Dementia Caregiver Resources in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Q: What is the first number a Cuyahoga County dementia caregiver should call?

The county's DSAS Connection Center / ADRC at 216-420-6700 is designed as a free front door for caregivers and older adults. Pair that with the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for dementia-specific support any hour of the day.

Q: How do I start Medicaid long-term care or a waiver in Cuyahoga County?

Use the Ohio Benefits portal, call 1-844-640-OHIO (6446), get library help, or visit a Neighborhood Family Service Center (county apply page). For PASSPORT and Assisted Living screening, the county points families to WRAAA at 216-539-9240. Rules and waitlists change—confirm on the official pages.

Q: What if I suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation?

Call Cuyahoga County Adult Protective Services at 216-420-6700 (24/7). APS covers adults 60+ for abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation, and can investigate certain disability cases for adults 18+ on a voluntary basis per the county page.

Where Cuyahoga County dementia caregivers can call first—county ADRC, Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Alzheimer's Association Cleveland chapter, Medicaid long-term care, Adult Protective Services—and how these local doors connect to respite, benefits and support.

By Jim Pavlish, Editor · Last updated: November 7, 2026 · Editorial policy

Short answer: start with Cuyahoga County's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) through the Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) Connection Center at 216-420-6700—the county calls it a free "front door" for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and professionals—and the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. For unpaid caregivers, the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) Family Caregiver Support Program pairs you with a Care Coordinator at 216-586-3441 or 800-626-7277, ext. 3131.

Last checked: November 6, 2026. Phone numbers, programs and waitlists change. This page is a local directory of official starting points, not legal, medical or financial advice. Confirm every detail on the linked pages or by calling before you rely on it.

If you are new to caregiving, our Caregiving Guide: Where to Start covers the first steps. This page adds Cuyahoga County–specific doors so you are not starting from a blank national search.

Who to call first

Who	What they do	Phone / how to reach
Cuyahoga County DSAS Connection Center / ADRC	Free information and referrals on benefits, home care, housing, Medicare/Medicaid, nutrition, transportation and more for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and professionals (county ADRC page). Address listed: 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.	216-420-6700
WRAAA Family Caregiver Support Program	Focuses on the unpaid caregiver as the client; pairs you with a Care Coordinator; helps with information, access to services, and a respite ("Time Out") plan when appropriate. Services including information, assistance and care planning are provided at no cost (WRAAA). Serves caregivers of people of any age with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, among other eligibility groups.	216-586-3441 or 800-626-7277, ext. 3131
Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter	Free education, care consultations and support groups for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Chapter office (call before visiting): 3 Summit Park Drive, #550, Independence, OH 44131.	Chapter 216-342-5556; 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900
Ohio Aging Compass / AAA lookup	State healthy-aging resource hub; use it with your Area Agency on Aging when you need statewide program pointers.	compass.aging.ohio.gov

For national and Ohio helplines in one place, see Helplines and Support Organizations.

Money and long-term care benefits locally

Cuyahoga County's Medicaid long-term care page explains that Medicaid can help pay for care in the home, community, assisted living or a nursing home when someone qualifies. The county's Eligibility Contact Center for long-term care Medicaid applications, renewals and changes is 1-844-640-OHIO (6446). You can also apply through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal (the county's "how to apply" page lists online apply as the fastest option), by phone, with library help, or in person at a Neighborhood Family Service Center.

Ohio waiver programs the county lists include PASSPORT (home care, over age 60), the Assisted Living Waiver (over age 21), the Ohio Home Care Waiver (up to age 60), and developmental-disability waivers. The county states that WRAAA prescreens PASSPORT and Assisted Living applicants at 216-539-9240. For Medicare vs Medicaid basics, see Medicare, Medicaid and Dementia Care; for caregiver breaks, see Respite Care and Ohio respite options.

PACE. The county notes the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly as unique to Cuyahoga County and lists services such as primary care, adult day, personal care, hospital care and nursing home care. Dual-eligible participants may receive PACE at no cost; others may pay a premium. Apply directly with McGregor PACE—confirm details on the county page before assuming eligibility or cost.

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Support groups and community programs

The Alzheimer's Association Cleveland chapter holds free early-stage and caregiver support groups (virtual and in person). Group details change; the chapter asks families to call the 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) or the chapter (216-342-5556) to confirm dates and register. See also our national guide to Finding a Support Group.

Local libraries and senior programs sometimes host memory cafés or caregiver groups; schedules change—use the organizer's current calendar. WRAAA's Offices on Aging directory (areaagingsolutions.org list) is a lead list for Cuyahoga and nearby counties; confirm any phone on the city or agency's own site before calling.

Safety and protection

Cuyahoga County DSAS is the mandated provider of Adult Protective Services (APS) in the county. APS helps vulnerable adults age 60 and over who may be victims of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and/or financial exploitation; allegations involving adults with disabilities ages 18 and over can also be investigated when the adult is willing to participate on a voluntary basis. The APS hotline listed on the county page is 216-420-6700, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Reports are confidential. There is also an Ohio APS online elder-abuse referral portal linked from the county APS page.

If someone cannot manage money or health decisions and there are no workable powers of attorney, families sometimes need court involvement—see Legal Planning and our page on guardianship versus power of attorney. That is a legal process; talk with an elder-law attorney.

First three calls this week

DSAS Connection Center / ADRC — 216-420-6700. Ask what local options fit your situation (benefits screening, home support, caregiver resources).
WRAAA Family Caregiver Support — 216-586-3441 (or 800-626-7277, ext. 3131). Ask to be paired with a Care Coordinator and about a respite plan.
Alzheimer's Association Helpline — 800-272-3900 (or Cleveland chapter 216-342-5556). Ask about support groups, care consultation and education near you.

Then open the legal and money folders when you can: Legal Planning, Financial Planning and Paying for Care, and Medicare, Medicaid and Dementia Care. Bring ID, insurance cards and a short list of meds and doctors to benefits appointments so staff can answer eligibility questions faster.

Common questions

What is the first number a Cuyahoga County dementia caregiver should call?

The county's DSAS Connection Center / ADRC at 216-420-6700 is designed as a free front door for caregivers and older adults. Pair that with the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for dementia-specific support any hour of the day.

Does Cuyahoga County help unpaid family caregivers, or only the person with dementia?

Both. DSAS ADRC services are free to caregivers as well as older adults and people with disabilities. Separately, WRAAA's Family Caregiver Support Program treats the unpaid caregiver as the client and can help with information, service access and a respite plan at no cost for those services (WRAAA).

How do I start Medicaid long-term care or a waiver in Cuyahoga County?

Use the Ohio Benefits portal, call 1-844-640-OHIO (6446), get library help, or visit a Neighborhood Family Service Center (county apply page). For PASSPORT and Assisted Living screening, the county points families to WRAAA at 216-539-9240. Rules and waitlists change—confirm on the official pages.

What if I suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation?

Call Cuyahoga County Adult Protective Services at 216-420-6700 (24/7). APS covers adults 60+ for abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation, and can investigate certain disability cases for adults 18+ on a voluntary basis per the county page.

Sources

Not medical advice. This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual. Talk with a doctor about your situation.

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