Where can I get help as a family caregiver?
Every state has free help for family caregivers. It comes through a federal program and local Area Agencies on Aging. What they offer, who can get it, and how to find yours.
What the National Family Caregiver Support Program offers
The program helps caregivers learn about local services and get them. It also offers counseling, support groups and training. It can give respite care, so you get a break, and some other help on a small scale.
Who can get help
It helps unpaid caregivers, such as family, of people 60 and older. It helps people who care for someone of any age with Alzheimer's or a like dementia. It also helps relatives 55 and older who raise kids under 18 or care for adults 18 to 59 with a disability.
How to find your local office
The program runs through each state and local Area Agencies on Aging. To find yours, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov.
For free help with Medicare questions, a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor can help. Find free Medicare counseling in your state.
Checklist
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find your Area Agency on Aging.
- Ask about respite care, training, counseling and support groups.
- Ask what other local services your parent may qualify for.
Common questions
What is an Area Agency on Aging?
A local office that connects older adults and caregivers with services in their area. The Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116, can find yours.
Does the program cost anything?
The program is funded by the federal government through the states. Ask your local office about any costs for specific services.
Can it give me a break from caregiving?
Yes, respite care is one of its services. Ask your local Area Agency on Aging what is available.
Do you know what to do next?
Sources
- Written by
- The PlanScout team. Updated Oct 26, 2026.
- Corrections
- See something wrong? Tell us. We fix confirmed errors within 2 business days and note the change in the page's change log.
Sources (2)
- ACL — National Family Caregiver Support Program (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
- ACL — Eldercare Locator (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
This guide is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Confirm details with the provider, your plan, or a licensed professional.