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.
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) (617-727-7750 | 800-243-4636)
- The EOEA provides information and services to older residents, people with disabilities and their loved ones. The office also maintains an elder abuse hotline open 24/7 and can connect residents to local elder service resources.
- Elder Abuse Hotline: 800-922-2275
- Mass Options (800-243-4636)
- Mass Options connects older residents, people with disabilities and their caregivers and loved ones with information and services to help meet their specified needs.
Health Resources
- Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program (800-892-0890)
- Provides information to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, family members and caregivers related to health care options and instances of medical errors, fraud and abuse.
- Massachusetts Health Connector (877-623-7655 toll-free)
- The Massachusetts Health Connector is the state’s marketplace for health and dental insurance. It also assists people who recently lost employer provided insurance.
- Health Care For All Helpline (617-350-7279 | 800-272-4232 toll-fee)
- A helpline that connects callers with information about their health care options and works to ensure universal coverage and access to care. This statewide, multilingual phone service is available for residents of all income levels.
Home- and Community-Based Resources
- Mass Home Care (617-972-5635)
- A trade association that advocates for the commonwealth’s 28 aging services access points and Area Agencies on Aging. It connects residents with home- and community-based services.
- Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts (617-482-8830)
- A nonprofit trade association of home care agencies that advocates for and provides information about home care options for Massachusetts residents.
- LeadingAge Massachusetts (617-244-2999)
- LeadingAge Massachusetts is a trade association of not-for-profit providers of housing and services for older adults. It works to advance policies to enable older adults to receive the services they need, when they need them in the place they call home and provides information about the continuum of care including nursing homes, assisted living, senior housing and home- and community based services.
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.
Legal Resources
- Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) (617-357-0700)
- MLRI advocates for advancing laws and policies related to economic, racial and social justice for low income residents and communities.
- Health Law Advocates (888-211-6168 toll-free)
- A nonprofit that provides information for — and free legal representation to — low-income residents who are experiencing difficulty accessing or paying for needed medical services. It particularly helps those who are most at risk because of factors such as race, gender, disability, age or geographic location.
- MassNAELA (Massachusetts Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) (617-566-5640)
- The organization helps older residents and people with disabilities understand their legal options and connect with qualified attorneys.
Workplace/Employer Resources
- Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
- AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver friendly workplace.
- Massachusetts Business Roundtable (Caregiving Coalition) (617-728-0881)
- The coalition provides tools and resources for employers to help support the caregivers in their workforces. The MBR is a public policy organization made up of chief executive officers and senior executives from some of the state’s largest employers.
- Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program (800-243-4636)
- A program that connects caregivers with specialists who can help build a support plan and offer advice about caring for a loved one.
Transportation Resources
- Massachusetts State Government Transportation information
- Massachusetts offers transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, commuters and other residents
Housing Resources
- CHAPA (Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association) (617-742-0820)
- The association promotes diverse community development and advocates for affordable housing options to help low- and middle income families and individuals.
- MassAccess (617-742-0820)
- The organization’s housing registry connects older residents and people with disabilities with affordable rental and housing options.
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.
- The Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (617-748-2454)
- The commission advocates for and provides resources and information to grandparents who are raising or are the primary caregiver for their grandchildren.
- The Department of Transitional Assistance Senior Assistance Office (833-712-8027 toll-free)
- The DTA helps Massachusetts’ low income residents achieve economic self-sufficiency through a host of services including SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps), workplace training and more.
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 Association of Massachusetts and New Hampshire (800-272-3900)
- The association has several offices throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, providing information and resources related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
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).