Family Caregiver Resources for Florida

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 a 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.

Elder Affairs Florida: National Family Caregiver Support Program (850-414-2000)
Provides information on services available to adult family members who provide in-home and community care for a person age 60 or older, grandparents and relatives age 55 or older who serve as caregivers for children 18 and younger, or children of any age who have disabilities.

Florida Association for Community Action Inc. (904-770-6120)
Helps low-income residents become independent with training, technical assistance and advocacy on poverty reduction.

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs [844-MyFLVET (693-5838)]
Connects Florida veterans to earned federal and state benefits and support services.

Florida Food Assistance Program (866-762-2237)
Eligible households receive food assistance through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card to cover a portion of their food budget as well as nutritional education.

Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (850-296-8089)
Professional association of attorneys dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to the elderly.

The Florida Bar (850-561-5600)
Provides lawyer referral services and public information about legal issues including advance directives, wills, guardianship and probate.

Florida Senior Legal Helpline (888-895-7873)
Offers free legal advice and brief services by telephone appointment to eligible Florida residents age 60 and older for civil legal problems. Also helps older adults find legal providers when court representation is necessary.

Alzheimer’s Association (800-272-3900)
Provides care, support and information for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

American Parkinson Disease Association (800-223-2732)
Provides referral, education and support programs for Parkinson’s disease patients and their caregivers. |

Florida Department of Elder Affairs: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (800-963-5337)
Free program assists older adults and their caregivers with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions. Trained volunteers help at different counseling sites and community events. Online resources are also available.

FloridaHealthFinder (888-419-3456)
A service of the Agency for Health Care Administration that compares the quality and cost of different health care providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, hospice programs and physicians.

Medicare (800-633-4227)
Federal health insurance program for people 65 or older.

Medicare Rx Extra Help (800-772-1213)
Program assists low-income Medicare participants with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription drug copays. Qualified individuals can sign up through the Social Security Administration.

Area Agency on Aging: Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) (800-963-5337)
There are 11 regional ADRCs that provide older adults and caregivers with information and access to local, state and federal long-term care resources. The ADRCs administer home and community-based services, including companionship, respite services, meal delivery and transportation to medical appointments.

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (850-487-3278)
Provides free access to information, referral services, education programs and publications related to disability rights, laws and policies, and funding opportunities for assistive devices and durable medical equipment that are largely covered under Medicare and Medicaid.

Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc. (800-222-3448 | 888-447-5620 TTY)
Administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program for Floridians who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/ blind or speech impaired. A variety of telecommunications technologies are loaned free of charge.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Miami: 305-536-4456 | Jacksonville: 904-232-2627)
Provides information on housing options for older adults and veterans including resources on appropriate living arrangements and financial issues. HUD-approved housing counselors are available for consultations.

AmeriCorps Seniors (800-942-2677)
Hosts three programs — Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program — for volunteers 55 and older to provide community services, including tutoring, mentoring, elderly care and disaster relief support.

CarFit
Educational program for older adults to determine how well their vehicle fits them. It discusses adjusting the car seat, steering wheel, side and rearview mirrors and other elements that enhance a driver’s safety.

ElderSource (888-242-4464)
National database of resources including transportation, low-income services, support groups and home repair. Available in select Florida counties.

Florida Department of Children and Families: Florida Abuse Hotline (800-962-2873)
Investigates reports of known or expected abuse, exploitation, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. If you suspect a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call 911.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Disabled Person Parking Permits (850-617-2000)
Florida statutes provide for the issuance of disabled person parking permits for both long-term and short-term mobility impairments for those who qualify.

U.S. Department of Labor: Family and Medical Leave Act (866-487-9243)
Entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.

U.S. Department of Labor: Senior Community Service Employment Program (877-872-5627)
Employment training program for Americans 55 and older who are unemployed, have low income and have poor job prospects. Eligible participants are placed in a part- time community-service role to gain job skills and are paid the highest of either the federal, state or local minimum wage.

Florida Department of Health (850-245-4444)
Provides a listing of resources with information about health care directives/advance care planning and palliative care.

Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association (800-282-6560 hospice helpline; 850-878-2632)
Provides information on bereavement and grief, advance care planning, community care partners, and hospice and palliative care organizations.

Let Hospice Help (800-282-6560 | 850-878-2632)
An initiative by the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association offers a list of websites and links with information about life-limiting illness, grief and hospice care; includes a hospice provider search tool.