Most people will need some form of long-term care at some point in their lives. Many times the responsibilities of caregiving fall on family members. Caring for a loved one can be rewarding; however, it can also become overwhelming physically, mentally, and financially. While the caregiving experience may seem isolating, it's important to remember that caregiving doesn't have to be done alone. There are plenty of family caregiver resources available that are either free or low cost in the United States.

Older adults and their family members living in the United States can access the following caregiver support services, many for free or at reduced cost.

Website: https://www.aarp.org/

AARP is a well-respected name in the senior living sphere, and for good reason: this organization really does help millions of aging Americans and their families each year. Caregivers will appreciate access to both in-depth caregiving guides and membership discounts for health, dental, and vision insurance policies.

Website: https://www.alz.org/

Alzheimer's Association is a fantastic organization for families caring for someone living with Alzheimer's disease. Besides offering free informational materials for both people living with this condition and their loved ones, this organization also helps people connect with others to get the emotional support they need. ALZConnected is the organization's online caregiving community, with both online support groups for people living with dementia as well virtual caregiver support groups, including groups for Spanish speakers. The organization also has its own portal to help people find in-person support groups.

Website (Missouri AAA): https://health.mo.gov/seniors/aaa/

Local caregiver support programs are oftentimes the best way to support families as they are more familiar with the particular needs and healthcare infrastructure of the surrounding area. Area Agencies on Aging are organizations operated on local levels that help families and caregivers connect with each other and the resources necessary to navigate life while aging. These resources include finding paid caregiving services, healthcare providers, and end-of-life care services.

Website: https://www.carelinx.com/

CareLinx is a national network of caregivers who offer in-home care services to older adults who require assistance with activities of daily living, or ADLs. The organization's services are already affordable, but AARP members may be able to get a discount on CareLinx services too. Besides connecting families with paid in-home care services, this organization also offers free resources for families, including free webinars on important aging-related topics.

Website: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

Run by the U.S. Administration on Aging, Eldercare Locator is a free national resource dedicated to helping people find local resources to navigate life while aging or caring for an aging loved one. These community resources include help with:

• Caregiving
• Housing
• Healthcare access
• Insurance
• Transportation
• Long-term care planning

Website: https://www.caregiver.org/

Family Caregiver Alliance's mission is to help unpaid family caregivers. To fulfill that mission, FCA offers free caregiving information, including free educational videos on topics like elder nutrition. Best of all, these resources are available in six different languages, including Spanish. This organization also sponsors caregiver support groups and caregiving classes.

Website: https://www.medicaid.gov/

Healthcare costs can be daunting, but there are fortunately insurance programs available for low-income, elderly, and/or disabled U.S. citizens. Medicaid is perhaps the most well-known public health insurance for low-income individuals in the United States. What many people don't know is that it is sometimes possible to get paid through Medicaid to care for an aging relative. In Missouri, eligible individuals can learn more about this program through Consumer Direct Services.

Website: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving

The U.S. National Institutes on Aging is run under the U.S. National Institutes of Health; it is a federal agency dedicated to all aging-related topics, resources, and research. Caregivers will find plenty of free or low-cost resources from this agency, including worksheets to help make the entire caregiving process more streamlined and organized.

Website: https://standrews1.com/

Caregiving can sometimes feel like an isolated experience, but it doesn't have to be. St. Andrew's is a comprehensive network of senior living communities and senior care professionals dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and their families. We offer a wide range of services to help people find the care services they need, including:

• Respite care at many of our communities
• Skilled rehabilitation services
• St. Andrew's & Bethesda Home Health services, offering in-home services from a Medicare-certified home care agency
• Geriatric care management services, including help from caring staff who know all about helping families living with caregiver grief

Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/resources-serving-older-adults

Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of overall wellness for both older people and their relative caregivers. Fortunately, SAMHSA offers free resources and access to chatlines to help aging people and their caregivers with mental health concerns.

The well-being of our elders is important, but so too is the well-being of caregivers, who many times selflessly put their own self-care on hold when assuming caring responsibilities. It's important to remember though that care is best rendered from a community of caring people, not a single person, no matter how selfless and dedicated that individual is.

When it comes to finding the right support for caregivers and their aging loved ones, turn to St. Andrew's; we have the caregiving resources families have turned to time and again. We work with each family to find the solutions that work best for them, ensuring each person can achieve a higher quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your family and ease the responsibilities of caregiving.