When you need help, it can be hard to know where to turn. AgeSpan is proud to introduce a new tool that we hope will make it easier for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to find the resources they need to stay independent in their homes and communities. The Community Resource Guide, which is now available on the AgeSpan website, is a searchable directory of programs and services beyond AgeSpan’s own programs. It’s available to all and includes information in areas such as health insurance, food assistance, housing, legal services, mental health, and more. It’s the first time this information is in one easy-to-search location.

The Community Resource Guide was created by AgeSpan’s Information and Referral team, who have spent years tracking down resources for the people we serve. It’s a list of programs and services across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore that aren’t formally connected to AgeSpan but have been organized by staff familiar with the needs of local older adults and caregivers.

Users can search by topic or location. Several of the resources are also available in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Khmer, Portuguese, and Vietnamese, reflecting the diverse communities we serve. The guide will be continuously updated as community needs and resources change.

We’re proud to offer this new tool as part of our mission to help people remain independent and connected as they age. To check it out for yourself, visit our website at www.agespan.org and click on Community Resource Guide in the top corner. Whether you need it today or simply want to have it in your back pocket for the future, I hope you’ll take a look. You never know when the right resource can make all the difference.

Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org. 

Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.