A nationwide helpline is growing, but caregivers say it’s still not enough
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Many Americans are quietly carrying a heavy burden every day. While help is technically available, some say it's just out of reach.
For millions across the country, being the one to care for a loved one has meant giving up nearly everything—including work, income, and even their own well-being.
They’re not looking for sympathy. They’re looking for support that actually works.
One mother, Jami Chapple, raising a neurodivergent child knows this struggle firsthand. Now 54, she finds herself out of work, behind on rent and utilities, and still unable to accept employment because her child requires round-the-clock attention.
She turned to a national helpline meant to support people in crisis. While it once gave her dozens of helpful resources, this time the outcome was different.
The 211 helpline, created to connect people to food, housing, healthcare, and other support services, is available to tens of millions of Americans. But for those acting as full-time caregivers—many of whom don’t even realize they qualify as such—help can still be painfully hard to find.
“I’m lucky if I get like a shower or two a week,” the mother said.
She called 211 again recently. But the referrals she received either didn’t apply to her or were located too far away to be practical.
As of this year, the program is expanding to ten more states and Puerto Rico.
But with an estimated 53 million caregivers in the US, according to a report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, it’s clear that scaling up is not the same as keeping up.
Bob Stephen, Vice President of Health Security Programming at AARP, warned that even these well-intentioned programs may fall short if the services they refer people to begin drying up.
That’s a growing concern, especially as policymakers consider federal budget cuts that could slash Medicaid funding.
Nancy LeaMond, AARP's Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, said those cuts would especially impact caregivers under age 65—who are often unable to meet proposed work requirements due to their caregiving responsibilities.
“It’s amazing how much information people share,” said Heather Black, Vice President of 211 System Strategy at United Way Worldwide.
For example, if someone says they drive their parent to medical appointments or handle their food needs, that can be enough for call takers to connect them to specialized services—such as respite care, transportation, or meal delivery programs.
These kinds of calls are not uncommon. Of the nearly 17 million calls made to 211 last year, the most common requests were for food, housing, and utility assistance.
And while 211 can help people in crisis get immediate relief, there’s a limit to what it can offer when local programs are underfunded or unavailable.
“We're the triage,” Black explained. But as any emergency room doctor knows—triage only goes so far without treatment to follow.
But many programs require long, drawn-out applications—something most full-time caregivers don’t have the bandwidth to manage.
“There is an immense amount of time wasted for caregivers on forms,” she said. “Filling out forms, phone calls, research, paperwork, interviews with the health agencies and even just the emotional preparation to do those things is sometimes distressing.”
And unlike some caregivers who can rely on extended family for help, she said she’s doing it all on her own.
If funding for these is reduced, people in crisis may hear a very different answer when they call in the future.
“211 is going to be more critical,” Stephen said. “Because people aren’t going to really understand what is still there.”
The emotional toll is high. The Wyoming caregiver said she’s already given up many things that once brought her joy—like writing songs or taking a long bath.
These days, her only moments of relief come from short breaks spent alone in her car, listening to music. “There’s no time for us,” she said. “There’s no time for self-care.”
Read more:
For millions across the country, being the one to care for a loved one has meant giving up nearly everything—including work, income, and even their own well-being.
They’re not looking for sympathy. They’re looking for support that actually works.
One mother, Jami Chapple, raising a neurodivergent child knows this struggle firsthand. Now 54, she finds herself out of work, behind on rent and utilities, and still unable to accept employment because her child requires round-the-clock attention.
She turned to a national helpline meant to support people in crisis. While it once gave her dozens of helpful resources, this time the outcome was different.
The 211 helpline, created to connect people to food, housing, healthcare, and other support services, is available to tens of millions of Americans. But for those acting as full-time caregivers—many of whom don’t even realize they qualify as such—help can still be painfully hard to find.
“I’m lucky if I get like a shower or two a week,” the mother said.
She called 211 again recently. But the referrals she received either didn’t apply to her or were located too far away to be practical.
One mother finds herself out of work, behind on rent and utilities, and still unable to accept employment because her child requires round-the-clock attention. Image source: Xavier Mouton Photographie / Unsplash
More caregivers are calling for help, but services can’t always keep up
211 is run in partnership with United Way Worldwide, and since 2021, it has included a Caregiver Support Program. This program has helped over a million people in six states—including Florida, Texas, and Michigan—by offering direct assistance, website tools, and referrals.As of this year, the program is expanding to ten more states and Puerto Rico.
But with an estimated 53 million caregivers in the US, according to a report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, it’s clear that scaling up is not the same as keeping up.
Bob Stephen, Vice President of Health Security Programming at AARP, warned that even these well-intentioned programs may fall short if the services they refer people to begin drying up.
That’s a growing concern, especially as policymakers consider federal budget cuts that could slash Medicaid funding.
Nancy LeaMond, AARP's Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, said those cuts would especially impact caregivers under age 65—who are often unable to meet proposed work requirements due to their caregiving responsibilities.
How 211 tries to help—without using the word “caregiver”
Many people who care for others don’t even know they count as caregivers. That’s why 211 call takers are trained to ask questions that reveal caregiving roles without directly naming them.“It’s amazing how much information people share,” said Heather Black, Vice President of 211 System Strategy at United Way Worldwide.
For example, if someone says they drive their parent to medical appointments or handle their food needs, that can be enough for call takers to connect them to specialized services—such as respite care, transportation, or meal delivery programs.
These kinds of calls are not uncommon. Of the nearly 17 million calls made to 211 last year, the most common requests were for food, housing, and utility assistance.
And while 211 can help people in crisis get immediate relief, there’s a limit to what it can offer when local programs are underfunded or unavailable.
“We're the triage,” Black explained. But as any emergency room doctor knows—triage only goes so far without treatment to follow.
Even simple tasks become overwhelming for caregivers
The mother from Wyoming said that her biggest challenges right now are finding work that accommodates her schedule and getting rent assistance.But many programs require long, drawn-out applications—something most full-time caregivers don’t have the bandwidth to manage.
“There is an immense amount of time wasted for caregivers on forms,” she said. “Filling out forms, phone calls, research, paperwork, interviews with the health agencies and even just the emotional preparation to do those things is sometimes distressing.”
And unlike some caregivers who can rely on extended family for help, she said she’s doing it all on her own.
Support networks may shrink if federal cuts move forward
The 211 helpline itself does not rely on federal dollars. But the programs it refers people to—such as Medicaid, housing subsidies, and food assistance—largely do.If funding for these is reduced, people in crisis may hear a very different answer when they call in the future.
“211 is going to be more critical,” Stephen said. “Because people aren’t going to really understand what is still there.”
The emotional toll is high. The Wyoming caregiver said she’s already given up many things that once brought her joy—like writing songs or taking a long bath.
These days, her only moments of relief come from short breaks spent alone in her car, listening to music. “There’s no time for us,” she said. “There’s no time for self-care.”
Read more:
- A caregiving crisis is growing across the US—here’s what families need to know now
- Caregiver burnout is real—here’s how to recognize the signs and protect your well-being
