We are well aware of the struggles that family caregivers face every day. Although there are many benefits of caregiving, there are still days when a little extra support wouldn’t hurt. For this reason, we collected a list of local and national resources for family caregivers.
Updated November 30, 2022
Where To Find Resources for Family Caregivers
Informal caregivers refer to family members, friends, and anyone who provides unpaid voluntary care to a loved one. In Massachusetts, a state with about 6.7 million residents, there are nearly 844,000 informal caregivers. Nationally, 11 million adults belong to the sandwich generation, where caregivers support a loved one while raising their own families.
These caregivers often go overutilized and underappreciated by healthcare systems, governments, and more. The average caregiver provides about 23 hours of care each week, works full-time, and has a family of their own.
As a member of the sandwich generation, you might feel overwhelmed or even alone in your responsibilities. However, we hope that these resources for family caregivers will ease some of the burdens associated with your role.
State And National Resources For Family Caregivers
Resources For Family Caregivers In Massachusetts
The Family Caregivers Support Program (FCSP) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) is a comprehensive database that offers many resources for family caregivers, such as:
- Training programs
- Qualification criteria for the FCSP
- Information for employers to support family caregivers
- Help for individuals caring for loved ones with dementia
- Contact information to speak with specialists who can provide more details about various programs.
Torchlight
What if your employer doesn’t have a program to support family caregivers? Then you might consider talking with your supervisor or HR about introducing more resources by partnering with Torchlight, an employer-sponsored benefit program for working caregivers. It addresses the challenges of employee caregivers and finds ways to reduce the influence these responsibilities can have in the workplace.
Data from Torchlight’s 2018 report offers concrete evidence proving that having a program for family caregivers in the workplace benefits everyone. Employers also support their businesses’ growth by supporting family caregivers in their careers.
The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition
The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition (MCC), an initiative created by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR), comprises business, health care, education, and government leaders from across the state.
MCC aims to understand, acknowledge, and meet the needs of family caregivers. When the MBR launched MCC, it published the Massachusetts Caregiver Survey and Employer Toolkit, which addresses the challenges of working caregivers.
The Employer Toolkit aims to encourage more businesses to support members of their workforce who also care for a loved one. It includes actionable steps, short questionnaires for workers, state programs, and case studies.
These surveys helped produce the 2019 Massachusetts State of Care Survey, which surveyed 420 unpaid family caregivers and found:
- 68% routinely have sleep problems
- 58% reported a decline in their physical health as a result of their duties
- 27% between 26 and 34 feel that their responsibilities have impacted their career
- 84% said they would appreciate additional help and support from another relative, neighbor, or friend.
This information allows MCC to develop more programs and resources for family caregivers. To learn more about MCC or to join, visit the Massachusetts Business Roundtable website.
National Resources For Family Caregivers
The VA offers many services to qualifying service members and veterans, including health care and benefits. In addition, if you are a veteran, you may be eligible for the agency’s Caregiver Support Program, which provides support groups, mentoring, training, and a helpline. Call 855-260-3274 for more information.
Elizabeth Dole Foundation strives to improve resources for family caregivers who assist sick or injured loved ones who served. It also runs Hidden Heroes, an online platform where military caregivers can find connections and support. Call 202-249-7170 to learn more.
In partnership with the American Red Cross, the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network connects people caring for veterans and service members with local and online support and mentoring programs.
Funded by the Department of Defense, Military One Source offers caregiving consulting services for active-duty members of the National Guard and Reserves and their loved ones. Call 800-342-9647 to learn more about this program.
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Whether you need a respite care break for the afternoon, a week, or a month, ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center’s National Respite Locator can help. It includes a comprehensive list of programs, services, and resources for family caregivers in every state.
The National Adult Day Services Association is a reputable agency that has helped thousands of families. You can find tools such as the local adult day care service locator and resources from the organization’s members to help you select a suitable facility for your loved one’s needs.
Senior Corps is an organization comprised of older adults who volunteer for various programs in their community. The Senior Companions program lets your loved ones keep their independence and dignity by pairing them with an older volunteer who can assist with day-to-day tasks. You can contact the organization at 800-942-2677.
Geriatrics and Extended Care is a VA program where you can find a list of services for long-term care.
LongTermCare.gov is a federal program through the Administration for Community Living. You can find an extensive database of tools, support, and resources for family caregivers and elders needing long-term care.
Medicaid
Health expenses are among the biggest concerns for elders and caregivers, but Medicaid may ease the burden. Qualifying individuals can receive coverage for various needs, including long-term and in-home care. Regulations vary depending on your state, so contact your state’s agency for more information or call 877-267-2323.
Older adults 65 and older may qualify for specialized nursing and in-home care through Medicare. Visit Medicare.com to learn more, or call 800-MEDICARE.
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is a nonprofit coalition comprised of individuals and organizations offering services for seniors and those with special needs. Visit Naela.org to find local attorneys who can guide your family with the various legal nuances of aging.
Suppose you or your loved one is enrolled in Medicare. In that case, this program provides insurance counseling and support to caregivers and their loved ones. Visit ShipCenter.org to learn more about your state’s Health Insurance Assistance Program.
The American Cancer Society provides several resources for family caregivers and their loved ones, like the downloadable Caregiver Resource Guide and other helpful information.
National Cancer Institute
This organization offers a range of educational materials to assist those caring for a loved one with cancer, plus guides to promote self-care. Call 800-4-Cancer or check out Cancer.gov to find additional information.
The Cancer Support Community operates MyLifeLine, an online platform where caregivers can find many support groups and agencies worldwide. To learn more about this organization, call 888-793-9355.
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline where you can receive information and resources to assist in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Call 800-272-3900 or visit Alz.org for more details.
Alzheimers.gov is a federal program where you can find resources for caregivers and the elders they care for who require specialized care due to cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Call 800-438-4380 for more info.
You can find over 700 memory cafés across the US through the Memory Café Directory. Memory cafés offer elders with cognitive decline a chance to connect with others and allow caregivers to find support with those facing similar circumstances.
Miscellaneous Support and Resources for Family Caregivers
- AARP Family Caregiving (English: 877-333-5885 / Spanish: 888-971-2013)
- National Alliance for Caregiving (202-918-1013)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (800-950-6264)
- Caregiver Action Network (855-CARE-640)
- Community Resource Finder
- National Institute on Aging (800-222-2225)
- Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116)
- Well Spouse Association (800-838-0879)
MeetCaregivers Can Help
MeetCaregivers is dedicated to helping caregivers and their families. We can match your loved one to the perfect qualified caregiver. Whether they need a little assistance with ADLs or specialized nursing care, we can help.
Call us at 1 (888) 541-1136, or Find A Caregiver today. For more resources for family caregivers, professional caregivers, and seniors, visit the Blog.
- AARP. “Resources and Support for Family Caregivers.” AARP, AARP, 28 Oct. 2019,https://tinyurl.com/y4btwkkk
- “Supporting Family Caregivers.” MeHI, Massachusetts EHealth Institute,https://tinyurl.com/y3z5477s
- Weber-Raley, L. (2019, November 26). Sandwich Caregiving in the U.S. SANDWICH GENERATION CAREGIVING IN THE U.S. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.caregiving.org/research/sandwich-caregiver/