Caregiving may be one of the most important, and challenging, roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.
AARP developed this family caregiver guide with you, the caregiver, in mind and as a starting point to help you find the services and support you might need throughout your journey.
To order a print copy of this online guide, call the toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and indicate which state(s) you would like to receive. A copy will be mailed to you.
General Resources
- Supporting Family Caregivers in Your State
- AARP has a website dedicated to providing you with information about how we’re advocating for caregivers in your state.
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) (855-565-2017 toll-free)
- The ADRC network serves Alaskans, regardless of age or income level, through regional sites. ADRC specialists walk callers and visitors through long-term supports that fit their circumstances.
- ADRC Regional Locations:
- Anchorage Area — Municipality of Anchorage (907-343-7770)
- Trained and certified specialists at the ADRC help older residents, people with disabilities and caregivers understand and access the resources available to them.
- Mat-Su Valley — LINKS (907-373-3632)
- Mat-Su family members and individuals with a special need — as well as seniors — can receive information and support in a culturally sensitive environment.
- Fairbanks, Interior, North Slope — Fairbanks Senior Center (907-452-2551)
- ADRC North provides information and services to seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers living in and around the Denali Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Southeast Fairbanks Area, Yukon-Koyukuk Region and North Slope Borough.
- Anchorage Area — Municipality of Anchorage (907-343-7770)
- ADRC Regional Locations:
- The ADRC network serves Alaskans, regardless of age or income level, through regional sites. ADRC specialists walk callers and visitors through long-term supports that fit their circumstances.
- Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Valdez-Cordova — Independent Living Center (ILC) (907-262-6333)
- The independent living center provides information and resources to older residents, people living with disabilities and their family members.
- Southeast Alaska — Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) (800-478-7245)
- The independent living organization provides information and services to older residents, people living with disabilities and their family members in Southeast Alaska.
- Western Alaska, Dillingham to Kotzebue — Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA) (907-842-5257, contact@bbna.com)
- Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA) provides social, economic, cultural and educational opportunities and initiatives to benefit the tribes and the native people of Bristol Bay.
- Adult Protective Services (APS) (800-478-9996 | 907-269-3666)
- APS investigates and provides information about allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
- Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) (907-563-2599, Twitter and Facebook)
- ATLA offers free and fee-based services to help people explore, obtain and utilize the assistive technology they need to increase their independence.
Health Resources
- Medicare Information Office (MIO) and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (800-478-6065 | 907-269-3680)
- The MIO and SHIP educate and counsel Medicare beneficiaries and their families to help them better understand and use their benefits.
- Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) (800-478-9996 | 907-269-3666)
- SDS serves people with disabilities, seniors and vulnerable adults by connecting them with services and supports.
Home- and Community-Based Resources
- Health Facilities Licensing and Certification (888-387-9387 toll-free, 907-334-2483)
- This team inspects health facilities across the state to determine whether they meet state and federal standards.
- Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (OLTCO) (800-730-6393 | 907-334-4480)
- OLTCO identifies, investigates and resolves complaints made by — or on behalf of — long-term care residents. The program also offers information and assistance in obtaining needed services, and coordinates efforts with service providers.
- Personal Care Services (PCS) Program (800-478-9996 | 907-269-3666)
- PCS serves Alaskan seniors and people with disabilities who need assistance with activities of daily living.
- Residential Licensing (907-334-2492)
- State agencies responsible for licensing and investigating assisted living homes in Alaska.
- SDS Home and Community Based Waiver Programs (800-478-4996 | 907-269-3666)
- SDS offers waiver programs for people with physical or intellectual disabilities who qualify for care from a nursing facility or an intermediate care facility so that they can receive care in the home or community instead of in an institution.
Financial Resources
- AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINKFind public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK tools.
- Adult Public Assistance Program (APA) (907-465-3347)
- APA is a state government program that offers cash assistance to aged, blind and disabled Alaskans in order to help them remain independent. It also offers assistance to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and others who have income and resources within APA income and resource limits. Recipients are also eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Senior Benefits Program (907-376-3903 | 800-478-7778)
- A state program that offers monthly cash benefits to low- to moderate income older adults depending on income
Legal Resources
- Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) (888-478-2572 toll-free)
- ALSC is a nonprofit organization that offers free civil legal services to seniors, caregivers and low-income residents throughout Alaska.
- ALSC’s Legal Resource Disability Law Center of Alaska (800-478-1234 | 907-565-1002)
- The Disability Law Center of Alaska is an independent nonprofit law firm that offers disability-related legal assistance to Alaska residents.
- Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance (907-334-5954)
- The Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance addresses financial exploitation of the state’s older residents.
Workplace/Employer Resources
- Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
- AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver friendly workplace.
Transportation Resources
- Anchorage — Anchor Rides (907-343-6543)
- Senior transportation is offered to people 60 years and older, connecting them with nonemergency health care, adult day care, senior meal programs, pharmacies, and employment and volunteer opportunities.
- Mat-Su Valley — Mat-Su Senior Services (907-745-5454, contact@matsuseniors.com)
- The organization provides comprehensive senior services such as transportation, meals, chores, respite services and adult day services.
Housing Resources
- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (800-478-2432 | 907-338-6100)
- AHFC works to make sure Alaska’s seniors have access to affordable and accessible homes and supportive services.
Specific Audience Resources
- AARP Caregiving Guides
- AARP offers free caregiving guides for specific audiences, including guides for military families and LGBT individuals. The guides, also offered in Spanish and Chinese, are designed to help develop and implement a caregiving plan.
- Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs (888-248-3682 toll-free, 907-334-0874)
- The Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs serves as the primary advocate for Alaska’s veterans and strives to help our veterans and their families improve their lives.
- Identity Inc. and SAGE Alaska (907-929-4528 info@identityinc.org)
- Identity and SAGE Alaska represent the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities through advocacy, education and connectivity.
Care for Caregivers
- Community Connections
- AARP Community Connections is a new website that offers steps to get or give help. You can organize online mutual aid groups to stay connected, share ideas and support those in need.
- Create the Good
- Create the Good connects people with volunteer opportunities and project ideas to share your life experiences, skills and passions in your community.
- Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska (ARA) (907-561-3313 | 800-478-1080)
- ARA connects caregivers with information, caregiving classes, support groups, care coaching, baseline memory screenings and mini-grant funding.
- Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Senior and Disabilities Services — Caregiver Support (Anchorage: 907-269-3666 or 800-478-9996)
- The program offers services for family caregivers through the state’s Division of Senior and Disabilities Services.
AARP Resources for Family Caregivers
- AARP Family Caregiving Website (en español: aarp.org/cuidar)
- AARP’s Family Caregiving website is your one-stop shop for tips and tools to help you care for a loved one. It has valuable information about handling medical issues, health records and advance directives, home safety, financial and legal issues, caregiver life balance and much more.
- AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line (877-333-5885 toll-free, en español: 888-971-2013 toll-free)
- Connect with a real person and learn how to access local resources via our toll-free family caregiving hotline.
- AARP Family Caregivers Facebook Group
- Join the AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook to connect, ask questions and share ideas with other family caregivers.
- Community Resource Finder
- Community Resource Finder, a joint service from the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP, is a database of dementia- and aging-related resources powered by Carelike. The online tool makes it easy to find local programs and services.
- I Heart Caregivers
- Join the thousands of family caregivers who have shared their experiences through AARP’s storytelling initiative, I Heart Caregivers. Your story will help AARP continue to fight for more support for family caregivers.
- AARP Online Caregiving Community
- Join our community and connect with other caregivers like you.
- AARP HomeFit Guide
- The AARP HomeFit Guide can help individuals and families make their current or future residence age-friendly. It can also help elected officials, policymakers and local leaders learn about and advocate for the types of housing features and designs that communities need so that their residents can live safely and comfortably and thrive.
- National Resources for Family Caregivers
- A listing of national agencies, groups and organizations that can connect family caregivers with direct services and supports.