Resources for Elderly People with Disabilities
Everyone deserves access to high-quality care. Find the right care for your loved one living with a disability today.
Resources for Older Disabled People
“Disability” refers to a wide range of visible and hidden conditions and diseases. Typically, disabilities can be broken down into the following three categories:
- Physical Disabilities and Other Physical Conditions – Physical decline is common while aging. Obesity, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease (heart disease), mobility issues, vision and dental problems, and more are all common among older adults.
- Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions – Anxiety, depression, and substance misuse disorders, according to the World Health Organization, account for a significant percentage of disabilities among the elderly.
- Other Conditions – Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and more are conditions that most commonly occur with advanced age.
If your loved one lives with a disability and needs a little extra assistance, the following programs, services, and communities may be able to help.
Government-Based Programs
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – SNAP offers eligible low-income families and individuals nutritional assistance, making it a great choice for households with a disabled elderly member struggling with food security.
- Social Security – The U.S. Social Security Administration provides benefits to older U.S. adults. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) financially assist low-income, disabled households across the country.
- Medicaid – Medicaid is a government-sponsored health insurance program for disabled and low-income households; eligibility varies by location.
- Medicare – The most well-known public health insurance initiative in the United States, Medicare offers robust insurance for older U.S. adults.
- Veterans Benefits – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers pensions and other benefits, like Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowances, to eligible disabled wartime veterans.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS.gov) – This federal government agency offers more than 100 programs and services, many of which are targeted towards low-income, disabled, and elderly persons.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Mental health is just as important as physical health; don’t neglect it! The APA offers plenty of resources addressing the mental health needs of aging adults, making it an excellent resource for ensuring the mental well-being of aging people and their caregivers alike.
Community-Based Services
Find disability services, personal care services, senior services, and health care professionals in your area using any of the following resources.
Senior Living Communities
Living at home is the right choice for many people. But moving into a community can be the right choice for many more.
Popular senior living options that may work best for your family include:
- Independent living communities for aging adults who need little to no help on a daily basis,
- Assisted living communities for people who need some assistance with activities of daily living,
- Memory care communities that offer long-term care services for people living with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease,
- Skilled nursing care/nursing home care communities that offer 24/7 medical care for residents, and
- Respite care and support services for family caregivers.
We encourage you to use our database to find a senior living community near you that perfectly meets your needs or the needs of your loved one.
Disclaimers – This page is for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or condition. It should not replace the guidance of a licensed medical provider.
