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.
- Family and Social Services Administration (800-457-8283)
- A state health care and social services funding agency that serves Hoosiers by working to address inequality and by connecting people with social services, health care and resources in their communities.
- A state health care and social services funding agency that serves Hoosiers by working to address inequality and by connecting people with social services, health care and resources in their communities.
- Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter (800-272-3900)
- The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter provides services in 73 Indiana counties to promote research, enhance care and reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Health Resources
- Indiana Department of Health (800-382-9480)
- The state health agency is dedicated to promoting, protecting and improving the health and safety of all residents.
- Indiana 211 (2-1-1 | 866-211-9966)
- Indiana 211 is a free service that connects Hoosiers with information about thousands of health and human service agencies and resources in their local communities.
Home- and Community-Based Resources
- Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) (800-457-8283)
- The state health care and social services funding agency advocates for better social services and connects residents with local health care and community resources.
- Dementia Friends Indiana
- Dementia Friends Indiana works to increase dementia awareness and provides resources and information for people with dementia and their loved ones. 317-254-5465
Financial Resources
- AARP Foundation Benefits QuickLINK
- Find public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using AARP Foundation Benefits QuickLINK tool.
- Social Security Administration (SSA) (800-772-1213)
- The Social Security Administration pays benefits to roughly 65 million people, including retirees, children, widows and widowers. Go online to apply for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, get a replacement card, and more.
- Indiana Secretary of State — Indiana MoneyWise (800-223-8791)
- Indiana MoneyWise is a financial education program designed to increase financial literacy and money management skills, as well as help Hoosiers spot and avoid investment schemes and fraudsters.
- Brightpoint (800-589-3506)
- Brightpoint helps communities, families and individuals prevent and address poverty.
Legal Resources
- Indiana Legal Services Inc. (ILS) (844-243-8570 toll-free)
- ILS is a nonprofit law fi rm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state. Its goal is to fight poverty to ensure that all members of society have equal access to justice.
- Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (877-236-0730 toll-free)
- This nonprofit law firm based in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne provides legal representation and legal education for low-income neighbors. Services include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals with wills and estate planning needs, helping homeless veterans and addressing tax issues.
Workplace/Employer Resources
- Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
- AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver-friendly workplace.
Transportation Resources
- Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging (IAAAA) (317-205-9201)
- The IAAAA advocates for programs and services available to older adults and people with disabilities — providing information about resources and service providers, assessing needs for service, making referrals to case managers and adjusting services to meet changing needs.
Housing Resources
- Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) (800-872-0371)
- IHCDA is a state housing agency that works to provide residents with safe, affordable, good-quality housing in economically stable communities. It promotes and helps finance a broad range of housing solutions, from temporary shelters to homeownership.
- Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) (877-438-4673 toll-free)
- The IFPN assists Indiana homeowners who struggle with — or who are at risk of — mortgage delinquency and foreclosure.
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.
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.
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).