Finding the right support as a caregiver shouldn’t feel like a second job. But between managing medications, coordinating appointments, handling finances, and staying present for the person you love, it can be hard to know where to start looking.
This guide is designed to make that easier. It covers organizations, programs, financial resources, legal tools, and local options available to caregivers of aging parents and spouses, organized by category so you can go straight to what’s most relevant right now.
National Caregiver Organizations
These organizations exist specifically to support family caregivers, and most of their resources are completely free.
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
Help Desk: (855) 227-3640 | Website
One of the leading caregiver organizations in the country, CAN offers toolkits, peer support, financial and legal guides, and a free Caregiver Help Desk staffed by real people. If you’re not sure where to start, this is a good first call.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
Help Desk: (800) 445-8106 | Website
FCA has been supporting family caregivers for over 40 years. Their services include care planning guidance, wellness programs, respite services, legal and financial consultation, and a state-by-state resource finder that connects caregivers to local programs.
AARP Caregiver Resource Center
Helpdesk: (877) 333-5885 | Website
AARP offers practical tools, legal guides, and a caregiving support hotline for family caregivers navigating everything from insurance questions to long-distance caregiving challenges.
Eldercare Locator
Helpdesk: (800) 677-1116 | Website
A free government service that connects caregivers to local aging services, including transportation, meal programs, legal assistance, and more.
Emotional and Peer Support
The practical side of caregiving gets a lot of attention. The emotional side often doesn’t.
Carrying the weight of someone else’s health and wellbeing, day after day, takes a real toll. Having somewhere to put that weight matters just as much as having the right resources.
CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a free platform that allows caregivers to post health updates, journal their experiences, and receive messages of support from family and friends. It reduces the exhausting task of keeping everyone informed and creates a space for connection during an isolating time.
Support Groups
Local and online support groups exist for nearly every caregiving situation, from general family caregiver groups to condition-specific communities through organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association.
Therapy and Counseling
Talking to a licensed therapist isn’t a last resort, and not nearly as stigmatized as it used to be. For many caregivers, it’s one of the most practical tools available. Many therapists specialize in caregiver stress and family dynamics, and telehealth options have made access significantly easier.
Financial Assistance and Benefits
The financial side of caregiving is one of the most stressful and least talked-about parts of the role. Knowing which programs exist can help reduce stress about costs.
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is a federal government tool that helps caregivers and care recipients identify benefits they may be eligible for, including housing assistance, nutrition programs, and healthcare coverage.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this program provides caregivers with access to counseling, respite care, supplemental services, and caregiver training. Services are coordinated through local Area Agencies on Aging.
Medicaid Waiver Programs
Some states offer Medicaid waiver programs that allow family members to be compensated for providing care at home. Eligibility and availability vary by state. Virginia’s Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+) program is worth exploring for Virginia residents.
Social Security and Medicare
Social Security: (800) 772-1213 | Medicare: (800) 633-4227
Understanding what coverage applies to your loved one’s situation can prevent costly surprises. Both the Social Security Administration and Medicare offer dedicated helplines for caregivers navigating coverage questions.
Legal and Planning Resources
Getting the legal side of caregiving in order early makes everything else easier in the future.
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows a designated person to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of a loved one. There are different types, including a durable power of attorney that remains in effect if someone becomes incapacitated. Setting this up before it’s urgently needed gives everyone more options.
Advance Directives and Healthcare Proxies
An advance directive documents a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they become unable to communicate them. A healthcare proxy designates someone to make medical decisions on their behalf. Both are important documents that can prevent difficult disagreements during an already stressful time.
Helpful Legal Resources
Several organizations offer free or low-cost tools and guidance to help caregivers navigate the legal side of caregiving. Caregiver Action Network provides downloadable guides and checklists. Family Caregiver Alliance offers state-specific legal aid information and, in some cases, legal consultation vouchers. For Virginia residents needing free or low-cost legal assistance with elder law, estate planning, or benefits disputes, Virginia Legal Aid is a strong local option.
A consultation with an elder law attorney is worth considering early in the caregiving journey, not just when a legal issue arises.
Technology Tools That Help
Technology has made some parts of caregiving easier.
Medication management
Smart devices and medication reminder apps can help seniors stay on track with complex prescription schedules. For Atlantic Shores residents, ASCA Cares offers electronic medication reminders and in-person reminder visits as part of its tiered support program, a good example of how technology and personal care can work together.
Telehealth
Virtual appointments have significantly reduced the transportation burden for caregivers managing frequent medical visits. Most major health systems now offer telehealth options, and many insurance plans cover them.
GPS and safety monitoring
For loved ones with memory challenges, GPS devices and wearable monitoring tools provide an added layer of safety and peace of mind. The TEMPO device, available through Atlantic Shores’ ASCA Cares program, is one example of enhanced monitoring designed specifically for older adults.
Family coordination apps
When caregiving responsibilities are shared among siblings or family members, apps like CareZone and Lotsa Helping Hands make it easier to divide tasks, share updates, and stay coordinated without relying entirely on group texts.
Respite Care Resources
Respite care exists for one reason: so caregivers can rest without leaving their loved one without support. It’s not a luxury. For most long-term caregivers, it’s what makes the role sustainable.
ARCH National Respite Network
ARCH maintains a respite care locator that helps caregivers find local respite options, including in-home care, adult day programs, and short-term residential stays.
Adult Day Programs
Adult day programs provide structured daytime care and social engagement for seniors, giving caregivers regular, predictable time off during the week. Many programs are covered in part by Medicaid or offered on a sliding scale.
The Alzheimer’s Association maintains a helpful overview of adult day centers and what to look for when choosing one.
The right respite arrangement looks different for every family. What matters most is that caregivers give themselves permission to use it.
Our caregiver burnout guide covers why that matters and how to take that step without guilt.
Local Virginia Beach Resources
National organizations are a strong starting point, but local support is often the most immediately useful. These are resources specific to the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads area.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA)
Helpdesk: (757) 461-9481 | Website
The Area Agency on Aging serving Hampton Roads connects caregivers of older adults to local services, including transportation, meal programs, caregiver support groups, adult day services, and benefits counseling.
Virginia Caregiver Coalition
The Virginia Caregiver Coalition is a statewide network focused on caregiver advocacy, education, and connecting families to resources across Virginia.
211 Virginia
Dialing 211 connects Virginia residents to local health and social services, including caregiver support, transportation, food assistance, and more. Available 24 hours a day.
When More Support Is Needed
For many families, there comes a point where the level of support a loved one needs goes beyond what one person, or even a whole family, can provide at home. Exploring senior living options isn’t a sign of giving up. For most families who make that transition, it’s the decision that finally gives everyone involved more breathing room, including the person receiving care.
At Atlantic Shores, the continuum of care model means residents have access to independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation all on one campus. Families stay involved and informed, and caregivers can return to being spouses, sons, or daughters rather than full-time care coordinators.
For a closer look at the senior living options available at Atlantic Shores and how to navigate that decision, our caregiver’s guide to senior living options in Virginia Beach is a helpful starting point.
If you’d like to learn more about how Atlantic Shores supports both residents and their families, we’d love to connect. Schedule a visit or reach out to our team to start the conversation.
