Helpful Government Resources for Senior Housing, Healthcare, Finances & More

While it might be commonly known that the government provides support resources, did you know that they offer a vast array of services for the elderly? These are helpful resources designed to help with financial assistance, housing, healthcare, and many more. Although it could seem initially confusing to navigate these government services, that time spent can really pay off with the benefits you receive. Here are some of the most helpful, and lesser-known resources you should be tapping into: Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program For many seniors on a budget, healthy eating can often fall on the wayside. However, a balanced and nutritious diet is absolutely essential as you age, and the government is here to help in that area. In an effort to encourage healthier eating, this program funds coupons seniors can use to buy discounted food at various farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture programs. This assigned on a state basis, and you can contact your state’s local farmer’s program administrator here to get your coupons. Long-Term Planning As a senior, planning is an important part of your life. Whether it is thinking about retirement, or considering long-term care options, it is important to have these decisions in place ahead of time to ensure that your regular routine remains undisturbed. If you are trying to plan for circumstances such as long-term care, the National Institute of Aging can help. This is a great resource for understanding the different options you need to consider, as well as providing further government contacts to help implement your plans and maintain your standard of care. This resource will help you think about your health, future, and standard of living ahead of time while giving you further information on the different factors that go into these decisions. America The Beautiful Senior Pass Government resources are not relegated to certain kinds of help. You might not need housing or financial assistance, but perhaps you are looking to get out and explore more...without breaking the retirement bank. Luckily, there are government resources to help with this. America the Beautiful Senior Pass costs $80 for a Lifetime Pass, and $20 for an Annual Pass, providing excellent value for money. It serves as a ticket to over 2,000 federal recreation sites including entrance fees, amenity fees and day use fees as well. A full list of sights included can be found here, and this gives you plenty of opportunity to roam the United States and see the beautiful sights this country has to offer...for a great price! Federal Housing Programs for Seniors Housing is often a tricky time for seniors, and there are often many obstacles in the way of having comfortable living in retirement. The government has several resources in place to help seniors in this regard, and the Federal Housing Program for Seniors is just one of them. This program allows low-income senior access to housing assistance, including grants for repairs, placements in assisted living facilities, and even mortgage loans. It is important to bear in mind that federal housing assistance may see changes with different administrations, but it does not dissipate so always keep in contact with your state’s local administrators to ensure you are receiving the full benefits available. Administration of Aging (AoA) This last one is a comprehensive resource that aims to provide seniors with links to any kind of information they might need. This includes different financial assistance programs, nutrition, caregiver services, transportation, and even volunteering options for seniors. As your retirement stretches ahead of you, you can bookmark this resource and come back to it as different needs arise to find the right information for your situation. Updated semi-regularly, the AoA aims to provide holistic and accurate information about a variety of government resources aimed at seniors. Government resources may change from time to time, based on different administrations in place, but that should not deter you from pursuing any and all available benefits. These resources remain fixed, although they may sometimes change shape. Work with your local senior center and state representatives to keep abreast of important changes and to ensure that you have all the necessary information needed to take advantage of these resources. Although it might seem daunting at first, these services will prove to be invaluable in the long run.