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.
- The Aging and Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL) of North Dakota (855-462-5465 toll-free | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY CareChoice@ND.gov)
- A free and confidential resource guide to services and supports available in communities across North Dakota including housing, in-home care, insurance, legal and long-term care and disability services.
- FirstLink (211)
- FirstLink is a free, confidential service for listening and support, referrals to resources, help and crisis intervention available to anyone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- 24 Hour Suicide Lifeline (800-273-8255 (TALK))
- 24 Hour Helpline (2-1-1 and 701-235-7335 (SEEK))
- Text your zip code to 898-211
- FirstLink is a free, confidential service for listening and support, referrals to resources, help and crisis intervention available to anyone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- North Dakota Department of Human Services Adults and Aging Services Division (855-462-5465 toll-free | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY)
- Adults and Aging Services Division administers programs and services to enhance the ability of individuals to maintain independence and remain in their own homes and communities including Aging and Disability Resource-LINK, assistive safety devices distribution services, family caregiver support program, long-term care ombudsman program, nutrition services, senior community service employment program and vulnerable adult protective services program.
Health Resources
- North Dakota Insurance Department State Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIC) (701-328-2440 | 888-575-6611 | SHIC Hotline 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY)
- The SHIC program offers free help with Medicare and other health insurance. SHIC counselors are trained in all aspects of senior insurance issues, such as Medicare, Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, and are not affiliated with any particular service or product.
- ND Department of Human Services Medical Services Division (701- 328-7068 | 800-755-2604 | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY)
- Medicaid pays for health services for qualifying families with children, older adults, people who are pregnant or disabled.
- North Dakota Insurance Department Prescription Connection (888-575-6611 toll-free)
- Prescription Connection is a program of the North Dakota Insurance Department that assists eligible residents of all ages in acquiring prescriptions that might otherwise be unattainable.
Home- and Community-Based Resources
- The Aging and Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL) of North Dakota (800-366-6888 or 711 TTY; 855-462-5465 toll-free; CareChoice@ND.gov)
A free and confidential resource guide to services and supports available in communities across North Dakota to help residents stay safe and independent at home. It includes housing, in-home care, insurance, legal and long-term care and disability services.
- North Dakota Department of Human Services Home and Community-Based Long Term Care (855-462-5465 toll-free | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY; carechoice@nd.gov)
- Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are provided in eligible individual’s home so the resident can maintain as much independence as possible. Services include homemaker services (housecleaning, laundry or meal preparation) or personal care (assisting with a bath, etc.) or are community-based, such as non-medical transportation assistance and home-delivered meals. North Dakota provides HCBS through several programs.
- North Dakota Assistive (800-895-4728)
- ND Assistive is a nonprofit organization that strives to bring assistive technology devices and service to North Dakotans and Minnesotans of all ages to help bridge the gap between ability and disability. The services can cover a broad range of needs. This includes assistance in the classroom, the community and at work, as well as technology to allow those experiencing the effects of aging to safely remain living in their own homes.
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.
- North Dakota Department of Human Services Economic Assistance Policy Division (701-328-2332 | 800-755-2716 | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY)
- The Economic Assistance Policy Division has a variety of services to help qualified North Dakotans meet their basic needs. These programs help many low-income families who are working toward self-sufficiency.
- Great Plains Food Bank
- The Great Plains Food Bank provides food to over 300 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters for those in need. Its Mobile Food Pantry program delivers food to areas where a partner agency isn’t readily available.
- Statewide Distribution Center–Fargo: 701-232-6219
- Bismarck Office: 701-751-6188
- info@greatplainsfoodbank.org
- The Great Plains Food Bank provides food to over 300 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters for those in need. Its Mobile Food Pantry program delivers food to areas where a partner agency isn’t readily available.
Legal Resources
- Legal Services of North Dakota (Under age 60: 800-634-5263 | Age 60+: 866-621-9886 toll-free)
- Legal Services of North Dakota is a nonprofit organization, providing legal assistance in a variety of matters to low-income and elderly North Dakotans.
Workplace/Employer Resources
- Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
- AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver friendly workplace.
Housing Resources
- North Dakota Housing Program (701-858-3580 | 800-233-1737)
- The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Housing Program helps people who are elderly or disabled to access decent, safe and affordable housing. It also helps MFP qualified individuals who wish to transition out of institutions or nursing facilities and back into the community in the least restrictive setting possible.
- North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (800-292-8621 | 701-328-8080 | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY)
- NDHFA is a state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. It offers affordable home financing to low- to moderate income families to ensure the continued availability of suitable rental housing while focusing on the overall housing needs of the state’s growing communities.
- NDHFA is a state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. It offers affordable home financing to low- to moderate income families to ensure the continued availability of suitable rental housing while focusing on the overall housing needs of the state’s growing communities.
Transportation Resources
- North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Local Bus and Transit Services (701-328-2500 Information Desk | 855-637-6237 General Information toll-free)
- NDDOT’s Local Bus and Transit Services provides information on fixed route and dial-a-ride/paratransit services, transportation from rural communities to regional hubs and related contact information.
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 their life experiences, skills and passions in their communities.
- Create the Good connects people with volunteer opportunities and project ideas to share their life experiences, skills and passions in their communities.
- North Dakota Department of Human Services Aging Services Division Family Caregiver Support Program (855-462-5465 toll-free | 800-366-6888 or 711 TTY; dhsaging@nd.gov)
- The North Dakota Family Caregiver Support Program administers programs and services that help caregivers assist older adults and adults with physical disabilities and provide care in a safe and least restrictive setting. Services offered include community services and supports, assistance from a caregiver coordinator in assessing needs and services, counseling, respite care and supplemental services to help with costs of some caregiving supplies.
- Powerful Tools for Caregivers (NDSU Extension: 701-231-5948)
- The North Dakota State University Extension offers a six-week statewide program — Powerful Tools for Caregivers — to help family caregivers learn about tools they need to take care of themselves during their caregiving journey and to assist where they may be struggling. The program was recently expanded to serve caregivers of children with special health and behavioral needs.
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).