Caregiver Support: Resources for Family Caregivers

They may also offer emotional support and help someone stay connected to their community. Every caregiving situation is different. 

The right resources depend on the caregiver’s needs, the needs of the person receiving care, and the services available locally. They may also offer emotional support and help someone stay connected to their community. 

Every caregiving situation is different. The right resources depend on the caregiver’s needs, the needs of the person receiving care, and the services available locally.

What Is Caregiver Support?

Caregiver support includes services and resources for people who regularly help a family member, friend, or another person. The person receiving help is sometimes called the care recipient. 

A care recipient may be an older adult, an adult with a disability, or a child who needs ongoing support. Family caregivers may be spouses or partners, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives, friends, or neighbors. 

Caregivers may provide occasional help or daily support. Some live with the person they support while others might provide care from another home or community.

Why Family Caregiver Support Matters

Caregiving can involve many responsibilities. A caregiver may coordinate appointments, communicate with providers, manage household tasks, or balance caregiving with work. Family caregiver support can provide information and help caregivers explore available services. 

Depending on the program, caregiver support may include information and referrals, caregiver education or training, counseling, support groups, respite care, and other approved services or supplies. 

Support should reflect each family’s priorities, culture, language, and circumstances. There is no single caregiving plan that works for everyone.

What Caregiver Support Services Are Available?

Caregiver services vary by state, city, organization, eligibility, and funding. 

Information and Referrals

Information services help caregivers learn about local programs and community resources. A caregiver may receive information about transportation, meal programs, in-home assistance, adult day services, benefits counseling, disability and aging services, support groups, or respite care. 

Referral services may connect caregivers with a local Area Agency on Aging or another community organization.

Caregiver Education and Training

Training may help caregivers build skills related to their responsibilities. Training topics vary by caregiver responsibilities and needs. 

Depending on the program, training may address personal care, home safety, communication, daily routines, coordinating appointments, finding community services, and planning for changes in care needs.

Training should fit the caregiver’s responsibilities and the care recipient’s needs. General caregiver education does not replace medical, behavioral health, legal, or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional when specialized guidance is needed.

Counseling and Support Groups

Counseling may give caregivers a place to discuss stress, grief, changing responsibilities, or family concerns. Support groups can help caregivers connect with people who have similar experiences. 

Groups may meet in person or online. Some programs may offer individual or family counseling. Availability, eligibility, and cost vary by program.

Respite Care

Respite care is temporary care that gives a caregiver time away from caregiving duties. Respite options depend on provider availability and family needs.

Depending on the provider, respite care may take place in the family’s home, at an adult day program, or in another approved setting. It may be offered for a short period or on a planned schedule. 

Respite services vary in cost, location, length, and availability. Eligibility requirements may also apply. Before using respite care, families can ask about staff qualifications, accessibility, safety procedures, and emergency plans.

Supplemental Services

Some caregiver programs may offer limited supplemental services. These are additional services or supplies intended to address a specific caregiving need.

Examples may include safety equipment, assistive items, transportation assistance, and other approved supplies or services. Not every program offers supplemental services. Available services and eligibility requirements may change.

What Is the National Family Caregiver Support Program?

According to the Administration for Community Living (n.d.-b), the National Family Caregiver Support Program is a federal program established under the Older Americans Act. It supports state and local efforts to assist family and informal caregivers.

Program services may include:

• Information about available services
• Help accessing services
• Counseling
• Support groups
• Caregiver training
• Respite care
• Limited supplemental services

Services are provided through state and local aging networks. The services offered in one community may differ from those offered in another. For current federal program information, visit the Administration for Community Living’s National Family Caregiver Support Program webpage.

Who May Qualify for Caregiver Services?

Eligibility depends on the specific program.

Programs may consider factors such as:

• The caregiver’s age
• The care recipient’s age
• The relationship between the caregiver and care recipient
• The type of care being provided
• Where the caregiver and care recipient live
• The care recipient’s support needs
• Available program funding

Some programs focus on people caring for older adults. Others may support caregivers of people with disabilities, people with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions, or children who need ongoing care. 

Eligibility does not guarantee services; waiting lists, funding limits, geographic boundaries, and other requirements may apply. Caregivers should contact the program directly to confirm current eligibility requirements.

What Is an Area Agency on Aging?

The Administration for Community Living (n.d.-a) describes an Area Agency on Aging as a local or regional organization that helps connect older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers with services. An agency may provide services directly or refer families to other community organizations.

Available resources may include caregiver information and assistance, meal programs, transportation, benefits counseling, health and wellness programs, long-term care information, and community-based services.

California residents can visit the California Department of Aging to learn about statewide programs and services. Caregivers can also use the federal Eldercare Locator to look for aging and caregiver resources in their community.

How to Find Caregiver Support

Start by identifying the type of help that would be most useful. A caregiver may need information, training, a temporary break, or help finding community services.

1. List Your Most Urgent Needs

Identify the tasks or concerns that are hardest to manage so you can explain your most urgent needs clearly when contacting a service provider.

You may need help with:

• Transportation
• Meal preparation
• Personal care
• Supervision
• Communication
• Appointments
• Home safety
• Time away from caregiving

A clear list can make it easier to explain the situation to a service provider.

2. Contact a Local Organization

Possible starting points include an Area Agency on Aging, a disability services organization, a health care provider, a social services agency, a community-based organization, or a caregiver support program. 

California residents can use the California Department of Aging’s Find Services in My County directory. People in other states can use the federal Eldercare Locator to search for local resources.

3. Describe the Caregiving Situation

When contacting an organization, explain who provides and receives the care, their relationship, and whether they live together. Also describe the care being provided, the help needed, and any accessibility or language needs. This information can help the organization identify programs that may fit the situation.

4. Ask About Eligibility and Cost

Ask whether the program has age, relationship, or residency requirements; fees or waiting lists; limits on service use; or required documents. Do not assume that every caregiver program follows the same rules.

5. Confirm That the Service Fits

Before using a service, ask whether the program can meet the care recipient’s needs. Ask about accessibility, staff qualifications, language support, safety procedures, family involvement, and a contact for concerns.

6. Review the Plan When Needs Change

Caregiving needs can change over time. A service that works now may need to be adjusted later. Review the support plan when the care recipient’s needs or the caregiver’s schedule changes. 

A review may also be needed when a service becomes unavailable, the caregiver takes on new responsibilities, or a health or safety concern develops. Contact an appropriate professional when medical, behavioral health, legal, or financial guidance is needed.

Questions to Ask a Caregiver Support Program

Before enrolling, use the following questions to compare eligibility, cost, availability, accessibility, and service fit.

• Who qualifies for the program?
• What services are currently available?
• Is there a fee?
• Is there a waiting list?
• How often can services be used?
• Does the program offer respite care?
• Where are services provided?
• Are virtual services available?
• Are services available in other languages?
• Can the program meet the care recipient’s needs?
• What documents are required?
• Who should the family contact if the situation changes?
• How does the program respond to urgent concerns?

Keep notes from each conversation. Record the organization, contact person, date, information provided, and next steps.

Supporting Your Own Well-Being

Family caregivers often focus on the person receiving care. Their own needs may receive less attention. Caregivers can protect their well-being by attending routine health appointments, requesting specific help, and keeping important information organized. 

They can also take short breaks, stay connected with supportive people, join a caregiver support group, or seek professional help when stress becomes difficult to manage. Asking for help does not mean someone has failed as a caregiver. It may mean the current caregiving plan needs more support.

If a caregiver or care recipient faces immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911 or the appropriate local emergency service.

Finding Caregiver Support in Your Community

Caregiver resources vary by location, funding, staffing, and eligibility. Possible starting points include a local Area Agency on Aging, the California Department of Aging, or the federal Eldercare Locator.

Caregivers may also contact a disability services organization, a health care or social services provider, a caregiver support program, or another community-based organization. Contact each organization for current information about eligibility, cost, service areas, and availability.

About Easterseals Southern California

Easterseals Southern California provides programs and services for people with disabilities and their families, including Senior Day Services for older adults. Available services depend on individual needs, program eligibility, location, and availability. Families should contact Easterseals Southern California for current program information. Explore Easterseals Southern California programs and services.

References

• Administration for Community Living. (n.d.-a). Eldercare Locator. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://eldercare.acl.gov/
• Administration for Community Living. (n.d.-b). National Family Caregiver Support Program. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program
• California Department of Aging. (n.d.-a). California Department of Aging. https://aging.ca.gov/
• California Department of Aging. (n.d.-b). Find services in my county. https://aging.ca.gov/Find_Services_in_My_County/
• Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3001–3058ff. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter35&edition=prelim