Florida Caregiver Programs: Where to Start and Who to Call
One screening call can sort respite, home-care, dementia, meal, transportation, and long-term-care options.
Start here
Call Florida’s Elder Helpline at 800-963-5337 and ask for the Aging and Disability Resource Center serving the care recipient’s county. Request a broad needs screening rather than asking about only one program.
What to have in front of you
- Care recipient’s age, county, and living arrangement
- Help needed with bathing, dressing, meals, medicines, mobility, memory, or supervision
- Caregiver schedule and what is becoming unsafe
- Income and insurance basics for screening
- Recent falls, hospitalization, wandering, shutoff, or caregiver loss
What to say when someone answers
“I am caring for someone in [county] and need a screening across respite, in-home help, meals, transportation, dementia support, and long-term-care programs.”
Small but useful: Write down the person’s name, the date, the exact next step, and when you should call again.
Do this in order
- 1
Describe the hardest unsafe task first.
- 2
Ask which caregiver and elder programs the ADRC screens for.
- 3
Write down whether each referral is an application, assessment, or waiting list.
- 4
Ask what urgent change should trigger reassessment.
What happens next
The ADRC provides information, screening, and referrals. Services may be prioritized by need and funding, and separate programs can have separate lists.
If they say “we’ll put you on the list”
Ask what can start sooner while a larger program is pending—meals, respite, caregiver training, transportation, adult day care, or a new screening after a major change.
Official sources
- Florida Aging and Disability Resource Centers
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs — programs and services
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs — caregiver support
Checked August 23, 2026. Programs, hours, funding, and enrollment lists can change. Confirm details directly before relying on them.