Nursing can be one of the most important and challenging roles you will ever take on. No matter where you are on your care path – start planning; Caring for a family member at your home, in an institution, or remotely; or responsibility for end-of-life care – having resources on hand makes the process easier.
AARP designed this Family Caregiver’s Guide with you, the Caregiver in mind, and as a starting point to help you find the services and support you may need during your journey.
To order a printed copy of this online guide, call the AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line toll-free at 877-333-5885 and indicate what status you would like to receive. A copy will be sent to you by post.
General resources
- Central Savannah River Area Agency on Aging (706-210-2000 | 866-552-4464 toll free)
- The CSRA Area Agency on Aging serves as a hub for aging issues in east central Georgia by providing care and services to older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers that enable them to maintain dignity and independence in their communities.
- Regional Commission for Central Georgia (478-751-6160)
- The Middle Georgia Regional Commission is the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Middle Georgia. The organization provides information and recommendations for a variety of programs for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities.
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) (866-552-4464 toll free)
- ADRC designs and manages resources for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. This government program can provide an overview of aging, disability, and care services in the state.
- DHS Division of Aging Services Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
(866-552-4464 toll free)- The ombudsmen for long-term care are lawyers for residents of nursing homes, old people’s and nursing homes as well as support housing facilities. They provide information on the rights of nursing home residents and care issues. They work nationwide to resolve the concerns of long-term care residents.
- The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (229-928-1234)
- The Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving Care Net program encourages interaction between professional and family caregivers to provide continued support and education to caregivers in Georgia.
Health resources
- Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) (404-657-2700)
- The mission of the Georgia Department of Public Health is to protect the lives of all Georgians. The DPH is the leading agency for disease, injury and disability prevention and the promotion of the health and wellbeing of citizens. It is also tasked with preparing for and responding to disasters from a health point of view.
- Georgia Medicaid (404-656-4507)
- The Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® programs provide health care for children, pregnant women, and people who are aging, blind, and / or disabled.
- Global Telemedicine Partnership (GPT) (866-754-4325 toll free)
- GPT is a not-for-profit organization that provides telemedicine technology to schools, hospitals, clinics and health systems, delivering much-needed health resources to urban and rural communities with a focus on underserved areas.
Home and community based resources
- Food on Wheels Association of Georgia
- The Meals on Wheels Association of Georgia is a nonprofit nationwide network of senior nutrition providers passionately committed to ending the hunger of the elderly.
- Regional contact person:
Financial resources
- Georgia Food Bank Association
- The Georgia Food Bank Association is a network of seven regional food banks that work together to fight hunger in their communities.
- SNAP (404-370-6236 | 877-423-4746 toll free)
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Grocery Brands, provides monthly nutrition assistance to people on low incomes and limited wealth to pay for groceries. SNAP also offers nutrition education.
- Georgia Drug Card Program (888-214-7721 toll free)
- Georgia Drug Card is the nationwide free prescription drug assistance program available to all Georgia residents to help uninsured and underinsured people purchase prescription drugs.
Legal resources
- Georgia Senior Legal Hotline (888-257-9519 toll free)
- The Georgia Senior Legal Hotline, a division of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society The Georgia Senior Legal Hotline has provided Georgians with better access to quality legal services for over 60 years. The hotline helps older Americans regardless of income; it is aimed at the economically and socially weak.
- Georgia Bar Association Military Legal Assistance Program (800-334-6865 toll free)
- This program, supported by Georgia Legal Services and the State Bar of Georgia, provides service members and veterans with free or discounted legal services by connecting them with State Bar members who offer assistance.
- The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Inc. (706-424-7557, ext. 1)
- The center is a not-for-profit law firm that aims to strengthen and preserve the property rights of low and middle income Georgians through financial assistance and legal services.
- Attorney General’s Office: Elder Abuse (404-656-3300)
- The Georgia Attorney General has specific laws to protect residents 65 and older, disabled adults, people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and residents of long-term care facilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Workplace / employer resources
Specific target audience resources
- AARP Nursing Guides
- AARP offers free care guides for specific audiences, including guides for military families and LGBT people. The guides, which are also offered in Spanish and Chinese, are intended to help develop and implement a care plan.
- Nursing support in the Atlanta VA healthcare system (855-260-3274 toll free)
- The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of services for veterans and their caregivers. Whether you and the veteran you care are in need of home help or just need someone to talk to, reach out to the VA to learn about the variety of family care services they offer.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Assistance (855-260-3274 toll free)
- As the caregiver, you play an important role in caring for the veteran at home and in the community. Each VA Medical Center has a Nursing Care Coordinator to assist you with enrolling in an on-site program.
- My health eVet (877-327-0022 toll free)
- With My Health eVet, veterans can schedule appointments online, fill up prescriptions, view their health records and send safe messages to their health team.
- Community connections
- AARP Community Connections is a new website that provides steps to find or give help. Organize online mutual help groups to stay connected, share ideas, and help those in need. Create the good
- Create the good
- Create the Good connects you to volunteer opportunities and project ideas to share your life experiences, skills and passions in your community.
AARP resources for family carers
- AARP family care website (in Spanish: aarp.org/cuidar)
- AARP’s Family Caregiving website is your one-stop shop for tips and tools to help you care for a loved one. It contains valuable information on dealing with medical questions, patient files and advance directives, home security, financial and legal issues, the life balance of nurses and much more.
- AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line (877-333-5885 toll-free, en español: 888-971-2013 toll-free)
- Connect with a real person and learn how to access local resources through our toll-free family support hotline.
- Community resource finder
- Community Resource Finder, a joint service of the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP, is a Carelike-operated database of dementia and age-related resources. The online tool makes it easier to find local programs and services.
- I heart caregiver
- Join the thousands of caregivers who have shared their experiences on AARP’s storytelling initiative, I Heart Caregivers. Your story will help AARP continue to fight for more support for family carers.
- AARP HomeFit Guide
- The AARP HomeFit Guide can help individuals and families to make their current or future residence age-appropriate. It can also help elected officials, policymakers, and local leaders learn about the types of housing features and designs communities need so that their residents can live and thrive safely, comfortably.
If you’re thinking about how AARP can improve this resource guide, we invite you to, too aarp.org/preparetocaresurvey (in Spanish: aarp.org/encuestacuidador).
