Resources
Caregiver resources
Helplines, programs, and tools that have helped other caregivers — vetted and kept up to date. For acute crises, our Crisis Resources page is the dedicated surface.
Not sure where to start? Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. They route you to your local Area Agency on Aging, which is the missing piece in most caregiver setups.
Crisis support, 24/7
For when something is happening right now. Our full Crisis Resources page lives at /crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text. Not only for suicide — for any moment that feels too heavy to carry alone.
911 Emergency Services
For immediate physical danger or medical emergency.
US
Crisis Text Line
Text-only support, 24/7 with trained counselors. Outside the US, see crisistextline.org for your country's number (Canada 686868, UK 85258, Ireland 50808).
Caregiver support
For you. The wear of doing this work is real, and these are people who pick up the phone.
Eldercare Locator
Federal gateway to local services — respite, support groups, home health, transportation. They'll route you to your Area Agency on Aging.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Caregiver counseling, fact sheets, and online support groups. Staffed by people who understand this particular kind of hard.
Alzheimer's Association
Dementia care support, crisis assistance, and local referrals. Free, confidential, support in 200+ languages.
NAMI HelpLine
Mental health support for caregiver depression, anxiety, and burnout. Text NAMI to 62640 for the same support via text.
Disease-specific helplines
Each of these is staffed by people who specialize in that condition.
Parkinson's Foundation
American Cancer Society
American Stroke Association
ALS Association
National MS Society
Financial & legal
The systems are not designed to be easy to navigate. These are the right starting points.
BenefitsCheckUp
Free screening for 2,500+ benefit programs — prescriptions, food, utilities, and more. Run by the National Council on Aging.
Web tool
Medicare
Official help with Medicare questions — Parts A/B/C/D, enrollment, claims, what's covered.
SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)
Free, unbiased counseling on choosing Medicare plans in your state. Not affiliated with insurance companies.
NAELA (Find an elder-law attorney)
Directory for Medicaid planning, estate planning, power of attorney, and guardianship questions.
Web directory
Respite & practical support
Help that lets you breathe. None of this is luxury — it's how caregivers don't burn out.
ARCH National Respite Network
Find temporary caregiver-relief services near you — in-home aides, adult day programs, short facility stays.
Web directory
Meals on Wheels America
Find local meal delivery for homebound older adults. Many programs include a daily wellness check.
Web directory
Reporting abuse or harm
If something doesn't feel right, trust that.
Adult Protective Services (via NAPSA)
If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, your state's APS can investigate. This directory routes to the right state agency.
Web directory
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 support for anyone experiencing abuse, including caregivers being harmed by the person they care for.
DOJ Elder Fraud Hotline
Report scams targeting older adults — phone, email, mail, romance scams, Medicare fraud.
Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm ET
Apps & tools
A short list of things that have helped other caregivers. Not Rallykin products.
Medisafe
Medication reminders and adherence tracking.
iOS · Android
CareZone
Organize medications and appointments in one place.
iOS · Android
CaringBridge
Share health updates with extended family. Public or private journals.
Web · mobile
Lotsa Helping Hands
Coordinate volunteer help — meal trains, rides, errands.
Web · mobile
Find local services
Three calls that build the rest of your support network.
1. Eldercare Locator
Gateway to all local aging services. Routes you to your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) which handles case management and respite grants.
2. Your local 211
Local community services and referrals for basic needs — food, rent, utilities, mental health.
3. Your Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Find yours through Eldercare Locator above. Often the missing piece for case management, respite grants, and Medicaid waivers in your state.
Documents checklist
The paperwork that makes everything else easier. Get it sooner than feels comfortable.
- Power of Attorney (financial AND healthcare — these are separate documents)
- Living Will / Advance Directive
- HIPAA Authorization (so you can speak with their doctors)
- Current medication list (with dosages and prescribing doctors)
- Insurance cards (front and back, photos of both)
- List of doctors with addresses, phone numbers, and what they treat
- Photos of any DNR or POLST forms in case of an ER visit
Quick definitions
Plain-English explanations of terms that come up constantly.
- Respite care
- Temporary relief for caregivers — in-home aide visits, adult day programs, or short facility stays. Some Medicaid waivers cover this; some do not. Always ask.
- Hospice vs palliative care
- Palliative care is comfort-focused care at any stage, often alongside treatment. Hospice is end-of-life care (typically a 6-month-or-less prognosis), focused purely on comfort. Most people start hospice later than would have helped.
- Home health vs home care
- Home health is medical care (nurses, physical therapy, wound care) often covered by Medicare for limited episodes. Home care is non-medical personal care (bathing, meals, companionship) usually paid out-of-pocket or through Medicaid.
- Medicaid long-term care
- Covers nursing-home and (sometimes) in-home care for those who qualify financially. Eligibility rules vary widely by state — talk to a SHIP counselor or elder-law attorney before assuming yes or no.
Keep everything about their care in one place.
A private circle for the family, a community that gets it, and now a place to keep these numbers close. Free to start.
Last updated: April 2026.
Disclaimer: Rallykin is a peer-support community, not a medical or legal service. Phone numbers and resources are listed for convenience and verified periodically — always confirm current hours and coverage with the source. In an emergency, call 911 or 988.