The numbers at a glance
If you read nothing else, keep these on your phone. Every number below was checked in July 2026 on our Get Help page, but hours can change, so confirm before you depend on one.
| Helpline | Number | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Eldercare Locator | 1-800-677-1116 | Finding local senior services (Mon–Fri) |
| 211 | Dial 211 | Food, housing, utilities, rides, local help (24/7) |
| Alzheimer’s Association Helpline | 1-800-272-3900 | Memory loss and dementia care (24/7) |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988 | Emotional crisis, yours or theirs (24/7) |
| Medicare | 1-800-633-4227 | Coverage, plans and claims (24/7) |
| Senior Medicare Patrol | 1-877-808-2468 | Medicare fraud and billing errors |
| Social Security | 1-800-772-1213 | Benefits and representative payee questions |
| National Elder Fraud Hotline | 1-833-372-8311 | Reporting a scam against someone 60 or older |
| American Cancer Society | 1-800-227-2345 | Cancer information and support (24/7) |
| Parkinson’s Foundation | 1-800-473-4636 | Parkinson’s care questions and local referrals |
Start here: finding help near your parent
Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116). This is a free service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living. Give them your parent’s ZIP code and describe what is going on, and they connect you to the local Area Agency on Aging and senior programs in that community. If you only make one call, make this one.
211. Dial three digits from any phone. 211 is a free, confidential service that connects people to local help with food, housing, utility bills, transportation and caregiver programs.
Hotlines for memory loss and health conditions
Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900). Staffed around the clock by trained clinicians. Call to talk through behavior changes, find local support groups, or ask about care options. It is a good call at 2 a.m. when the situation feels overwhelming.
Disease-specific lines. The American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345) and the Parkinson’s Foundation (1-800-473-4636) both run helplines for patients and families. If your parent has a specific diagnosis, the organization for that condition usually has the deepest resources.
Hotlines for Medicare, benefits and money
Medicare (1-800-633-4227). Official answers about what is covered, plan comparisons and claims. The line is staffed day and night.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Free one-on-one Medicare counseling from trained counselors in your state. They do not sell insurance.
Senior Medicare Patrol (1-877-808-2468). Helps you spot, stop and report Medicare fraud and billing errors.
Social Security (1-800-772-1213). Use it for benefits, changes in address or bank, and representative payee questions.
Hotlines for scams and elder fraud
Older adults are frequent targets of scams. If your parent has been a victim, or you suspect they are being targeted, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. A case manager helps report the crime and connects you to recovery resources. Act quickly: contact your parent’s bank as well, and tell them it is not their fault. Scammers are skilled and persistent.
For suspected neglect, abuse or exploitation by a caregiver or family member, contact your state’s Adult Protective Services. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Support for you, the caregiver
You matter in this too. These national organizations support the person doing the caring (visit their websites for current contact options):
- Family Caregiver Alliance: fact sheets and a state-by-state navigator of caregiver support programs.
- Caregiver Action Network: peer support and a caregiver help desk.
- ARCH National Respite Network: a respite locator to find short-term care so you can rest.
- Well Spouse Association: support groups for people caring for a husband, wife or partner.
- CaringBridge and Lotsa Helping Hands: free tools to keep family updated and organize practical help.
If you are feeling hopeless, exhausted or unsafe, call or text 988 any time.
How to get the most out of a helpline call
- Prepare a one-page summary of your parent’s situation, medications and doctors.
- Call early in the day for lines that have limited hours, and expect a wait.
- Ask three things: what can you do, what should I do next, and who else should I call?
- Write down the person’s name, the date and the advice.
- Follow up. If a referral does not work out, call back and ask for another.
Not sure which number fits? Our guide on who to call when an elderly parent needs help matches common situations to the right call.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one national hotline for family caregivers?
There is no single number that covers everything. The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) is the best general starting point because it connects you to local services, and 211 does the same for broader community help. Condition-specific helplines, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, fill in the rest.
Are these hotlines free to call?
The numbers listed are free to call. The programs they refer you to may have their own costs or eligibility rules, so ask about fees when you are given a referral.
What should I do if I cannot get through?
Try again at a different time of day, use the organization’s website if it offers online chat or a local office search, or dial 211 for a local alternative. If your parent is in danger, call 911 instead.
Where can I find help with caregiver burnout?
Start with the support organizations above, such as Family Caregiver Alliance and Caregiver Action Network, and ask your local Area Agency on Aging about respite care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Sources and further reading
For official, up-to-date information, start with these sources: