Caregiver Navigation Services

USAging, in partnership with ADvancing States, the National Resource Center on Native American Aging, Family Caregiver Alliance, and Scripps Gerontology Center, is leading a national effort to strengthen caregiver navigator services within Older Americans Act (OAA)-funded Title III-E and VI-C programs through ACL’s National Caregiver Support Collaborative. This initiative aims to improve the Aging Network’s ability to help caregivers access the resources they need to support their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being.

With over 53 million Americans providing unpaid care to family members, friends, and loved ones, caregivers often face significant emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Many struggle to navigate the complex systems of support available, leaving them overwhelmed. This project addresses these barriers by developing and scaling effective caregiver navigation services that connect caregivers to vital resources at the right time and in the right way.

Through a phased approach, the project will assess the landscape of caregiver navigator services in OAA programs to identify gaps, best practices and opportunities for growth. It will test and evaluate innovative navigation models in pilot programs, focusing on welcoming settings and populations. The most successful models will be packaged into toolkits and training resources, ensuring widespread adoption across the Aging Network.

By strengthening the capacity of the Aging Network, this program will empower caregivers to continue providing essential care while improving their quality of life and the well-being of those they care for.

Project Lead
Sara Maloney, Director