Resources for seniors and family caregivers
Caring for an older adult is an overwhelming challenge for nearly 42 million Americans, about 1 in 10 people.
It’s an understatement to say that these seniors and caregiving families need more support.
A great resource is the Area Agency on Aging. These are county-level government agencies that provide free and low-cost community resources to seniors and caregivers.
Use your local Area Agency on Aging to find information, guidance, and local aging care services.
We explain how these agencies help seniors and how they help caregivers.
The Area Agency on Aging helps seniors stay in their homes
Today, there are over 600 Area Agencies on Aging across the U.S.
They’re a network of nonprofit agencies that are supported with federal funding under the Older Americans Act. Some are also supported by additional state and local funding.
Their mission is to connect older adults to home and community-based services so more seniors can choose to age in their homes and not be forced to move to assisted living or nursing care.
Most agency offices provide general information, referrals, case management, and benefits and health insurance counseling.
They may also work with local service providers to deliver services like meals, transportation, and in-home caregiving.
The Area Agency on Aging helps caregivers too
The Area Agencies on Aging also provide support to family caregivers.
It’s a place to find respite care, counseling, support groups, and caregiver training classes.
One of their most important services is to help families find local aging care organizations that can help with caregiving plans, working through specific challenges, or finding needed services.
Next Step Use the Eldercare Locator to find your local Area Agency on Aging office
Recommended for you:
- 7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors
- Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver: 3 Government Benefits Programs
- Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. For more information, see How We Make Money.
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About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
My mom is 89 and has Alzheimer’s. Her income is insufficient to pay for a home health worker to come to the home, wash and watch her to give my brother some respite. He is burning out after 5 years of taking care of her. Now his health is failing, also..She makes too much for the United Health care to help, they say you have to be handicapped to receive this help. Well, isn’t, having severe alzheimer’s considered being handicapped? They should be paying for this service, which she makes under 1500 per month. We do not want to put her in a nursing home. I work every day and can’t afford to take time out and watch her. I’m not retirement age and live 40 minutes away. She has bills to pay out of that money, only has 300 per month to spare, if no other problems arise.
Neighbor helping neighbor
I am contacting you on behalf of my neighbor who is about to lose her home because she cannot afford the condominium association fee. She lives alone, unable to work due to health issues, and her home is in much-needed repair. Any support or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
We’re sorry to hear about this situation. It’s wonderful that you’re helping your neighbor.
These articles can help you find resources to help her:
– Financial Help for Seniors: Federal, State, & Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/
– 7 Sources of Free Legal Services for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/7-sources-of-free-legal-services-for-seniors/
– 7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/7-sources-of-home-repair-assistance-for-seniors/
Neighbor helping neighbor
I am contacting you on behalf of my neighbor who is about to lose her home because she cannot afford the condominium association fee. She lives alone, unable to work due to health issues, and her home is in much-needed repair. Any support or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I’m a 88 year old that has a Double Wide that the 2 halves are starting to seperate at the top and opening up cracks of 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ at the ceiling level. It needs to be leveled before it comes apart and ruins the roof which would ruin the inside of the house. I had a medical condition in 2020 which took about 1 1/2 to 2 years to find out what the problem was. I have been on heavy medication since the middle of 2022 and The Lord has brought me back a long ways but still have a long ways to go.
Any Help would be Appreciated. Praying there is a program or company that can Help. Thanks for reading and Have a Blessed Day. A.F. McCown, Sr.
We’re sorry to hear about what’s happening with your home. We’ve got an article with links to organizations and programs that could help you with the repairs you need – https://dailycaring.com/7-sources-of-home-repair-assistance-for-seniors/
Hiii! My grandfather’s home (Pompano Beach, Florida) cast iron under his home is leaking and now the sewage line is backed up. On the bottom of both toilets’ wastewater is coming up and damaging the flooring and walls. My grandfather currently has a reverse mortgage and a forced lender placed insurance on the home. We went the insurance route, but the denied the claim due to “wear and tear.” My grandfather is retired, and his only source of income is his social security benefits. What programs is my grandfather eligible for? The home is not livable because in order to not have the wastewater come up, we have to shut off the water. Please help…I appreciate it!
We’re sorry to hear about your grandfather’s plumbing issues. For assistance with home repairs, this article has links to organizations that provide home repairs for those who qualify for their programs – 7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/7-sources-of-home-repair-assistance-for-seniors/
He may also be eligible for government assistance programs that help pay for household and caregiving costs. More info here – Benefits Programs Help Pay for Caregiving Expenses https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/
I have a 80 year mother living with my 84 year father it has become very hard for me to take care of both is there any financial assistance I would be benefiting because I have to take care such as take them to doctors appointments cook food and administer medicine
Family caregivers may be eligible to be paid for caregiving through government programs. Get more info on them here – 3 Ways of Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver: Government Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/3-ways-of-getting-paid-as-a-family-caregiver-government-benefits-programs/
Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to connect you to other local organizations who can provide help. More info here – Local Community Resources for Seniors and Caregivers: Area Agency on Aging https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
You may also be eligible for government assistance programs that help pay for household and caregiving costs. More info here – Benefits Programs Help Pay for Caregiving Expenses https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/
I need help with furnace no heat low income help
We’re sorry to hear about the issues with your furnace. Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may be able to connect you to organizations that can help. Find your county’s AAA using the links in the article above.
This article may also be helpful. It has links to organizations that may provide home repairs for those who qualify for their programs – 7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/7-sources-of-home-repair-assistance-for-seniors/
I have a friend (65 years old) who is sharing a home with a woman who is dying of cancer. Her friend is now in hospice (inpatient). The house has a loan that was taken out for home improvements, and my friend is paying that monthly amount. She doesn’t know if her friend has her on the deed of the home, and it appears that she may pass sooner rather than later. Do you have any recommendations as to what my friend needs to do so that she does not become homeless? Are there attorneys who would handle this and also go to the hospice facility?
Thank you.
It may be best to contact some local attorneys to find out if this is something they can help with. We’ve got more info on elder law attorneys here – 5 Smart Tips for Hiring an Elder Law Attorney https://dailycaring.com/how-to-find-an-elder-law-attorney-you-can-trust/
Getting old 60 years can not afford my home . They just put my husband in a home I am on my own
We’re so sorry to hear about your situation. Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may be able to connect you to organizations that can help. Find your county’s AAA using the links in the article above.
You may also be eligible for government assistance programs. More info here – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/
im 71 and live in an older mobile home. my X shares the home and we are raising a 5yr old relative. we have had her since she was born. 7/22/2015. we have court granted custody of her and this is the only home she knows. anyway our home has bad flooring caused by water damage . the kitchen floor in sinking. i have tried to reach out to some state and local lawmakers by message but have had no response to requests for information on grants available for my particular situation . there are many bad spots that are damaged but the kitchen floor is in really bad shape and it is what I would like to get help with if it is possible.
I’m so sorry to hear about the issues in your home. There are many organizations that offer help with home repairs for those who qualify for their programs. We suggest 7 helpful organizations here – 7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/7-sources-of-home-repair-assistance-for-seniors/
Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) may also be able to connect you to organizations that can help. Find your county’s AAA using the links in the article above.
You may also be eligible for government assistance programs that help pay for household and caregiving costs. More info here – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/