Kentucky · 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 30 verified Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Kentucky ADRC — Dept. for Aging and Independent Living
One call connects Kentucky family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Statewide — through 15 Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
Kentucky's single point of entry for caregivers. Free information, referrals, and options counseling through DAIL and 15 regional AAILs. Serves older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers across all 120 counties.
No wrong door — DAIL phone: 502-564-6930. Call 877-925-0037 for ADRC and local AAIL connection
Statewide — Louisville HQ serving all 120 Kentucky counties plus Southern Indiana
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter headquartered in Louisville at 502-451-4266. 73,000+ Kentuckians living with Alzheimer's.
Northern KY/Cincinnati area also served by Greater Cincinnati Chapter at 513-721-4284 or 800-441-3322
Statewide — University of Kentucky, Lexington
World-renowned Alzheimer's research center providing caregiver education, support, and connection to clinical programs. State-designated dementia research center and key partner to DAIL's Alzheimer's Disease Advisory Council.
Free caregiver education and resources — UK Sanders-Brown is one of the oldest Alzheimer's research centers in the US
Statewide
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text. Kentucky has high rates of caregiver stress particularly in Appalachian communities.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call or text
Statewide
Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 120 Kentucky counties.
Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at kentucky211.org
Statewide — through 15 Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
Respite care, supplemental services, and caregiver vouchers for qualifying caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. National Family Caregiver Support Program and Kentucky Family Caregiver Program both provide respite.
Contact ADRC at 877-925-0037 or your local AAIL — also provides kinship caregiver grants for grandparents
Statewide
Non-Medicaid state program allowing Kentuckians with disabilities to remain home. Funds respite care and can pay family members including spouses as personal care attendants. Disability-focused respite beyond senior programs.
Spouses and adult children eligible as paid caregivers — contact DAIL at 877-925-0037 to apply
Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Trimble, Spencer, Shelby, and Hardin counties
Caregiver vouchers to purchase medical supplies, equipment, or pay for respite care. Louisville metro focused AAIL offering supplemental caregiver support including grandparent program for those exceeding income limits.
Louisville metro area — contact your regional AAIL for similar programs in other Kentucky regions
Statewide — search by Kentucky zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Kentucky zip code to find local and regional respite options beyond state programs.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network — useful for rural and Appalachian Kentucky communities
Statewide — Veterans only
At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans. Robley Rex VA Medical Center (Louisville), Lexington VA Medical Center, and other facilities serve Kentucky's large rural veteran population.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Louisville VAMC: 502-287-4000 | Lexington VAMC: 859-281-4901
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 120 Kentucky counties. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, care consultations, and in-person programs through Louisville HQ and regional staff.
Virtual options available statewide — critical for rural and Appalachian Kentucky caregivers
Statewide — online resources available
Free dementia caregiver education from one of the nation's oldest Alzheimer's research centers. GUIDE Program implementation, Memory Disorders Clinic, and caregiver training resources available statewide.
Kentucky designated research center — provides training resources to community organizations statewide
Statewide — through 15 Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
Caregiver training covering caregiving skills, stress management, and navigating long-term care. Counseling, training, and support groups offered through all 15 regional AAILs across Kentucky's 120 counties.
Contact ADRC at 877-925-0037 to find local training programs — also includes kinship caregiver training
Statewide
Consumer information and education for families navigating long-term care in Kentucky. KAHCF/KCAL provides guides on nursing home and assisted living quality, helping caregivers make informed placement decisions.
Free consumer resources — statewide advocacy organization for long-term care quality
National — available to all Kentucky caregivers
Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Kentucky-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for Appalachian and rural Kentucky caregivers.
No registration required for most online resources — accessible statewide
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Care Guide, financial worksheets, and Kentucky-specific resource connections. Kentucky passed the CARE Act in 2016 requiring hospitals to notify and train family caregivers.
AARP membership not required for most resources — AARP was instrumental in passing Kentucky's CARE Act
Statewide
Kentucky Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver with Consumer Directed Option allowing care recipients to hire and direct their own caregivers including family members. Adult children and other relatives eligible; spouses may qualify under certain waivers. Income limit $2,982/month as of January 2026.
Must meet Medicaid eligibility — contact Medicaid at 855-306-8959 or ADRC at 877-925-0037 to begin eligibility process
Statewide
Non-Medicaid state program paying family members including spouses as personal care attendants for Kentuckians with disabilities. Covers respite, home modifications, medical equipment, and skill training.
One of Kentucky's most accessible paid caregiver programs — contact DAIL at 877-925-0037 to apply
Statewide
Kentucky Medicaid waiver for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Participant-Directed Services option allows hiring family members as paid support workers. Spouses may be eligible under this waiver.
Income limit $2,982/month effective January 2026 — contact Kentucky Medicaid for eligibility assessment
Statewide — Veterans only
Monthly stipend for caregivers of eligible veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Also includes CHAMPVA health insurance. Kentucky has a large rural veteran population particularly in eastern Appalachian counties.
Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating
Statewide — through 15 AAILs
Federal program providing information, counseling, training, respite, and supplemental services to family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Kinship caregiver grants also available for grandparents.
Contact ADRC or local AAIL — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs in Kentucky
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free caregiver support groups throughout Kentucky from Louisville to Lexington to Bowling Green. Virtual groups available statewide. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.
Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual critical for rural and eastern Kentucky caregivers
Statewide — 15 regional AAILs across all 120 counties
Caregiver support groups through Kentucky's 15 Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living. Groups for general caregiving, Alzheimer's, and kinship caregivers. Some match grandparent caregivers with support groups.
Contact ADRC at 877-925-0037 to find groups in your county — schedule and type vary by regional AAIL
Louisville metro — Jefferson County
Comprehensive range of services for seniors and family caregivers in Louisville metro including caregiver support groups, counseling, and community connection. Notable caregiver support for Louisville's diverse communities.
Louisville metro focus — serves people of all backgrounds despite Jewish organizational sponsorship
National — available to all Kentucky caregivers
Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially valuable for Kentucky caregivers in rural and Appalachian communities where local in-person groups may not be available.
AARP membership not required — virtual peer support bridges Kentucky's geographic divides
Statewide — Western and Central Kentucky
Free civil legal services and Long-Term Care Ombudsman services to eligible Kentuckians. Covers elder law, advance directives, powers of attorney, Medicaid, housing, and residents' rights in long-term care facilities.
Kentucky Legal Aid serves western and central KY. Legal Aid Society (502-584-1254) serves Louisville metro
Statewide — through AAILs and senior centers
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for Kentucky beneficiaries and their caregivers. Certified volunteer counselors help navigate Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D drug plans statewide.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. Call to find a local SHIP counselor near you
Statewide — through DAIL and 15 regional AAILs
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home, personal care home, or family care home quality. Investigates complaints and protects residents' rights. Kentucky Legal Aid provides ombudsman services in some regions.
Regional ombudsmen available through each AAIL — contact DAIL at 502-564-6930 to find your local ombudsman
Statewide
Free legal advocacy for Kentuckians with disabilities and their caregivers. Covers disability-related legal problems, public benefits, housing, education, and advocacy. Federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency.
Local: 502-473-1990. Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers — all 120 Kentucky counties
Statewide
Connects Kentucky caregivers to elder law attorneys for advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, and Medicaid planning. Volunteer attorneys provide brief information on legal options.
Volunteer attorneys provide brief information — income-eligible Kentuckians should contact Kentucky Legal Aid first for services at no cost to you
Honest answers to what Kentucky family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every Kentucky 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.