(NewsUSA) - We've missed birthdays, holidays and so many of our favorite activities during this pandemic. But with the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots--which are free and widely available--we can finally get back to spending time with family and friends. Have questions about COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots? The Eldercare Locator can provide information to help you make informed choices--and when you're ready, connect you to local resources that can help you come up with a plan to get vaccinated, whether it's your first shot or a booster.

The Eldercare Locator can connect older adults, caregivers and families to services in their communities--services that make getting the vaccine safe and convenient. The Eldercare Locator is a national, federally funded hotline that provides older adults and their families with information on important topics, including COVID-19 and the vaccines, transportation, support services, housing and more. Trained staff connect callers with Area Agencies on Aging and other community-based organizations that provide personalized support to help older adults stay healthy and safe.

Contacting the Eldercare Locator is easy. Visit the website at eldercare.acl.gov to browse the listing of online resources or to enter your ZIP code to find services in your community. Interested in talking directly to an Eldercare Locator specialist? Live operators are ready to take your call and can also be reached by chat or email. Whether you or your family need assistance with meals or home care, or a caregiver needs training, education or a break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator can help.

Visit eldercare.acl.gov to learn more about services in your area and to chat with the Eldercare Locator's trained staff online. Give the Eldercare Locator a call at 800-677-1116 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday. Callers can request to speak to a specialist in any language. Support is also available by email at eldercarelocator@usaging.org.

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living and is administered by USAging.