Michigan · 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 Michigan 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 Michigan
Michigan MDHHS — Aging Services & Area Agencies on Aging
One call connects Michigan family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Statewide — 16 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 83 counties
Michigan's primary caregiver entry point through 16 regional AAAs. Free information, referrals, and connection to all caregiver services. Bureau of Aging, Community Living, and Supports (ACLS Bureau) oversees statewide caregiver programs.
Call MDHHS Aging Services at 517-241-4100 or contact your local AAA — find yours at michigan.gov/mdhhs or 4AMI.org
Statewide — offices in Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, and Detroit metro area
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Michigan Chapter serves all 83 Michigan counties. 190,000+ Michiganders living with Alzheimer's; 1.5 million family caregivers statewide.
Michigan Chapter: 800-272-3900. Serves full state including UP — virtual options for remote communities
Statewide — network of 1,300+ service providers through 16 AAAs
Statewide AAA network connecting older adults and caregivers to services including caregiver resources, nutrition, home health, senior centers, and in-home services across all 83 Michigan counties.
Use 4AMI website to find your local AAA — network provides the backbone of Michigan caregiver support
Statewide
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text. Michigan has high rates of caregiver stress particularly in rural UP and northern 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 83 Michigan counties.
Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at mi211.org
Statewide — through 16 Area Agencies on Aging
Respite care and supplemental services for caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's through Michigan's AAA network. In-home and adult day respite available. Grandparent kinship caregiver respite also provided.
Contact your local AAA — call MDHHS at 517-241-4100 or 4AMI at 517-886-1029 to be connected
Statewide
Michigan's Medicaid HCBS waiver providing respite care as a covered service for waiver-enrolled individuals. Allows primary caregivers scheduled breaks with trained respite providers. No waiting list — MI Choice is an entitlement.
No waiting list — MI Choice is an entitlement program. Contact local AAA or MDHHS to apply for waiver enrollment
Southeastern Michigan — Oakland, Macomb, and Monroe counties
AAA serving Oakland, Macomb, and Monroe counties offering in-home care, adult day services, respite, and caregiver classes. Comprehensive caregiver support in Michigan's most populated suburban region.
Serves the Detroit metro suburban region — contact your county AAA for similar services throughout Michigan
Statewide — search by Michigan zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Michigan 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. John D. Dingell VA (Detroit), Battle Creek VA, Iron Mountain VA, and Saginaw VA serve Michigan veterans.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Detroit VAMC: 313-576-1000
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 83 Michigan counties. Savvy Caregiver, ALZ Talks webinars, care consultations, and in-person workshops through four regional offices. Virtual options critical for UP communities.
Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit website for current Michigan schedule
Statewide — available to all Michigan caregivers
Free web-based caregiver education platform with short lessons, videos, articles, tip sheets, and workshops. AARP Michigan highlights Trualta as a top statewide caregiver resource. Available 24/7 from any device.
Free to Michigan caregivers — platform covers personal care skills, dementia care, mental health, and self-care
Statewide — MSU Extension offices in all 83 counties
Evidence-based caregiver education through MSU Extension's statewide network. Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshops, aging-in-place resources, and dementia caregiver programs available in all Michigan counties.
MSU Extension in every Michigan county — including rural and UP communities where other resources may be limited
Statewide — 16 AAAs across all 83 counties
Caregiver training and education through Michigan's 16 Area Agencies on Aging. Covers dementia care, stress management, and navigating MI Choice and Home Help programs. Programs vary by region.
Contact your local AAA through 4AMI — new MI Caregiver Connection online portal launched Summer 2025
National — available to all Michigan caregivers
Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Michigan-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for UP and rural Michigan caregivers.
No registration required for most online resources
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Michigan advocating for family caregiver tax relief (2025 priority) for the 1.5 million Michigan caregivers. Michigan Caring Connections newsletter available by email signup.
AARP membership not required — AARP Michigan actively campaigning for state caregiver tax relief legislation in 2025-2026
Statewide
Michigan Medicaid state plan program paying family members (excluding spouses) up to $20/hour to provide personal care to Medicaid-eligible individuals. No waiting list — Home Help is an entitlement. Must enroll in MDHHS CHAMPS system.
No waiting list — any eligible Michigan Medicaid recipient qualifies. Children, siblings, grandchildren eligible as paid caregivers
Statewide
Michigan's Medicaid HCBS waiver for adults 65+ or 18-64 with disabilities needing nursing facility level of care. Consumer-directed option allows hiring family members as paid caregivers. No waiting list.
No waiting list — MI Choice is an entitlement. Contact local AAA or MDHHS to begin eligibility screening
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 — through 16 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 MDHHS or your local AAA — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs in Michigan
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free caregiver support groups throughout Michigan from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Marquette. ALZConnected online community available 24/7. Virtual groups essential for UP and rural caregivers.
Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options bridge Michigan's vast geographic distances
Statewide — 16 regional AAAs
Caregiver support groups through Michigan's 16 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 83 counties. Groups for general caregiving, specific diagnoses, and grandparent kinship caregivers.
Contact your local AAA through 4AMI — groups vary by region; virtual options expanding statewide
Statewide — 76 support groups in all 83 counties
Michigan Parkinson Foundation sponsors 76 support groups statewide covering all 83 counties. Provides resources, referrals, and exercise programs for people with Parkinson's and their family caregivers.
Unique Michigan resource — one of the best-networked disease-specific caregiver support organizations in the state
National — available to all Michigan caregivers
Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially valuable for Michigan caregivers in the UP or rural areas where in-person groups may be hours away.
AARP membership not required — virtual peer support bridges Michigan's unique geographic challenges
Statewide
Free legal advice and information to older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Covers Medicare, Medicaid, powers of attorney, advance directives, housing, and consumer protection. Statewide phone and online access.
Free legal helpline — Elder Law of Michigan is a leading statewide resource for caregiver legal questions
Statewide — volunteer counselors in all 83 counties
Michigan's SHIP program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for beneficiaries and their caregivers. Covers Medicare, Medicaid, veterans' health benefits, private insurance, and prescription drug assistance statewide.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. MMAP counselors available in all 83 Michigan counties
Statewide — through MDHHS and 16 regional AAAs
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home, adult foster care home, or assisted living quality. Investigates complaints and protects residents' rights across all 83 Michigan counties.
Toll-free statewide 866-485-9393 — regional ombudsmen accessible through each AAA
Statewide — Detroit and Lansing offices
Free legal advocacy for Michigan residents with disabilities and their caregivers. Federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency. Covers disability rights, public benefits, housing, abuse and neglect investigations.
TTY: 800-288-5923. Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers — all 83 Michigan counties
Statewide — online resource
Free how-to kits, brochures, and help with court forms for Michigan residents handling legal problems. Covers advance directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, and other elder law matters. Available in English and Spanish.
Free 24/7 online access — also helps with referrals to lawyers and community services for those needing more assistance
Honest answers to what Michigan family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every Michigan 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.