There are many types of help available. The type of help you need and want will determine the best person/agency/hotline to contact. The links to the left will give you information that can help you decide the best agency to call.
Alzheimer's Association
Caregiving for anyone who has Alzheimer's is challenging. The national Alzheimer's Association is set up to assist you. There are also local chapters which are more familiar with local resources.
Alzheimer's Association Nationwide 24 Hour Contact Center Helpline
1-800-272-3900
Assistive Technology Specialists
In North Carolina, there are Assistive Technology Specialists available to provide hands-on demonstrations of the types of assistive devices available and to help you find and arrange for assistance.
Assistive technology is any piece of equipment or any device that can be used to increase independence by making everyday living easier and more convenient for a person with a disability or limited functioning. They are "tools" which people with disabilities use for living, learning, working and playing. These tools can be wheelchairs, augmentative communication devices, prostheses, computers, visual aids, adapted toys,sports equipment, etc.
Caregiver Specialists
A caregiver specialist is trained to know how to assist:
- family caregivers of older adults
- an older adult caring for his or her spouse
- an older adult caring for a disabled family member over 18
- grandparents caring for grandchildren
and to know of local, state, and national resources available to assist them. Region J's local aging services providers (like a Council on Aging) have one on staff. Triangle J Area Agency on Aging also has a caregiver specialist on staff.
Careline and NC careLink
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers a toll-free information and referral number. Information and Referral Specialists provide information and referrals regarding human services in government and non-profit agencies. There is a bilingual specialist for Spanish-speaking callers and TDD for callers with hearing impairment. A database of over 10,000 agencies across North Carolina is available to staff who are assisting callers.
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1-800-662-7030 (English/Spanish)
1-877-452-2514 (TTY)
855-4400 (English/Spanish local)
919-733-4851 (TTY local)
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They now have an online searchable database available to anyone. You specify your geographical area and then choose the service you seek. A description, contact details, and location details about all available service providers are returned. They have a City-County Directory and Service Dictionary can help you choose your search criteria.
Community Resource Connections in North Carolina
North Carolina Aging and Disability Resource Centers are called "Community Resource Connections for Aging and Disabilities" (CRC). The NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, NC careLINK, and the NC Division of Health and Human Services' Office of Long-Term Services and Supports are all working together with the aging and disability networks to provide seamless and hassle-free access to services and assistance for those in need. They support Person Centered Care and easy access to services.
These access points of service and information are available in some North Carolina counties now.
Department of Social Services
Your local DSS offers many services such as state sponsored Medicaid, Adult Protective Services, Food Stamps, help for low income individuals such as financial support and help with locating work, etc. If you need help paying your bills or you need help for someone living in an assisted living facility, the local DSS is a good place to start.
Disease Specific Organizations
Many organizations and associations have been started to assist individuals that have a specific disease or problem. Many are structured to know about what resources are available specific to their interest and many have toll-free numbers to call to contact them.
Division of Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired
The North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired provides many services to help the blind and visually impaired function as independently as possible within the community.
Division of Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
The North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing is a part of state government that provides interpreter services, advocacy, access to technology and coordination of human services for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Eldercare Locator & Services Outside NC
If you are a long-distance caregiver or if you are an older adult thinking about moving to another state, you may need to either access or find out about services there. There are two good ways to do that.
The first is to use the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging's Eldercare Locator Database. They can connect you with Area Agencies nationwide.
Another way is to use our caregiver website, Full Circle of Care. On this site, we offer a "states page" for each state in the United States. We offer direct links and contact information for the state aging agency, area agencies, caregiver resources, insurance assistance, ombudsmen, pharmacy assistance, Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran's, etc.
Information and Assistance Specialists
An I&A specialist is a person familiar with local county resources available to help older adults and family caregivers of older adults. Region J's local aging services providers (like a Council on Aging) have one on staff.
Local Aging Services Providers
Region J's local aging services providers contract with Triangle J Area Agency on Aging to provide older adults with a wide array of services and opportunities. Each service provided through this agreement has a set of service standards to ensure quality and appropriateness.
Ombudsmen
Ombudsmen are advocates on behalf of long-term care facility residents.
Veteran's Administration
Our country offers benefits to Veterans in honor of their service.
On our caregiver website, we offer information about these benefits at both the federal and state level including direct links for access.
211
The 211 United Way service provides callers with referrals to a variety of available local services in many areas such as: Basic Human Needs; Physical and Mental Health; Work Supports; Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities; and Children, Youth and Family.
This service is multi-lingual and confidential; you can access it any time of the day or night. They assist you by using a database to identify local agencies providing services that you might need. It is available to people needing referrals in Chatham, Durham, Lee, Orange, and Wake counties in the Region J area. Services are available in other areas outside Region J.