Caring for a loved one isn’t something most of us plan for, but when the time comes, we step up.

Whether you’re helping an aging parent manage medications or supporting a spouse through dementia, it’s easy to feel like you’re learning as you go. You may not see yourself as a "caregiver." You may not know what questions to ask. And you probably haven’t had formal training.

But support is available - and a lot of it is free.

If you're an unpaid or informal family caregiver in Orange County, California, there are resources designed specifically for you. Below are a few programs that can help you feel more confident and supported in your role, without adding to the financial pressures you’re likely already feeling in this role.

1. Caregiver Resource Center OC

Orange County-based | Free for unpaid or informal family caregivers

caregiveroc.org

This local nonprofit (psst... it's us!) exists to support you – the daughter, son, partner, or friend caring for someone at home. We offer a variety of free educational classes, many of which are held virtually and in multiple languages.

Sample topics include:

• Understanding Alzheimer’s and dementia

• Managing finances as a caregiver

• Legal and in-home care (IHSS) support

• Stress, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing

• And more

You can also access on-demand recordings if live attendance isn’t possible or doesn't fit your schedule. Courses are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and more. Follow our event calendar to stay updated, and explore support groups or individual counseling if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Why it matters: These classes are designed for people just like you: family caregivers without formal training, navigating complex challenges with love and little guidance.

2. CalGrows: Free Online Courses

Available to California residents | Free to access

CalGrows Training Library

CalGrows, a state-funded initiative, offers dozens of on-demand, self-paced classes to help caregivers build practical skills, many of which are directly applicable to family caregiving.

Some especially helpful courses include:

• Dementia Behavior Care

• Home Safety & Fall Prevention

• Addressing Abuse & Injury Prevention

• Engaging Older Adults through Music & Art Therapy

• Stress Management and Self-Care

• And more

Courses are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, and more. While some classes are geared toward paid caregivers, many focus on core skills and caregiving challenges that unpaid family members also face.

Why it matters: These online classes are flexible and free. Perfect for caregivers juggling unpredictable schedules or home responsibilities.

3. Center for Caregiver Advancement Courses

For IHSS-paid caregivers in LA & San Bernardino Counties

Center for Caregiver Advancement

While these courses are not open to unpaid family caregivers, it’s worth knowing what’s out there for professional caregivers, especially if you’re helping someone who may eventually qualify for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) through Medi-Cal.

Topics covered include:

• Nutrition and hygiene

• Medication safety

• Mandated reporting

• Self-care and communication strategies

• And more

Why it matters: If your loved one transitions into IHSS eligibility, you may be able to become their paid caregiver and receive free formal training like this.

4. Other Resources – California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR): Knowing Your Rights Under the CARE Act

Since 1983, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) advocacy organization, has been dedicated to improving the choices, care and quality of life for California’s long term care consumers. Through direct advocacy, community education, legislation and litigation it has been CANHR’s goal to educate and support long term care consumers and advocates regarding the rights and remedies under the law, and to create a united voice for long term care reform and humane alternatives to institutionalization.

Additionally, California is one of 40+ states that have enacted the CARE Act.

Many caregivers leave the hospital overwhelmed. You’re handed a discharge summary and are then expected to manage wound care, medications, or mobility needs with little to no instruction.

That’s why California adopted the CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act – a law designed to better prepare family caregivers like you for what happens after a loved one is discharged from the hospital.

Here’s what the CARE Act requires hospitals to do:

• Ask patients to identify a family caregiver before discharge.

• Notify you when your loved one is going home so you can plan ahead.

• Provide instruction and demonstrations of any medical or nursing tasks you’ll need to do at home (e.g., injections, managing oxygen, wound care).

Why it matters: This law helps ensure you’re not left guessing when it comes to complex at-home care. If your loved one is in the hospital, ask staff about how they follow CARE Act procedures and advocate for clear, hands-on guidance before discharge.

Closing Thoughts: You Deserve Support, Too

Caregiving is one of the most generous, loving things you can do, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your own health or peace of mind. Free training won’t solve every challenge, but it can give you the tools, language, and confidence to handle tough days with a little more clarity.

You’re not just “helping out.” You’re doing essential work. And you don’t have to do it alone or without training.

If you’re providing consistent care for a loved one, we invite you to check out our free resources (beyond just our courses). To get more information about the resources we have available to you as an Orange County, California caregiver, contact us at the California Caregiver Resource Center of Orange County.

Further Reading: Understanding Dementia-Related Wandering 

Understanding dementia-related wandering is essential for helping those living with a cognitive impairment to stay safe and get the best care.

In this article, we’ll help you understand the causes, symptoms, behavior management tips, treatment options, and community care options to help you better care for a loved one showing signs of dementia-related wandering. Click here to read about it.