Massachusetts · 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
MassOptions — Aging & Independence ADRC
One call connects Massachusetts family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Statewide — 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) across all communities
Massachusetts's single point of entry for caregivers. Free information, referrals, and connection to all aging and disability services. Caregiver Specialists create customized care plans. Interpreter services in 100+ languages.
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. MassOptions is the public portal for the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (formerly Elder Affairs)
Statewide — Newton HQ with 5 regional offices in Raynham, Springfield, Worcester, and others
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. MA/NH Chapter serves all of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 130,000+ Massachusetts families impacted by Alzheimer's.
Chapter: 617-868-6718. Six offices serve Massachusetts — care consultations available in person and virtually statewide
Statewide — through 25 ASAPs
Free dedicated Caregiver Specialist assigned to each qualifying caregiver. Creates a customized care plan, connects to resources, and provides ongoing support. Available in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Free for unpaid caregivers 18+ caring for individuals 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's — call MassOptions to be connected
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 Massachusetts communities.
Call or text 211 anytime — available statewide in multiple languages
Statewide — through 25 Aging Services Access Points
Temporary relief through in-home respite, adult day services, and emergency respite for qualifying caregivers. Caregiver Specialist facilitates access to respite that fits the caregiver's schedule and needs.
Contact MassOptions — Caregiver Specialist helps identify and arrange the right respite option for your situation
Statewide — employed Mainers only
Up to 12 weeks paid family leave for workers who need time off to care for a seriously ill family member. Funded through employer and employee contributions. Benefits up to 80% of wages capped at state average weekly wage.
Employees contribute through payroll deductions — benefits available to most Massachusetts workers. Contact DFML at 833-344-7365
Statewide — licensed centers across Massachusetts
MassHealth-covered adult day health programs providing nursing, personal care, therapy, and social services during the day. Allows caregivers to work or rest while care recipient receives structured programming in community setting.
Must be MassHealth-eligible — contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636 to find licensed programs near you
Statewide — search by Massachusetts zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Massachusetts zip code to find local and regional respite options beyond state programs.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network
Statewide — Veterans only
At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. VA Boston Healthcare System, Bedford VA, Northampton VA, and other facilities serve Massachusetts veterans.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Boston VA: 857-203-5000
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free education programs for dementia caregivers including care consultations, Savvy Caregiver workshops, ALZ Talks webinars, and in-person programs through six Massachusetts offices. Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's in Boston, Springfield, and other cities.
Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit website for current Massachusetts program schedule
Statewide — five community organizations statewide
Massachusetts awarded grants of $50,000-$150,000 to five community organizations to implement or scale evidence-based programs for family caregivers. New programs launched 2025 through the Family Caregiver Support Program.
Access through local ASAP — contact MassOptions to find funded innovation programs near you
Statewide — through 25 ASAPs
Evidence-based six-session self-care education workshop for family caregivers. Teaches practical tools for managing stress and challenges of caregiving. Offered through multiple Massachusetts ASAPs statewide.
Free six-week workshop — contact your local ASAP through MassOptions for current schedule
Statewide — 25 Aging Services Access Points
Caregiver training and education through Massachusetts's 25 ASAPs and 350+ Councils on Aging. Covers caregiving skills, dementia care, stress management, and navigating MassHealth. New 2026-2029 State Plan on Aging now in effect.
New 2026-2029 State Plan explicitly strengthens caregiver support as a core priority — expanded training statewide
National — available to all Massachusetts caregivers
Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Massachusetts-specific resource directory. Caregiving 101 and self-care programs available free.
No registration required for most online resources
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Massachusetts Employer Toolkit to Support Working Caregivers available for employers. 1.1 million family caregivers in Massachusetts providing $18 billion in unpaid care annually.
AARP membership not required — Employer Toolkit helps working caregivers negotiate workplace supports
Statewide
MassHealth Medicaid program paying family members (excluding spouses and legal guardians) a monthly tax-free stipend to care for adults who need daily assistance. Level I: ~$1,000/month; Level II: up to ~$1,600/month. Caregiver must live with care recipient.
Most widely used paid family caregiver program in Massachusetts — must be MassHealth-eligible. Contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636 to apply
Statewide
MassHealth program allowing care recipients to hire and manage their own personal care attendant including family members (excluding spouses). Hourly pay. Consumer-directed — care recipient controls who they hire and how they work.
Must be MassHealth-eligible with need for personal care — contact MassHealth Customer Service at 800-841-2900
Statewide — employed workers
Up to 12 weeks paid leave at up to 80% of wages for employed caregivers. Massachusetts was one of the first states to implement comprehensive paid family and medical leave. Established 2019, benefits launched 2021.
Funded through payroll contributions — most Massachusetts workers are covered. Contact Department of Family and Medical Leave
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.
Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free caregiver support groups throughout Massachusetts from Boston to Springfield to Cape Cod. Six regional offices facilitate groups. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.
Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options available statewide
Statewide — 25 Aging Services Access Points and 350+ Councils on Aging
Caregiver support groups through Massachusetts's extensive network of 25 ASAPs and 350+ municipal Councils on Aging. Groups for general caregiving, dementia, and grandparent kinship caregivers statewide.
Contact MassOptions to find support groups near you — Councils on Aging in almost every Massachusetts city and town
Statewide — 350+ Councils on Aging across Massachusetts
Municipal Councils on Aging in nearly every Massachusetts city and town provide locally tailored caregiver support, social programs, and peer connection. COAs are uniquely close to community caregivers.
Massachusetts has more Councils on Aging per capita than nearly any state — find yours at www.mass.gov/info-details/find-your-local-council-on-aging
National — available to all Massachusetts caregivers
Online caregiver community providing peer support, resources, and connection to others navigating similar caregiving situations. Discussion forums, expert Q&A, and caregiver stories available 24/7.
Free online community — active forums organized by diagnosis and caregiving situation
National — available to all Massachusetts 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
Statewide
Free legal information and referral for Massachusetts residents 60+. Covers nursing homes, guardianship, MassHealth, Medicare, Social Security/SSI, and other civil law matters. If not eligible for an attorney at no cost to you, referred to reduced-fee program.
Free for adults 60+ — operated by legal services providers across Massachusetts
Statewide — through 25 ASAPs and 350+ Councils on Aging
Massachusetts's SHIP program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through trained volunteers. Helps caregivers and beneficiaries navigate Medicare, MassHealth, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. Access through MassOptions or local Council on Aging
Statewide — through Executive Office of Aging & Independence
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home or rest home quality of care. Investigates complaints and protects residents' rights statewide. MassLegal Services provides additional legal help for nursing home residents.
Contact MassOptions at 800-243-4636 to reach your regional ombudsman — all Massachusetts communities covered
Statewide — offices in Boston and Northampton
Free legal advocacy for Massachusetts residents with disabilities and their caregivers. Federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency. Covers disability rights, public benefits, housing, abuse and neglect investigations.
Toll-free: 800-872-9992. Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers statewide
Statewide
Free online tool connecting Massachusetts caregivers to legal aid organizations by location, income, and legal issue type. Covers elder law, advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, MassHealth planning, and housing.
Free 24/7 online access — identifies which legal aid programs serve your community and situation
Honest answers to what Massachusetts family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every Massachusetts 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.