IL Dept on Aging — Free Family Caregiver Support — Statewide Illinois
The Illinois Department on Aging coordinates the state’s Caregiver Support Program in partnership with 13 Area Agencies on Aging serving every county across Illinois. Through this network, family caregivers across the state can access free support groups, evidence-based education programs, respite care, and one-on-one counseling. The Caregiver Support Program received $4.7 million in federal funding to build out basic services for family caregivers across the state.
What to Expect
The 13 Illinois Area Agencies on Aging fund and coordinate a range of free caregiver services in their regions. Caregivers can access support groups facilitated by local providers, evidence-based education programs including Savvy Caregiver® and the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers™, individual counseling, and gap-filling services like respite vouchers and supplemental supports. Family and Caregiver Resource Centers across the state serve as local hubs where caregivers can complete an assessment, get matched to services, and join ongoing support groups in their community.
Who This Group Is For
The Caregiver Support Program serves Illinois family caregivers age 18 or older who are providing care to someone age 60 or older, or to a person of any age with dementia. The program also supports grandparents and older relatives raising children. Members include adult children, spouses, partners, siblings, and friends. Services are open regardless of income for support groups and education programs; respite reimbursement may include income guidelines.
Why Peer Support Works
Illinois is one of the country’s most diverse states geographically and culturally — dense urban Chicago, mid-size cities like Rockford and Peoria, and rural counties across the state. The Caregiver Support Program’s network model means caregivers can find local peer support no matter where they live, while drawing on statewide evidence-based programs that have been refined through research. Sitting with other caregivers in your own community — and accessing high-quality education — is a strong combination for sustaining the long work of family caregiving.
How to Join
To find your local Area Agency on Aging and the closest Family and Caregiver Resource Center, visit ilaging.illinois.gov/programs/caregiver or call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966. The Senior HelpLine can connect caregivers to local support groups, education programs, respite resources, and other Illinois aging services.