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Web site a source for senior citizens

Web site a source for senior citizens

When Cheryl Nemanic was working as a general manager of a home-care service for seniors, she often fielded calls from families that needed help with certain issues but didn't know where to turn.

"It was a shame they really didn't know where to find the help or what kind of help was available," she said. "A lot of times I'd try to help them. I saw that it was pretty difficult to find help even if you knew what you were looking for."

The inquiries spurred her to create a resource for all senior services and issues in the region. So in January, her new Web site -- TodaysSeniorResource.com-- went online to provide an independent, one-stop shop for information for seniors -- whether it's looking for special transportation or how to create a living will or the availability of $40 coupons to help pay for converter boxes for their TVs when analog signals switch to digital early next year.

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Ms. Nemanic of Plum said it took her about a year to pull all the information together, which covers senior and caregiver resources in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland and Washington counties.

More than 2,000 people have logged onto the site, and a few aging agencies and state officials have included a link to her site from their Web sites.

Although there are other Web sites in the region that provide information for seniors, most are run by specific companies or programs that focus on their own services.

Dotti Ward, agency support director for Lifespan, an agency that operates 14 senior centers in Allegheny County, said the site is very comprehensive.

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"I was very, very impressed," she said about the site. "It's a much-needed service for seniors."

Although more seniors are becoming computer literate, Ms. Nemanic said, many times it's an older person's adult children looking for services for their parents.

"What's really important to me is for people to see what the options are," she said. "When people need [services], they need it pretty quickly. Time is always a big issue."

She's also hoping the Web site presents the issues clearly. "There are just so many types of programs," she said. "I think it's very confusing for people, even just to figure out what is out there for them."

Among the categories on the site are a local calendar of events (with dates of elder expos, health seminars, safe driving courses, etc.); discounts and rebates; how to hire home care and available agencies; choosing a personal care home; how to identify elder abuse; dental treatments and alternatives; how to find a local doctor or pharmacist; etc.

She encourages organizations to submit their programs or events and resources so the site is as comprehensive as possible.

Businesses or programs have the option of paying a fee to get a more prominent listing on the site, but the aim is to simply help cover the cost of operating the site, not to tarnish the site's integrity. "Hopefully, it will not take away from the fact that everybody is or can be listed," she said.

Eventually, she'd like to expand on the information about alternatives to nursing homes and to provide more healthy living ideas.

"The more you know about what kind of options are out there, the better prepared you'll be when the time comes that you do need some help."

If you can't get online, you also can reach Ms. Nemanic at 724-712-5655.

First Published: March 19, 2008, 8:00 a.m.

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