Caregiver Resources in Michigan

Caring for others can get intense - in some good ways and other not-so-good ways. There are all kinds of resources across Michigan that may be able to help.

FOR DRIVERS OF CAREGIVER INTENSITY

Drivers are the things that make Caregiver Intensity go up. Explore the resources below for your specific drivers making you caregiving feel more intense.

    • RESPITE AND RELIEF PROGRAMS: your local Area Agency on Aging offers senior services, programs, and supports for the recipient and caregiver. Select your county from the drop down menu, and click over to your County's website to connect with programs for caregivers.

    • ARCH NATIONAL RESPITE NETWORK: provides tons of useful info about how to understand, plan for, find, and pay for support in being able take a break from caregiving when you need it.

    • ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION RESPITE RESOURCES: the Michigan Chapter has respite care scholarships available in some counties that will cover the cost of adult day programs, in-home care, and overnight care.

    • RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES: this guide provides education on why respite is important, eligibility for respite, types of respite, and finding the right respite for you.

    • MICHIGAN BRIDGES: apply for benefits to help pay for things, like: heat and utilities; healthcare; food; assistance for those with disabilities (including children); childcare costs; and emergency situations.

    • MICHIGAN 211: find the help you need right in your community. Includes help with food, housing, paying bills, child care, support in a family crisis or community disaster. Available by phone or online chat.

    • FOR CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS: caregivers can apply for the Program for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which pays a loved one who is caring for a Veteran receiving care through the VA, and the Program for General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS), which is for anyone caring for a Veteran and provides education, resources, and access to support groups. The VA Medical Center Caregiver Support Coordinator can assist you with enrolling. For help, contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator using the VA Caregiver Support Program tool or call the VA Caregiver support line at 1-855-260-3274.

    • DOLLAR FOR: a program that helps you apply for free or reduced cost hospital programs that help eliminate medical expenses.

    • ELDER LAW OF MICHIGAN: with one call connect with pension, nutrition, and benefits access counseling. Elder Law of Michigan helps people solve problems, protect their rights, and work to ensure that their basic needs are met. Most services are free of charge.

    • MICHIGAN BRIDGES: apply for benefits to help pay for things, like: heat and utilities; healthcare; food; assistance for those with disabilities (including children); childcare costs; and emergency situations.

    • INFORMATION ASSISTANCE: your Local Area Agency on Aging can provide information assistance on various programs and benefits your loved one. Based on your individual needs, staff will either provide information on community resources, make a referral to a partner agency, or proceed with a referral to one of their care management programs. Select your county from the drop down menu, and click over to your County's website to call.

    • MEDICARE & MEDICAID INFORMATION: local, certified counselors answer all your questions and help guide you to maximize your benefits and savings - at no charge to you. Call 1-800-803-7174 to speak to a counselor or click the link to learn more.

    • MICHIGAN LEGAL HELP: for caregivers who may not be able to hire an attorney, but need legal assistance, Michigan Legal Help offers free self-help tools for dealing with issues like divorce and family problems, wills and estate planning, public assistance like food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid, social security and more.

    • CAREGIVER ACTION NETWORK - FAMILY DYNAMICS: provides helpful strategies for managing the family dynamics related to sharing caring responsibilities.

    • LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING - SUPPORT GROUPS & COACHING: offers caregivers resources including support groups, caregiver coaching, in home care resources, and more. Select your county from the drop down menu, and click over to your county's website for Caregiver Resources.

    • HENRY FORD C.A.R.E. PROGRAM: provides caregiver classes for a variety of topics including things like advanced directives, mindfulness, dementia education and more. Also offers in-person and virtual support groups for caregivers 18+ in age.

    • ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP: offers in-person and virtual support groups for caregivers and individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

    • ELDERCARE LOCATOR: connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources including services like meals, home care or transportation, or a help finding services so the caregiver can take break.

    • LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING - SUPPORT GROUPS: Connect with other caregivers and learn about additional resources available for caregivers. Select your county from the drop down menu, and click over to your county's website for Caregiver Resources.

    • ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP: offers in-person and virtual support groups for caregivers and individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

    • HENRY FORD C.A.R.E. PROGRAM: provides caregiver classes for a variety of topics including things like advanced directives, mindfulness, dementia education and more. Also offers in-person and virtual support groups for caregivers 18+ in age.

    • 988 LIFELINE: provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones via phone, text, and online chat.

    • LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING - SUPPORT GROUPS & COACHING: provides assistance to find help, sort through choices and be a listening ear when you need it. Services vary by county. Select your county from the drop down menu, and call your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more.

    • VETERANS CRISIS LINE: provides 24/7 confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Click the link or dial 988 and Press "1"

    • CAREGIVER COLLECTIVE: The Caregiver Collective is a Facebook group providing caregiver to caregiver support and has the opportunity to share resources.

    • CRISIS TEXT LINE: provides 24/7 free, confidential hotline to call in order to assess immediate needs.

    • FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE - DEPRESSION AND CAREGIVING: This article educates and provides insights to help reduce the symptoms of depression.

    • LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING - SUPPORT GROUPS & COACHING: provides assistance to find help, sort through choices and be a listening ear when you need it. Services vary by county. Select your county from the drop down menu, and call your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more.

    • FAMS PROGRAM FOR CAREGIVERS: offered through Wayne State University, provides free online training classes on things like care managements, fall prevention and safety, stress management, and more.

    • POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS: offers free in-person or virtual classes where you will learn about managing your stress, improving confidence, time management and problem solving, better communicating your feelings, making tough decisions, and more. Classes are provided for caregivers of adults with chronic conditions, and for caregivers of children with special health or behavioral needs.

    • LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING - SUPPORT GROUPS & COACHING: provides assistance to find help, sort through choices and be a listening ear when you need it. Services vary by county. Select your county from the drop down menu, and call your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more.

    • TRUALTA: provides quick, expert answers to the everyday challenges as a caregiver including things like preventing falls, managing challenging behaviors during cognitive decline, and more. Trulata is available through your county's local Area Agency on Aging. Just select your county, and click over to your count's website to gain access to Trualta.

    • FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE: Caregiving 101 covers the foundation and basics of caregiving and the importance of taking care of yourself during the process. Includes audio clips.

FOR YOUR OTHER SPECIFIC NEEDS

Other things making caregiving more intense? The resources below can help meet your specific needs to lower your Intensity Score.

    • CASH ASSISTANCE - DHHS: provides cash to qualifying individuals and families through different programs. Apply at the link above. Eligibility requirements can include: having a child in your household that is under the age of 18, or 18 years old and attending high school, you are pregnant, 65+ in ages or disabled or caring for someone with a disability in your home, or you are receiving disability benefits and caring for someone under 18.

    • LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP): provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills.

    • MICHIGAN 211: find the help you need right in your community. Includes help with food, housing, paying bills, support in a family crisis or community disaster. Available by phone, text or online chat.

    • OPERATION HOME FRONT FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: for military and Veteran families, this program offers financial assistance on a case-by-case basis for help with things like rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing and travel expenses to and from major medical facilities.

    • MICHIGAN 211: provides help finding the help you need right in your community. Includes help with food, housing, paying bills, support in a family crisis or community disaster. Available by phone, text or online chat.

    • HELP FOR VETERANS: The VA helps veterans in homeless or at risk homelessness - and their families and supporters - connect to services to assist and programs available in your area. Access trained VA counselors. Call to 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838); available 24/7

    • LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING: helps seniors and their families find transportation options and plan for a senior’s driving retirement. They can help with everything from getting to the store, to doctor’s appointments, or out to visit friends and family. Just select your county from the drop down menu, and click over to your County's Local Area Agency on Aging website.

    • MERCY MEDICAL ANGELS: provides transportation for non-emergency medical treatment more than 50 miles away from your home for eligible patients. Gas cards may also be provided to qualifying individuals for local medical treatment.

    • RECONNECT: Michigan Reconnect pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college.

    • MICHIGAN ADULT EDUCATION SERVICE LOCATOR: hundreds of Adult Education programs and high school equivalency testing centers located throughout Michigan are available to help you. FInd programs near you offering free or low-cost adult education services. Just select a city or zip code near you to discover your options. Questions or need assistance? Contact the Adult Services staff at 517-335-5858.

    • MATRIX HUMAN SERVICES: Greater Detroit area -- offers a free online high school diploma program for those ages 18+ in a self-paced program.

    • YOUR LOCAL YMCA: has resources to help with childcare, after school activities, camps, and other programs to keep kids active. Just click the link to find the YMCA location nearest you.

    • HEAD START PROGRAM: locate a childcare center funded by Michigan Head Start that provides education and childcare from birth to five years at no cost to qualified families (based on household income).

    • CHILD DEVELOPMENT & CARE - MI DHHS: provides help paying for childcare for qualifying families with low income. Click on the link to apply.

MORE RESOURCES WHERE YOU NEED THEM

Whether you’re caring close to home or from a distance, use the resources below to find help in the place where you need it most.

ARCHANGELS

ARCHANGELS provides links to free resources based on what’s available in your area and what’s most driving your Caregiver Intensity. There are also resources for specific caregiving situations, like if you’re a Veteran caregiver or someone caring for Veteran. You can also learn how to include your caregiving experience on your resume. Cick below to connect.

MICHIGAN 211

Talk to an expert on the resources in your area who will guide you through your need. Calls made to 2-1-1 are confidential and can be anonymous. This is a 24/7 service that you can contact to aid you in meeting basic needs such as; health care, housing, food, addiction and other needs you may have.

FINDHELP.ORG

Findhelp.org is a website that can connect you to resources in your area for financial assistance, food delivery, housing assistance, mental health and many more. Resources are free or reduced cost. Once you put in your zip code, thousands of resources are provided for you and Findhelp even walks you through the next steps required for each resource.

ELDERCARE LOCATOR

Talk to an expert on the resources in your area who will guide you through your need. Calls made to 2-1-1 are confidential and can be anonymous. This is a 24/7 service that you can contact to aid you in meeting basic needs such as; health care, housing, food, addiction and other needs you may have.