Caregiving is too big to do alone. This guide shows where to find real people, practical help, and ongoing support, online, in your neighborhood, and tailored to your culture and language.

Quick Take

• What you’ll get: Someone to talk to, places to learn, and concrete help for daily stress.

• Where to look: Hotlines, support groups, counseling, faith/community centers, and New York–specific resource hubs.

• Your next step: Pick one “talk” option and one “tangible help” option below and contact both this week.

If You Need to Talk Today

• 988 (U.S. Lifeline): Call/text 988 for immediate emotional support, 24/7.

• Your health plan’s behavioral health line: Usually on your insurance card—ask for caregiver stress or counseling.

• Employer/Union EAP (if applicable): Free short-term counseling and referrals.

In an emergency or if anyone is in danger, call 911.

Ongoing Emotional Support 

1) Support Groups

• Diagnosis-specific: Alzheimer’s/dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, cancer, ALS, MS, etc.

• Role-based: Spouses, adult children, long-distance caregivers, veteran families.

• Format: Local groups at hospitals/libraries/community centers or virtual groups (evenings/weekends available).
  What to expect: A trained facilitator, problem-solving with peers, and resource handouts.

2) Short-Term Counseling

• Ask your primary care provider for a counseling referral.

• Request telehealth if transportation/time is tight.

• If cost is a barrier, look for sliding-scale clinics or community mental-health centers.

3) Faith & Community Circles

• Many synagogues, churches, mosques, and temples host caregiver circles and can coordinate friendly visits or meal trains.

• Community centers often offer peer meetups with bilingual staff.

Practical Help That Reduces Stress

Respite & Day Programs

• Home-care hours (agency aide or CDPAP) to cover routine tasks.

• Adult day programs for safe daytime care, socialization, and caregiver recovery time.

• Short-term respite during illness, travel, or burnout.

Transportation & Appointments

• Paratransit/ambulette for medical visits.

• Volunteer drivers or community ride programs for errands and support groups.

Food & Supplies

• Home-delivered meals and pantry programs.

• Discounted or donated incontinence supplies and basic DME through community partners.

Benefits & Paperwork Help

• Assistance completing Medicaid/MLTC, CDPAP, LTC insurance, VA benefits, and caregiver grants.

• Help organize medical records, med lists, and authorizations.

Where New Yorkers Can Start (Resource Map)

• Area Agency on Aging / County Office for the Aging: Local classes, support groups, respite, and benefits help.

• NY Connects: A statewide “no wrong door” entry point for long-term services and supports.

• Hospitals & Health Systems: Caregiver academies, post-discharge classes, disease-specific groups.

• Disease-Specific Nonprofits: Education lines, helplines, support groups, and safety resources.

• Veterans Services (if eligible): Caregiver coaching, stipends, and respite options.

• Libraries & Community Colleges: Free workshops (transfers, dementia communication), sometimes with certificates/CEUs.

• Community & Faith Organizations: Language-accessible groups, meal support, and check-in calls.

Ask about language services, captioning, wheelchair access, evening/weekend schedules, and childcare if needed.

How to Choose the Right Group or Service

1. Match your need: Behavior issues at night? Choose dementia or overnight-care sessions first.

2. Check level: “Basics” vs. “Advanced” groups (e.g., late-stage dementia).

3. Confirm the facilitator: Health professional or experienced educator.

4. Review take-homes: Look for checklists, local service lists, and a helpline/email.

5. Plan logistics: Time, transit/parking, accessibility, language.

Your 2-Step Plan This Week

Step 1: Book one talk option (support group or counseling intake).
Step 2: Book one tangible help option (adult day tour or home-care hours inquiry).

Put both on the calendar, small actions reduce overwhelm.

How Individual Home Care Helps

• Personal match-making: We align your biggest stressors with the best support (support group vs. counseling vs. respite).

• Warm handoffs: We introduce you to the right coordinator and confirm schedules, access, and language needs.

• Follow-through: We update your care plan based on what you learn and help you implement, equipment, hours, or benefits.

• On-going check-ins: We revisit every 30–60 days to keep supporting current.

Note: This page is educational and not a substitute for medical or mental-health care. If you’re in crisis, call 988 (U.S.).

Get help finding emotional support & community resources.