By Andria Segedy
American Geriatric Society Six thousand health care professionals belong to this society, which focuses on improving the health and well-being of older adults. The news section provides the most relevant information. Here you will find a list of subject headers that link to other sites that actually provide the information. www.americangeriatrics.org American Music Therapy Association The benefits of music therapy include improving memory recall, positive mood changes, and a sense of control for patients both young and old. On the site under “About AMTA,” you can sign up at no cost to be on two different listservs that discuss music therapy. AMTA was developed with the union of the American Association for Music Therapy and the National Association for Music Therapy. Its goal is to educate the public on music therapy benefits and increase accessibility to music therapy services. www.musictherapy.org American Therapeutic Recreation Association Therapeutic recreation programs provide treatment and recreation services to people with illnesses or disabling conditions. The primary purpose is to improve function and independence as well as reducing or eliminating the effects of illness or disability and improving health and well-being. On this site, under “Treatment Benefits,” is justification for therapeutic recreation and a cost analysis to help administrators make a decision on adding to or expanding therapeutic recreation in their rehab programs. www.atra-tr.org Assistive Technology (AT) Outcomes The AT Outcomes Web site focuses on the development, evaluation, and application of valid, reliable, and sensitive outcome measurement tools. A listserv also helps initiate dialog among AT professionals and researchers. The outcome measurement tools are expected to enable AT practitioners to determine the cost-effectiveness of their services, to gauge the value of providing assistive technologies, and to select the best technology from an array of choices. The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre sponsors the site. The Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Washington, DC, and the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation provide research funding. www.utoronto.ca/atrc/reference/atoutcomes/ Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities This site offers current information on what is happening in Washington, DC, relating to legislative discussion and people with disabilities. The Health Care Task Force is of particular interest because of its activities in managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, and patient privacy issues. The Consortium is a coalition of national consumer, advocacy, provider, and professional organizations. www.c-c-d.org International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Members practice in long-term disability and disability management consulting, case management and managed care, forensics and expert testimony, life care planning, and Americans with Disabilities Act consulting. This group was formerly known as the National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector (NARPPS); the name changed earlier this year. www.rehabpro.org Andria Segedy is a contributing writer for Rehab Management.
