During these challenging economic times, financial peace can seem incredibly hard to find. For the elderly, costly medical bills and prescriptions can make situations even more difficult. I just wanted to take a moment to offer some resources that might ease the financial burden off your shoulders or off the shoulders of someone you love. A special thanks to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) for helping others learn about these resources.

Are you a senior who could use assistance paying for healthcare, prescription drugs, meals, utilities, and other basic needs?

According to the NFCA, BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. Developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging, BenefitsCheckUp includes more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.benefitscheckup.org

Do you need help paying for prescription medications?

There are several ways to help those who qualify pay for prescription medications.

Together Rx Access

According to the NFCA, the Together Rx Access Card is a free, easy-to-use card that offers savings of approximately 25%-40% on more than 300 brand-name prescription products. For more information, please visit www.togetherrxaccess.com or call toll free 800-444-4106.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

Partnership for Prescription Assistance is sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies and is the largest private-sector patient assistance effort helping low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients get access to prescription assistance programs. Patients that qualify can obtain their medicine through more than 475 public and private assistance programs, which make available more than 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription medicines. For more information, visit www.pparx.org or call toll free 888-477-2669.

Are you elderly and/or disabled and in need of dental care?

According to the NFCA, the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH) arranges comprehensive dental treatment and long-term preventive services for the needy disabled, elderly, or medically compromised individuals through a national network of direct service programs that involve nearly 13,000 volunteer dentists. For more information, visit the NFDH’s website here.

Even though times are tough, you don’t have to go through them alone. There are many programs and organizations out there that want to come alongside you and assist with the cost of your medical expenses. Take some time this week to explore some of these resources for yourself or for someone you love. Even in what may look like a financial crisis, keep pressing on… the help you need is just around the corner.