This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.

State-by-State Elder Care Resources — Where to Call for Help

When you're trying to figure out what services your aging parent qualifies for, how to apply for Medicaid, or where to report suspected abuse at a nursing home, you often don't know where to start. You might call a general phone line and get transferred three times. You might search online and find outdated information. Worse, the resources available vary dramatically from state to state, and something that's covered in one state might not be available in another. Knowing where to look, though, makes everything feel less overwhelming.

This guide walks you through the four major resource systems you're likely to encounter. Every state has versions of these services, and once you know what to look for, you can find the specific contact information you need. These are the people and departments whose entire job is to help families like yours. They expect questions. They've answered them a thousand times before. There's no need to feel embarrassed or like you should already know these things.

Area Agencies on Aging: Your Local Starting Point for Almost Everything

Every state is divided into regions, and each region has an Area Agency on Aging (AAA). This is often the single best first call to make when you're trying to figure out where your parent fits in the care system. Area Agencies on Aging can tell you what services exist locally, help you understand eligibility, connect you with resources, and sometimes even help pay for services through state funding. They're not replacing Social Security or Medicaid—they're the local coordinator who knows what's actually available in your parent's area.

Area Agencies on Aging provide information about home care services, meal programs, transportation assistance, adult day programs, and housing options. They can help you understand long-term care planning and often have social workers who can sit down with you (sometimes free of charge) and talk through your parent's situation. If you don't know where to start, the Eldercare Locator website (1-800-677-1116) will connect you with your local Area Agency on Aging. Tell them what state and county your parent lives in, and they'll give you the phone number and address. This single call can save you hours of searching and frustration.

When you call your Area Agency on Aging, they might conduct an assessment to understand your parent's needs. They're not there to judge; they're trying to match your parent with appropriate services. They can explain the difference between what's available for free, what costs money, and what might be covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Having that conversation early, even if you don't need services immediately, can help you understand what's possible in your parent's area and plan accordingly.

State Medicaid Office: Understanding Eligibility and Coverage

Medicaid is jointly run by states and the federal government, which means eligibility rules, coverage, and application processes vary by state. Your parent's specific situation might qualify them in one state but not another. The State Medicaid Office is where you go to understand what your parent might qualify for, what the application process looks like, and what happens next. This matters because Medicaid often covers services that Medicare doesn't, particularly long-term care.

When you contact your State Medicaid Office, you can ask about income and asset limits, what kinds of care are covered (including long-term care in nursing homes), and how to apply. Some states have simplified applications for elderly people with low incomes. Others have special programs for working disabled adults or people transitioning from institutional care to home and community-based services. The office can also tell you whether your parent qualifies for emergency Medicaid coverage while an application is being processed, which matters if someone needs hospitalization or urgent care and might otherwise face enormous bills.

To find your state Medicaid office, search for "[your state] Medicaid" online or call 1-800-MEDICARE. They can connect you to your state's program. Be prepared to provide information about your parent's age, income, assets, and current living situation. Having recent financial documents handy—bank statements, property deed if applicable, Social Security statement,will help move things along and prevent back-and-forth communications that can delay approval.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Your Advocate Inside Care Facilities

If your parent lives in a skilled nursing facility, assisted living community, or other long-term care setting, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is your advocate. These are independent advocates,not employed by the facility,whose job is to protect the rights of residents and investigate complaints. If your parent has concerns about care quality, treatment, food, medication administration, or anything else, the ombudsman can investigate and advocate on their behalf.

The ombudsman program exists specifically because facilities are profit-driven enterprises and residents sometimes don't feel comfortable complaining. The ombudsman isn't trying to shut down facilities,they're trying to ensure that residents are treated fairly and that their rights are respected. They can review medical records, interview staff, and speak with your parent confidentially. They can help resolve disputes before they escalate to legal action or permanent harm.

You can contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman through your Area Agency on Aging, or search for "long-term care ombudsman" and your state name online. Some states have multiple ombudsmen covering different regions. When you call, explain your concern clearly. The ombudsman will determine if it's within their scope and what they can do to help. Many issues can be resolved with a conversation between the ombudsman and facility management. Having this neutral third party involved sometimes shifts conversations in a way that a family member alone cannot.

Adult Protective Services: Reporting Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

If you suspect your aging parent is being physically, emotionally, or financially abused, or if they're being neglected by a caregiver, Adult Protective Services (APS) is the agency that investigates these reports. Every state has an APS program, though the name and structure varies. In some states it's part of the Department of Social Services; in others it's within the Department of Aging. It doesn't matter,your call will get routed to the right place.

Adult Protective Services can investigate abuse by family members, professional caregivers, facility staff, or anyone else responsible for your parent's care. They can also investigate self-neglect if your parent is unable to care for themselves and refusing help. When you call to report, have specific details ready: what you've observed, when you observed it, and any evidence (visible injuries, unexplained financial transfers, changes in behavior). You can make a report anonymously in most states, and APS is required to investigate reports of abuse involving vulnerable elderly people.

To find your state's Adult Protective Services, search "[your state] Adult Protective Services" online or call your Area Agency on Aging. Some states have a centralized hotline; others require you to contact the county office where your parent lives. If there's immediate danger, call 911. For suspected financial exploitation, you might also involve law enforcement or the local district attorney's office, and APS can coordinate with those agencies.

Connecting the Dots Between These Systems

These four resource systems,Area Agencies on Aging, State Medicaid, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and Adult Protective Services,are designed to work together, even if they're technically separate agencies. When you call one, they often have relationships with the others and can help you connect. You don't need to figure out the entire system yourself. These professionals understand that families are often confused and overwhelmed, and they're used to pointing people in the right direction.

Start with your Area Agency on Aging if you're not sure where to begin. They know what exists locally and can help you understand what might work for your parent's situation. From there, you'll have better direction for contacting other services. Every call you make,whether to learn about services, apply for benefits, report a concern,is you being a good advocate for your parent.

How To Help Your Elders is an informational resource for families working through aging and elder care. We are not medical professionals, attorneys, or financial advisors. The information provided here is for educational purposes and should not replace professional consultation. Every family's situation is unique, and rules, costs, and availability vary by location and circumstance.