Who to call, for free.
Official hotlines and programs for families caring for an aging parent: local services, Medicare questions, scams and financial abuse, dementia support and problems with a nursing home. Nothing here is selling anything.
In an emergency, call 911. Numbers checked October 27, 2026.
Where to start
Not sure who to call? These point you to local help, usually free.
Eldercare Locator ↗
The federal government's front door to local aging services: meals, rides, in-home help, caregiver support.
Use it when: You don't know what help exists where your parent lives.
Find your Area Agency on Aging ↗
Every county is covered by an Area Agency on Aging that coordinates home and community services for older adults and caregivers.
Use it when: You want a local person who knows the programs and waitlists.
BenefitsCheckUp (NCOA) ↗
A free, confidential questionnaire that matches older adults to programs that help pay for food, medicine, utilities and more.
Use it when: Money is tight and you want to see what your parent qualifies for.
National Family Caregiver Support Program ↗
Federal funding for caregiver counseling, support groups, training and respite, reached through your Area Agency on Aging.
Use it when: The family caregiver needs a break or support.
Scams, fraud and financial abuse
Report it fast, and lock things down. You don't need proof to make a report.
National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Department of Justice) ↗
📞 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11)
A case manager helps people 60 and older who were targeted by fraud report it and find help. Weekdays, 10am to 6pm Eastern.
Use it when: Your parent lost money or was targeted by a scam.
Adult Protective Services: find your state's office ↗
Every state has APS to look into abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older and dependent adults. This page lists each state's number and online report.
Use it when: You suspect someone, including a caregiver or relative, is taking advantage of your parent.
Report fraud to the FTC ↗
Where to report scams, identity theft and bad business practices.
Use it when: Any scam, even one that didn't cost money.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: elder fraud ↗
Report online and phone scams to the FBI, including tech-support, romance, government-impersonation and investment scams.
Use it when: The scam happened online, by email or over the phone.
Managing someone else's money (CFPB) ↗
Plain guides for agents under a power of attorney, trustees, guardians and benefit payees: your duties and how to spot exploitation.
Use it when: You've been named on a power of attorney or you're helping with bills.
Credit freeze: Equifax ↗
Free. Stops new credit being opened in your parent's name. Do all three bureaus.
Use it when: Someone new is helping in the home, or a card or ID was lost.
Credit freeze: Experian ↗
Free, the second of the three bureaus.
Use it when: Same as above: do all three.
Social Security representative payee ↗
Social Security can name a person or organization to receive and manage benefits for someone who can't manage them.
Use it when: Your parent can no longer handle their Social Security check safely.
Medicare, insurance and benefits
Free, unbiased help with the paperwork.
SHIP: free Medicare counseling ↗
Every state has trained counselors who explain Medicare, Medigap, drug plans and Medicaid one on one, and don't sell anything.
Use it when: Open enrollment, a plan change, or a confusing bill.
Medicare ↗
📞 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)
Questions about coverage, claims and enrollment, 24 hours a day.
Use it when: You need to check what Medicare covers or fix a claim.
Medicare Care Compare ↗
Compare nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice and hospitals on Medicare's quality data.
Use it when: You're choosing a nursing home, hospice or home health agency.
PACE (All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) ↗
In some areas, a Medicare and Medicaid program that covers medical care, day programs and in-home help so people 55+ who need nursing-home-level care can stay home.
Use it when: Your parent qualifies for a nursing home but wants to stay home.
VA Caregiver Support Line ↗
Connects caregivers of veterans to VA support and a local caregiver support coordinator. Weekdays, 8am to 8pm Eastern.
Use it when: Your parent is a veteran.
Dementia, care quality and crisis
When it's hard, someone is there to talk to.
Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline ↗
Free, confidential support around the clock from specialists, on dementia, caregiving and crises, in more than 200 languages.
Use it when: Any time, about anything dementia-related.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman ↗
A free advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living who helps solve problems with care, safety and rights.
Use it when: You have a concern about care in a facility that isn't getting fixed.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline ↗
Free, confidential support for anyone in a mental health or emotional crisis, including exhausted caregivers. Veterans press 1.
Use it when: You or your parent are in crisis. In an emergency, call 911.
Protecting a parent from scams
The scams to know, warning signs, safeguards to set up this week, and what to do if money is gone.
Hiring a caregiver safely
References, background checks, a written agreement and money safeguards.
What does that mean?
ADLs, POLST, Medigap, PACE, conservatorship and the rest, in plain English.
Keep the whole family on the same page.
Pairlo gives your family one private page for your parent: who's doing what, appointments and rides, medications and refills, the important numbers and door codes. Pairy reminds whoever said they'd do it. Free for families.