CompuServ
Delphi
Genie
Prodigy
- America On-Line (AOL)
- AARP Online.
A news, information, and interactive communications service for the 2 million members of AARP who have computers with modems and can access online services. It offers articles from the AARP Bulletin, information about the many consumer-oriented AARP brochures, experts to "chat" with members about consumer issues, software exchange, and access to the Internet. Type the keyword "AARP" after logging on. AARP members receive reduced rates to subscribe to AOL. AOL subscribers do not have to be AARP members to tap into AARP Online. Call AOL at 1-800-827-9948 for information. - SeniorNet Online.
SeniorNet was established in 1986 by Mary Furlong with 100 people online. The group now has 14,000 members and operates 70 computer centers throughout the U.S. to teach computer skills to seniors. SeniorNet has announced a joint partnership with the Gray Panthers and the Older Women's League to provide expanding computer access to older people. It now operates SeniorNet Online on AOL. After paying the AOL monthly fee, SeniorNet members (who pay a membership fee to belong to SeniorNet) receive unlimited time on SeniorNet Online; nonmembers can access SeniorNet Online by paying AOL's regular online rates. Once you are online type the keyword "SeniorNet." To reach their "Alzheimer-Dementia" message board, for example, go then to "SeniorNet Forums," then to "Health & Wellness," and then to "Alzheimers/Dementia." This is a support group that posts daily to the message board and meets in a "chat room" on a monthly basis with caregivers, physicians, and nurses. SeniorNet's address is 399 Arguello Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 750-5030.
- CompuServ
- AARP Online.
This service is not available on CompuServe at this time, but there are plans to add it early in 1995. - Retirement Living Forum.
Operated since January 1994 by the Setting Priorities for Retirement Years (SPRY) Foundation, this consumer-oriented forum is structured in 3 parts:
(1) a message/bulletin board where subscribers can leave questions to be answered by experts, or messages for others "discussing" a topic,
(2) a library where information can be located on any one of 17 topics, such as health issues, finances, Social Security, Medicare, caregiving, housing, leisure and recreation, etc. and
(3) a conference center where subject area experts are scheduled periodically and subscribers can "call" in to them. These experts include representatives from the Social Security Administration, the Health Care Financing Administration which manages Medicare, the National Institute on Aging, the American Bar Association, the American Society on Aging, etc. CompuServe subscribers pay an additional $4.80 per hour at 2400 baud modem speed for access to this Forum (and other premium CompuServe forums). Type "Go RETIRE" after logging on. c. Their Issues Forum has a message section called "Seniors."
- Delphi
Seniors forum. Type "go group senior" after logging on.
- Genie
There is a Medical RoundTable on which there is an Alzheimer's disease support group for caregivers. For information about joining GEnie call 1-800-638-9636. For information about the RoundTable contact the system operator, Michael P. Weinstein, M.D., by e-mail at drmike@genie.geis.com.
- Prodigy
- AARP Online.
(See the description above under America On-Line.) Type "jump AARP" after logging on. Four chat rooms are available: AARP coffee shop, chapter roundtable, entitlement debate, and financial matters. Call Prodigy at 1-800-776-3449, extension 147 for information. AARP members get special rates. - Seniors bulletin board.
Type "jump SENIORS" after logging on.
- AARP Online.