All Caregiver Support Services

    North Dakota · Caregiver Support

    Caregiver Support Services in North Dakota

    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 North Dakota 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 Dakota

    ND Aging & Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL)

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

    ND Aging & Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL)

    Free

    Statewide — Human Service Centers in all regions covering all 53 counties

    North Dakota's single point of entry for caregivers. Free information, referrals, options counseling, and connection to all state caregiver programs. ADRL connects to SPED, NFCSP, SHIP, ombudsman, and all ND HHS aging services. Apply online at ndcarechoice.hhs.nd.gov.

    Call toll-free 855-GO2LINK (855-462-5465) | TTY: 711 | Email: carechoice@nd.gov. Also apply online at ndcarechoice.hhs.nd.gov. 38 of ND's 53 counties are frontier counties

    855-462-5465Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association MN-ND Chapter — 24/7 Helpline

    Free

    Statewide — ND offices in Bismarck, Minot, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Maddock

    Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. MN-ND Chapter serves all of North Dakota with five in-state offices. 18,000+ North Dakotans living with Alzheimer's; 37,000 caregivers statewide.

    Chapter: 952-830-0512. Five ND offices: Bismarck | Minot | Fargo | Grand Forks | Maddock. Chapter is one of seven founding ALZ chapters — established 1979

    800-272-3900Visit website

    ND HHS Family Caregiver Support Program — Coordinator

    Free

    Statewide — Caregiver Coordinators at each Human Service Center

    Free support from trained Caregiver Coordinators at every ND Human Service Center. Provides individual counseling, support group facilitation, and connection to respite, training, and supplemental services. January 2026 handbook updated.

    Caregiver Coordinator available at every ND Human Service Center — no wrong door. Also serves Tribal communities: Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, Trenton Indian Service Area, and Turtle Mountain

    855-462-5465Visit 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. ND's frontier geography makes caregiver isolation particularly acute in 38 frontier counties.

    Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call or text

    988Visit website

    211 North Dakota

    Free

    Statewide

    Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 53 North Dakota counties.

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

    211Visit website

    SPED — Service Payments for Elderly and Disabled (Respite)

    Free

    Statewide — state-funded, no Medicaid required

    North Dakota's landmark state-funded program providing respite services worth up to $1,142/month for family caregivers of adults impaired in 2+ ADLs or 4+ IADLs. No Medicaid required — liquid assets under $50,000. Nationally recognized as a model rural caregiver program.

    No Medicaid required — unique nationally. Home value exempt from asset calculation. Contact ADRL at 855-462-5465. NASHP highlighted SPED as a national model in 2022

    855-462-5465Visit website

    ND NFCSP — Family Caregiver Support Respite

    Free

    Statewide — through ND Human Service Centers

    NFCSP-funded temporary respite care for family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Caregiver Coordinators at each Human Service Center facilitate access to in-home and facility respite statewide.

    Contact ADRL at 855-462-5465 or carechoice@nd.gov — Caregiver Coordinators help arrange the right respite option for each caregiver's situation

    855-462-5465Visit website

    ND CareChoice — Online Respite Locator

    Free

    Statewide

    North Dakota's online resource finder connecting caregivers to respite, in-home care, and community services. Search by location and need. Also supports online application for NFCSP and other caregiver programs statewide.

    Free online tool — search by zip code or county. Also submit applications online at ndcarechoice.hhs.nd.gov. Available 24/7

    855-462-5465Visit website

    National Respite Locator

    Free

    Statewide — search by ND zip code

    Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by North Dakota zip code to find local respite options. Especially valuable given ND's frontier geography where local options may be extremely limited.

    Run by ARCH National Respite Network — ND Lifespan Respite Voucher Program contact: 828-265-5434 ext 139

    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. Fargo VA Medical Center and Minot VA serve North Dakota veterans. ND has a significant rural veteran population.

    Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Fargo VAMC: 701-232-3241 | Minot VA: 701-839-2433

    855-260-3274Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association MN-ND — Education Programs

    Free

    Statewide — five ND offices and virtual

    Free dementia caregiver education programs across all of North Dakota. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, and care consultations through five ND offices. Virtual options essential for ND's 38 frontier counties.

    Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit chapter website for current ND schedule. Spanish-language virtual programming also available

    800-272-3900Visit website

    NDSU Extension — Caregiver Education

    Free

    Statewide — NDSU Extension offices in all 53 counties

    Evidence-based caregiver education through North Dakota State University Extension. Powerful Tools for Caregivers, aging-in-place resources, and family caregiver programs available through county extension offices statewide including frontier counties.

    NDSU Extension in every ND county — critical for reaching caregivers in frontier areas hours from any urban services

    701-231-8994Visit website

    ND HHS GUIDE Model — Dementia Care Coordination

    Free

    Statewide — CMS pilot program

    North Dakota is participating in CMS's GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model — a voluntary nationwide test supporting people with dementia and unpaid caregivers. Focuses on comprehensive dementia care coordination, reducing caregiver strain, and enabling people with dementia to remain at home.

    New CMS model — contact ADRL at 855-462-5465 to find GUIDE participating providers near you. ND's participation helps rural frontier caregivers access coordinated dementia care

    855-462-5465Visit website

    Powerful Tools for Caregivers — ND

    Free

    Statewide — through NDSU Extension and Human Service Centers

    Evidence-based six-session self-care program for family caregivers offered through NDSU Extension and ND Human Service Centers. Teaches practical tools for managing stress and caregiving challenges statewide.

    Free six-week workshop — contact ADRL at 855-462-5465 or local Human Service Center for current schedule. Virtual options available

    855-462-5465Visit website

    Family Caregiver Alliance — Online Resources

    Free

    National — available to all ND caregivers

    Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and ND-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for caregivers in ND's 38 frontier counties with extremely limited local services.

    No registration required — accessible from any ND community including frontier areas

    800-445-8106Visit website

    AARP North Dakota Caregiver Resource Center

    Free

    Statewide — Bismarck office

    Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP ND reports 140,091 caregivers (23.38% of ND adults) providing $1 billion in unpaid care annually. AARP ND secured $1 million in 2025 Legislature for age-friendly home modifications.

    AARP membership not required — AARP ND secured $1M in 2025 legislative session for home modifications helping caregivers keep loved ones at home

    866-554-5383Visit website

    SPED Program — Paid Family Caregiver ($48/day)

    Free

    Statewide — state-funded, no Medicaid required

    North Dakota's landmark program paying live-in family caregivers up to $48/day for caring for adults impaired in 2+ ADLs or 4+ IADLs. No Medicaid required — liquid assets under $50,000 (home value exempt). Spouses eligible. Nationally recognized since 1983.

    Spouses explicitly eligible — one of the few state programs allowing this. No Medicaid required — broader eligibility than Medicaid programs. Contact ADRL at 855-462-5465

    855-462-5465Visit website

    ND Ex-SPED — Medicaid Family Personal Care

    Free

    Statewide — Medicaid program

    North Dakota's Medicaid HCBS program allowing family members including spouses to be paid as personal care providers. For individuals who qualify for Medicaid. Income limit $2,982/month effective January 2026. Complements the non-Medicaid SPED program.

    Spouses eligible under Ex-SPED — contact ADRL at 855-462-5465 to begin Medicaid eligibility screening. Works alongside SPED for different income levels

    855-462-5465Visit website

    Family Paid Caregiver Pilot Program — $162.73/day

    Free

    Statewide — for Medicaid 1915(c) waiver enrollees

    Extended through June 2027 by SB2305 (2025 Legislature). Pays family caregivers $162.73/day for providing extraordinary care to individuals enrolled in Medicaid 1915(c) waivers. Apply through the Family Caregiver Portal at hhs.nd.gov.

    Apply at hhs.nd.gov/family-paid-caregiver-pilot-program. Extended through June 30, 2027. Applications processed in order received as funds become available

    855-462-5465Visit 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 — ND

    Free

    Statewide — through ND Human Service Centers

    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. Also serves four Tribal nations.

    Contact ADRL — also serves Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, Trenton Indian Service Area, and Turtle Mountain Tribal communities

    855-462-5465Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association MN-ND — Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — five ND offices and virtual

    Free caregiver support groups throughout North Dakota from Fargo to Bismarck to Minot. Virtual groups essential for caregivers in frontier counties. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.

    Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options bridge ND's vast frontier geography. Spanish-language group available virtually

    800-272-3900Visit website

    ND HHS Caregiver Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — Human Service Centers in all regions

    Caregiver support groups facilitated by Caregiver Coordinators at ND Human Service Centers covering all 53 counties. Groups for general caregiving and dementia caregivers. Virtual options available for frontier communities.

    Contact ADRL at 855-462-5465 — Caregiver Coordinators facilitate groups at Human Service Centers statewide

    855-462-5465Visit website

    ND CareChoice Community — Online Connection

    Free

    Statewide

    North Dakota's online caregiver community and resource connection platform. Connect with local services and find peer support programs near you. Available 24/7 statewide including frontier areas.

    Free online access — search for peer support programs by county or zip code statewide

    855-462-5465Visit website

    AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group

    Free

    National — available to all ND caregivers

    Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially critical for ND caregivers in frontier counties where the nearest in-person support group may be hours away.

    AARP membership not required — virtual peer support is a lifeline for ND's frontier caregivers

    877-333-5885Visit website

    Frequently Asked Questions — North Dakota Caregivers

    Honest answers to what North Dakota family caregivers ask most.

    Most free caregiver help in North Dakota flows through ND Aging & Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL), which works hand-in-hand with the North Dakota Aging Services Division within DHHS and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 855-462-5465 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. North Dakota also runs NDSU Extension Powerful Tools for Caregivers (county-based, including frontier areas), which is worth asking about by name.

    In many cases, yes. The primary pathway is North Dakota Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Service Payments for the Elderly and Disabled (SPED). SPED and Medicaid HCBS can pay a qualified family member (other than a spouse) as a personal-care provider in the home, including in frontier counties. The care recipient must meet North Dakota Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 855-462-5465 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.

    Free or low-cost respite in North Dakota comes from three main places: (1) ND Aging & Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL) and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 855-462-5465; (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 North Dakota respite providers by ZIP code.

    North Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota's family caregiver support program — ND Aging & Disability Resource-LINK (ADRL) can refer you. For broader caregiver support groups (not dementia-specific), the Family Caregiver Alliance and Well Spouse Association also serve North Dakota families online.

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

    North Dakota'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 855-462-5465 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. North Dakota Aging Services Division within DHHS oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.

    Sources & references

    Verified July 2026

    Save these North Dakota resources to your free care plan

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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.