Iowa · 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 29 verified Iowa 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 Iowa
Iowa HHS — Area Agencies on Aging Caregiver Resources
One call connects Iowa family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Statewide — 6 AAAs covering all 99 counties
Iowa's primary caregiver entry point. Six Area Agencies on Aging provide family caregiver counseling, respite care, support groups, and information across all 99 counties. No wrong door approach.
Call 866-468-7887 to reach your regional AAA. Iowa HHS merged Aging and Disability Services under unified department in 2023
Statewide — offices in West Des Moines, Burlington, Council Bluffs, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Quad Cities, and Sioux City
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Iowa Chapter serves all 99 Iowa counties plus parts of Illinois and South Dakota. 66,000+ Iowans living with Alzheimer's.
Iowa chapter email: iowa@alz.org. Seven regional offices serve Iowa's diverse urban and rural communities
Statewide
Free information and referral service for Iowans with disabilities, older adults, and their caregivers. Searchable database of thousands of local, state, and national programs. Phone, email, and online access.
University of Iowa-affiliated — bilingual staff available. Connect caregivers to disability and aging services statewide
Statewide
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text anytime.
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 99 Iowa counties.
Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at 211iowa.org
Statewide — through 6 Area Agencies on Aging
Temporary respite relief for family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. In-home and institutional respite options available. Emergency respite also available for qualifying caregivers.
Contact your regional AAA — call 866-468-7887 to be connected to local respite services
Statewide
Statewide coalition coordinating respite resources for caregivers of individuals of all ages with special needs. Connects families to respite providers and works to expand availability of respite options across Iowa.
Access through Iowa HHS or your local AAA — coalition works to close gaps in rural Iowa respite access
Central Iowa — Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Warren counties
Respite care and caregiver support programs for Central Iowa families. One of Iowa's six AAAs providing comprehensive caregiver services including support groups, education, and in-home respite.
Polk County / Des Moines metro focused — contact for current respite program availability and eligibility
Statewide — search by Iowa zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Iowa zip code to find local and regional respite options beyond state programs.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network — particularly useful for rural Iowa caregivers
Statewide — Veterans only
At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Iowa City VA Medical Center and Des Moines VA Medical Center serve Iowa veterans.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Iowa City VAMC: 319-338-0581 | Des Moines VAMC: 515-699-5999
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 99 Iowa counties. ALZ Talks webinars, care consultations, in-person workshops, and on-demand programs. Iowa Walk to End Alzheimer's in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and other cities.
Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit website for current Iowa schedule
Statewide — ISU Extension offices in all 99 counties
Evidence-based caregiver education through ISU Extension. Courses on caregiving for adults with chronic conditions, communication, decision-making, and self-care. Available in every Iowa county through local extension offices.
ISU Extension presence in all 99 Iowa counties makes this uniquely accessible statewide — rural Iowa caregivers especially benefit
Statewide — through 6 Area Agencies on Aging
Caregiver training and education through Iowa's six AAAs covering skills improvement, stress management, and navigating long-term care. Trualta online caregiver training platform free to all Iowa caregivers.
Trualta is free to Iowa caregivers — online platform with 100+ training modules accessible 24/7 from any device
Eastern Iowa — online resources statewide
University of Iowa Health Care Memory Disorders Clinic and GUIDE Model implementation providing comprehensive dementia care coordination and caregiver education. Medicare-covered dementia care navigation.
GUIDE Model provides Medicare-covered dementia care including caregiver training and respite — contact UIHC for enrollment
National — available to all Iowa caregivers
Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Iowa-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for Iowa's rural caregivers with limited local in-person options.
No registration required for most online resources — accessible statewide
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Care Guide, financial worksheets, and Iowa-specific connections. Iowa has 385,000+ AARP members with significant rural caregiver population.
AARP membership not required for most resources — print guide available by calling 877-333-5885
Statewide
Iowa's self-directed Medicaid program allowing care recipients to hire and direct their own caregivers including family members. Available under Elderly Waiver, Brain Injury, and other HCBS waivers. Spouses may be eligible.
Must be enrolled in Iowa Medicaid HCBS waiver — contact Iowa Medicaid at 800-338-8366 to start eligibility process
Statewide
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waiver for Iowans 65+ who need nursing facility level of care. Consumer-directed option allows hiring family members as paid personal care providers.
Income limit approximately $2,829/month (2025). Contact Iowa HHS or local AAA to start eligibility screening
Statewide — Veterans only
Monthly stipend for caregivers of eligible veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Also includes CHAMPVA health insurance. Iowa has two VA medical centers serving a large rural veteran population.
Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating
Statewide — through 6 Area Agencies on Aging
Federal program providing information, counseling, training, respite, and supplemental services to family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Grandparent kinship caregiver services also available.
Contact your regional AAA at 866-468-7887 — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free caregiver support groups throughout Iowa from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids to Sioux City. Trained facilitators in seven regional offices. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.
Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options available for rural Iowa caregivers
Statewide — 6 regional AAAs
Family caregiver support groups offered through Iowa's six Area Agencies on Aging across all 99 counties. Groups provide safe space to share challenges and connect with others in similar situations.
Contact your regional AAA — some AAAs also provide kinship caregiver support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren
Central Iowa — 10-county area including Polk County
Caregiver support groups in the Des Moines metro area through Aging Resources of Central Iowa. Groups for general caregiving and specific diagnoses including Alzheimer's and dementia.
Central Iowa focus — contact for current group schedule. Also offers monthly caregiver education events
National — available to all Iowa caregivers
Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially valuable for Iowa's large rural caregiver population where in-person groups may not be locally available.
AARP membership not required to join — virtual peer support critical for Iowa's dispersed rural caregivers
Statewide — offices in Des Moines, Sioux City, Dubuque, Waterloo, and other communities
Free legal advice hotline for Iowans 60+. Covers advance directives, powers of attorney, Medicaid, housing, consumer protection, and elder abuse. Hotline available Monday through Friday.
Hotline: 800-992-8161. General legal aid intake: 800-532-1503. Income eligibility for general services — 60+ served regardless of income for elder law matters
Statewide — Iowa Insurance Division
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for Iowa beneficiaries and their caregivers. Certified volunteer counselors help navigate Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap supplements, and Part D drug plans.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. Call to find a counselor near you or schedule virtual appointment
Statewide
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home, assisted living, or elder group home quality. Investigates complaints and protects residents' rights. Monthly virtual Family Council meetings hosted since 2025.
Email: sltco@hhs.iowa.gov. New 2025 initiative: monthly virtual meetings for family members of long-term care residents
Statewide
Free legal advocacy for Iowans with disabilities and their caregivers. Covers disability-related legal problems, public benefits, housing, education, and advocacy. Federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency.
Local: 515-278-2502. Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers — all 99 Iowa counties
Statewide
Connects Iowa caregivers to elder law attorneys for advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, Medicaid planning, and estate matters. First consultation often available at reduced fee.
Referral service fee may apply — first consultation often $50 or less. Contact Iowa State Bar for current referral process and fees
Honest answers to what Iowa family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every Iowa 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.