors.org was developed by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine to help families and patients understand the facts about, and benefits of, hospice and palliative care. This site includes patient stories, caregiver tips, as well as resources to help patients receive quality care.
PainSAFE
A site developed by the American Pain Foundation to help advocate for and advance the safe use of all pain therapies. It provides up-to-date information, programming and practical resources and tools to help educate people with pain and caregivers.
The Conversation Project
An initiative to help people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. It includes a free starter kit to help individuals gather their thoughts before discussing end-of-life issues with family and friends.
Government
Administration on Aging (AoA)
AoA works to develop a system of health and long-term care that helps elderly individuals maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and communities. Their web site offers a searchable database of materials by AoA grantees; information to help increase access to, and improve programs for, older minority Americans; and listings of Federal web sites that offer valuable information.
Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality: Health Literacy and Cultural Competency Page
A compilation of resources supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality relevant to health literacy and cultural and linguistic competency.
Alzheimers.gov
A comprehensive compilation of information on Alzheimer’s disease. It contains fact sheets from the National Institute on Aging, HBO documentaries, legal advice, information on spotting symptoms, and extensive health information from the Mayo Clinic and U.S. National Library of Medicine.
CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Site
This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information and resources for preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
CDC Seasonal Influenza - Information for Health Professionals
A collection of links from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that offers public health and healthcare professionals key information about vaccination, infection control, prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of seasonal influenza.
Clear Communication: An NIH Health Literacy Initiative (National Institutes of Health)
The Office of Communications and Public Liaison's page shares NIH-supported educational products, research, lessons learned, and research in the area of health literacy.
Federal Health Literacy Improvement
This page hosted by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion provides a helpful list of health communication resources.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) conducts and supports research and provides information about health products and practices that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Their website includes resources for Health Care Providers.
National Eye Institute (NEI)
The National Eye Institute (NEI) supports and conducts research aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of eye diseases.
National Institute on Aging/ National Institutes of Health
The National Institute of Aging leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. The NIA provides leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
NIOSH conducts scientific research, develops guidance and authoritative recommendations, disseminates information, and responds to requests for workplace health hazard evaluations.
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse
The National Quality Measures Clearinghouse™ (NQMC) is a database and web site for information on specific evidence-based health care quality measures and measure sets to promote widespread access to quality measures by the health care community and other interested individuals.
Ready.gov
This site provides emergency preparedness guidance from the U.S. Departrment of Homeland Security, including how to make a plan and prepare a disaster kit.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is a leader in efforts to reduce the impact of substance use and mental disorders nationwide. Its web site is for educators, clinicians and advocates interested in improving the quality of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services.
The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
The FNIC's website offers easy access to credible and practical food and nutrition resources for educators and health professionals.
Nurses
American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN)
ASPMN works to advance and promote optimal nursing care for people affected by pain by promoting best nursing practice. This is accomplished through education, standards, advocacy, and research.
GeriatricPain.org
Best practice tools and resources for nurses responsible for pain care in older adults who reside in nursing homes. (Also has relevance for home care.)
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
GAPNA works to advocate quality care for older adults; promote professional development; provide continuing gerontological education; enhance communication and professional collaboration among healthcare providers; and educate consumers regarding issues of aging.
Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing (HIGN)
HIGN works to shape the quality of health care for older Americans by promoting geriatric nursing excellence to the nursing profession and the larger health care community. Their web site contains resources and links to products developed by HIGN in Education, Practice, Research, and Policy.
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)
HPNA provides resources and support for advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants who care for people with life-limiting and terminal illness.
National Gerontological Nursing Association
The National Gerontological Nursing Association offers its members tools and resources to improve the quality of nursing care for older adults.
Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) Program
NICHE, a program of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, was designed to help healthcare professionals improve their clinical skills and nursing competencies in elder care. Their site includes an online Knowledge Center with tools and resources to help close the knowledge gap in elder care nursing.
The Center for Integrative Science in Aging (CISA) /Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
CISA's web site provides Gero T.I.P.S. (Teach Innovative Practical Solutions) - a free, web-based learning environment for nurses and other healthcare practitioners who want to stay informed about innovative developments in the field of gerontological nursing.
The Practice Change Fellows Program
The Practice Change Fellows Program (supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the John A. Hartford Foundation) is a two year opportunity for nurses, physicians, and social workers to develop leadership skills and content expertise in order to positively influence care for older adults.
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Society (WOCN)
The WOCN Society is a professional nursing society of healthcare professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wounds, ostomy and incontinence. Their web site features education resources developed and researched by leaders in the field of WOC care.
Quality Improvement
Guided Care
Guided Care is a model of comprehensive health care by physician-nurse teams for people with several chronic health conditions, specifically focusing on the 25% of Medicare patients at highest risk for using health services heavily.
H2H National Quality Improvement Initiative
This national quality initiative, co-sponsored by the American College of Cardiology and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, is an effort to improve the transition from inpatient to outpatient care for individuals hospitalized with cardiovascular disease.
IHI STAAR Initiative
The State Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations (STAAR) initiative aims to reduce rehospitalizations by working across organizational boundaries and by engaging payers, state and national stakeholders, patients and families, and caregivers at multiple care sites and clinical interfaces.
The Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign
The Campaign is designed to unite home health stakeholders and multiple health care settings under the shared vision of reducing avoidable hospitalizations and improving medication management.
(New!) National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC)
The National Center at Georgetown University provides resources to help professionals provide culturally and linguistically competent practices, including self-assessments, policy briefs, checklists, guides, articles, tools monographs, and multimedia products.
National Chronic Care Consortium
The Consortium provides access to advanced knowledge for professionals serving people with multiple, complex chronic conditions; offers tools for addressing integration of care; and provides a framework, strategies, and sample policy specifications for reforming barriers to quality, cost-effective care.
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute
The Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute works to improve the lives of people who need home or residential care—by improving the lives of the workers who provide that care.
Project BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older Adults through Safe Transitions)
The Project BOOST section of the Society of Hospital Medicine website provides resources for improving hospital discharge, including screening/assessment tools, discharge checklist, transition record, teach-back process, risk-specific interventions and written discharge instructions.
Social Work Leadership Institute
The Social Work Leadership Institute is working to train and grow the national workforce of social workers who specialize in aging and to improve long-term, community-based care for older adults through advocacy, education and training, leadership development, and research.
Research
Academy Health
Academy Health works to improve the knowledge base of health care decision-making by supporting the professional development of those who conduct and use health services research, advocating for the tools and funding necessary to do this work, and helping to translate HSR findings into policy and practice.
Alliance for Aging Research (AAR)
AAR is the nation's leading citizen advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of Americans as they age. AAR works to develop, implement and advocate programs in research, professional and consumer health education and public policy.
American Federation for Aging Research
American Federation for Aging Research has supported the science of healthier aging and played a major role in providing and advancing knowledge of aging and mechanisms of age-related disease.
Center for Interdisciplinary Geriatric Research
The Center works to promote interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers in the development, testing, and dissemination of health-enhancing interventions for older adults.
Evidence Database on Aging Care
This database houses descriptive reviews and citations for care coordination intervention outcomes reported in peer-reviewed journals since 2000. It includes more than 540 abstracts and 290 reviews on this topic.
Institute for Geriatric Social Work
The Institute for Geriatric Social Work is dedicated to strengthening the workforce for an aging society through educational innovation, workforce change, and research.
Institute on Aging Research Center
The Institute links the research, clinical, and health service experts of the Institute on Aging and the University of California, San Francisco. Its research studies focus on issues of importance to the health and well-being of elders, and seek to develop interventions that enhance independence and functional ability.
The Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health
The Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health (COAH) is dedicated to research that will prevent disease, disability and frailty, and improve the health and well-being of older adults. Research at COAH covers the full spectrum of aging research, from the biology of aging to health policy, facilitating the translation of research discoveries into applications that will directly improve the health of older adults.
National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA)
NACDA, funded by the National Institute on Aging, makes available the largest library of electronic data on aging in the U.S., offering opportunities for secondary analysis on major issues of scientific and policy relevance.
National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity & Aging
The National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity & Aging aims to promote active healthy aging by working to reduce nutrition risk among older adults.
Project RED (Re-Engineered Discharge)
Project Re-Engineered Discharge is a series of randomized controlled trials at Boston University Medical Center aimed at improving patient safety by recreating the process by which patients leave the hospital.
RAND Center for the Study of Aging
The Center conducts objective, independent, behavioral research on the elderly population. Its interdisciplinary staff aims to help improve public policy through primary data collection and secondary data analysis.
The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH): Health Literacy Studies
HSPH's site is designed for professionals in health and education who are interested in health literacy. It provides information on how to create, assess, and rewrite materials; how to assess literacy barriers; and links to training opportunities.
Disclaimer/Permissions: All resources posted on the CHAMP web site are provided free of charge for educational, non-profit use only. Necessary permissions have been obtained for any copyrighted materials. Links to resources outside of the CHAMP web site are subject to the host site's policies. Please note that not all resources are specific to home care and they are not intended to replace or substitute professional medical advice regarding the needs of individual patients.