Caregiving
is intense
This can help

You need a real break — not just a quick breather. Iona's adult day health program gives your loved one a full day of structured activities, a hot lunch, and nursing supervision while you get actual time back. Accepts Medicaid waivers, VA benefits, and sliding scale subsidies so cost doesn't have to be the barrier.

Sometimes you need more than a few hours — you need a few days. Stoddard Baptist offers short-term residential respite so you can rest, recover, or just breathe. The cost of the stay may be covered by available respite grants, making it more accessible than you might expect.

Maryland will actually pay you back for arranging a break. This state-funded program reimburses family caregivers of adults or children with developmental or functional disabilities for short-term temporary care — so you can step away without it costing you more than it already does. | 1-800-332-6347

Federal funding, local support. This program connects you to respite care, training, and supplemental services right in your county — because what you need shouldn't require a road trip to find. Call 1-844-627-5465 and they'll route you to your area's specific program.

If you're the unpaid, live-in primary caregiver in Montgomery County — this one's built for you. Subsidized respite care that makes a real break financially possible. Enrollment runs July through February, so get on their radar now. | 301-294-0400

Finding someone you can actually trust to step in isn't easy. Anne Arundel County has done the legwork — a registry of background-checked, trained home care workers you can call for occasional or regular breaks. The vetting is already done. | 410-222-4257

Structured, medically supervised adult day programs across Maryland mean your loved one is in good hands while you get consistent, predictable time back. Not a one-time favor — a real, repeatable break you can build into your week. | 1-844-627-5465

PACE is as comprehensive as it gets — medical care, social services, and support all in one place, all day. For caregivers, that means reliable, daily time back you can actually count on. Multiple sites across Maryland, with the Eldercare Locator helping you find the closest one. | 1-800-677-1116

When you don't know where to start, start here. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 and a real person helps you find respite options, caregiver support, and — when things are urgent — emergency respite resources right in your county.

This number exists because some moments don't wait. If you or someone you love is in crisis or overwhelmed to the point of despair, trained support is there 24/7 — free, confidential, and available by call or text. Just dial or text 988.

Getting mental health support in DC shouldn't require insider knowledge or a big budget. DBH connects residents to free or low-cost mental health and substance use services — from crisis intervention to ongoing counseling — with a 24/7 Access Helpline when you can't wait.

Grief doesn't follow a schedule — and it doesn't just show up after someone dies. Caregivers grieve throughout the whole experience. Capital Caring's free grief support is open to anyone who has experienced loss, with trained counselors available around the clock at 800.737.2508.

NAMI's Family-to-Family program isn't just a support group — it's a peer-led education program that research has shown actually reduces depression in family caregivers. Free, run by people who've lived it, and available across Maryland. This one is worth knowing about. | 800-950-6264

This counseling isn't generic — it's specifically for you, the person doing the caregiving. Your local Area Agency on Aging offers individual sessions at no or low cost for caregivers navigating real strain. You deserve support that's centered on what you're carrying, not just what your loved one needs. | 1-844-627-5465

No matter where you are in Maryland, there's a community mental health center nearby offering outpatient therapy, psychiatric services, and crisis intervention. These centers exist specifically to make care accessible in your county — not just in the places that already have plenty. | 410-767-6500

It's 2am and you need to talk to someone who actually gets it. The Alzheimer's Association Helpline has trained counselors available around the clock — not just for dementia caregivers, but for anyone under pressure. Free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. | 800-272-3900

You don't need to know which program or which provider — just dial 2-1-1 and tell them what you're dealing with. They'll connect you immediately to local mental health resources, including community health centers with sliding-scale fees and crisis counselors who are ready right now.

Not knowing what's coming is one of the hardest parts. The DC Caregiver's Institute offers real training and resources designed to help you understand what to expect — so the next phase of this doesn't blindside you the way the first one might have.

The best time to plan for what's ahead is before it's an emergency. The ADRC offers one-on-one guidance on what changes may come next, what options exist, and how to navigate care and benefits — so you're not making the hardest decisions under the worst pressure.

The hardest conversations are the ones we keep not having. Talk Early Talk Often gives you practical guides for navigating end-of-life planning with an older adult — including tools for managing the family dynamics that always seem to make it harder. You don't have to figure out the words yourself.

Dementia doesn't give you a syllabus. These free in-person and virtual classes — covering progression, communication strategies, late-stage care, and caregiver wellbeing — give you the knowledge you need to feel less lost at every stage of this. Knowledge changes everything. | 800-272-3900

When your loved one is in a facility, knowing your rights matters as much as knowing theirs. The Ombudsman walks you through discharge rights, care plan reviews, and quality complaints — and advocates for you when something isn't right. Free, and available statewide. | 1-844-627-5465

A new diagnosis. A transition to memory care. Conversations about the end. These are the moments when having someone in your corner makes all the difference. NFCSP offers individualized counseling for caregivers navigating exactly these moments — at no cost. | 1-844-627-5465

Maryland has built real infrastructure for families navigating Alzheimer's and dementia — and this hub is the front door. Find the Johns Hopkins Memory Care Checklist, connection to local dementia programs, and a clear picture of what support is available, all in one place.

Whatever diagnosis brought you here, AARP has a guide for it. Cancer, dementia, heart disease, stroke — plain-language walk-throughs of what each stage looks like and how to actually prepare for what's ahead. Because understanding what's coming doesn't make it easy, but it does make it less terrifying.

When caregiving starts affecting your finances — and it usually does — UPO is there. DC residents can access free financial counseling, tax planning, food assistance, and a shelter hotline, all in one place. No one should have to choose between caring for someone they love and keeping the lights on.

Caregiving can push family finances to the edge — and housing shouldn't be the casualty. If rent or mortgage has become a source of real stress, Marshall Heights offers housing counseling to help you understand your options and protect what you've built. Call 202.396.1200 to get started.

You're already doing the work — Maryland's CFC program can actually pay you for it. If your loved one is Medicaid-eligible, a qualifying family member can receive $15–$20/hour to provide personal care. This isn't a loophole. It's a program that exists because what you're doing has real value. | 1-844-627-5465

For adults 65+ or people with physical disabilities at risk of nursing home placement, this waiver can fund personal care, respite, and other critical support services — potentially keeping your loved one home longer. A waitlist applies, so connecting sooner rather than later matters. | 1-844-627-5465

Keeping your loved one home safely takes a team — and this program helps build one. For Marylanders 65+ at risk of nursing home placement, it funds personal care, home-delivered meals, transportation, and adult day care, plus the case management to coordinate it all. | 1-844-627-5465

Medicare doesn't always cover enough — and prescription costs can quietly devastate a caregiving budget. Maryland SPDAP provides additional financial assistance for beneficiaries who are still struggling to afford their medications. Worth a call to find out what your loved one qualifies for. | 410-767-1100

There are more programs available than most people know about — and that's not an accident, it's a problem. Dial 2-1-1 and a trained specialist will screen you for SNAP, LIHEAP utility assistance, prescription programs, and other financial relief you might actually qualify for. Available 24/7.

One call, a lot of doors. The Eldercare Locator connects you with your local Area Agency on Aging — which can then plug you into financial assistance programs across Maryland and DC. Free, it takes one phone call, and it's one of the most underused starting points out there. | 1-800-677-1116

You shouldn't have to guess at your workplace rights or figure this out alone. A Better Balance's free, confidential legal hotline gives you real answers about what protections exist for caregivers — plus a state-by-state guide so you can come to any HR conversation informed and ready. | 833.633.3222

It's not available yet — but knowing it's coming gives you real leverage now. Maryland's Time to Care Act launches in January 2028 and will provide up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave. Understanding what's ahead means you can have smarter, more grounded conversations with your employer today.

Most people don't realize FMLA can work in small increments — not just extended blocks. If you have predictable caregiving needs like regular appointments or treatment days, intermittent FMLA might let you protect those hours without burning all your leave at once. Ask HR specifically about this option. | 1-866-487-9243

Disclosing that you're a caregiver at work can feel like a gamble. AARP's guide gives you actual scripts and strategies for navigating that conversation — what to share, what to hold back, how to ask for flexibility, and how to protect yourself legally while you're at it.

Caregiving costs people careers — and that's not okay. If you've had to step back, reduce hours, or leave a job entirely, Maryland CareerConnect is there to help you find your footing again: job placement support, training funds, and career counseling that meets you where you are now. | 410-767-2111

There's a decent chance your employer offers more support than you know about. Dial 2-1-1 and they can help you find out whether you have access to an Employee Assistance Program — free counseling, legal consultations, and financial coaching that are already part of your benefits, just waiting to be used.

From disclosure to accommodation requests to knowing when something isn't legal — this free guide covers what caregivers navigating the workplace actually need to know. Comprehensive, plain-language, and built specifically for people doing the caregiving AND keeping the job.

When family disagreements about a parent's care become genuinely hard to navigate, a neutral third party changes the conversation. Community Mediation DC facilitates those discussions — helping families work through conflict around aging and care without it becoming a permanent fracture. | 240.766.5311

Family tension around caregiving is incredibly common — and it can make everything harder. Mary's Center offers free or low-cost counseling to help individuals and families work through stress, conflict, and complex caregiving dynamics, with a team that has seen and navigated all of it.

When family disagreements cross into legal territory — power of attorney disputes, guardianship questions, elder law — having an attorney matters. Maryland Legal Aid provides free civil legal services for low-income Marylanders, including full representation for care-related legal issues that feel impossible to navigate alone. | 410-951-7750

One call, real legal advice. The Maryland Senior Legal Helpline gives Marylanders 60+ free telephone consultations on advance directives, estate planning, Medicaid disputes, and family care conflicts — so you don't walk into difficult conversations without knowing your options. | 866-635-2948

Pro bono attorneys statewide means real legal support without the billing rate. MVLS connects Marylanders with volunteer lawyers for adult guardianship, estate administration, and other care-related legal needs — because family disagreements sometimes genuinely need a lawyer, not just a good conversation. | 410-539-6800

Getting everyone on the same page is harder than it sounds. A trained MAP counselor will help your family build an actual written care plan — at no cost — that reflects everyone's goals, values, and financial reality. Having something in writing changes the dynamic. | 1-844-627-5465

When your loved one is in a facility and something doesn't sit right — the care, the environment, how they're being treated — you don't have to just worry. The Ombudsman investigates at no charge, advocates for your loved one's rights, and takes your concerns seriously. That's what they're there for. | 1-844-627-5465

There's something that happens when you're in a room with people who actually get it — the weight lifts a little. Sibley's free, professionally facilitated support groups give caregivers and older adults that space: to share, to be heard, and to reconnect with a sense of purpose that intense caregiving can quietly chip away at.

Grief, love, guilt, resentment, pride — often all in the same afternoon. This resource explores the full, complicated emotional landscape of caregiving without glossing over any of it. Because you can't deal with what you haven't named yet, and naming it is the first real step.

You are more than this role — and NAMI Maryland's peer community holds that truth for you when it's hard to hold yourself. Family Support Groups meet regularly across the state, offering a space where you're seen as a whole person, not just someone's caregiver. Free, and worth showing up for.

When caregiving starts to narrow your world, community expands it back. The Greater Maryland chapter offers education, volunteer opportunities, and events that reconnect you to meaning and contribution — reminding you that what you're carrying matters, and that you're not carrying it alone. | 800-272-3900

Validation isn't a small thing when you've been running on empty. NFCSP support groups through your local Area Agency on Aging offer exactly that — spaces where other caregivers show up, share honestly, and remind each other that what they're doing is real, hard, and worth acknowledging. | 1-844-627-5465

Caregivers are skilled. They are strategic. They are doing some of the most important work in this country — unpaid, underrecognized, and often invisible. CAN's recognition programs center that truth with events, peer communities, and resources that actually reflect the strength of what you're doing.

You're managing two full-time jobs — one of which no one is paying you for. CAN's resource hub for working caregivers addresses what that actually looks like: managing costs, finding respite, and learning how to ask for the help you need without losing your footing at either one.

If you work in DC, you may already have access to paid family leave — and not enough people know it. Eligible DC workers can take paid time off to care for a seriously ill family member, recover from their own health condition, or bond with a new child. Check your eligibility and know what you've got.

Mark your calendar for January 2028 — Maryland is launching up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave for caregivers, with weekly benefits up to $1,000. Start learning what it covers and what you'll need to document now, so you're not scrambling when you need it most.

It's not paid, but it's protected — and that matters more than people realize. If your employer has 50 or more employees, federal FMLA gives you up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave right now. Your job isn't on the line just because you're also a caregiver. Know your rights. | 1-866-487-9243

If you work in Maryland at a company with 15 or more employees, you're already accruing paid sick and safe leave — and yes, you can use it for caregiving. Appointments, care transitions, the unexpected days. That's what this leave is there for. File complaints at labor.maryland.gov if it's not being honored.

Knowing your rights on paper and knowing how to actually use them are two different things. AARP's workplace guides walk you through the real-world version: how to talk to HR, how to frame accommodation requests, and what your legal protections actually look like when they're tested.

Caregiving on top of a job on top of a family is a lot to manage — and sometimes something has to give. If your ability to work is being affected and you need childcare or broader family support, dial 2-1-1 to find locally funded programs that might fill in some of those gaps.

Health insurance for someone else's complex care situation is genuinely confusing — and the wrong choice can be expensive. DC SHIP offers free, unbiased counseling to help you make informed decisions about coverage for your loved one, with real people who know the system inside out. | 202.727.8370

Finding the right insurance coverage shouldn't feel like a full-time job on top of everything else. Whitman-Walker's team navigates the options with you, helps find the right plan, and walks you through enrollment start to finish. Call the Insurance Help Line at 202.745.6151 to get started.

If you only call one number for benefits navigation, make it this one. Maryland Access Point connects you with a trained specialist — in every county — who will take the time to identify every program your loved one might qualify for. Free, human, and built exactly for this. | 1-844-627-5465

Medicare is complicated, and the wrong plan costs real money. Maryland SHIP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every county — helping you compare plans, understand true costs, catch billing errors, and access every savings program your loved one might be eligible for. | 410-767-1100

When benefits get denied, cut off, or wrongly charged — that's not just a paperwork problem, that's a legal one. Maryland Legal Aid's Elder Rights Division provides free, full legal representation for residents 60+ on Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, Social Security, and nursing home discharge issues. Having an attorney changes what's possible. | 410-951-7750

Keeping your loved one home instead of moving to a facility isn't just a care choice — it's often a financial one too. This waiver can fund personal care, adult day programs, respite, and case management to make that possible. Maryland Access Point will walk you through the application. | 1-844-627-5465

When you're managing someone else's benefits on top of everything else, having a real person on the line who knows the local landscape is worth its weight. Dial 2-1-1 to reach a specialist who can help navigate programs and benefits for your loved one, sorted by county.

Most people leave money on the table — not because they don't qualify, but because they don't know the programs exist. BenefitsCheckUp screens confidentially for 2,500+ benefit programs including Medicare savings, utility help, food assistance, housing support, and prescriptions. Free, and worth doing.

One toll-free number connects you to an entire network. The Eldercare Locator routes you to local Area Agencies on Aging, benefits counselors, and legal aid programs across Maryland and DC — wherever you are, whoever you're caring for. | 1-800-677-1116

If you're caring for someone in DC without pay — which means you're already doing more than anyone is officially counting — DACL has programs built specifically for you. Respite, case management, support groups, and educational programming, all designed for unpaid caregivers who need real backup. | 202.724.5626

Some of the best support is also the simplest. We Are Family wraps seniors in consistent, human connection — monthly grocery deliveries, phone check-ins, holiday food and gifts, and housing advocacy. If isolation is part of what you're managing for your loved one, this kind of steady presence makes a real difference.

When you don't know what you need, start here. Maryland Access Point is the state's single entry point for caregiver support — real people, every county, who listen and then connect you with what's actually available locally: counseling, support groups, respite, and more. | 1-844-627-5465

Federal investment, local delivery. NFCSP connects you with individual counseling, support group access, caregiver training, and supplemental services right in your state — because the support that actually makes a difference is the kind you can get to. | 1-844-627-5465

Need someone right now? The Alzheimer's Association helpline is staffed 24/7 by trained counselors offering emotional support, crisis assistance, and local resource connections in over 200 languages. And when you're ready for something ongoing, support groups meet weekly.

Supporting someone with a mental health condition takes a particular kind of strength — and a particular kind of support. NAMI Maryland's peer-led Family Support Groups are free, run by people who've lived this, and meet regularly so you have somewhere consistent to land. | 800-950-6264

Support looks different in every county — and 211 knows where to find it. Dial 2-1-1 any time and they'll connect you with local support groups, caregiver programs, and community resources that are actually available where you live.

Not knowing where to start is the most honest place any caregiver can be. Family Caregiver Alliance's state resources tool was built for exactly that moment — connecting Maryland caregivers to individualized resources, peer support, and clear guidance. Free, online, and genuinely useful.

Resentment is real — and it doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you a human being doing too much without enough support. Mary's Center's free or low-cost family counseling and behavioral health services give you a space to work through conflict, set real boundaries, and get some of what you're carrying off your chest.

There's something quietly powerful about being in a room with people who don't need an explanation. Iona's free, facilitated support groups are that room — where you can talk openly about family tension, resentment, and what you're navigating, with people who are in it too.

When the relationship feels one-sided or coercive, NAMI's free, confidential peer groups offer connection with people who know this dynamic firsthand — and who can help you figure out what to do about it.

What starts as caregiving sometimes becomes something else — financial manipulation, emotional coercion, or outright abuse. If that's what you're navigating, Maryland Legal Aid can help you understand your options and take real action. You don't have to figure out alone when a line has been crossed. | 410-951-7750

When something has crossed from difficult into wrong — whether your loved one is exploiting you or you're witnessing abuse of a vulnerable adult — APS investigates. This is a resource that takes serious situations seriously. Available 24/7 at 1-800-917-7383.

Sometimes the most complicated caregiving situations have legal dimensions — and you need real guidance to navigate them. This free phone helpline gives Marylanders 60+ legal advice on guardianship, power of attorney, and situations where what's being asked of you has crossed into territory that needs an attorney. | 866-635-2948

You shouldn't have to be in crisis to deserve therapy — and you shouldn't have to break your budget to access it. Dial 2-1-1 to find therapists and counselors in your county who work on a sliding scale, so the support you need is actually within reach.

Before you can get the right support, it helps to get honest about where you actually are. This free, research-backed self-assessment gives you a real read on your own wellbeing and caregiver stress — so what you're carrying has a name, and you can start deciding what to do about it.

Complex systems shouldn't be your problem to decode alone. The DC ADRC offers free, personalized guidance on services, benefits, and care planning — with real people who will actually talk you through it. Because getting the right answer matters, and so does not having to figure it out by yourself.

Feeling like you don't know what you're doing is one of the hardest parts of this. These free in-person and virtual programs — covering dementia progression, communication strategies, late-stage care, and caregiver wellbeing — exist to change that. Knowledge doesn't make it easy, but it does make it less like flying blind. | 800-272-3900

You weren't handed a manual when this started — but you can get one now. Free caregiver training through your local Area Agency on Aging covers the practical stuff that makes a real difference: medication management, understanding care plans, safe mobility, and more. You deserve to feel competent, not just committed. | 1-844-627-5465

Developed by Hopkins researchers specifically for Maryland families, this checklist helps you identify exactly where your loved one needs support and build a care plan you can actually use — not just guess at. Free through the Maryland Department of Aging, and genuinely worth your time.

Maryland has put real investment into dementia education for families — this hub is where you access it. Find the AD8 early screening tool, information on dementia day programs, local training grants, and other state-funded resources designed to make you a better-informed caregiver.

Sometimes what you need isn't a hotline — it's someone who has actually done this. CAN's Caregiver Help Desk connects you with trained volunteers who have been in your exact shoes. Plus free online guides, disease-specific education, and a broader community for caregivers navigating any situation.

Hands-on skill-building is different from just reading about it. Call 1-800-677-1116 and the Eldercare Locator will connect you with local programs where you can actually learn: medication management, understanding hospice, safe transfers, and whatever else you feel underprepared for. They'll find what's in your area.