Resources and Support for Family Caregivers
This information is also available as a downloadable resource.
Note: External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.
The resources below provide resources, information, and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their caregivers, families, and friends. They include community-based organizations, national organizations, and government agencies. Contact them for information about getting a diagnosis, treatment, disease management, risk factors, family caregiver information, and support, as well as local, state, and national resources.
Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, Local and State Resources, and Caregiver Support in Texas
1.800.272.3900 - 24/7 Helpline
TDD: 1.866.403.3073
The Alzheimer’s Association provides information and support for family caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and the public. Some of the programs they offer include a 24/7 Helpline; comprehensive information on risk factors; diagnosis and treatment options; day-to-day care; legal and financial planning; safety services and MedicAlert®+ Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®; current research; Association news releases; and referrals to local support groups.
Link to local chapters for available programs and services.
- Houston & Southwest Texas
- San Antonio and South Texas
- Capital of Texas (Austin)
- Greater Dallas (Dallas)
- North Central Texas (Ft. Worth)
- West Texas (El Paso)
Alzheimer’s Texas (central Texas)
512-241-0420 or 1-800-367-2132 – 24/7 Helpline
Alzheimer’s Texas provides information, referrals, and a variety of support programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and their family members, caregivers, and professionals. Some of the programs they offer include a 24/7 Helpline; consultations; education; training; early-stage support; caregiver support; and community respite development. Contact them for a complete list of programs.
Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County (Tyler)
903-509-8323
The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County provides programs and services to individuals in Smith County with any type of dementia, their families, and the professionals who care for them. Some of the programs they offer include caregiver support groups; a tracking program for wanderers; personal consultation with a social worker; a day respite program; education; free memory screenings; and a resource library of books and DVDs. Contact them for a complete list of programs.
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC)
HHSC supports families and caregivers by increasing access to available support services in their communities.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
1-855-937-2372
ADRCs can help you learn what services you may qualify for with Medicare and Medicaid and provide information on care facilities and respite care.
1-800-252-9240
The 28 area agencies on aging (AAA) provide services to help people aged 60 and older, their family members, and caregivers receive the information and assistance they need in locating and accessing community services. Services include:
- Information, referral, and assistance
- Benefits counseling and legal assistance
- Care coordination
- Caregiver support services
- In-home support services
- Legal awareness
- Nutrition services
- Ombudsman Program
National Resources to Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
Alzheimer’s Association 2021 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
This national report is updated each year and provides Alzheimer’s disease statistics and information by state on prevalence, incidence, mortality and morbidity, costs of care, and caregiving.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
NIA provides information and resources on Alzheimer's and other dementias through Alzheimers.gov and Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center.
Alzheimers.gov
Provides information on Alzheimer's and other dementias, resources for people living with dementia and their family caregivers, and clinical trials.
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
1-800-438-4380
TTY: 800-438-4380
Email the ADEAR mailbox
Provides current and comprehensive information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias from the National Institute on Aging. Information Specialists are available to assist with questions about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; information for caregiving; free publications about symptoms, diagnosis, related disorders, risk factors, treatment, caregiving tips, home safety tips, and research; referrals to local support services and research centers that specialize in research and diagnosis; Spanish language resources; clinical trials information; and training materials, guidelines, and news updates.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
1.866.232.8484
Provides education and support to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families and caregivers, and funds research toward improved treatments and a cure.
Information on Diagnosis and Treatment
Talk with your primary care physician about getting a diagnosis. Your physician may refer you to other specialists such as a neurologist or diagnostic center if there is one in your area.
1.800.272.3900 - 24/7 Helpline
TDD: 1.866.403.3073
Diagnosis
For information on diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association: Diagnosis Information
Treatment
For information on the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association: Treatment Information
(En Español: Tratamientos)
Information on Medicaid, Medicare, and Caregiver Support Programs
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC)
Contact these HHSC resources for information on Medicaid, Medicare, and Caregiver Support Programs
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
1-855-937-2372
ADRCs can help you learn what services you may qualify for with Medicare and Medicaid and provide information on care facilities and respite care.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
1-800-252-9240
The 28 area agencies on aging (AAA) provide services to help people age 60 and older, their family members and caregivers receive the information and assistance they need in locating and accessing community services. Contact them for information regarding benefits counseling and legal assistance.
Medicaid
1-800-252-8263
Toll-free number for general information.
Medicare: Official U.S. Government Site
1-800-633-4227
Toll-free number for general information. Official U.S. government site for Medicare information on eligibility, enrollment, and premiums.
- Search tools for state-specific information on health plan choices; nursing home comparisons; prescription drug programs; participating physicians; and plan coverage.
Hotline service for people looking to get help and find the services they need.
Additional Information about Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Communities
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia
Texas Health and Human Services
Resources for Veterans
U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Geriatrics and Extended Care
1-800-273-8255
Provides information on services provided for older veterans and veterans with dementia.
1-855-260-3274
Provides education and support for caregivers caring for veterans.
Long-Term Care Facilities in Texas
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC)
These resources provide information on finding care facilities in Texas.
Learn about what long-term care is and ways to determine what you need.
Long-term care provider search
Finding long-term care for yourself or a family member is an important task. While nothing can replace visiting a facility or meeting with a provider in person, the Long-Term Care (LTC) Provider Service can help you learn more about these providers and facilities.
Long-term care Nursing Facility Directory
Provides a list of nursing facilities in Texas. For Alzheimer’s certified facilities, look for the words ‘Cert AlzhCapacity.’
1-800-252-9240
To learn more about care facilities in your area, contact the long-term care ombudsman for your county through the AAA. The 28 area agencies on aging (AAA) provide services to help people aged 60 and older, their family members, and caregivers receive the information and assistance they need in locating and accessing community services.
Caregiver Well-being and Support
Texas Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Caregiver Support Program
1-800-252-9240
Provides information for caregivers about available services, assistance in gaining access to services, referrals to programs regarding caregiving and respite care information.
Listed below are national resources that offer education, referrals, and support to caregivers:
WellMed Charitable Foundation (National)
1-866-390-6491 (Toll Free)
AARP Caregiver Resource Center
1-877-333-5885 (1-888-971-2013 in Spanish)
1-800-445-8106
Respite Care – When Caregivers Need a Break
Respite care is a rest or a break from providing care for others that gives caregivers a temporary break in their responsibilities to care for themselves. Visit the Take Time Texas websites to learn more about respite care in your area.
Reporting Abuse of Older Adults and Consumer Protection
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Texas Adult Protective Services (APS)
1-800-252-5400
APS investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older over that is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be eligible to receive adult protective services.
Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
Phone: 1-800-621-0508
Register complaints against businesses; report senior fraud. The Senior Texans page includes information on consumer protection; rights of the elderly; choosing a nursing home; advance planning, health and safety; and Senior Alerts.
Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Phone: 1-800-252-2412
Investigates and helps resolve nursing home complaints. Helps with choosing a nursing home.
Advance Directives
Legal Hotline for Texans: 1-800-622-2520
The Legal Hotline for Texans offers free legal advice, self-help publications, and referrals to Texans over the age of 60 and Texans who receive Medicare. To receive services, you must be over the age of 60 or a Medicare recipient.
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Advance Directives
Provides information about directives and free forms.
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Provides information for people with developmental disabilities.
Personal Safety
Silver Alert Program of the Texas Department of Public Safety
512-424-2208
Read about the program requirements at the Silver Alert Program website:
This program sends out public alerts for missing older adults with a documented mental condition. A physician's letterhead, indicating the impaired mental condition, date of diagnosis, patient's name, with physician's signature is recommended to satisfy the documentation requirement.
MedicAlert®+ Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®
1.800.272.3900
TDD: 1.866.403.3073
A 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s that wander or who have a medical emergency.
Project Lifesaver - Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County (Tyler)
903-509-8323
Provides a tracking system to help locate people with dementia who wander.
Insurance
1-800-252-3439
Provides information on many insurance topics as well as assistance and education to consumers.
A State of Texas resource for understanding how to find and use health insurance.
Texas Long-Term Care Partnership: Own Your Future
Created by the Texas Legislature to give Texans the information and tools needed to plan for long-term care. This resource provides information on understanding long-term care, costs to consider and making a plan.
Healthy Aging
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Aging Program
AARP
Hospice
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Provides information on hospice and palliative care, suggestions for choosing a provider, and a provider search tool.