Family Caregiver Resources for Louisiana

Caregiving may be one of the most important, and challenging, roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.

AARP developed this family caregiver guide with you, the caregiver, in mind and as a starting point to help you find the services and support you might need throughout your journey.

To order a print copy of this online guide, call the toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and indicate which state(s) you would like to receive. A copy will be mailed to you.

General Resources

• Supporting Family Caregivers in Your State
  
  • AARP has a website dedicated to providing you with information about how we’re advocating for caregivers in your state.

• The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs (225-342-7100)
  
  • The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs provides services through a network of Area Agencies on Aging on a range of assistance for older adults and caregivers, including personal care, delivered meals, transportation, legal assistance and more.

• State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Information (225-342-7100 | 866-632-0922 toll-free | StateOmbudsman@la.gov)
  
  • Ombudsmen assist consumers in choosing a long-term care facility and help resolve complaints made by or on the behalf of residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care homes.

Health Resources

• Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) (225-927-7662)
  
  • LPCA is a nonprofit organization that represents 39 federally funded Community Health Center organizations across Louisiana. These organizations operate more than 295 individual sites and serve over 465,000 patients a year.

• Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health (225-342-9500)
  
  • The Louisiana behavioral health care system is operated by independent health care districts or authorities and provides accountability for all behavioral health care, including mental health treatment services and addictive disorders, for Louisiana citizens.

• Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health (225-342-9500)
  
  • The Office of Public Health protects and promotes the health of the communities of our state and operates more than 50 programs with staff in 63 parish health units, three specialty clinics and nine regional offices.

Home- and Community-Based Resources

• Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) (225-342-9500)
  
  • OAAS administers home and community services through various plan programs for individuals who are elderly or have disabilities, so they can remain in their homes and in the community.

• Louisiana Department of Health’s Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) (225-342-0095)
  
  • The Office for Citizens With Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) serves as the single point of entry into the developmental disabilities services system.

Financial Resources

• AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK
  
  • Find public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK tools

Legal Resources

• Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) (800-960-7705 toll-free)
  
  • DRLA works on behalf of all people with disabilities to combat all forms of discrimination, abuse and neglect through monitoring, investigations and legal action.

• Louisiana Legal Aid Services
  
  • This resource guide lists contact information for some of the legal aid service providers located throughout Louisiana. Legal aid services provide free or low-cost legal advice and/or representation for those unable to afford full-cost services

Workplace/Employer Resources

• Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
  
  • AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver-friendly workplace.

Transportation Resources

• The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (225-379-3060)
  
  • Select a parish from this interactive guide and learn about the availability of public transportation throughout Louisiana.

Housing Resources

• Louisiana Housing Corporation (225-763-8700 | 888-454-2001 toll-free)
  
  • The LHC allocates federal and state funds to support the development of affordable, energy-efficient housing for low- to moderate-income families.

• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) (844-698-9075 toll-free)
  
  • The Louisiana PSH program links affordable rental housing with individualized services to people with severe and complex disabilities, enabling them to live successfully in the community.

Advocacy Resources

• Live at Home Louisiana (225-276-1941 | liveathomela@gmail.com)
  
  • A coalition of organizations that advocates for home and community services to help people live where they want and receive the care they need.

Specific Audience Resources

• AARP Caregiving Guides 
  
  • AARP offers free caregiving guides for specific audiences, including guides for military families and LGBT individuals. The guides, also offered in Spanish and Chinese, are designed to help develop and implement a caregiving plan. 

Care for Caregivers

• Community Connections
  
  • AARP Community Connections is a new website that offers steps to find or give help. Organize online mutual aid groups to stay connected, share ideas, and help those in need.

• Create the Good
  
  • Create the Good connects you with volunteer opportunities and project ideas to share your life experiences, skills and passions in your community.

AARP Resources for Family Caregivers

• AARP Family Caregiving Website (en español: aarp.org/cuidar)
  
  • AARP’s Family Caregiving website is your one-stop shop for tips and tools to help you care for a loved one. It has valuable information about handling medical issues, health records and advance directives, home safety, financial and legal issues, caregiver life balance and much more.

• AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line (877-333-5885 toll-free, en español: 888-971-2013 toll-free)
  
  • Connect with a real person and learn how to access local resources via our toll-free family caregiving hotline.

• AARP Family Caregivers Facebook Group
  
  • Join the AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook to connect, ask questions and share ideas with other family caregivers.

• Community Resource Finder
  
  • Community Resource Finder, a joint service from the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP, is a database of dementia- and aging-related resources powered by Carelike. The online tool makes it easy to find local programs and services.

• I Heart Caregivers
  
  • Join the thousands of family caregivers who have shared their experiences through AARP’s storytelling initiative, I Heart Caregivers. Your story will help AARP continue to fight for more support for family caregivers.

• AARP Online Caregiving Community
  
  • Join our community and connect with other caregivers like you.

• AARP HomeFit Guide
  
  • The AARP HomeFit Guide can help individuals and families make their current or future residence age-friendly. It can also help elected officials, policymakers and local leaders learn about and advocate for the types of housing features and designs that communities need so that their residents can live safely and comfortably and thrive.

• National Resources for Family Caregivers
  
  • A listing of national agencies, groups and organizations that can connect family caregivers with direct services and supports.

If you have thoughts about how AARP can improve this resource guide, we invite you to go to aarp.org/preparetocaresurvey (en español: aarp.org/encuestacuidador).