State-based resources for brain health, caregiving and support

The Alzheimer’s Association partners with faith communities to provide Alzheimer’s education, awareness, and support within houses of worship, including initiatives like “Purple Sunday.” This page provides contact information for a variety of resources and locations throughout Illinois.

The University of Illinois Chicago hosts regular Spanish-language support groups for family members caring for someone with dementia. This list includes faith-based groups, non-profits, counseling, and more. Groups outside of the UIC support network may not always be free.

Advocate Health hosts free dementia care support groups in the Chicago region, open to all care partners. Meetings are mostly in-person and may be general or specific to certain situations, such as Lewy Body Dementia or early onset dementia. Advocate Health Care is a faith-based nonprofit health system in Illinois.

The city of Chicago offers a list of services for caregivers of older adults, including dementia-specific supports: training, memory cafés, gap-filling assistance, and respite. Most are provided through third parties, so some may involve costs.

In Lake County, this coalition maintains a comprehensive list of caregiver support groups, educational classes, and virtual/in-person meetings for people caring for those with dementia. It includes resources happening in public spaces like libraries, and residents can call (847) 381-5030 for information on registering for local events.

The Family Service of Champaign County offers a list of county Alzheimer’s/dementia care support groups, as well as others about behavior management, caregiver skills, and emotional support.

CTLB supports caregivers in low-income African-American and Latinx communities via church and community group partners, offering workshops, support groups, and peer connection. AgeOptions, the Illinois organization running CTLB and other resources for people with Alzheimer's, is part of a national network of Area Agencies on Aging established by the federal Older Americans Act.

The Memory Center provides support groups, social work services, and quality-of-life programs for persons with dementia and caregivers, particularly in Chicago’s South Shore area.

The state agency coordinates Area Agencies on Aging, HCBS waivers, and caregiver supports across Indiana. This page provides access to a variety of resources and resource locators, as well as reminding people that the state offers free unbiased health insurance information counselors at 800-452-4800.

The Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer's Association provides statewide education, 24/7 helpline access, and numerous in-person and virtual support groups.

This national portal connects Indiana families to ADRCs, respite, Medicaid long-term supports, and other support related to aging and Alzheimer's.

Dementia Friends Indiana runs memory cafés, training, and community education across many counties and maintains an events calendar for local dementia programs.

CARE is a community-academic network that partners with faith and community organizations in Indianapolis to increase awareness and outreach to African American adults about brain health. Its FAQ page can help Indiana and other residents find research trials for participation.

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is a non-profit offering aging and disability resources like this Solutions Guide for older adults. It can help people and their caregivers find senior and disability resources or perform a needs screening. It operates in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan, and Shelby counties.

Dementia Friendly Indianapolis is a community action team that coordinates memory cafés, training, and local resources to help people with dementia and their caregivers stay connected.

St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis hosts monthly dementia caregivers support groups led by trained facilitators to provide peer support and education.

Dementia Friendly America has an interactive map of memory café locations that provide social engagement and respite opportunities for people with dementia and their caregivers. For some parts of Indiana, the closest café may be in a neighboring state like Illinois.

CoAction runs memory cafés and community dementia initiatives in Lake County and northwest Indiana to connect caregivers to services and social supports. It also provides monthly times for people to come in and ask questions or receive free memory screenings. There is a lending library specifically designed for people living with Alzheimer's and dementia, as well as a dementia-friendly subscription box service with items for people and their caregivers.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana offers caregiver support, education, events, and direct services for people living with dementia and their families. The website has a robust list of activities and supports, with a helpline for people to use to get access to services like free memory screenings. The "Support Groups" page lists groups by location and includes contact details for those running these groups.

SWIRCA is one of the state's Area Agencies on Aging, and it offers a broad set of supports for people with Alzheimer's and their care partners. It has resource links for food, activities, respite, engagement, care services, and a form to request support when people aren't sure what they need.

Based in Columbus, Thrive Alliance provides dementia care programming, outreach, and helps establish dementia-friendly communities in its service area. It also has a robotic pet program for individuals suffering with dementia in some Indiana communities.

The department runs ADRCs and dementia‑capable caregiver programs and coordinates Area Agencies on Aging across Iowa. Alzheimer's support is found in its "Brain & Memory Health" section with general resources, explainers, and a list of library presentations. It also includes phone numbers and contact details for the six Iowa Area Agencies on Aging in the state.

The Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers support groups, classes, care consultations, and statewide advocacy for people affected by dementia.

The national portal connects Iowans to ADRCs, respite providers, and Medicaid long‑term services and supports.

The University of Iowa provides memory evaluation, diagnosis, caregiver education, and referrals to community supports. The website includes some broader resources and a phone number people can call to get help determining next steps with care.