All Caregiver Support Services

    Maryland · Caregiver Support

    Caregiver Support Services in Maryland

    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 Maryland 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 Maryland

    Maryland Access Point (MAP) — No Wrong Door ADRC

    One call connects Maryland family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.

    Maryland Access Point (MAP) — No Wrong Door ADRC

    Free

    Statewide — through 19 local Area Agencies on Aging across all 23 counties and Baltimore City

    Maryland's single point of entry for caregivers. Free information, referrals, and options counseling for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Longevity Ready Maryland framework enhancing MAP through 2026.

    No wrong door — MAP connects caregivers to all state and local programs statewide. New Respite Care Ambassador Program launched January 2026

    844-627-5465Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland Chapter — 24/7 Helpline

    Free

    Statewide — Towson HQ covering Baltimore City, surrounding counties, Western Maryland, and Eastern Shore

    Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Greater Maryland Chapter serves most of Maryland. 127,200+ Marylanders living with Alzheimer's; 258,000 caregivers providing $7 billion in unpaid care.

    Chapter: 410-561-9099. Southern/suburban MD also served by National Capital Area Chapter (NCA) at alz.org/nca

    800-272-3900Visit website

    CaringMatters — Bereaved Caregiver Support

    Free

    Montgomery County and statewide virtual programs

    Peer support groups, resources, and programs for adults grieving the death of a loved one. Free annual bereaved caregivers retreat. Serves caregivers during and after bereavement. Unique Maryland resource.

    Free annual retreat for bereaved caregivers — virtual programs available statewide beyond Montgomery County

    301-869-4673Visit website

    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

    Free

    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

    988Visit website

    211 Maryland

    Free

    Statewide

    Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

    Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at 211md.org

    211Visit website

    Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program — Respite

    Free

    Statewide — through 19 local Area Agencies on Aging

    Respite care, supplemental services, and caregiver training for caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. New Respite Care Ambassador Program launched January 2026 to expand local respite awareness statewide.

    Contact MAP at 844-627-5465 or your local AAA — January 2026 Respite Ambassador Program expanding local respite connections

    844-627-5465Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland — Respite Grants

    Free

    Statewide — Greater Maryland and National Capital Area chapters

    Respite care assistance with subsidies for eligible families to purchase in-home help or adult day care. Emergency grants also available for urgent respite, home health equipment, and transportation needs.

    Call 24/7 helpline to inquire about current respite grant availability — limited funding, apply early

    800-272-3900Visit website

    National Respite Locator

    Free

    Statewide — search by Maryland zip code

    Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Maryland zip code or county to find local and regional respite options beyond state programs.

    Run by ARCH National Respite Network

    See websiteVisit website

    Adult Day Services — Maryland

    Free

    Statewide — multiple locations in most counties

    Licensed adult day programs across Maryland providing therapeutic activities, personal care, meals, and social engagement while caregivers work or rest. State-licensed and regulated by Maryland Department of Health.

    Contact MAP or local AAA to find licensed adult day centers near you — some programs offer sliding scale fees

    844-627-5465Visit website

    VA Caregiver Support Program — Respite

    Free

    Statewide — Veterans only

    At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans. VA Maryland Health Care System (Baltimore, Perry Point), Fort Meade VA, and Martinsburg VA serve Maryland veterans.

    Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Baltimore VAMC: 410-605-7000

    855-260-3274Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland — Education Programs

    Free

    Statewide — in person and virtual

    Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all Maryland jurisdictions. 65+ support groups throughout Western, Central, and Eastern Shore Maryland. ALZ Talks webinars, care consultations, and caregiver training.

    Specialty groups include Latino, Korean, LGBTQ+, and Young Onset Dementia — some of the most diverse support group offerings in the region

    800-272-3900Visit website

    Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center

    Free

    Baltimore metro — online resources statewide

    World-class dementia center providing caregiver education, Johns Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist (free evidence-based screen), and caregiver training resources. Published by MDOA in 2025 as statewide caregiver tool.

    Johns Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist now a statewide MDOA resource — free evidence-based caregiver needs assessment

    443-997-6609Visit website

    University of Maryland — Gerontology and Caregiver Programs

    Free

    College Park and statewide

    UMD Gerontology Department and CARE (Center for Aging Research and Education) provide caregiver education, dementia research programs, and community training. Partners with MDOA on Longevity Ready Maryland.

    UMD partners with state on caregiver research and evidence-based education programs statewide

    301-405-2379Visit website

    Maryland Department of Aging — Longevity Ready Maryland

    Free

    Statewide

    Maryland's first-in-nation 10-year Multisector Plan for Aging integrating caregiver support as a core priority. New caregiver-specific resources, ambassador programs, and Johns Hopkins Memory Care Checklist all launched under LRM in 2025-2026.

    LRM.maryland.gov — new statewide caregiver resources launched through Longevity Ready Maryland initiative

    844-627-5465Visit website

    Family Caregiver Alliance — Online Resources

    Free

    National — available to all Maryland caregivers

    Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Maryland-specific resource directory. Caregiving 101 and self-care programs available free.

    No registration required for most online resources

    800-445-8106Visit website

    AARP Maryland Caregiver Resource Center

    Free

    Statewide

    Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Maryland is advancing Longevity Ready Maryland as AARP Age-Friendly state designation. AARP Care Guide and financial worksheets available.

    AARP membership not required — Maryland pursuing AARP Age-Friendly State designation through LRM framework

    866-542-8111Visit website

    Maryland Medicaid — Consumer-Directed Services (CDS)

    Free

    Statewide

    Maryland Medicaid home and community-based waiver allowing eligible recipients to hire family members as paid personal care attendants. Adult children and other relatives eligible; spouse restrictions apply under certain waivers. Administered through fiscal agents.

    Must meet Medicaid eligibility and functional criteria — contact MAP at 844-627-5465 or Maryland Medicaid to begin eligibility screening

    800-492-5231Visit website

    Maryland Community First Choice (CFC) — Paid Family Caregiver

    Free

    Statewide

    State plan option under Medicaid allowing individuals who need institutional level of care to direct their own services and hire family members as personal care workers. Expands who can be paid compared to traditional waivers.

    Contact Maryland Medicaid or MAP for eligibility — CFC is broader than waiver programs and available to more Marylanders

    800-492-5231Visit website

    VA Caregiver Stipend — PCAFC Program

    Free

    Statewide — Veterans only

    Monthly stipend for caregivers of eligible veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Also includes CHAMPVA health insurance. VA legacy cohort protected through September 2028 per final rule.

    Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating

    855-260-3274Visit website

    National Family Caregiver Support Program — Maryland

    Free

    Statewide — through 19 local 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 grants also available.

    Contact MAP or your local AAA — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs in Maryland

    844-627-5465Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland — Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — 65+ groups in person and virtual

    Free caregiver support groups throughout Maryland — one of the most extensive networks in the mid-Atlantic. Specialty groups for Latino, Korean, LGBTQ+, Young Onset Dementia, and early stage caregivers. ALZConnected online 24/7.

    65+ groups statewide — call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code. Virtual options available

    800-272-3900Visit website

    Maryland AAA Network — Caregiver Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — 19 local Area Agencies on Aging

    Caregiver support groups through Maryland's 19 local AAAs across all 23 counties and Baltimore City. Groups for general caregiving and specific diagnoses including Alzheimer's and dementia.

    Contact MAP at 844-627-5465 to find groups in your area — virtual and in-person options vary by jurisdiction

    844-627-5465Visit website

    Jewish Community Services — Memory Café

    Free

    Baltimore metro — Northwest Baltimore

    Free inclusive in-person Memory Café for caregivers and people with dementia. Open to all regardless of faith background. Welcoming community gathering combining social connection with caregiver support.

    Free and open to all — notable for its inclusive, welcoming approach to the broader Baltimore community

    410-466-9200Visit website

    AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group

    Free

    National — available to all Maryland caregivers

    Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Share experiences, practical tips, and emotional support with caregivers across the country.

    AARP membership not required to join the Facebook group

    877-333-5885Visit website

    Frequently Asked Questions — Maryland Caregivers

    Honest answers to what Maryland family caregivers ask most.

    Most free caregiver help in Maryland flows through Maryland Access Point (MAP) — No Wrong Door ADRC, which works hand-in-hand with the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 844-627-5465 to be connected to your county's AAA or Aging and Disability Resource Center — they provide free caregiver counseling, support groups, respite vouchers, and caregiver education statewide.

    In many cases, yes. The primary pathway is Community First Choice (CFC) and Community Options Waiver. Maryland's CFC program lets eligible Medicaid members self-direct services and hire most family members (other than a spouse) as paid attendants. The care recipient must meet Maryland Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 844-627-5465 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.

    Free or low-cost respite in Maryland comes from three main places: (1) Maryland Access Point (MAP) — No Wrong Door ADRC and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 844-627-5465; (2) the VA Caregiver Support Program (1-855-260-3274) for caregivers of enrolled veterans; and (3) the ARCH National Respite Locator at archrespite.org, which lists licensed Maryland respite providers by ZIP code.

    Maryland veteran caregivers can access two main VA programs. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) pays a monthly stipend of roughly $1,750–$3,200 for caregivers of post-9/11 and (now expanded) earlier-era veterans with a 70%+ service-connected disability who need help with daily activities. The Program of General Caregiver Support Services offers free training, peer mentoring, and REACH VA stress coaching for caregivers of any era veteran enrolled in VA healthcare. Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or visit caregiver.va.gov to apply.

    Yes. The Alzheimer's Association Maryland Chapter runs in-person and virtual support groups across the state and operates a free 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 in English and Spanish. Local Area Agencies on Aging also coordinate dementia-specific groups through Maryland's family caregiver support program — Maryland Access Point (MAP) — No Wrong Door ADRC can refer you. For broader caregiver support groups (not dementia-specific), the Family Caregiver Alliance and Well Spouse Association also serve Maryland families online.

    Maryland Legal Aid is the main free civil legal aid resource for income-eligible Maryland residents. They can help with advance directives, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, guardianship questions, Medicare and Medicaid appeals, and consumer or housing problems facing aging adults. Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides separate free advocacy specifically for residents (and their families) in Maryland nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings. Many Maryland bar associations also run lawyer-referral services with reduced rates for caregivers and seniors.

    988 is the free, confidential 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available to anyone in the U.S., including Maryland family caregivers who feel overwhelmed, isolated, hopeless, or in emotional distress. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For non-crisis support — finding food, transportation, rent help, or caregiver respite — dial 211 to reach a Maryland-trained United Way navigator who can route you to local programs.

    Maryland's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network is the single point of entry for county-level caregiver services. Call 844-627-5465 and you'll be routed to the ADRC or AAA serving your county. They handle benefits screening, options counseling, and direct connections to counseling, respite, training, transportation, and financial-help programs. Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.

    Sources & references

    Verified July 2026

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    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.