Resources and Support Services
Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you’re helping care for a family member with Alzheimer’s, or you’re a provider looking for more information, we can help.
Note: External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.
Resources
- Regional Chapters of the Alzheimer's Association
- Area Agencies on Aging in Texas
- Aging and Disability Resource Center
- Alzheimer's Texas
- Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County
Regional Chapters of the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association provides information and support for family caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and the public. Some of the programs they offer include a 24/7 Helpline; comprehensive information on risk factors; diagnosis and treatment options; day-to-day care; legal and financial planning; safety services and MedicAlert®+ Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®; current research; Association news releases; and referrals to local support groups.
- Houston & Southwest Texas
- San Antonio and South Texas
- Capital of Texas (Austin)
- Greater Dallas (Dallas)
- North Central Texas (Ft. Worth)
- West Texas (El Paso)
Area Agencies on Aging in Texas
The 28 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Texas provide support for people aged 60 and older, as well as their families and caregivers. They help you find and connect with services in your community. Some of the services they offer include:
- Information and Referrals: Get help finding services you need.
- Benefits Counseling: Learn about programs and legal assistance available to you.
- Care Coordination: Help managing care and organizing services.
- Caregiver Support: Resources for people taking care of loved ones.
- In-Home Support: Assistance with tasks to help you stay at home.
- Legal Awareness: Education about your rights and legal options.
- Nutrition Services: Access to meals and nutrition programs.
- Ombudsman Program: Advocates who help resolve issues in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Need more information? Call 1-800-252-9240 or visit the directory of Area Agencies on Aging online.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
It can be confusing to find help for older adults and people with disabilities. The Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) help families and caregivers find support services in their communities.
ADRCs help people in all 254 counties in the state. Find an ADRC near you or call 1-855-937-2372.
Alzheimer's Texas
Central Texas
Alzheimer’s Texas offers support for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, as well as their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. They provide many helpful programs, including:
- 24/7 Helpline: Call anytime for support and answers.
- Consultations: Get advice and guidance tailored to your situation.
- Education and Training: Learn more about Alzheimer’s and how to care for someone with dementia.
- Early Stage Support: Programs to assist people in the early stages of dementia.
- Caregiver Support: Help and resources for those taking care of loved ones.
- Community Respite Development: Programs to give caregivers a break.
Need help? Call 512-241-0420 or 1-800-367-2132. Visit their website to see all the programs they offer.
Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County
Tyler
The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County offers programs and services for people in Smith County who have dementia, their families, and the professionals who care for them. Here are some of the programs they provide:
- Caregiver support groups to help families and caregivers.
- Tracking program for individuals who may wander.
- Personal consultations with a social worker for guidance.
- Day respite program to give caregivers a break.
- Education programs about dementia and care.
- Free memory screenings to check memory health.
- Resource library with books and DVDs to learn more.
Call 903-509-8323 or visit their website to see all the programs they offer.
- Alzheimer's Association
- Alzheimers.gov
- Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center
- Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association provides information and support for family caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and the public. Some of the programs they offer include a 24/7 Helpline; comprehensive information on risk factors; diagnosis and treatment options; day-to-day care; legal and financial planning; safety services and MedicAlert®+ Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®; current research; Association news releases; and referrals to local support groups.
1-800-272-3900 - 24/7 Helpline
TDD: 1-866-403-3073
Alzheimers.gov
Alzheimers.gov is produced by the National Institute on Aging and provides information on Alzheimer's and other dementias, resources for people living with dementia and their family caregivers, and clinical trials.
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center
The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center provides current and comprehensive information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias from the National Institute on Aging. ADEAR can help with:
- Answering specific questions about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias;
- Free publications about symptoms, diagnosis, related disorders, risk factors, treatment, caregiving tips, home safety tips, and research;
- Referrals to local support services and research centers that specialize in research and diagnosis;
- Spanish language resources;
- Clinical trials information; and
- Information on advances in research.
Phone: 1-800-438-4380
Email: adear@nia.nih.gov
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America provides education and support to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families and caregivers. They provide a helpline 7 days a week staffed by licensed social workers trained in dementia care. Topics they can help with include:
- Signs and symptoms of dementia-related illnesses
- What to do if you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with a dementia-related illnesses
- How to speak with someone about memory problems
- Caring for a family member with a dementia-related illness
- Building a care team and support network
- Self-care for caregivers
- Finding local caregiving support services
- Handling behavioral changes
- Navigating communication among family members
- Brain health and wellness information
Phone: 866-232-8484
Text Message: 646-586-5283
- HHS Caregiver Support and Resources
- Take Time Texas
- AARP Caregiver Resource Center
- WellMed Caregiver SOS
- Caregiver Action Network
- Family Caregiver Alliance
HHS Caregiver Support and Resources
Caregivers provide important support for their loved ones, but there are times when they could use a helping hand. Learn more about Caregiver Support and Resources through Texas Health and Human Services.
Take Time Texas
Respite care is a rest or a break from providing care for others that gives caregivers a temporary break in their responsibilities to care for themselves. Visit Take Time Texas to learn more about respite care in your area.
AARP Caregiver Resource Center
Connect with experts and other caregivers and access a wealth of resources through the AARP Caregiver Resource Center.
WellMed Caregiver SOS
WellMed's Caregiver SOS supports caregivers with caregiver coaching, Caregiver Teleconnection, Stress-Busting Program and more. Learn more or speak to a caregiver support specialist by visiting their website or calling 1-866-390-6491.
Caregiver Action Network
Caregiver Action Network provides a wealth of information, including a family caregiver toolbox and a video resource center for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. The Caregiver Help Desk can be reached online or toll-free at 1-855-227-3640.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Family Caregiver Alliance is a support organization for family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, including dementia. Services include CareNav, a digital platform for accessing personalized tools and resources, and a locator map to find nearby support resources.
Reporting Abuse of Older Adults and Consumer Protection
- Texas Adult Protective Services
- Office of the Attorney General
- Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Personal Safety
Texas Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older over that is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be eligible to receive adult protective services.
Office of the Attorney General
Register complaints against businesses or report senior fraud through the Office of the Attorney General. The Senior Texans page includes information on consumer protection; common senior scams; rights of the elderly; and how to spot and report elder abuse and neglect.
Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-term care (LTC) ombudsmen are advocates for residents' rights. They help protect the quality of life and quality of care of anybody who lives in a nursing facility or an assisted living facility.
Ombudsmen can be volunteers or paid staff of agencies that are independent of any long-term care facility. Services are free, confidential and available statewide.
Call 1-800-252-2412 to speak with an LTC ombudsman in your area.
Wandering
Alzheimer’s disease causes people to lose their ability to recognize familiar places and faces. It’s common for a person living with dementia to wander or become lost or confused about their location, and it can happen at any stage of the disease. Learn more from the Alzheimer's Association about the risk of wandering and how to prevent it.
Silver Alert Program
The Silver Alert Program through the Texas Department of Public Safety sends out public alerts for missing older adults with a documented mental condition, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Project Lifesaver - Smith County
Project Lifesaver is a program offered by the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County in coordination with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Tyler Police Department. It is a proven tracking system based on radio technology that is responsible for the rescue of over 2,000 people to date in the United States.
- BenefitsCheckUp
- Texas Health Options
- Texas Medicare Helpline
- Own Your Future: Texas Long-Term Care Partnership
BenefitsCheckUp
A free service of the National Council on Aging, BenefitsCheckUp helps older adults and individuals with disabilities find and apply for benefits assistance programs in their area.
Texas Health Options
Texas Health Options is a State of Texas resource for understanding how to find and use health insurance.
Texas Medicare Helpline
If you are eligible for Medicare, the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program can help you enroll, find information, and provide counseling about your options.
Benefit counselors can help with:
- Medicare and Medicaid information and education.
- Help with original Medicare eligibility, enrollment, benefits, complaints, rights and appeals.
- Explain Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) insurance policy benefits and comparisons.
- Explain Medicare Advantage (Part C) and provide comparisons and help with enrollment and disenrollment.
- Explain Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) coverage, help compare plans and search for other prescription help.
- Information about long-term care insurance.
Call the Texas Medicare Helpline at 800-252-9240.
Own Your Future: Texas Long-Term Care Partnership
The Texas Long-Term Care Partnership was created by the Texas Legislature to give Texans the information and tools you need to plan for long-term care.
The Partnership is a collaborative effort between private long-term care insurance providers, their authorized agents, and state government agencies, including the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
- Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
- Vascular Dementia - American Stroke Association
- Dementia Society of America
- Lewy Body Dementia Association
- Young Dementia Network
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is the most common form of dementia for people under age 60. The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration offers resources such as:
- A helpline for guidance and resources and to connect with others in your area;
- In-person and online support groups for people with FTD and their care partners; and
- Resources and publications for every stage of the journey.
AFTD HelpLine: 866-507-7222 or info@theaftd.org
Vascular Dementia - American Stroke Association
Vascular dementia is commonly associated with left-hemisphere stroke, impacting reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes. The American Stroke Association provides information, care management, and caregiver support related to vascular dementia.
Dementia Society of America
The Dementia Society of America provides news, education, and resources on all forms of Dementia, sometimes also referred to medically as Major Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD).
Lewy Body Dementia Association
The Lewy Body Dementia Association provides outreach, education, and research to support those affected by Lewy body dementias, their families and friends.
Young Dementia Network
The Young Dementia Network is an online community of people living with young onset dementia, their family and friends, and professionals working in the health and social care and voluntary sectors.
For People Living With Alzheimer's Disease
For Family Caregivers
For Health Care Providers
For Public Health Professionals