Care at home and caregivers
Family caregiver support
The National Family Caregiver Support Program helps family members and friends who care for an older person at home. Through your local Area Agency on Aging it offers information, counseling, support groups, training and respite care so you can take a break. Grandparents and other relatives 55 and older who are raising a child may qualify too.
Who may qualify
| Caring for someone 60 or older | Adult family members and other informal caregivers |
|---|---|
| Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or a related disorder | The person you care for can be any age |
| Raising a child | Grandparents and other relatives 55 or older (not the parent) caring for a child under 18 |
| Caring for an adult child with disabilities | Relatives 55 or older, including parents, caring for an adult 18 to 59 with disabilities |
| Income test | None. A state may ask for a share of the cost on a sliding scale, but not from anyone at or below the federal poverty level, and you can't be turned away for not paying Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (National Archives) (source 2) |
What you may get
| Respite care | Short breaks from caregiving, with care at home, at an adult day center or in a care facility |
|---|---|
| Counseling, support groups and training | Individual counseling, caregiver support groups and training |
| Information and help getting services | Information about services near you, and help getting them |
| Supplemental services | Other help, on a limited basis |
Good to know
- To find caregiver help near you, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov. It connects you with your local Area Agency on Aging.
- States and local agencies decide which services to offer and may limit how many people they serve, so what's available varies by area.
- If you care for a veteran, VA has its own caregiver programs, including training, resources and, for some caregivers, financial help.
Sources: Administration for Community Living (source 3), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (National Archives) (source 2), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (source 4)
What people get wrong
MythI'm just family, not a professional caregiver, so this isn't for me.
Not true. The program is for family members and other informal caregivers.
MythGrandparents raising grandchildren can't get help.
Not true. Relatives 55 and older who are raising a child under 18 may qualify.
Sources
- Administration for Community Living, National Family Caregiver Support Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (National Archives), 45 CFR Part 1321: Grants to State and Community Programs on Aging (sections 1321.9 and 1321.81) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Administration for Community Living, Eldercare Locator (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, About VA health benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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