(BPT) - While growing older can be amazing, sometimes we all need a little help to remain independent. Whether it is finding transportation to a doctor's appointment, taking a falls prevention class or signing up for a volunteer opportunity, it is important to know how to get connected to local aging programs in your community.

But, where to start? This is where the Eldercare Locator comes in. Contacting the Eldercare Locator helps ensure that older adults, families and caregivers can get connected to reliable and trusted information about local programs that are right in their community!

The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide, federally funded hotline that links older adults and caregivers with Area Agencies on Aging and other community-based organizations that offer services and provide information on topics pertaining to COVID-19, vaccines, transportation, support services, housing and more. Whether you or an older family member or friend need assistance with meals or home care, or a caregiver needs training, education or a break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is here to connect you with the resources you need.

In addition to general aging resources, the Eldercare Locator can also connect you to information about COVID-19 and how to find a local vaccination site or schedule transportation to and from your appointments.

Visit eldercare.acl.gov to browse the library of resources or to enter your ZIP code to find services in your community. Trained staff can assist you via online chat, by email at eldercarelocator@usaging.org, or by phone at 1-800-677-1116 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday; callers can request to speak to a specialist in any language.

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living and is administered by USAging.