The Eldercare Locator

AoA supports a nationwide, toll-free information and assistance directory called the Eldercare Locator, which can locate the appropriate AAA to help an individual needing assistance for their loved ones, relatives, or friends. Older persons and caregivers can call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

“Taking time out, away from the care of an impaired person, is one of the single most important things that you can do to make it possible for you to continue to care for someone.” –Mace and Robins, The 36 Hour Day.

*Many caregivers experience immense stress and feelings of burden, high rates of depression, and feelings of anger and anxiety;

*Caregiving can adversely affect one’s physical health and ability to continue providing care – leaving two impaired persons, rather than one.

*The emotional and physical strain of caring for a frail older relative is often exacerbated by worries over paying for care, particularly for nursing homes.

Research has shown that some caregivers must quit their jobs to give care, while others experience increased absenteeism, lower productivity at work, lost career opportunities, and loss of future earnings. American Society on Aging

A unique feature of respite care is the help it offers to both the caregiver and the care recipient.

Respite care can allow time to go to the doctor or the grocery store, participate in a support group, or attend a class to learn caregiving skills.

Researchers have suggested that respite care can relieve the burden of the caregiving situation and allow families to continue to care for loved ones who would otherwise be placed in a nursing home.

For More Information

Working in close partnership with its sister agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the AoA is the official Federal agency dedicated to policy development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers. The AoA works through the national aging network of 56 State Units on Aging, 655 Area Agencies on Aging, 236 Tribal and Native organizations representing 300 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal organizations, and two organizations serving Native Hawaiians, plus thousands of service providers, adult care centers, caregivers, and volunteers. For more information about the AoA, please contact:

U.S. Administration on Aging
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201

Phone: (202) 619-0724
Fax: (202) 357-3560
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.aoa.gov
Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET