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.
- Colorado 2-1-1
- 2-1-1 is a confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state. No matter where you live in Colorado, you can find information about resources in your local community.
- Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging
- Area Agencies on Aging provide programs and services created to help support consumers in their homes and communities.
Health Resources
- State Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
- SHIP provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. The agency can help with obtaining benefits, filing claims and understanding health care options.
- State Medicaid Office Health First Colorado (800-221-3943)
- Medicaid is a joint federal and state health care program for people with low income and limited or insufficient resources to pay for health care. Through the Medicaid Waiver program, older adults who are eligible for nursing home payments can receive medical and support services that enable them to continue living at home. Waiver services prevent or delay nursing home admission.
- Prescription Assistance Program — Colorado Drug Card
- Colorado Drug Card is a free prescription assistance program available to everyone living in Colorado. The program was launched to help the uninsured and underinsured residents of Colorado gain access to significant savings on prescription medications at their local pharmacies. This card cannot be used in conjunction with other drug discount cards or insurance claims.
Financial Resources
- AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK
- Find public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK tools.
- Colorado Department of Human Services
- Colorado’s Old Age Pension (OAP) program provides financial assistance to elderly, low-income Colorado residents (60 years of age and older) to help them attain a minimum monthly income.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that offers low-income households financial assistance to pay for energy costs.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly nutritional assistance to people who have low income and limited assets to pay for food. SNAP also provides nutritional education.
Legal Resources
- Colorado Legal Services
- Colorado Legal Services provides meaningful access to high quality, civil legal services in the pursuit of justice for low-income persons and vulnerable populations.
Workplace/Employer Resources
- Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
- AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver- friendly workplace.
Transportation Resources
- RTD (303-299-6000)
- The RTD provides bus and rail service to the Denver metro area. The Access-a-Ride service offers bus transportation for area residents with disabilities.
Housing Resources
- Senior Housing Options (303-595-4464)
- Senior Housing Options is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing caring, supportive services and quality affordable housing for older adults in Colorado.
- Colorado Housing Connects (844-926-6632 toll-free)
- Colorado Housing Connects provides Coloradans access to fair housing resources and answers pressing questions for renters, homeowners, home buyers and landlords.
- Sunshine Home Share Program (303-915-8264)
- The Sunshine Home Share program matches Home Providers and Home Seekers who are looking to be housemates for a mutually beneficial relationship.
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.
- Alzheimer’s Association: Colorado Chapter (303-813-1669)
- The Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter is the premier source of information and support for Coloradans living with dementia and their families and caregivers, offering a broad range of free programs and services, and more.
- Rocky Mountain Stroke Center (303-730-8800)
- Rocky Mountain Stroke Centers provide information, rehabilitation and support to stroke survivors and their families in Colorado.
- The ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter (303-832-2322)
- The association’s Rocky Mountain Chapter supports people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their loved ones through services and education.
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.
- Colorado Respite Coalition (CRC)
- The CRC provides all Colorado family caregivers access to quality respite care and resources through a network of community partners.
- HeartLight Center (720-748-9908)
- HeartLight Center provides affordable education programs for professional and volunteer caregivers in our community who are working with those who are grieving.
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.
If you have thoughts about how AARP can improve this resource guide, we invite you to go to aarp.org/preparetocaresurvey (en español: aarp.org/encuestacuidador).