All Caregiver Support Services

    New Jersey · Caregiver Support

    Caregiver Support Services in New Jersey

    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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey

    NJ Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)

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

    NJ Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)

    Free

    Statewide — 21 county Area Agencies on Aging covering all 21 counties

    New Jersey's single point of entry for caregivers. Free information, referrals, and options counseling through 21 county AAAs. One statewide number connects caregivers to JACC, SRCP, AADSP, SHIP, ombudsman, and all state caregiver programs. New State Plan on Aging effective October 2025-September 2029.

    No wrong door — call 877-222-3737. Governor Sherrill declared May 2026 as Older Americans Month, highlighting NJ's commitment to aging services

    877-222-3737Visit website

    Care2Caregivers — COPSA Peer Support Helpline

    Free

    Statewide — Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care

    Unique New Jersey resource — free confidential peer support helpline staffed by trained peer counselors who have themselves been family caregivers of people with memory issues. Provides counseling, referrals, education, and emotional support for NJ caregivers and families.

    Free — staffed by trained peer counselors with lived caregiving experience. One of the most unique caregiver resources in the country — exclusively for NJ caregivers

    800-424-2494Visit website

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

    Free

    Statewide — Bedminster HQ serving northern and central NJ; Delaware Valley Chapter serves southern NJ

    Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Greater NJ Chapter: 973-586-4300. Delaware Valley Chapter (southern NJ): 215-561-5400. 180,000+ New Jerseyans living with Alzheimer's.

    Two chapters serve NJ — Greater NJ (northern/central) and Delaware Valley (southern). Call 800-272-3900 to be connected to the right chapter

    800-272-3900Visit 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 New Jersey

    Free

    Statewide

    Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 21 New Jersey counties.

    Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at nj211.org. Searchable directory of 6,300+ programs statewide

    211Visit website

    NJ Statewide Respite Care Program (SRCP)

    Free

    Statewide — in every NJ county through county AAAs

    State-funded respite program providing short-term breaks to family caregivers of functionally impaired adults. Services include adult day care, home care, and companion services. Sliding scale co-pay 0%-25% based on income. Income limit $2,982/month in 2026.

    Available in all 21 counties — contact ADRC at 877-222-3737. SRCP specifically designed as care for the caregiver, not just the care recipient

    877-222-3737Visit website

    NJ Alzheimer's Adult Day Services Program (AADSP)

    Free

    Statewide — 28 adult day centers in 16 counties

    State-funded adult day care subsidies for persons with Alzheimer's or related dementia. While care recipient attends structured programming, caregiver gets essential daily relief. Sliding scale fees based on income. Contact ADRC for centers near you.

    28 centers in 16 counties — contact ADRC at 877-222-3737. Particularly valuable for caregivers who work or need daily respite hours

    877-222-3737Visit website

    JACC — Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving

    Free

    Statewide — 21 county AAAs

    Non-Medicaid state program providing in-home services including caregiver relief/respite for adults 60+ at risk of nursing home placement. Sliding scale co-pay based on income. Family members can be paid caregivers under JACC.

    Available to those not on Medicaid — income limit $4,855/month individual in 2026. Contact ADRC at 877-222-3737 to apply

    877-222-3737Visit website

    National Respite Locator

    Free

    Statewide — search by NJ zip code

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

    Run by ARCH National Respite Network

    See websiteVisit website

    VA Caregiver Support Program — Respite

    Free

    Statewide — Veterans only

    At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. East Orange VA, Lyons VA, and Wilmington VA serve New Jersey veterans.

    Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — East Orange VAMC: 973-676-1000

    855-260-3274Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Greater NJ — Education Programs

    Free

    Statewide — in person and virtual

    Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 21 NJ counties. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, care consultations, and in-person programs. NJ Walk to End Alzheimer's in multiple cities annually.

    Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit website for current New Jersey schedule

    800-272-3900Visit website

    COPSA Institute — Caregiver Training and Education

    Free

    Statewide — Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care

    Rutgers COPSA Institute provides caregiver education programs, training for professionals, and community presentations on Alzheimer's and dementia care. Research-based programs available to NJ caregivers statewide.

    Free community presentations available — COPSA has served NJ families since 1975 as the state's leading dementia care academic center

    800-424-2494Visit website

    NJ Division of Aging Services — Caregiver Training

    Free

    Statewide — through 21 county AAAs

    Caregiver training programs through NJ's 21 county AAAs. Covers caregiving skills, dementia care, stress management, and navigating NJ Medicaid programs. New NJ State Plan on Aging October 2025-September 2029 guides expanded caregiver education.

    Contact ADRC at 877-222-3737 — new 2025-2029 State Plan commits to expanded caregiver support statewide

    877-222-3737Visit website

    Powerful Tools for Caregivers — NJ

    Free

    Statewide — through AAA and Alzheimer's Association network

    Evidence-based six-session self-care program for family caregivers offered through NJ Area Agencies on Aging and community partners. Teaches practical tools for managing stress and self-care challenges.

    Free six-week workshop — contact ADRC at 877-222-3737 or check PTC national site for current NJ schedule

    800-272-3900Visit website

    Family Caregiver Alliance — Online Resources

    Free

    National — available to all NJ caregivers

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

    No registration required for most online resources

    800-445-8106Visit website

    AARP New Jersey Caregiver Resource Center

    Free

    Statewide — offices in Princeton and other locations

    Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP NJ reports 1.2 million family caregivers in NJ providing $17.9 billion in unpaid care annually. AARP Care Guide in English and Spanish available.

    AARP membership not required — caregiver guide available in Spanish. AARP NJ active on paid family leave and caregiver support legislation

    877-333-5885Visit website

    NJ Personal Preference Program (PPP) — Paid Family Caregiver

    Free

    Statewide

    NJ Medicaid program allowing eligible care recipients to manage their own care budget and hire family members (including adult children) as paid personal care assistants. Up to $3,049/month. Spouses not eligible. Income limit $2,982/month in 2026.

    Must be NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid eligible — contact ADRC at 877-222-3737 to apply. PPP remains active despite federal Medicaid discussions per NJ DOAS confirmed March 2026

    877-222-3737Visit website

    JACC — Paid Family Caregiver Option

    Free

    Statewide — non-Medicaid

    Non-Medicaid state program allowing family members to be paid caregivers for adults 60+ at risk of nursing home placement. Income limit $4,855/month (individual) in 2026 — higher threshold than Medicaid, reaching more families. Participant-directed option.

    Non-Medicaid — broader income eligibility than PPP. Contact ADRC at 877-222-3737. One of NJ's most distinctive non-Medicaid paid caregiver programs

    877-222-3737Visit website

    NJ Paid Family Leave — Family Care Benefits

    Free

    Statewide — employed NJ workers

    Up to 12 weeks paid leave at 85% of wages (up to $1,055/week in 2026) for NJ workers caring for a seriously ill family member. One of the nation's most generous paid family leave programs. Funded through employee payroll contributions.

    Most NJ workers covered — self-employed can opt in. Apply at nj.gov/labor/myleavebenefits. NJ Paid Family Leave is consistently among the highest-benefit PFML programs nationally

    609-292-7060Visit 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.

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

    855-260-3274Visit website

    National Family Caregiver Support Program — NJ

    Free

    Statewide — through 21 county AAAs

    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 ADRC — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs in New Jersey

    877-222-3737Visit website

    Care2Caregivers — Peer Counseling

    Free

    Statewide — Rutgers COPSA, free to all NJ caregivers

    Free peer counseling from trained counselors who have lived caregiver experience. One of the most unique peer support resources in the country — NJ is one of very few states with a dedicated dementia caregiver peer hotline at this level.

    Uniquely New Jersey — peer counselors with lived caregiving experience. Free, confidential, available statewide. One of the most cited NJ caregiver resources by state agencies

    800-424-2494Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Greater NJ — Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — in person and virtual

    Free caregiver support groups throughout New Jersey from Newark to Trenton to Atlantic City. Two chapters cover all 21 counties. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.

    Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options available statewide

    800-272-3900Visit website

    Well Spouse Association

    Free

    National — with NJ-specific support groups

    Peer support and community specifically for spouses and partners caring for a chronically ill or disabled partner. Support groups, online forum, mentoring, and respite weekends. Addresses the unique isolation of spousal caregiving.

    National organization with NJ members — spousal caregivers often overlooked by programs that exclude spouses from paid caregiver options

    800-838-0879Visit website

    AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group

    Free

    National — available to all NJ 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 — New Jersey Caregivers

    Honest answers to what New Jersey family caregivers ask most.

    Most free caregiver help in New Jersey flows through NJ Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), which works hand-in-hand with the New Jersey Division of Aging Services (DoAS) and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 877-222-3737 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. New Jersey also runs Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) — non-Medicaid caregiver support up to ~$600/month, which is worth asking about by name.

    In many cases, yes. The primary pathway is Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and JACC. New Jersey's MLTSS Personal Preference Program lets eligible members hire family (other than a spouse) as paid attendants; JACC offers a separate non-Medicaid caregiver stipend for moderate-income seniors. The care recipient must meet New Jersey Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 877-222-3737 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.

    Free or low-cost respite in New Jersey comes from three main places: (1) NJ Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 877-222-3737; (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 New Jersey respite providers by ZIP code.

    New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey's family caregiver support program — NJ Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) can refer you. For broader caregiver support groups (not dementia-specific), the Family Caregiver Alliance and Well Spouse Association also serve New Jersey families online.

    Legal Services of New Jersey is the main free civil legal aid resource for income-eligible New Jersey 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. New Jersey Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman provides separate free advocacy specifically for residents (and their families) in New Jersey nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings. Many New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey-trained United Way navigator who can route you to local programs.

    New Jersey'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 877-222-3737 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. New Jersey Division of Aging Services (DoAS) oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.

    Sources & references

    Verified July 2026

    Save these New Jersey resources to your free care plan

    Your care plan keeps every New Jersey 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.