California · Caregiver Support
Caring for an aging loved one is one of the hardest jobs there is — and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Below are 34 verified California programs offering emotional support, respite, training, financial help, peer groups, and legal planning — most of them completely free.
Last updated July 2026
Start here in California
California Family Caregiver Support Program — Respite
One call connects California family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Statewide — 11 regional nonprofit centers covering all 58 counties
FREE support for caregivers of adults with neurocognitive disorders or adults 60+ needing daily living assistance. Services include counseling, care coaching, information, legal consultations, and financial assistance. No income restrictions.
Find your regional CRC at www.caregivercalifornia.org/ — serves every California county
San Francisco Bay Area — national online resources available statewide
Flagship caregiver organization founded in San Francisco in 1977. Provides counseling, care coaching, retreats for caregivers, financial assistance, and respite programs (Camps for Caring). National online resources available to all.
San Francisco HQ but national resources available online to all California caregivers
Statewide — multiple California chapters
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and resource referrals for dementia caregivers. Available in over 200 languages. Care consultations available through local chapters.
California has multiple chapters — Northern CA, Greater LA, San Diego, Inland Valley, and more
Statewide
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text. Caregiver burnout is a recognized crisis trigger.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Statewide
Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all California counties.
Available by call, text, or online — covers all 58 California counties
Statewide
Free connection to local aging and caregiver services across California. Links caregivers to Area Agencies on Aging, respite care, counseling, and community-based support.
California Department of Aging statewide resource line
Statewide — 11 regional centers
Respite programs including Camps for Caring (short residential stays for care recipients while caregiver rests), in-home respite, and financial assistance to cover respite costs. Core service of all 11 CRCs.
Find your regional CRC to access local respite options — all counties covered
Statewide — through local Area Agencies on Aging
Temporary respite relief for family caregivers through the state's 33 Area Agencies on Aging. Available as in-home respite or adult day care. Priority to caregivers at greatest risk of burnout.
Access through your local AAA — call California Aging & Adult Information Line
Statewide — multiple locations in most counties
Adult day health care centers and Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers provide therapeutic activities and social interaction while giving caregivers meaningful daily breaks. State-licensed and regulated.
Search CAADS directory online or call AAA for programs in your county
Statewide — search by California zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by California zip code or county to find local and regional respite options.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network
Statewide — Veterans only
At least 30 days annual respite care for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. California has multiple VA medical centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and other cities.
Must be caring for a veteran enrolled in VA healthcare
Statewide — 11 regional centers
Specialized caregiver education including information on neurocognitive disorders, legal and financial planning workshops, care skills training, and access to CareNav tool for navigating the caregiving journey.
Each CRC tailors education to its geographic area — find your regional center online
National — available to all California caregivers
Comprehensive library of caregiver education including Caregiving 101, Taking Care of YOU self-care program, fact sheets on hundreds of conditions, and online caregiver training programs.
National Center on Caregiving — gold standard for caregiver education nationwide
Statewide — multiple chapters
Free education programs, online courses, and workshops for dementia caregivers. Care consultations, legal and financial planning, early stage programs, and virtual offerings available across California.
Virtual options available statewide — contact your regional chapter for local programs
San Francisco Bay Area — online resources statewide
World-renowned dementia research center offering caregiver education, online resources, and care coaching. Free caregiver guides and videos available online for all California caregivers.
Online resources available to all California caregivers regardless of location
Los Angeles area — online resources available
Evidence-based caregiver education and support program. Provides practical tools for managing dementia caregiving and is a national model for comprehensive dementia care.
UCLA resources available online — contact for current caregiver education offerings
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Care Guide, financial worksheets, and California-specific resource connections. New 2025 data on California's 4.7 million family caregivers available.
AARP membership not required for most resources
Statewide — administered by each county
Medi-Cal program paying family caregivers $16-21/hour (varies by county, rising toward $20 statewide floor in 2026). Spouses, adult children, siblings, and friends can be paid. Most family members eligible except parents of minors in some circumstances.
Must meet Medi-Cal income and asset limits. Asset limit reinstated Jan 1, 2026 — $130,000 individual/$195,000 couple
Statewide — employed Californians only
Up to 8 weeks of wage replacement (70-90% of wages depending on income) for workers taking leave to care for a seriously ill family member. Covers child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner.
Must have State Disability Insurance (SDI) through employer. Spanish line: 877-379-3819
Statewide — 11 regional centers
Direct financial assistance to qualifying caregivers including help paying for respite care, legal consultations, and other caregiver needs. Each CRC administers its own assistance fund.
No income restriction to access CRC services — financial assistance varies by region
Statewide — Veterans only
Monthly stipend ranging from approximately $1,750 to $3,200 for caregivers of eligible veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Also includes CHAMPVA health insurance and legal/financial planning services.
Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating
Statewide — Veterans only
Cash benefit for veterans requiring long-term care. Family members including adult children can be hired as paid caregivers using Aid and Attendance funds. Spouses not eligible as paid caregivers under this program.
Contact California Department of Veterans Affairs at 800-952-5626 for application assistance
Statewide — through local Area Agencies on Aging
Federal program providing supplemental services, counseling, training, and limited financial assistance to family caregivers through California's 33 Area Agencies on Aging.
Access through your local AAA — call California Aging & Adult Information Line
Statewide — 11 regional centers
Support groups for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's, stroke, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions. Each CRC offers groups tailored to its community. Virtual and in-person options.
Find your regional CRC for local support group schedule — all counties covered
Statewide — multiple chapters, in person and virtual
Free caregiver support groups throughout California facilitated by trained professionals. ALZConnected online community available 24/7. Early stage support groups also available.
Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options available statewide
San Francisco Bay Area — national online resources
Caregiver retreats, peer support programs, and connection to the national caregiving community. Online caregiver community and resources available to all California caregivers.
Online community and resources available nationally — Bay Area programs in person
Statewide — 33 AAAs across California
Caregiver support groups through California's network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging. Groups available in communities across all 58 counties covering diverse populations and languages.
Call California Aging & Adult Information Line to find a group near you
National — available to all California caregivers
Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Share experiences, practical tips, and emotional support. Especially valuable for California's geographically diverse caregiving population.
AARP membership not required to join the Facebook group
Statewide — 11 regional centers
Free or low-cost legal consultations for caregivers covering advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, and Medi-Cal planning. Core service of all 11 CRCs statewide.
Each CRC provides legal consultation as part of core services — find your regional center
Statewide — through local Area Agencies on Aging
Free legal services to eligible low-income older Californians and their caregivers. Covers elder law, advance directives, consumer protection, housing, and public benefits. Access through AAA referral.
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for referral — call California Aging & Adult Information Line
Statewide
Free confidential legal advice for low-income working families including help with Paid Family Leave, paid sick leave, IHSS rights, and workplace accommodations for caregivers. Available in multiple languages.
Available in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and other languages
Statewide — local counselors in all counties
Free unbiased Medicare counseling for California beneficiaries and their caregivers. Helps understand Medicare options, obtain benefits, file claims, and avoid fraud. California's SHIP program.
Unbiased counseling — not affiliated with insurance industry. Local counselors throughout California
Statewide
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home or assisted living quality of care. Investigates complaints and protects rights of long-term care residents and their families statewide.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform also provides consumer guidance at 800-474-1116
Los Angeles area
Free legal services for older Angelenos and their caregivers covering elder law, Medi-Cal, housing, elder abuse, and advance planning. Nationally recognized elder law program.
Los Angeles area focus — one of the premier elder law nonprofits in California
Honest answers to what California family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every California caregiver resource — phone numbers, eligibility, and next steps — in one calm, organized place.
Always free — no credit card required.
Source: LTCareNav.com research, updated on July 2026. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility rules change frequently — please verify contact information directly with each organization before referral. This page is informational and not legal, medical, or financial advice.