Ohio · 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 32 verified Ohio 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 Ohio
COAAA Caregiver Support Groups
One call connects Ohio family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Central Ohio — Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union counties
Free monthly caregiver support groups and information sessions. Virtual dementia caregiver group every Monday 10am-11:30am on Zoom.
Open to all caregivers in service area
Franklin and Delaware counties
Mental health counseling for caregivers, stress management, grief counseling, caregiver burnout workshops
Licensed behavioral health professionals
Statewide
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers in distress or crisis
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Statewide
24/7 connection to emotional support resources and crisis intervention for caregivers
Connects to local resources by zip code
Statewide
Around the clock support for dementia caregivers. Staffed by specialists who understand the unique emotional burden of dementia caregiving.
Available in multiple languages
Central Ohio — Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union counties
Institutional respite, traditional respite, and overnight respite. Emergency help with medications and caregiver travel assistance.
Contact COAAA to determine eligibility
Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca, Wyandot counties
In-home respite care, adult day services, counseling. Caregivers of any age or income qualify. Do not need to live with care recipient.
No charges for screening, assessment, or home care services
Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Warren counties
Respite care for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or cognitive impairment. No age requirement for dementia caregivers.
Call 800-252-0155 Option 2 for more information
Northwestern Ohio
Adult day services, in-home respite care, transportation. Designed to give caregivers meaningful time away.
Contact to confirm county coverage
Columbus area
Respite and wellness programs for Alzheimer's caregivers. Indoor and outdoor adult day programs giving caregivers dedicated time off.
Building Ohio's first freestanding respite center for Alzheimer's caregivers
Statewide — search by zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite service providers. Search by Ohio zip code to find local options.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network
Available free through COAAA for caregivers in their 8-county service area
Online training covering personal care, brain health, safety, dementia, and self-care for caregivers
Access through COAAA — call 800-589-7277
Statewide — virtual and in-person options
Free virtual and in-person dementia care training, workshops, webinars, and support groups. World class experts available at no cost.
Partnership between OSU College of Nursing and Benjamin Rose Institute
Statewide
Caregiver training modules on communication strategies, legal and financial planning, managing caregiving stress. Online and in-person.
Evidence-based programs specifically designed for caregivers
Statewide — multiple Ohio chapters
Free education programs, online courses, and workshops for dementia caregivers. Available statewide through local chapters.
Find local chapter and programs at www.alz.org/
National — available to all Ohio caregivers
Comprehensive library of caregiver education including fact sheets, online programs, and self-care guidance specifically for caregivers.
Includes Ohio-specific resource directory
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education including the AARP Care Guide, financial worksheets, and online caregiver community.
AARP membership not required for most resources
Statewide
Weekly stipend paid to qualifying family caregivers through Medicaid. Amount varies based on level of care provided.
Must meet Medicaid eligibility requirements
Statewide
Helps caregivers enroll in Ohio's Medicaid caregiver compensation program. Provides weekly payment plus dedicated coaching support.
Licensed Structured Family Caregiving agency
Statewide
Licensed agency that helps family caregivers get paid through Ohio's Structured Family Caregiving Medicaid program. Free to use.
SOC2 compliant — secure handling of caregiver information
Statewide — Veterans only
Monthly stipend up to $2,750 for caregivers of eligible veterans with service-related disability. Also includes health insurance and mental health services.
Must be caring for a veteran with service-related disability
Statewide
State tax credit equal to 50% of qualifying care-related expenses up to $1,000. Worth checking annually at tax time.
Consult tax professional for eligibility
Statewide — through local Area Agencies on Aging
Federal program providing supplemental services, counseling, training, and financial assistance specifically to family caregivers.
Call to connect to your local Area Agency on Aging
Central Ohio — open to all via Zoom
Free weekly Zoom support group every Monday 10am-11:30am for caregivers of individuals with dementia.
Virtual format makes it accessible statewide
Statewide — in-person and virtual options
In-person and virtual support groups across Ohio for dementia caregivers. Find a group by zip code on their website.
Groups meet regularly — check website for schedule
Statewide
Regularly scheduled support group meetings specifically for caregivers of loved ones with Lewy Body Dementia.
Specialized group for a frequently underserved caregiver population
Statewide
Online weekly Zoom support groups for grandparents and relatives raising children. Includes resource hub for kinship caregivers.
Weekly Zoom meetings — see website for schedule
National — available to all Ohio caregivers
Free online peer community where caregivers share experiences, advice, and support. Active 24/7 community.
AARP membership not required
Statewide
Free legal resource directory. Connects caregivers to nonprofit legal aid for elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, and pension issues.
Connects to local legal aid organizations
Statewide
Free advocacy for caregivers dealing with nursing home or assisted living concerns. Investigates complaints and protects rights.
Independent advocate — not affiliated with facilities
Statewide
Free one-on-one Medicare counseling for caregivers navigating insurance options, supplemental coverage, and benefits claims.
Unbiased counseling — not insurance sales
Statewide
Training and toolkits covering legal and financial planning from the caregiver's perspective including checklists and practical guides.
Evidence-based tools developed specifically for caregivers
Honest answers to what Ohio family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every Ohio 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.