Complete Guide

Caregiver Resources Guide

Finding Support and Assistance

Caregiver Support Available

You don't have to do this alone. Numerous resources exist to support caregivers: financial assistance programs, support groups, respite care services, educational programs, and community resources. Many are free or low-cost. The challenge is often knowing what's available and how to access it. This guide helps you navigate the landscape of caregiver support and find the help you need.

An estimated $470 billion in unpaid care is provided by family caregivers annually. Resources exist because your contribution is valued.

Types of Caregiver Resources

Financial assistance and benefits

Respite care services

Support groups (in-person and online)

Education and training programs

Case management services

Community organizations

Government programs

Disease-specific organizations

Key Resource Categories

Financial Assistance

Help covering costs

✓ Tax credits, Medicaid waivers, veterans benefits, disability benefits, pharmaceutical assistance programs, transportation assistance.

Respite Care

Temporary relief for caregivers

✓ In-home care, adult day programs, short-term residential care. Gives you a break while ensuring your loved one is cared for.

Support Groups

Emotional and practical support

✓ In-person and online groups connecting you with other caregivers. Share experiences, tips, and understanding.

Education and Training

Building caregiving skills

✓ Workshops, online courses, training programs. Learn medical tasks, communication skills, and self-care strategies.

pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.heading

Common Symptoms

pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.0
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.1
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.2
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.3
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.4
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.5
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.6
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.7
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.8
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.9
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.10
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.11
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.12
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.13
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.14
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.15
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.16
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.17
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.18
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.19
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.20
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.21
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.22
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.23
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.24
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.25
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.26
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.27
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.28
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.29
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.30
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.31
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.32
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.33
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.34
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.35
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.36
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.37
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.38
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.39
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.common.40

Warning Signs (Seek Care)

pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.0
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.1
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.2
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.3
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.4
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.5
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.6
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.7
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.8
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.9
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.10
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.11
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.12
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.13
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.14
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.15
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.16
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.17
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.18
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.19
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.20
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.21
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.22
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.23
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.24
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.25
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.26
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.27
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.28
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.29
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.30
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.31
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.32
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.33
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.34
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.35
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.36
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.37
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.38
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.39
pages.caregiver-resources.symptoms.severe.40

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.heading

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.0.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.0.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.1.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.1.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.2.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.2.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.3.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.3.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.4.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.4.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.5.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.5.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.6.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.6.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.7.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.7.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.8.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.8.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.9.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.9.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.10.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.10.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.11.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.11.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.12.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.12.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.13.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.13.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.14.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.14.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.15.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.15.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.16.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.16.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.17.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.17.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.18.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.18.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.19.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.19.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.20.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.20.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.21.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.21.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.22.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.22.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.23.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.23.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.24.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.24.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.25.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.25.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.26.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.26.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.27.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.27.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.28.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.28.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.29.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.29.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.30.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.30.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.31.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.31.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.32.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.32.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.33.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.33.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.34.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.34.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.35.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.35.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.36.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.36.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.37.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.37.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.38.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.38.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.39.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.39.description

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.40.name

pages.caregiver-resources.diagnosis.tests.40.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.heading

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.0.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.0.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.1.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.1.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.2.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.2.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.3.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.3.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.4.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.4.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.5.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.5.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.6.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.6.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.7.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.7.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.8.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.8.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.9.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.9.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.10.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.10.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.11.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.11.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.12.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.12.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.13.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.13.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.14.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.14.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.15.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.15.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.16.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.16.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.17.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.17.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.18.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.18.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.19.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.19.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.20.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.20.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.21.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.21.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.22.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.22.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.23.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.23.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.24.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.24.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.25.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.25.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.26.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.26.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.27.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.27.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.28.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.28.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.29.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.29.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.30.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.30.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.31.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.31.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.32.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.32.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.33.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.33.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.34.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.34.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.35.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.35.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.36.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.36.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.37.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.37.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.38.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.38.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.39.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.39.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.40.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.40.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.41.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.41.description

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.42.title

pages.caregiver-resources.treatment.options.42.description

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.heading

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.0

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.1

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.2

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.3

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.4

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.5

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.6

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.7

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.8

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.9

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.10

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.11

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.12

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.13

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.14

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.15

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.16

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.17

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.18

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.19

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.20

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.21

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.22

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.23

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.24

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.25

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.26

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.27

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.28

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.29

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.30

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.31

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.32

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.33

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.34

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.35

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.36

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.37

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.38

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.39

pages.caregiver-resources.prevention.tips.40

Finding and Accessing Resources

Start with Your Area Agency on Aging

Every area has one. They're a gateway to local services: meals, transportation, respite, case management, and more. Find yours online or by calling 211.

Explore Disease-Specific Organizations

Alzheimer's Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society—these organizations offer extensive resources, support, and information.

Check Government Benefits

Social Security Disability, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits. Use benefits.gov or BenefitsCheckUp to see what you qualify for.

Talk to a Social Worker

Hospitals, clinics, and senior centers often have social workers who can connect you with resources and help with applications.

Join a Support Group

Find in-person groups through hospitals or organizations. Online groups offer 24/7 support. Connection with other caregivers is invaluable.

Look for Nonprofit Help

Many organizations provide free services: transportation, meals, home modification, financial assistance. Ask locally and search online.

Consider Employer Resources

If you're working, check for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), flexible spending accounts, or caregiver benefits. FMLA provides job protection.

Use Online Tools

Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov), ARCH National Respite Network, Family Caregiver Alliance. Many organizations have online resource finders.

Caregiver Resource Facts

📊

$470 billion

Value of unpaid caregiving annually in the US

📊

less than half

Of caregivers use available support services

📊

70%

Of working caregivers report work difficulties due to caregiving

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any paid benefits for caregivers?

Some states have paid family leave programs. Veterans may qualify for the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Check your state's programs.

What does the VA offer for caregivers?

Eligible veterans' caregivers can receive a stipend, health insurance, training, and mental health services through the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

How do I find respite care?

Contact your Area Agency on Aging, use the ARCH National Respite Locator, ask hospitals or social workers. Adult day programs and home care agencies offer respite services.

Are support groups helpful?

Very. They provide emotional support, practical tips, resources, and understanding from people who get it. Many find them essential to coping with caregiving.

What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons. You can use it to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Can I get paid to be a family caregiver?

In some cases. Some states' Medicaid programs pay family caregivers. Veterans programs may pay. Long-term care insurance might cover it. It's limited but worth exploring.

What about tax breaks for caregivers?

You may be able to claim your loved one as a dependent, deduct medical expenses you pay, or use the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Consult a tax professional.

How do I find training?

Red Cross offers family caregiver classes. Disease organizations provide training. Home health agencies often train family caregivers. Hospitals may offer workshops.

What if I can't afford help?

Many resources are free or sliding scale. Start with your Area Agency on Aging. They can connect you with low-cost or free services in your area.

Where do I start looking for resources?

Start locally: your Area Agency on Aging or senior center. Then explore disease-specific organizations relevant to your loved one's condition. Social workers are also great connectors.

Organize Caregiving with WellAlly

Track care, coordinate resources, manage health information

Try WellAlly Free