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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
NC DHHS Division of Aging — Family Caregiver Support
One call connects North Carolina family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
NC DHHS Division of Aging — Family Caregiver Support
Free
Statewide — through 16 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 100 counties
North Carolina's primary caregiver entry point. Free information, counseling, training, and connection to all caregiver services statewide. NC Division of Aging and Adult Services administers NFCSP through 16 regional AAAs. NC Caregiver Navigator at 844-728-0191.
Caregiver Navigator toll-free: 844-728-0191. Also contact your local AAA — NC has 16 AAAs covering all 100 counties. NC Caregiver Portal (Trualta) free at ncdhhs.gov
Statewide — two chapters: Eastern NC (www.alz.org/nc) and Western NC (alz.org/northcarolina)
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Eastern NC Chapter serves central and eastern NC; Western NC/Western Carolina Chapter serves western and Piedmont NC. 180,000+ North Carolinians living with Alzheimer's; 369,000 caregivers.
Eastern NC: www.alz.org/nc | Western/Piedmont NC: alz.org/northcarolina. Call 800-272-3900 to reach the right chapter. Both chapters advocate for expanded Project C.A.R.E. funding
Project C.A.R.E. — Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty
Free
Statewide — through NC Division of Aging and Adult Services
NC's unique state-funded dementia-specific caregiver support program. Provides counseling, care consultations, information, respite care, and community connection to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or related dementia. Free and specialized.
The only state-funded, dementia-specific caregiver program in NC. Contact through your regional AAA or call DHHS at 919-855-3400. Funded through NC General Assembly — advocacy ongoing for expanded funding
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text. NC has significant rural caregiver stress particularly in western mountain and eastern coastal communities.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call or text
Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at nc211.org. Available in English and Spanish
Statewide coalition working to expand access to respite for NC caregivers of all ages and disabilities. Respite voucher program available through the coalition. Caregiver Navigator line (844-728-0191) connects caregivers to local respite options.
Call Caregiver Navigator at 844-728-0191 for respite options near you — NC Lifespan Respite Coalition coordinates statewide respite resources across all 100 counties
Respite care specifically for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or related dementia through NC's Project C.A.R.E. program. One of NC's most targeted and effective dementia respite programs. Access through regional AAA partners.
Dementia-specific respite — contact your local AAA or call 919-855-3400. Western NC: 828-251-7432 | Eastern/Central NC: 919-855-3400
NFCSP-funded temporary respite care for family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's through NC's 16 AAAs. In-home and adult day options available. Contact Caregiver Navigator to find local options.
Contact Caregiver Navigator at 844-728-0191 — respite availability varies by county and AAA region across NC's 100 counties
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by North Carolina zip code to find local and regional respite options beyond state programs.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network — NC is a member of the national lifespan respite network
At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Facilities in Durham, Asheville, Fayetteville, Greenville, Salisbury, and other locations serve NC's large veteran population.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Durham VAMC: 919-286-0411 | Asheville VAMC: 828-298-7911
Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 100 NC counties. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, care consultations, and in-person programs through both chapters. 17 Walk to End Alzheimer's locations across NC.
Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit chapter website. Both chapters advocate for more Project C.A.R.E. funding in 2026 NC General Assembly session
Triangle region — Duke University, Durham; telehealth statewide
World-class dementia caregiver support from Duke University's Memory Disorders Clinic. Free consultations, caregiver education, support groups, and professional guidance. Telehealth options available statewide. Nationally recognized program.
Free consultations available — Duke is one of the leading dementia care centers in the Southeast. Telehealth extends reach statewide beyond the Triangle
Free online caregiver training platform (Trualta) available to all North Carolina caregivers. 100+ modules on personal care skills, dementia care, medication management, and caregiver self-care. Launched by NC DHHS Division of Aging.
Free to all NC caregivers — contact DHHS at 844-728-0191 for access information. Particularly valuable for rural NC caregivers in the 60+ rural counties
Statewide — Triangle area with statewide virtual reach
NC-specific nonprofit providing dementia caregiver resources, support groups, and education. Partners with NCDHHS, Duke, and Alzheimer's Association to advance dementia-friendly communities across North Carolina.
Free resources and support group access — unique NC organization focused specifically on dementia caregiving in the North Carolina context
Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and NC-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for rural NC caregivers in mountain and coastal communities.
No registration required for most online resources
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education in English and Spanish. AARP NC active on caregiving legislation and expanded Project C.A.R.E. funding. 1.2 million NC family caregivers providing $14.5 billion in unpaid care annually.
AARP membership not required — AARP NC partners with NCDHHS on caregiver initiatives and advocates for expanded caregiver services in the NC General Assembly
NC CAP/DA — Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults
Free
Statewide
NC Medicaid waiver allowing disabled adults to remain at home with personal care services. Some family members may be hired as paid personal care providers. Income limit $2,982/month effective January 2026. Contact NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits.
Must be Medicaid-eligible — contact NC Medicaid at 888-245-0179 or your local county DSS. CAP/DA also has Coordinated Caregiving (SFC) pathway allowing spouses to be paid in certain circumstances
NC's Structured Family Caregiving pathway through CAP/DA waiver. Pays live-in family caregivers including spouses a daily stipend for 24-hour supervision of an eligible Medicaid recipient. Up to $960/month. Contact NC Medicaid to confirm current enrollment availability.
Spouses eligible — contact NC Medicaid at 888-245-0179. Families should confirm current enrollment availability as program capacity may be limited
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
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 statewide.
Contact Caregiver Navigator at 844-728-0191 — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs in NC
Free caregiver support groups throughout NC from Raleigh to Charlotte to Asheville to Wilmington. 17 Walk locations. Both Eastern and Western chapters offer virtual groups. ALZConnected online 24/7.
Call helpline or visit chapter website to find group by zip code — virtual options available statewide including rural mountain and coastal communities
Caregiver support groups through NC's 16 AAAs covering all 100 counties. Groups for general caregiving, Alzheimer's and dementia, and grandparent kinship caregivers. Contact Caregiver Navigator to find groups near you.
Call Caregiver Navigator at 844-728-0191 — groups vary by county and AAA region across NC
Dementia-specific caregiver support groups through the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. In-person groups in the Triangle area and virtual groups available statewide. NC-focused programming for dementia caregivers.
Free — unique NC resource for dementia caregiver peer connection. Virtual options extend statewide beyond Triangle area
Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially valuable for NC caregivers in rural mountain, Piedmont, or coastal communities where local groups may be limited.
AARP membership not required — virtual peer support 24/7
Statewide — offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, and other communities
Free civil legal help for North Carolinians 60+. Covers Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare proxies, powers of attorney, Social Security, housing, and elder abuse. Senior Law Project statewide hotline for older adults.
Senior Law hotline: 877-579-7562. Income not a barrier for adults 60+. Also visit lawhelp.org/nc for online legal information statewide at no cost to you
NC SHIIP — Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program
Free
Statewide — NC Department of Insurance
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for NC beneficiaries and caregivers. NC calls it SHIIP not SHIP. Certified counselors help navigate Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D drug plans statewide.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. NC calls it SHIIP. Also available through your local AAA
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home or assisted living quality of care. Investigates complaints and protects residents' rights across all 100 NC counties. Complaint hotline available statewide.
Also contact NC DHSR Complaint Hotline: 800-624-3004. Both lines available for concerns about facility care quality statewide
Free legal advocacy for North Carolinians with disabilities and their caregivers. NC's federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency. Covers disability rights, public benefits, housing, CAP/DA access, and abuse/neglect investigations.
Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers — all 100 NC counties. Active on Medicaid and CAP/DA access issues affecting NC caregivers
Free online legal information and connection to legal aid organizations across all 100 NC counties. Covers elder law, healthcare proxies, powers of attorney, Medicaid, and housing. Available in English and Spanish.
Free 24/7 online access — maintained by NC legal aid providers. Also includes NC Courts Guide & File for self-represented litigants
Frequently Asked Questions — North Carolina Caregivers
Honest answers to what North Carolina family caregivers ask most.
Most free caregiver help in North Carolina flows through NC DHHS Division of Aging — Family Caregiver Support, which works hand-in-hand with the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 855-227-3640 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 Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA). CAP/DA's Consumer-Directed option lets eligible Medicaid members hire family (other than a spouse) as paid in-home caregivers. The care recipient must meet North Carolina Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 855-227-3640 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.
Free or low-cost respite in North Carolina comes from three main places: (1) NC DHHS Division of Aging — Family Caregiver Support and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 855-227-3640; (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 North Carolina respite providers by ZIP code.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina's family caregiver support program — NC DHHS Division of Aging — Family Caregiver Support can refer you. For broader caregiver support groups (not dementia-specific), the Family Caregiver Alliance and Well Spouse Association also serve North Carolina families online.
Legal Aid of North Carolina is the main free civil legal aid resource for income-eligible North Carolina 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. North Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides separate free advocacy specifically for residents (and their families) in North Carolina nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings. Many North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina-trained United Way navigator who can route you to local programs.
North Carolina'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 855-227-3640 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. North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.
Save these North Carolina resources to your free care plan
Your care plan keeps every North Carolina caregiver resource — phone numbers, eligibility, and next steps — in one calm, organized place.
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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.