Looking for help can feel like a maze. One office sends you to another. Then that one sends you somewhere else.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers were created to make that process easier. They help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers figure out what services are available and where to start.
Here is what they do, who can use them, and how to find one near you.
What Is an ADRC?
An Aging and Disability Resource Center, or ADRC, is a local resource that helps people find long-term services and supports.
According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), ADRCs provide reliable, unbiased information and counseling to people at all income levels.
Long-term services and supports is the official term for help with everyday activities, such as personal care, meals, transportation, and assistance at home.
ADRCs are part of a larger approach called No Wrong Door. This is a collaboration among ACL, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Veterans Health Administration.
The goal is to make it easier to find help, regardless of which participating agency you contact first.
Your state may not actually call its program an ADRC. ACL explains that each state’s system is different, so the names and services can vary.
In some communities, an Area Agency on Aging also performs ADRC functions. That means an organization you already know may be able to help you find additional services.
What Can an ADRC Do for You?
An ADRC helps you understand what assistance exists and which programs might fit your situation.
According to ACL’s description of ADRCs, these centers offer information, referrals, counseling, and assistance connecting with long-term services and supports.
Depending on your local center, that may include help finding:
- Personal care or other support at home.
- Meal programs and food assistance.
- Transportation to appointments and essential errands.
- Community programs for older adults or people with disabilities.
- Long-term care services and support for caregivers.
Many ADRCs also offer options counseling. This is one-on-one guidance to help you compare available services and decide what works for your needs.
The process is intended to be centered on your choices. Rather than simply handing you a list of agencies, staff may help you explore a combination of paid services, community programs, and support from people you trust.
Some ADRCs can also help with applications.
For example, ACL explains that Medicaid applications can be submitted through an ADRC in many states.
However, an ADRC does not automatically approve Medicaid benefits. The responsible Medicaid agency determines eligibility under the applicable rules.
In general, ADRCs help people find and access assistance. They are not programs that automatically provide cash payments or pay household bills.
Who Can Use an ADRC?
ADRCs serve older adults, people with disabilities, and their families or caregivers.
The No Wrong Door approach is designed to connect people with information about long-term services and supports regardless of age, disability, or income.
That means you do not necessarily have to be a senior to ask for help.
For example, a younger adult with a disability may need help finding transportation or support with daily activities. An older adult may need assistance locating meal services or care at home.
ADRCs are not exclusively autism-specific programs. However, autistic adults and their caregivers can ask about disability services and organizations that may be appropriate for their needs.
You can also contact an ADRC for yourself. You do not need a family member to make the first call.
If you prefer having someone you trust help you explain your situation or keep track of information, you can ask whether that person can join the conversation.
How Do You Find Your Local ADRC?
There are two good places to start.
1. Use ACL’s Find Help Directory
Visit ACL’s No Wrong Door Find Help page.
Find your state and follow the listed website or contact information. Some states have different agencies or contact numbers for different regions.
Because states organize their systems differently, you may see a name other than Aging and Disability Resource Center.
2. Try the Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator is a national resource supported by ACL that helps people find local aging services.
You can use its website or contact its information specialists by phone, text, or online chat.
ACL lists specialist availability as Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Eldercare Locator includes contact information for many ADRCs, although not every center is listed.
If you cannot find an ADRC through the Locator, try your state’s No Wrong Door directory.
Another Option for People With Disabilities
If you are looking for disability-related resources, especially if you are younger than 60, you can also try the Disability Information and Access Locator (DIAL).
DIAL helps people with disabilities, families, and caregivers connect with organizations that support independent living.
Those organizations may include Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
According to ACL, Centers for Independent Living provide five core services:
- Information and referrals.
- Independent living skills training.
- Peer counseling and support.
- Individual and systems advocacy.
- Services that help people transition into or remain in community-based living.
ACL also reports that approximately two-thirds of CIL staff are people with disabilities.
A Center for Independent Living is not necessarily the same organization as an ADRC, but it can be another useful place to ask for help.
What Should You Have Ready for the First Call?
You do not need to gather a stack of paperwork just to ask where to start.
However, a little preparation can make the conversation easier.
Write down the biggest challenges you are dealing with right now. For example:
- Getting to medical appointments or the grocery store.
- Preparing meals or managing household tasks.
- Bathing, dressing, or other daily activities.
- Finding someone to help at home.
- Understanding which care or community programs you might qualify for.
It may also help to note which services you already receive and whether a family member, friend, or caregiver assists you.
You can ask the ADRC what information or documents would be needed for any specific program it recommends.
If phone calls are difficult, check whether your state or local agency offers email, online contact forms, or other ways to communicate.
You can also ask for a written summary of the programs discussed and the next steps. That can make it easier to follow up later.
What Are the Limits of ADRC Assistance?
An ADRC can help you find options, but it cannot guarantee that you will qualify for a particular program or receive services immediately.
Some programs have income limits, assessments, waiting lists, or other eligibility requirements.
The services available may also depend on your state, county, or local provider.
Another important question is cost.
ACL’s general ADRC information does not establish that every service offered through every local center is free. Before using a service, ask whether the counseling or referral itself has a fee and whether any recommended programs charge separately.
It is also worth asking whether the ADRC can help with applications or whether you will need to contact each organization yourself.
The goal is to help you understand your options, even when the center cannot provide the services directly.
Relief Recap
Finding help with everyday needs can be exhausting, especially when you are making all the calls yourself.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers can make that search easier by helping older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers understand their options and connect with local services.
You do not have to know which program you need before reaching out. Start with ACL’s Find Help directory or the Eldercare Locator, then ask your local agency what assistance is available in your area.
For another useful starting point, read our guide to what your Area Agency on Aging can do for you.
