Administration for Community Living
Eldercare Locator
Search by ZIP code or call 1-800-677-1116 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging for meals, transportation, and in-home help.
Visit eldercare.acl.gov for Eldercare Locator, opens in a new tab
A Caregiver Resource Hub
Trusted caregiving information, gathered in one place
M³ Technology curates the most useful public resources for family caregivers, from care finders and government programs to discounts, legal help, calculators, and checklists. The point is simple: less time searching, more time with the person you are caring for.
Every link below goes directly to the original government or nonprofit source.
38Vetted resources
11Topics
$0Cost to use
Support for the people doing the supporting
Most caregiving help already exists and is free. The hard part is knowing it is there. Everything below is grouped by what you are actually trying to do, so you can go straight to the one that matches your situation.
Resource directory
Care Finder
Start here to find in-person, local help. This is the fastest path from not knowing where to start to having an actual person on the phone.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Family Caregiver Services by State
A state-by-state guide to caregiving programs, legal resources, and disease-specific organizations near you.
Visit Caregiver.org for Family Caregiver Services by State, opens in a new tabNational Council on Aging
BenefitsCheckUp
A free screening tool that matches an older adult’s situation to benefit programs they may be eligible for, in one search.
Visit BenefitsCheckUp.org for BenefitsCheckUp, opens in a new tab
Government Programs
Direct links to the federal agencies that run Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits.
Medicare.gov
Caregiving and Medicare
What Medicare covers for home health, skilled nursing, and caregiver training services.
Visit Medicare.gov for Caregiving and Medicare, opens in a new tabMedicaid.gov
Home and Community-Based Services
Information on state Medicaid waiver programs, some of which allow a family member to be a paid caregiver.
Visit Medicaid.gov for Home and Community-Based Services, opens in a new tabSocial Security Administration
Representative Payee Program
How to manage Social Security benefits on behalf of a loved one who cannot manage their own funds.
Visit SSA.gov for Representative Payee Program, opens in a new tabU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Caregiver Support Program
Support and training, plus a monthly stipend for eligible caregivers of veterans through the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
Visit Caregiver.VA.gov for VA Caregiver Support Program, opens in a new tabUSA.gov
Benefit Eligibility Screening
A single federal tool to check eligibility for caregiver-related benefits across multiple agencies at once.
Visit USA.gov for Benefit Eligibility Screening, opens in a new tabAdministration for Community Living
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Federal funding for respite care, counseling, and training delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging.
Visit ACL.gov for National Family Caregiver Support Program, opens in a new tab
Discounts
Membership programs and everyday savings that add up when you are covering care costs.
AARP
Member Discounts A to Z
Restaurant, travel, pharmacy, insurance, and retail discounts available with an AARP membership.
Visit AARP.org for Member Discounts A to Z, opens in a new tabNational Council on Aging
What Discounts Can Seniors Get?
A plain-language rundown of grocery, retail, and transportation discounts, including ones that do not require AARP membership.
Visit NCOA.org for What Discounts Can Seniors Get?, opens in a new tabNational Park Service
America the Beautiful Senior Pass
A one-time $80 pass, or $20 annually, covering entrance to national parks and federal recreation lands for adults 62 and over.
Visit NPS.gov for America the Beautiful Senior Pass, opens in a new tab
Meal Assistance
Programs that help with groceries, home-delivered meals, and nutrition for older adults.
Meals on Wheels America
Find Local Meal Delivery
Search a nationwide network of over 5,000 local programs delivering meals and safety checks to homebound seniors.
Visit MealsOnWheelsAmerica.org for Find Local Meal Delivery, opens in a new tabUSDA Food and Nutrition Administration
Apply for SNAP
Monthly grocery benefits for eligible older adults and people with disabilities, usable at most grocery stores.
Visit FNA.USDA.gov for Apply for SNAP, opens in a new tabNational Council on Aging
Food Assistance Programs Guide
An overview of SNAP, Meals on Wheels, senior food boxes, and farmer’s market programs, with eligibility notes.
Visit NCOA.org for Food Assistance Programs Guide, opens in a new tab
Medical Equipment
Borrow wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other durable medical equipment for free or at low cost instead of buying new.
Got DME
National Equipment Directory
Search a nationwide directory of local organizations that lend or accept donations of wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, shower safety equipment, and more, at no cost.
Visit GotDME.org for National Equipment Directory, opens in a new tabAT3 Center
State Assistive Technology Programs
Every state has a federally funded Assistive Technology Act program, many of which run short-term device loan libraries so you can try equipment before buying.
Visit AT3Center.net for State Assistive Technology Programs, opens in a new tabMedicare.gov
Durable Medical Equipment Coverage
What Medicare covers for wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other DME, and what a doctor’s order needs to include for coverage to apply.
Visit Medicare.gov for Durable Medical Equipment Coverage, opens in a new tab
Health Associations
Disease-specific organizations offering education, support groups, and caregiver-specific resources.
Alzheimer’s Association
Dementia Caregiving Support
A 24/7 helpline at 800.272.3900, local support groups, and stage-by-stage caregiving guidance.
Visit ALZ.org for Dementia Caregiving Support, opens in a new tabAmerican Heart Association
Caregiver Support
Resources for caregivers of stroke and cardiac patients, including recovery planning and self-care guidance.
Visit Heart.org for Caregiver Support, opens in a new tabAmerican Cancer Society
Caregiver Resource Center
Guidance for cancer caregivers, plus a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345.
Visit Cancer.org for Caregiver Resource Center, opens in a new tabNational Institute on Aging
Caregiving Health Guides
Research-backed articles on caregiver stress, long-distance caregiving, and caring for someone with dementia.
Visit NIA.NIH.gov for Caregiving Health Guides, opens in a new tab
Senior Associations
National organizations focused broadly on aging, independence, and caregiver advocacy.
National Council on Aging
NCOA.org
Benefits screening, economic security resources, and healthy aging programs for older adults.
Visit NCOA.org for NCOA.org, opens in a new tabAARP
AARP Caregiving Hub
Articles, checklists, and an online caregiver community covering finances, health, and family dynamics.
Visit AARP.org for AARP Caregiving Hub, opens in a new tabNational Alliance for Caregiving
Caregiving.org
National research and advocacy on family caregiving, including the "Caregiving in the U.S." report series.
Visit Caregiving.org for Caregiving.org, opens in a new tab
Legal
Free and low-cost help with powers of attorney, advance directives, and elder law questions.
AARP
Free Advance Directive Forms by State
State-specific, free downloadable health care power of attorney and living will forms.
Visit AARP.org for Free Advance Directive Forms by State, opens in a new tabNational Center on Law and Elder Rights
Legal Help for Older Adults
A federally funded center connecting seniors and their advocates with elder law resources and referrals.
Visit NCLER.ACL.gov for Legal Help for Older Adults, opens in a new tabLawHelp.org
Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid
A directory of local legal aid and pro bono programs, searchable by state and topic.
Visit LawHelp.org for Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid, opens in a new tabNational Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Find an Elder Law Attorney
A directory of attorneys specializing in guardianship, Medicaid planning, and long-term care contracts.
Visit NAELA.org for Find an Elder Law Attorney, opens in a new tab
Calculators
Tools for estimating the cost of care and planning finances around it.
CareScout
Cost of Care Survey
Look up the median cost of home care, assisted living, and nursing home care by city or state.
Visit CareScout.com for Cost of Care Survey, opens in a new tabSocial Security Administration
Benefit Calculators
Official calculators for estimating retirement, spousal, and survivor Social Security benefits.
Visit SSA.gov for Benefit Calculators, opens in a new tabAARP
Long-Term Care Cost Calculator
Estimate long-term care costs in your area alongside broader planning guidance.
Visit AARP.org for Long-Term Care Cost Calculator, opens in a new tab
Checklists
Printable checklists for getting documents, finances, and care plans organized before they are urgently needed.
National Institute on Aging
Getting Your Affairs in Order
A checklist of the personal, legal, financial, and medical documents every family should have on hand.
Visit NIA.NIH.gov for Getting Your Affairs in Order, opens in a new tabAARP
Prepare to Care Guide
A step-by-step planning guide and checklist for families just starting a caregiving role.
Visit AARP.org for Prepare to Care Guide, opens in a new tabEldercare Locator
Caregiver Resource Checklists
Short checklists covering home safety, care transitions, and questions to ask a home care agency.
Visit Eldercare.ACL.gov for Caregiver Resource Checklists, opens in a new tab
Apps and Software
Tools for coordinating care tasks, medications, and updates across a family.
CareZone
Medication and Care Tracking
Track medications, appointments, and care journals, and share updates with family members.
Visit CareZone.com for Medication and Care Tracking, opens in a new tabCaring Village
Care Coordination Platform
A shared care calendar, task list, and document vault for families coordinating care together.
Visit CaringVillage.com for Care Coordination Platform, opens in a new tabLotsa Helping Hands
Community Care Calendar
A free tool for organizing meal trains, rides, and visits among a wider circle of friends and family.
Visit LotsaHelpingHands.com for Community Care Calendar, opens in a new tab
You are not carrying it alone
Caregiving is easier when you are not carrying it alone, and knowing where to look is half the battle.
Topics caregivers ask about most
Short overviews drawn from the resources above. Read the full source for details specific to your situation.
What does Medicare actually cover?
Medicare generally pays for medical care tied to a specific illness or injury, such as short-term home health visits or skilled nursing after a hospital stay. It does not pay family members to provide everyday custodial care. Programs like Medicaid’s home and community-based waivers sometimes fill that gap, and eligibility varies significantly by state.
Visit Read more on Medicare.gov, opens in a new tabHow do I find local, in-person help?
The Eldercare Locator and the Family Caregiver Alliance’s state-by-state services directory both connect you with your regional Area Agency on Aging, the best starting point for meal delivery, transportation, adult day programs, and respite care in your specific area.
Visit Search Eldercare Locator, opens in a new tabCan I get paid to be a caregiver?
Medicare does not pay family caregivers directly, but some state Medicaid programs offer consumer-directed personal assistance options that allow a family member to be hired and paid, subject to training and background-check requirements that vary by state.
Visit See ACL caregiver programs, opens in a new tabWhat legal documents should we set up early?
A health care power of attorney, sometimes called a proxy, and a financial power of attorney let someone you trust make decisions if your loved one cannot. These are best arranged well before a crisis. An attorney or a local aging-services legal aid program can help draft them properly.
Visit See Family Caregiver Alliance, opens in a new tabThis is an informational directory only. M³ Technology is not a government agency and is not affiliated with any organization linked from this page. Programs, eligibility, and contact details change, so always confirm details on the original site.