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Eldercare Locator Page on Resources for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected older adults in many ways. Fortunately for older adults and caregivers, resources are available in communities around the country to help older adults and caregivers stay connected to their communities while maintaining their health and well-being. The resources listed on this page are just some of the programs and services that can help. Contact the Eldercare Locator to get connected to local resources in your community.

Programs and Services for Older Adults

Programs funded by the federal Older Americans Act help adults age 60 and older and caregivers connect to the community through state, tribal, and local agencies. To learn more about the programs and services available in your community, enter your ZIP Code or city and state in the search bar at the top of this page or call 1-800-677-1116 to speak with the Eldercare Locator’s trained staff.

Eldercare Locator Publications on COVID-19

The publications listed below are just some of the resources available to older adults and caregivers through the Eldercare Locator.

  • Healthy Aging in a Pandemic World: What Older Adults and Caregivers Need to Know Now This brochure describes some of the changes that families, friends and caregivers may notice and highlights the need to check in and check up on issues that may need attention among the older adults in their lives, poses questions readers can and should ask themselves and their loved ones at this stage of the pandemic—and provides information on how older adults, caregivers and families can connect to services that can help address these changes.
    English | Spanish

  • Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers Produced in partnership with the University of California, San Diego Center for Healthy Aging, this brochure highlights the importance of social connection, its impact on our health—and ways the Aging Network can help older adults connect to their communities during this time of limited in-person social interactions.
    English | Spanish

  • Staying Connected at Home During COVID-19 Produced in partnership with engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, this two-sided fact sheet highlights many ways older adults can stay connected to their communities during the COVID-19 national health crisis.
    English | Spanish

  • Staying OK: Tips for Supporting Your Social Connections and Emotional Wellness This brochure, developed by engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults in partnership with the Eldercare Locator, provides older adults with social engagement tips and tools they can use to stay connected to their communities as well as suggestions for ways older adults can connect to mental health services and supports if needed. Brochure is available in English and Spanish.
    English | Spanish

Elder Abuse

During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults may experience elder abuse at higher rates than they had before the pandemic. The Eldercare Locator’s publication, Older Adults and Elder Abuse, provides information on the types of elder abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse and exploitation, and ways to combat it.

Financial Assistance

For older adults who have experienced a loss of income during the pandemic, the Eldercare Locator can provide connections to local programs and services that can help. There are many forms of assistance available to older adults who may need help paying for basic needs such as health care, food, housing and transportation.

Volunteer Opportunities

Older adults and caregivers can turn to the following resources to find volunteer opportunities available in their communities.

Social Engagement Opportunities

  • AARP Local is a free search tool that helps people find local events, news, volunteer opportunities, and local resources.
    https://local.aarp.org

  • Stuck at Home (Together) provides resources and tools to encourage creative expression and enable social connection. As you explore the site, we hope you enjoy the many ways you can de-stress and form bonds even as we physically distance ourselves. Stuck at Home is an initiative of the Foundation for Art & Healing in collaboration with AARP Foundation.
    www.artandhealing.org/stuckathome/

Phone Support Lines

  • AARP Friendly Voice Sometimes, just hearing a friendly voice on the other end of the line can help in challenging times. Use the online form at https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/friendly-voices or call 1-888-281-0145 to leave your information to receive a return phone call.

  • AARP's Family Caregiving Resource Line This dedicated, toll-free family caregiving line assists individuals who are taking care of loved ones.
    Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 11:00 pm ET
    English: 1-877-333-5885 | Spanish: 1-888-971-2013.
    www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2018/support-line.html

  • SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline This free hotline connects older LGBT adults and their caregivers to friendly responders who are ready to listen. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in English and Spanish, with translation in 180 languages.
    1-877-360-LGBT (5428)
    www.sageusa.org/what-we-do/sage-national-lgbt-elder-hotline

  • NAMI HelpLine This free, peer-support service provides information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

  • FindTreatment.gov The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) collects information on thousands of state-licensed providers who specialize in treating substance use disorders, addiction, and mental illness.
    1-800-662-HELP (4357)
    https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7.
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
    www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  • Disaster Distress Helpline Call 1-800-985-5990 or send a text message to TalkWithUs (66746) to connect to crisis counseling and support for individuals experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies.
    www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

  • Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, 24/7 to text with a live, trained Crisis Counselor on a secure online platform.
    www.crisistextline.org

Technology Support

  • National Senior Planet Hotline This hotline can provide support to older adults who need assistance with using technology.
    1-920-666-1959
    Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET

  • Senior Planet: Stuck at Home Guide Provides helpful tips for getting started online, on social media and on Zoom meetings. Other topics covered include virtual volunteering, online banking, accessing telemedicine, suggested internet devices for older adults, online grocery shopping, and many more.
    www.seniorplanet.org/stuck-at-home-guide-get-online (Search for Stuck at Home Guide for all topics covered by this series)

Mental Health Resources

Disability Information and Access Line

The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) can connect people with disabilities, families and caregivers who need support to trusted and reliable information about the COVID-19 vaccines and scheduling vaccination appointments. DIAL can also connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation.
1-888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
acl.gov/DIAL and DIAL@usaginganddisability.org