All Caregiver Support Services

    Vermont · Caregiver Support

    Caregiver Support Services in Vermont

    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 Vermont 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 Vermont

    Vermont ADRC — Aging & Disability Resource Connections

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

    Vermont ADRC — Aging & Disability Resource Connections

    Free

    Statewide — 5 Area Agencies on Aging and disability partners covering all 14 counties

    Vermont's No Wrong Door system connecting caregivers to information, referrals, and options counseling statewide. Partners include 5 AAAs, Centers for Independent Living, and the VT Brain Injury Alliance. Senior Helpline: 800-642-5119. Vermont State Plan on Aging FFY2027-2030 in public comment April-May 2026.

    ADRC: 802-241-0294 | Senior Helpline: 800-642-5119. Vermont's 5 AAAs: CVCOA, SeniorSolutions, Champlain Valley, Northeast Kingdom, and Area Agency on Aging for Southeastern VT

    802-241-0294Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Vermont Chapter — 24/7 Helpline

    Free

    Statewide — Williston HQ serving all 14 Vermont counties

    Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Vermont Chapter serves all 14 counties from Williston office. 14,000+ Vermonters living with Alzheimer's; 28,000 caregivers. Part of ALZ New England Region podcast 'Navigating the Journey.'

    Vermont Chapter: 802-316-3839 | Williston office: 75 Talcott Rd. April 30, 2026 Gala at Essex Resort. Walk to End Alzheimer's held statewide in multiple Vermont communities

    800-272-3900Visit website

    Vermont DAIL — Family Caregiver Support Program

    Free

    Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging

    Vermont's NFCSP-based caregiver support program providing information, counseling, training, respite, and supplemental services. TCARE assessment tool implemented statewide. Trualta online caregiver training platform deployed through CVCOA. Vermont Kin as Parents program serves kinship caregivers.

    Contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119 to reach your local AAA. Vermont uses TCARE for personalized caregiver assessment — one of 8 states implementing TCARE nationally

    800-642-5119Visit 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. Vermont's rural geography can intensify caregiver isolation particularly in Northeast Kingdom and rural communities.

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

    988Visit website

    Vermont 211

    Free

    Statewide

    Free 24/7 connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 14 Vermont counties.

    Call or text 211 anytime — also available online at vermont211.org. Vermont 211 is a key partner in the No Wrong Door ADRC system

    211Visit website

    Vermont Dementia Respite Grant

    Free

    Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging

    State-funded grant providing respite care specifically for family caregivers of individuals with dementia. One of Vermont's most distinctive caregiver programs. Grants may be used for in-home care, respite care, homemaker services, and adult day services. Contact your local AAA.

    Dementia-specific funding — contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119. This grant is separate from NFCSP respite and specifically targets dementia caregivers statewide

    800-642-5119Visit website

    Vermont NFCSP — Family Caregiver Respite

    Free

    Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging

    NFCSP-funded temporary respite care for family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's through Vermont's 5 AAAs. In-home and adult day respite options available statewide. Contact Senior Helpline to be connected to your local AAA.

    Contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119 — Vermont Kin as Parents program also provides respite for grandparent and relative caregivers of children

    800-642-5119Visit website

    CVCOA — Memorable Times and Caregiver Support

    Free

    Central Vermont — Washington County and surrounding region

    Central Vermont Council on Aging expanded its Family Caregiver Support Program in February 2026. Offers Memorable Times Online — a weekly Zoom social group for dementia care partners sharing memories, music, and laughter. TCARE and Trualta implemented for personalized support.

    Memorable Times Online Zoom group meets weekly — free and open to dementia care partners. Contact CVCOA for schedule. New Director Anne Hatch leading expanded program as of October 2025

    802-476-0929Visit website

    National Respite Locator

    Free

    Statewide — search by Vermont zip code

    Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Vermont zip code to find local respite options.

    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. White River Junction VA Medical Center serves Vermont veterans.

    Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — White River Junction VAMC: 802-295-9363

    855-260-3274Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Vermont — Education Programs

    Free

    Statewide — Williston office and virtual

    Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 14 Vermont counties. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, care consultations, and in-person programs. Vermont Chapter part of the New England Region's 'Navigating the Journey' podcast.

    Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit chapter website for current Vermont schedule

    800-272-3900Visit website

    Trualta — Free Online Caregiver Training

    Free

    Statewide — deployed through CVCOA and AAA network

    Free 24/7 online caregiver training platform deployed in Vermont through AAA network. 100+ modules on personal care skills, dementia care, medication management, and caregiver self-care. Implemented through CVCOA's expanded Family Caregiver Support Program.

    Free to Vermont caregivers — access through CVCOA or contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119. Online training especially valuable for Vermont's rural communities

    800-642-5119Visit website

    UVM Extension — Caregiver Education

    Free

    Statewide — University of Vermont Extension

    Evidence-based caregiver education through University of Vermont Extension. Family caregiver programs, aging resources, and health and wellness programs statewide. Partners with DAIL and AAAs on caregiver education initiatives.

    UVM Extension reaches caregivers across Vermont's rural communities — contact local UVM Extension office for current caregiver education schedule

    802-656-2990Visit website

    Vermont DAIL — Dementia Action Plan Resources

    Free

    Statewide

    Vermont 2022-2025 Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging Action Plan guided statewide dementia caregiver education. New FFY2027-2030 State Plan on Aging in public comment April-May 2026 will guide next phase of caregiver supports.

    Contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119 or visit asd.vermont.gov — Vermont Dementia Resource Guide available free through AAAs statewide

    800-642-5119Visit website

    Family Caregiver Alliance — Online Resources

    Free

    National — available to all Vermont caregivers

    Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Vermont-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for Vermont's rural Northeast Kingdom and remote communities.

    No registration required for most online resources

    800-445-8106Visit website

    AARP Vermont Caregiver Resource Center

    Free

    Statewide — Montpelier office

    Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Vermont reports 90,000+ family caregivers providing $1.4 billion in unpaid care annually. AARP Care Guide available. AARP Vermont active on Choices for Care and expanded caregiver support legislation.

    AARP membership not required — AARP Vermont has been a consistent advocate for Choices for Care program preservation and expansion

    866-227-7441Visit website

    Vermont Attendant Services Program (ASP) — Paid Family Caregiver

    Free

    Statewide

    Vermont Medicaid program allowing eligible individuals to hire and direct family members as paid personal attendants. Adult children and relatives eligible — spouses and legal guardians not eligible. Income limit $1,333/month outside Chittenden County; $1,441/month in Chittenden County (2025).

    Family members excluding spouses eligible — contact VT Medicaid at 802-241-0290 or ADRC at 802-241-0294 to begin eligibility screening. ARIS Solutions administers payroll

    802-241-0290Visit website

    Vermont Choices for Care — HCBS Medicaid Waiver

    Free

    Statewide

    Vermont's Medicaid HCBS waiver providing home and community-based services for adults 18+ needing nursing home level of care. Adult Family Care option allows participants to live with paid family caregivers. Spouses receive Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance protecting their financial security.

    Contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119 or ADRC 802-241-0294. Spouses receive MMNA protection under Choices for Care — though they cannot be paid directly as caregivers

    800-642-5119Visit website

    Vermont Paid Family Leave — VPFML

    Fee-based

    Statewide — employed Vermont workers

    Vermont's state employee Paid Family Leave program. Private sector employers may opt in. For family caregiving leave, many Vermonters rely on federal FMLA (unpaid) and short-term disability. Vermont PFML expansion to broader workforce is ongoing policy discussion.

    Vermont state employees have PFML. Private sector: check with employer. Federal FMLA provides unpaid leave. Contact VT DOL at 802-828-4000 for current status of PFML expansion

    802-828-4000Visit 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 — Vermont

    Free

    Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging

    Federal program providing information, counseling, training, respite, and supplemental services to family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Vermont Kin as Parents serves grandparent and relative kinship caregivers statewide.

    Contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119 — Vermont Kin as Parents is VT's unique name for OAA Title III-E kinship caregiver services. No income limit for OAA programs

    800-642-5119Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association Vermont — Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — in person and virtual

    Free caregiver support groups throughout Vermont from Burlington to Brattleboro to St. Johnsbury. Virtual groups essential for Vermont's rural communities. ALZConnected online 24/7.

    Call helpline or visit chapter website to find group — virtual options bridge Vermont's rural geography. Monthly Memory Café programs in multiple Vermont communities

    800-272-3900Visit website

    CVCOA — Memorable Times Online

    Free

    Central Vermont and virtual statewide

    Weekly virtual Zoom social group for dementia care partners — sharing memories, music, and laughter together. Free, relaxed, no clinical focus — purely peer connection and community. Hosted by CVCOA's Dementia-Friendly Community Specialist. Open to all Vermont caregivers virtually.

    Free weekly Zoom group — contact CVCOA at 802-476-0929 for schedule. Unique peer program combining social engagement with caregiver community connection

    802-476-0929Visit website

    Vermont AAA Network — Caregiver Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — 5 Area Agencies on Aging

    Caregiver support groups through Vermont's 5 AAAs covering all 14 counties. Groups for general caregiving, Alzheimer's, and Vermont Kin as Parents kinship caregivers. Contact Senior Helpline to find groups near you.

    Contact Senior Helpline 800-642-5119 — groups vary by AAA region across Vermont's 14 counties

    800-642-5119Visit website

    AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group

    Free

    National — available to all Vermont caregivers

    Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially valuable for Vermont caregivers in the Northeast Kingdom or other rural areas where local in-person groups may be limited.

    AARP membership not required — virtual peer support 24/7

    877-333-5885Visit website

    Frequently Asked Questions — Vermont Caregivers

    Honest answers to what Vermont family caregivers ask most.

    Most free caregiver help in Vermont flows through Vermont ADRC — Aging & Disability Resource Connections, which works hand-in-hand with the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 802-241-0294 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 Choices for Care Long-Term Services and Supports. Vermont's Choices for Care Flexible Choices and Surrogate options let Medicaid members hire family — and, in some cases, a spouse — as paid caregivers. The care recipient must meet Vermont Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 802-241-0294 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.

    Free or low-cost respite in Vermont comes from three main places: (1) Vermont ADRC — Aging & Disability Resource Connections and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 802-241-0294; (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 Vermont respite providers by ZIP code.

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

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

    Vermont'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 802-241-0294 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. Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.

    Sources & references

    Verified July 2026

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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.