Getting Started
This site, copyrighted and maintained by Northern Webs, has won awards
from web groups for its help to those new to the web. It has a multi-chapter
tutorial which you can read, download, or print ranging from simple to
complex topics. It is updated regularly and, like most good sites, has
a lot of links to helpful resources.
This site, which is maintained by Laura Cohen, Webmaster and Network
Services Librarian at the State University of New York at Albany, covers
many of the same topics as Beginners Central, including numerous "How to"
sections with clear, printable directions. There is some correspondence
in the information, but not a complete overlap.
Using Web Resources in Writing a Paper
"MLA-Style
Citations of Electronic Sources"
One problem that new (and sometimes experienced) users of the internet
have is how to cite and give credit to electronic sources, including web-sites,
gopher sites, and other electronic media. This site, created by Janice
Walker from the Department of English at the University of South Florida,
an expert in this field, gives specific and concrete examples of how to
cite materials in bibliographies and a link to a page giving information
on how to do in-text citations. If you will be writing a paper where you
may use web-based information, this will be useful to you. It also includes
a bibliography and has won several awards.
Sites to Help Locate Other Sites on Aging
AOA Internet
and E-Mail Resources on Aging: An Online Directory
Joyce Post, a librarian at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, has made
a name for herself by compiling and categorizing electronic resources related
to aging. This site, done in cooperation with the Administration on Aging,
includes over 2000 sites and listservs related to aging and can be searched
to find more specific information. I suggest going to "General Resources"
or checking items marked as "Best Bets."
Andrus Gerontology
Center Library
The library at the University of Southern California's Andrus Center
has a useful on-line listing leading to most of the main aging resources
available via the web. I found especially useful the "Web Resources" page,
which had major categories, such as "Organizations and Associations" and
"Psychology and Sociology" to help to guide you to relevant resources.
It also includes links to electronic journals (e-journals) and newsletters
that may be of use to you.
Age Data
Below are listed some sites that can provide you with information on
demography of the aging population, aging research studies, and specific
topics for the United States and in various countries around the world.
Note that not all of the information is free and that some of it refers
you to published (hard copy) materials.
The U.S. Census Bureau provides this as one of its linked web sites.
It provides access to national, state, or local census sources of information
on demography. International data are also available. There is a search
process available for any census from 1900 to 1990 to request specific
sets of information for a $40 fee. In general, the census provides both
statistics on current populations and projections for population change/growth
through these sites and their printed publications.
The National Institute on Aging, part of the federally-funded National
Institutes of Health, is involved with both basic and applied research
on physical, social and psychological aspects of health as people age.
Their web site provides information on their research agenda including
extramural research (funding to outside groups, such as university-based
researchers) on biology of aging, behavioral and social research, neurosciences
and neuropsychology and geriatrics. In addition, NIA funds its own research
labs (internal programs) and provides a number of publications which are
available for free via e-mail requests. To find out what is "hot" in aging
research, one good place to look is the NIA web site.
International
Data Base (IDB) - from U.S. Census Bureau
Ever want to know what population pyramids will look like for Albania,
Guatemala, or Sierra Leone in 2025? Visiting the IDB site provided by the
U.S. Census Bureau will enable you to look at projections for population
and detailed characteristics of various countries or regions of the world.
Choose from a large number of countries and look at the rate of aging of
their populations (via population pyramids) or at statistics in tables.
It is also possible to download IDB data, but review the requirements in
advanced and be prepared for a large data set!
AgeLine is a resource that has been around for a while and is very useful
to researchers (including those having paper assignments). It is a searchable
database of thousands of articles from journals and magazines on topics
related to aging. AgeLine, supported by the AARP, has a thesaurus of aging
terms which can be used as keywords in a search on a particular topic.
Helpful on-line "how to" descriptions make this an easy way to identify
and review the abstracts of materials you might find useful to your own
research or project.
This site provides information on two of the largest research projects
to collect information about the economic, social and health status of
older adults. The two studies, the Heath and Retirement Study (HRS) and
the Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old Study (AHEAD) are still
collecting data. Information on design of these studies, their goals, funding,
and initial publications are provided on this very active site. Anyone
interested in seeing the "nuts and bolts" of large-scale data collection
would do well to visit this site. Both are large, national, longitudinal
studies funded by the National Institute on Aging, with a variety of rich
data that will be useful to researchers and policy makers.
National Archive of Computerized
Data on Aging
The National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging, located at the University
of Michigan's Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research
(ICPSR), has been a substantial resource for researchers interested in
secondary analysis of existing databases. NACDA archives and maintains
a large number of datasets that can be retrieved by members of ICPSR for
research purposes. The site lists research studies by topic, providing
an abstract for each, and gives information on downloading information
or datasets, if you are eligible. NACDA enables researchers to benefit
from the data collection efforts of many of their colleagues to answer
questions relevant to the field. Although not the "friendliest" site listed,
a perusal of the NACDA holdings section will give you a flavor of what
this organization is all about and perhaps some ideas for your own research.
A Sociological Tour Through
Cyberspace
Sociologist Mike Kearl of Trinity University has obviously invested considerable time in developing a web site with numerous, interesting links and great visuals. Aside from general information about the discipline of sociology and links relevant to the discipline, he includes a section entitled "Exercising the Imagination: Subject-Based Inquiries." Two of these subject-based inquiries (Sociology of Death and Dying and Social Gerontology) are especially pertinent to this book. Visit the "Death Clock" and see your probable date of death, or learn how the aging of the population is going to have repercussions in every aspect of social life.
.
Caregiver Survival Resources
Caregiving is a major issue for elderly people, children, and disabled
people of all ages. This web site is oriented to provide information and
support to caregivers in various situations, including but not limited
to caring for older relatives. A variety of resources are offered, including
books, an "ask Dr. Caregiver" option, and links to a variety of other resources
and more specialized organizations. This could be a good first stop for
assistance for someone seeking information or assistance with caregiving
problems. This is a very friendly site for caregivers or professionals
interested in support or information.
Grandparenting: The Essential
Sites
This web site, operated by Third Age Media, is actually serves as a
metasite, giving a listing of sites regarding grandparenting with reviews
of their quality. It links the user to a range of these sites related to
contemporary grandparenting issues, including topics such as legal issues
surrounding grandparents and divorce, how grandparents can maintain family
legacies, and grandparents who care for their grandchildren. This is a
very friendly site and can take you many places connected with the topic
of grandparenting.
Administration
on Aging/Older Americans Act
One of the major pieces of legislation establishing the "aging network"
was the Older Americans Act (OAA). This site, provided by the Administration
on Aging, the governmental agency charged with fulfilling the mandate of
the OAA describes the legislation and how it has been implemented. The
OAA provides a wide range of services based on a combination of age and
need at the federal, state and local levels.
This site, which is maintained by attorneys Goldfarb & Abrandt specializing
in Senior Law, provides information on legal/legislative updates in Medicare
and Medicaid, a reference to articles on elder law topics, and other senior
law information. If you are seriously interested in the law, you may wish
to check out their "way cool sites," which includes topics reaching well
beyond senior law.
American Association for
Retired Persons - Where We Stand
As the largest membership group in the country, the American Association
for Retired Persons is active in developing positions, advocating on behalf
of causes related to older adults, and encouraging/educating older adults
to be vocal on their own behalf. This site contains issue papers describing
AARP's stands on a variety of topics from advance directives and elder
abuse to older drivers and federal entitlement programs. There is also
information about hot policy topics, including managed care and Social
Security, and informational "how to" segments for those interested in lobbying
or expressing their views to policy makers.
Association for Gerontology
in Higher Education Student Page
The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education has a page of resources
for students. It includes information on a database (with tailored searches
available for a $10 fee for students) to identify specific types of educational
programs in gerontology/geriatrics nationwide, information on scholarships
and fellowships for advanced study in aging/gerontology, and information
on careers in aging for the potential professional.
Elderhostel has been a source of social activity, travel and education
for older adults for many years. A visit to their web site demonstrates
the richness and diversity of education/travel programs they offer and
provides a notion of what some adults do in their retirement years. Although
courses do carry costs and primarily cater to a middle-class clientele,
some scholarships are available. Check out activities located at a wide
range of locations throughout the U.S. and Canada ("Programs in the U.S.
and Canada") and view some of the courses available in your state or elsewhere
through Elderhostel.
The National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes
of Health in Bethesda, MD, has a broad agenda of research and public information.
Check out their significant research findings, publications available on
health issues, and "Age Page" summaries about a wide range of health topics.
Social Security Education
Project
This web site provides a "tour" of Social Security, describes
the history of the program including Medicare, Hospital Insurance, and
the issues of privatization currently under debate. There is also
a fun "exam" about Social Security knowledge.
Retirement
Research Foundation
The Retirement Research Foundation supports projects and programs
to improve the lives of Older Americans. Their interests and activities,
as well as grant information, are listed on their web site.
The Department of Labor is responsible for protecting American workers and dealing with labor force issues. This site describes the DOL and its programs and has links to related sites of interest, such as:
http://stats.bls.gov (the
Bureau of Labor Statics, which provides data on workers, employment
trends, etc.)
http://www.wdsc.org/owprog/index.html
(Programs and services for older workers)
The Census collects and disseminates data about the population, including
trends such as aging. There are a variety of options for examining
data in the U.S. or the world, and a help function is provided.
A wealth of information can be accessed.
Social Security Administration Home
Page
Social Security provides a lot of information about its own programs,
benefit information and forms, and SS laws and regulations. Data
are offered through a link to the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics,
and a frequently asked questions with answers are presented.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
OECD facilitates discussion and cooperation among 29 member countries
to maximize economic groups and well-being of their populations.
Data on international trends in economics and population are found, as
well as an extensive list of publications available from OECD.
:
This site provides a comprehensive description of the older population
in the United States. Data include health status, activities of daily
living, most common health problems and health expenditures for older persons.
Health Care Financing Administration
The Health Care Financing Administration is the governmental agency
responsible for Medicare and Medicaid. Their site describes the agency,
lists consumer information, and gives data on health care expenditures
for these two, major programs.