✔ Backed by: Administration for Community Living (ACL) · USAging. Each fact links to its source, and the full list is at the bottom of this post.
If it is an emergency, call 911 first. The Eldercare Locator helps you find local services. It is not for urgent help.
When you or an older loved one needs help, it can be hard to know who to call. Maybe your dad has stopped driving and needs rides to the doctor. Maybe your neighbor is struggling to cook meals. Maybe you are caring for your mom and feel worn out. Each of these needs feels different, but they often start with the same question: “Where do I even begin?” The Eldercare Locator can help you answer it.
For many families, a good first call is the Eldercare Locator. It is a public service of the Administration for Community Living, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [1]. It connects older adults and their families with services in their own community [1].
What the Eldercare Locator is
The Eldercare Locator launched in 1991. It is a national information and referral resource for older adults and people with disabilities [2]. It is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, part of the Administration for Community Living, and run by a group called USAging [2]. It handles about 400,000 requests for help each year [2]. That means you are far from the only person asking for help, and there is no reason to feel shy about calling.
Think of the Locator as a friendly switchboard. You tell the staff what is going on and where the person lives. They point you to the local office or program most likely to help.
What kinds of help it can point you to
The Locator answers questions about transportation, housing, benefits, and home and community-based services [2]. Most callers are referred to one of more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging or nearly 300 Native American aging programs. Staff may also refer you to state and federal agencies and nonprofits [2].
An Area Agency on Aging, often called a “Triple A,” is a public or private nonprofit agency picked by the state to address the needs of older people in a certain area [3]. That area might be a city, a single county, or a group of counties. Local names can vary, so yours might not even have “Area Agency on Aging” in its name [3]. That is one reason the Locator is so handy. It does the detective work for you.
These agencies coordinate and offer services such as home-delivered meals and homemaker help. The goal is to help older adults stay in their homes if that is what they prefer [3]. What is offered, and who qualifies, can be different from one area to the next. So it is always worth asking about cost, waitlists, and rules.
Help for family caregivers, too
If you are the one doing the caring, you matter here as well. The National Family Caregiver Support Program gives grants to states and territories to fund caregiver supports [4]. These can include information, help getting services, counseling, training, support groups, and respite care, which is a short break from caregiving [4].
The program can serve family members and other unpaid caregivers of people age 60 and older. It can also serve caregivers of people of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition, and relatives age 55 and older who are raising children [4]. Programs vary by state, so ask what is available near you.
You can say: “I am caring for my mother, and I am exhausted. Are there programs that can give me a break?”
How to reach the Eldercare Locator
You can call 1-800-677-1116 to talk with or send a text message to trained staff [1]. The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time [2]. If talking on the phone is hard for you, the website at eldercare.acl.gov lets you search for help by location or chat online with staff. You can also email eldercarelocator@usaging.org [1].
Get ready before you call
A little prep can make your call faster and more useful. Start by knowing the city, county, or ZIP code where the older adult lives. Services are local, so the address matters more than where you live. Next, think about the top one or two needs before you call the Eldercare Locator. It is easier for staff to help with “rides to dialysis three times a week” than with “everything is hard right now,” even though both may be true.
Keep paper and a pen nearby so you can write down names, phone numbers, and next steps. And if you are calling for someone else, ask them first if that is okay. Older adults have the right to make their own choices, and they often feel more open to help when they are part of the plan.
Tru-Tips: Keep a simple “help log” in a notebook. Write the date, who you talked to, their phone number, and what they said they would do. If you do not hear back, you will know exactly who to call and what was promised.
Questions to ask
When you reach a person, these questions can help you get clear answers:
- “Which Area Agency on Aging serves this address?”
- “What help is there for meals, rides, or in-home support?”
- “Is there a waitlist, a cost, or any rule I should know about?”
- “Are there programs for family caregivers who need a break?”
- “Who should I call if I do not hear back?”
Do not worry if the first answer is not the perfect fit. Sometimes it takes two or three calls to find the right program. Each call usually gets you a little closer.
Let’s talk about it
Have you ever used the Eldercare Locator or your local Area Agency on Aging? What tip would you share with someone making that first call? Tell us in the comments.
One Tru Step: Save 1-800-677-1116 in your phone as “Eldercare Locator” today, so it is ready when you or someone you care about needs it.
Sources and further reading
- Administration for Community Living — Eldercare Locator
- USAging — Eldercare Locator
- Administration for Community Living — Area Agencies on Aging
- Administration for Community Living — National Family Caregiver Support Program
Sources checked October 15, 2026. General education; individual care and coverage questions require an appropriate professional.
Related Health Hubs
Join the conversation 💬
This is your space. Share a tip that helped you, ask the question you have been wondering about, or cheer on someone going through the same thing. Your comment shows up right away, and no account is needed.
Our house rules (they keep this a feel-good spot): Be kind. Stay on topic. Keep it free of religion, politics, and anything hurtful. Comments that break these rules are removed.
Protect your privacy: Use a first name or nickname, and skip full names, phone numbers, and personal health details.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.