Empowering Family Caregivers with Vital Resources

Caregiving is not easy  — but staying informed can make a real difference. Learn how Baltimore is helping women caregivers connect with vital city services that support families and transform lives.

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Caregiver Resources

Baltimore City Family Caregivers Program

The Baltimore City Family Caregivers Program, administered by the Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Aging & Community Support, delivers federally funded services under the National Family Caregiver Support Program (Title III‑E of the Older Americans Act). The program offers individual counseling, support groups, respite care, and caregiver training, plus supplemental services like home repairs, medical supplies, and legal aid—especially for those caring for older adults (60 +), relative caregivers (55 + caring for minors or adults with disabilities), or anyone providing unpaid family care.

Emergency Contacts
  • Maryland Access Point: 1-844-627-5465
  • Alzheimer's Association: 800-272-3900
  • Food, Housing & Utility Assistance: 211
  • Mental Health Assistance: Pro Bono Counseling WARMLine 410-598- 0234
  • Legal Assistance: Senior Legal Services - 410-396-1322
  • Baltimore Family Caregivers Program: 410-396- 1337
  • Emergency: 911 (for mental health emergency, ask for CIT certified officer)
  • Behavioral Crisis (Mental Health): 988
  • Adult Protective Services: 1-800-917-7383
  • Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Download: Documents for Caregivers
Are You a Caregiver?

Many people don’t self-identify as caregivers because they see the support they provide—such as helping a loved one with daily tasks, medical needs, or emotional support—as simply part of their role as a spouse, parent, child, or friend. They may view caregiving as a formal or professional responsibility rather than something they do out of love or obligation. As a result, they may overlook the physical, emotional, and financial demands they face, missing out on resources and support available specifically for caregivers.

Caregiver Quiz

Do you do any of the following for an older adult or disabled loved one?

  • Providing transportation to medical appointments, errands, or social outings
  • Assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Managing medications and ensuring proper dosage and timing
  • Preparing meals and helping with feeding
  • Managing finances, bills, and insurance paperwork
  • Coordinating healthcare and communicating with doctors or specialists
  • Assisting with mobility and using assistive devices
  • Providing emotional support and companionship
  • Handling household chores like cleaning, laundry, and shopping
  • Advocating for the care recipient’s needs and rights
  • Assisting with physical therapy or exercises as directed by a healthcare provider
  • Monitoring changes in health and responding to emergencies

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then you are a family caregiver and there are resources available for you!

Web Resources for Caregivers
Myths and Facts About Family Caregivers

Myth: Caregivers always live with the person they care for.

Fact: Many caregivers support loved ones from a distance—coordinating care, handling finances, and providing emotional support without living under the same roof.

Myth: You're no longer a caregiver if your loved one is in a facility or nursing home.

Fact: Family caregivers often stay actively involved, managing care decisions, advocating for their loved one, and offering ongoing emotional and practical support.

Myth: Only older adults become caregivers.

Fact: People of all ages—including teens and young adults—can be caregivers to parents, grandparents, siblings, or others in need.

Myth: Caregiving is always a full-time job.

Fact: Many caregivers provide care part-time, fitting it in around work, school, or other responsibilities.

Myth: You have to provide hands-on medical care to be considered a caregiver.

Fact: Caregiving includes many forms of support—like helping with meals, transportation, daily routines, or companionship—not just medical tasks.

Myth: Caregiving doesn’t require special skills.

Fact: Caregiving often involves complex tasks, such as managing medications, navigating healthcare systems, and handling emotional needs—skills that require learning, patience, and adaptability.

Myth: Good caregivers never get overwhelmed or frustrated.

Fact: It’s normal to feel stressed, tired, or even frustrated at times—especially when caring for someone you love. These feelings don’t make you a bad caregiver; they make you human.

Myth: Asking for help means you’re failing.

Fact: Reaching out for support—from family, friends, or professionals—is a sign of strength and a vital part of sustaining your own well-being as a caregiver.

The Importance of Respite Care

Burnout happens, and everyone needs a break!

Caring for a loved one can be emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausting. Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated does not mean that you are an unloving or unsupportive caregiver! Burnout is normal, natural, and something that all caregivers will experience at some point in their journey. Rather than allowing guilt and shame to come in, take these feelings as a sign that you should seek help and resources. Respite resources are available to give caregivers a safe place for their loved one to be taken care of, while they get a much-needed break.

What is respite care?

Respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers by offering short-term care services. This allows caregivers to take breaks, attend to personal needs, or simply rest and recharge.

Types of Respite Care

  • In-home respite care
  • Adult day care programs
  • Overnight respite care
  • Weekend respite programs
  • Emergency respite care
  • Recreational Respite Care

Preparing For Respite Care

To prepare for respite care, make a plan for the following items:

  • Medications and medical equipment
  • Personal Care Items
  • Comfort Items
  • Clothing
  • Emergency Contact List
  • Care Instructions

How to Access Respite Care

  • Contact Baltimore City Family Caregivers: 410-396-1337
  • Check with your insurance provider
  • Contact local Area Agency on Aging
  • Explore community-based organizations
Self Care for Caregivers

Caregiver Health Is Important

Healthy caregivers are better equipped—both physically and emotionally—to meet the complex needs of their loved ones. When caregivers neglect their own well-being, it can lead to burnout, stress, and health issues that ultimately compromise the quality of care they’re able to provide. Prioritizing mental and physical health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. This includes getting regular medical check-ups, setting aside time for rest and self-care, seeking support when needed, and engaging in activities that promote emotional balance. When caregivers take care of themselves, they’re not only protecting their own health—they’re also ensuring they can continue to show up for their loved ones in a sustainable and compassionate way.

The Family Caregiver Program's Powerful Tools for Caregivers Workshop can help you with the tools you need to be your best self as a caregiver.

Signs you may need support:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or stressed
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Change in appetite
  • Feeling isolated or alone
  • Increased irritability
  • Physical health problems
  • Difficulty concentrating

Making a self-care plan

Make a plan for taking care of yourself before burnout happens! Use the questions below to guide you in forming your self-care plan.

  • How do I know when I need a break? What do I feel in my body? How do I feel emotionally?
  • Who can I call for help? Who is my support person? Who is my backup support person?
  • What activities help me feel calm, grounded and refreshed?
  • Who can I call to talk through tough feelings?
  • Who can I call to help with chores or caregiving tasks?
  • Who can I call to take me out for a day to relax?
  • What are some simple pleasures I can treat myself to?
  • What are some times that I can set aside for myself  regularly (at least weekly) to take a break from caregiving and focus on myself?
  • Are there any spiritual practices that help me through difficult moments?
  • What tasks can I delegate or simplify (meals, errands, paperwork)?

Self-care strategies

  • Take breaks regularly
  • Accept help from others
  • Join a support group
  • Maintain social connections
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat nutritious meals
  • Get adequate sleep
  • Practice relaxation techniques
  • Seek professional counseling
  • Use respite care services
  • Feeling guilty or inadequate
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Financial stress
Common Caregiver Challenges

Sudden/Unexpected Caregiving Responsibilities

Anyone can become a caregiver at any time.

Anyone can become a caregiver at any moment—caregiving is not limited to a specific age, gender, or background. Disabilities, illnesses, and aging-related needs can arise suddenly and unexpectedly, transforming the lives of individuals and their families overnight. Whether it's caring for a parent, partner, child, or friend, the need for support can come without warning. At the same time, every person will likely require care at some point in their own life. Recognizing this shared human experience reminds us that caregiving is a universal issue, one that calls for compassion, preparation, and systems that support both caregivers and those they care for.

Feelings of Isolation

Community is important for caregivers.

Caregiving can often feel like a lonely journey, especially when the emotional, physical, and logistical demands go unseen by others. Despite the fact that millions of people are caregivers—providing essential support to aging parents, children with disabilities, or loved ones with chronic illness—this critical role often exists in the shadows, unrecognized as the vital labor it is. The isolation caregivers experience can take a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. That’s why caregiver support groups and services are so important: they offer a space to connect, share stories, exchange advice, and build a sense of community. Finding others who truly understand the experience helps caregivers feel less alone and more empowered in their role.

Shifting Roles

Caregiving can shift roles in family dynamics, and sometimes that comes with friction.

Caregiving often brings unexpected shifts in family dynamics that can be emotionally complex for everyone involved. For example, when an adult child becomes the caregiver for a parent, both may struggle with the reversal of roles—parents may find it difficult to accept help or relinquish control, while children may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about stepping into a caretaker position. These shifts can lead to tension, frustration, or guilt on both sides. Navigating these changes with compassion, open communication, and mutual respect is essential. Offering grace, patience, and nonjudgmental support can ease the transition and help families adapt in a way that preserves dignity and strengthens their bonds.

The Baltimore City Family Caregiver can help you find support groups and community for your caregiving journey!

Caregiver Allies: Support Caregivers in Your Communities

Caregivers are essential to the health of communities. 

Caregivers are the backbone of our communities, providing essential, often invisible labor that sustains the health and wellbeing of countless individuals. Every day, caregivers deliver millions of dollars’ worth of unpaid services—managing medications, providing transportation, coordinating care, assisting with daily tasks—all of which ease the burden on hospitals, clinics, and social service systems. Without this critical support, our healthcare and long-term care infrastructure would be overwhelmed. The contributions of caregivers extend far beyond individual families; they strengthen the fabric of society, helping loved ones remain in their homes, preserving dignity, and fostering resilience across generations. Your work is not only compassionate—it’s vital.

Supporting Caregivers in Your Community

  • Check in regularly — A simple “How are you really doing?” can mean a lot.
  • Offer tangible help — Run errands, provide a meal, or give respite time.
  • Be a good listener — Hold space without judgment or advice unless asked.
  • Advocate for caregiver rights — Support workplace flexibility and community resources.
  • Encourage self-care — Gently remind caregivers it’s okay to take time for themselves.
  • Host an event- You or your organization can host a support group, educational event, or appreciation event!

Spread awareness — Share helpful resources like the ones on this website with friends, family, and social networks!