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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
The Point — RI Aging & Disability Resource Center
One call connects Rhode Island family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
The Point — RI Aging & Disability Resource Center
Free
Statewide — RI Office of Healthy Aging
Rhode Island's single point of entry for caregivers. Free, no-cost statewide 'one-stop' for older adults and adults with disabilities and their caregivers. Trained specialists connect caregivers to in-home care, benefits, transportation, housing, and protective services. Call 2-1-1 also connects to The Point.
Call 401-462-4444 or dial 211 to reach The Point. The Point is RI's ADRC — no wrong door for caregiver services statewide
Alzheimer's Association Rhode Island Chapter — 24/7 Helpline
Free
Statewide — Providence HQ serving all of Rhode Island
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. RI Chapter serves all of Rhode Island. 22,000+ Rhode Islanders living with Alzheimer's; 36,000 caregivers providing 51 million hours of unpaid care annually. Annual RI Caregiver Conference held April 2026.
Chapter: 401-421-0008. Annual Rhode Island Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference — April 23, 2026. Walk to End Alzheimer's held in Providence annually
Unique Rhode Island coalition providing advocacy, education, peer support, and resources for all RI family caregivers. Expanded Caregiver Support Program in May 2025 in partnership with AARP RI. Single call to 211 connects caregivers to trusted guidance and local resources. Updating RI State Plan for Family Caregivers.
Call 211 to access FCARI's expanded Caregiver Support Program — launched May 2025. FCARI is developing RI's new State Plan for Family Caregivers through 2026
Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all Rhode Island communities. United Way of RI operates 211 and the Family Caregiver Alliance of RI — one call reaches both.
Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at 211ri.org. Single call to 211 now connects to FCARI caregiver support services as of May 2025
NFCSP-funded temporary respite care for family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. In-home and adult day respite options available statewide through OHA and partner agencies. Contact The Point to access.
Contact The Point at 401-462-4444 to access respite options — specialists connect caregivers to appropriate local respite services
Statewide coalition working to expand respite services for RI caregivers of any age with any disability. Respite voucher options available through OHA. Contact The Point to learn about current respite voucher availability.
Contact The Point at 401-462-4444 — RI is a small state with a tightly coordinated respite network. All respite options accessible through single ADRC call
Respite care component of RI's RIte@Home Medicaid structured family caregiving program. Caregivers enrolled in RIte@Home receive scheduled respite relief. Administered through Careforth and Seven Hills RI. Ensures live-in family caregivers get regular breaks.
Must be enrolled in RIte@Home — contact The Point at 401-462-4444 or EOHHS at 401-462-1000 to begin eligibility screening
At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Providence VA Medical Center and community clinics serve Rhode Island veterans.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Providence VAMC: 401-273-7100
Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all of Rhode Island. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, care consultations, and in-person programs. Annual Rhode Island Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference on April 23, 2026.
Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit chapter website. Annual Caregiver Conference is a flagship RI education event
Unique Rhode Island nonprofit providing statewide care navigation and peer support for families and older adults managing disability, health coverage, and community resources. Free peer counseling, benefits assistance, and education by people with lived experience.
Toll-free: 800-464-3399. Unique RI resource — peer support by people with lived experience navigating disability and aging systems. Serves caregivers of all ages
Evidence-based caregiver education through URI Cooperative Extension. Family caregiver programs, aging-in-place resources, and Powerful Tools for Caregivers available statewide. Partners with OHA on caregiver education initiatives.
Free programs — URI Extension reaches caregivers across all RI communities including rural Coventry, Exeter, and western RI
Free caregiver education, resources, and training through FCARI. Partners with Alzheimer's Association, AARP RI, and OHA to provide comprehensive caregiver education statewide. RI State Plan for Family Caregivers update in progress.
Call 211 to access FCARI education programs — or visit www.unitedwayri.org/get-help/fcari/ for upcoming workshops and resources
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP RI reports 121,000 family caregivers in Rhode Island. AARP RI co-launched expanded FCARI Caregiver Support Program in May 2025. AARP Care Guide available in English and Spanish.
AARP membership not required — AARP RI actively partnering with United Way and FCARI on expanded 2025 caregiver support initiative. SHIP counseling also available
RIte@Home — Paid Family Caregiver (Up to $1,800/month)
Free
Statewide — Medicaid eligible individuals
Rhode Island's Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving program (called RIte@Home). Pays live-in family caregivers up to $1,800/month through Careforth or Seven Hills RI. Income limit $2,901/month in 2025. Friends and relatives 18+ eligible — spouses and legal guardians not eligible.
Spouses not eligible — adult children, relatives, and friends 18+ qualify. Contact EOHHS at 401-462-1000 or The Point at 401-462-4444 to begin eligibility process. Apply through Careforth: 617-279-4900
RI Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) — Up to 8 Weeks
Free
Statewide — employed RI workers
Rhode Island's paid family leave program. Up to 8 weeks of benefits effective January 1, 2026 (increased from 7 weeks). Benefits up to $1,103/week in 2026 for workers caring for a seriously ill family member. RI was first state to enact caregiver-specific paid leave in 2013.
Most RI employees covered — contact DLT at 401-462-8420. RI pioneered paid caregiver leave nationally. Apply at dlt.ri.gov/individuals/temporary-disability-caregiver-insurance
Rhode Island Medicaid program allowing individuals to hire and direct their own personal care attendant including family members. Consumer-directed option available. Contact EOHHS to determine eligibility for personal care funding.
Must be Medicaid-eligible — contact EOHHS at 401-462-1000 or The Point at 401-462-4444 to begin eligibility screening
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 The Point at 401-462-4444 — no income limits for Older Americans Act programs in Rhode Island
Free caregiver support groups throughout Rhode Island. In-person groups in Providence and surrounding communities. Virtual groups available statewide. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.
Call helpline or visit chapter website to find group — virtual options available statewide. Rhode Island's small size means most caregivers are within 30 minutes of an in-person group
Peer support and connection for Rhode Island family caregivers through FCARI's expanded program. Launched May 2025 in partnership with AARP RI. 121,000 RI caregivers often underrepresented and under-supported — FCARI is actively building peer community.
Call 211 to connect with FCARI peer support — new expanded program launched May 2025. State Plan for Family Caregivers update incorporating caregiver voice
Peer counseling and navigation support by people with lived experience managing disability and aging systems. Unique RI resource connecting caregivers with trained peer counselors who have navigated similar situations.
Free statewide peer support — RIPIN peer counselors have lived experience with disability and caregiving. Available in English and Spanish
Free civil legal services to low-income Rhode Islanders including elder law, advance directives, healthcare proxies, Medicaid planning, housing, and consumer protection. Elder law services for adults 60+ statewide.
Income eligibility requirements — adults 60+ receive priority for elder law matters. Toll-free: 800-662-5034. Also visit lawhelp.org/ri for online legal resources at no cost to you, statewide
Rhode Island SHIP — State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Free
Statewide — RI Office of Healthy Aging
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for Rhode Island beneficiaries and caregivers. Certified counselors help navigate Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D drug plans. Available through The Point and local community sites.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. SHIP: 888-884-8721 | The Point: 401-462-4444. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese reflecting RI's diverse communities
Free advocacy for caregivers with concerns about nursing home, assisted living, or other long-term care facility quality. Rhode Island's LTC Ombudsman program is operated by Alliance for Better Long-Term Care — an independent nonprofit, not a state agency.
Independent of state government — unique structure ensuring truly independent advocacy. Serves all RI communities. Complaint line: 401-785-3340
Free legal advocacy for Rhode Islanders with disabilities and their caregivers. Rhode Island's federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency. Covers disability rights, Medicaid, housing, RIte@Home access, and abuse/neglect investigations.
Toll-free: 800-733-5332. Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers statewide. Also TTY: 401-831-3150
Connects Rhode Island caregivers to elder law attorneys for advance directives, healthcare proxies, powers of attorney, guardianship, and Medicaid planning. Initial consultation at reduced fee.
Referral fee may apply — income-eligible Rhode Islanders should contact RI Legal Services first for services at no cost to you. Toll-free: 800-992-6600
Frequently Asked Questions — Rhode Island Caregivers
Honest answers to what Rhode Island family caregivers ask most.
Most free caregiver help in Rhode Island flows through The Point — RI Aging & Disability Resource Center, which works hand-in-hand with the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 401-462-4444 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 Rhode Island Global Consumer Choice Compact 1115 Waiver. Rhode Island's Personal Choice and Independent Provider programs under the Global Waiver let Medicaid members hire family (other than a spouse) as paid caregivers. The care recipient must meet Rhode Island Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 401-462-4444 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.
Free or low-cost respite in Rhode Island comes from three main places: (1) The Point — RI Aging & Disability Resource Center and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 401-462-4444; (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 Rhode Island respite providers by ZIP code.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island's family caregiver support program — The Point — RI Aging & Disability Resource Center can refer you. For broader caregiver support groups (not dementia-specific), the Family Caregiver Alliance and Well Spouse Association also serve Rhode Island families online.
Rhode Island Legal Services is the main free civil legal aid resource for income-eligible Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides separate free advocacy specifically for residents (and their families) in Rhode Island nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings. Many Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island-trained United Way navigator who can route you to local programs.
Rhode Island'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 401-462-4444 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. Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.
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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.