Helplines

The Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its website provides numerous resources on Alzheimer's education, assessment, advocacy, and community resources. Call the 24/7 Helpline at the provided phone number.

The Adult Protective Services Program is locally coordinated through 45 provider agencies​, which are designated by the regional Area Agency on Aging and the Department on Aging. Case workers from these agencies conduct investigations and work with older adults in resolving abusive situations. All Adult Protective Services caseworkers are trained and certified by the Department. To report suspected abuse, financial exploitation or neglect of a person 60 or older or an adult with disabilities age 18-59, call the statewide, 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline at numbers listed below. (The second number listed is for the deaf or hard of hearing, TTY).

The Senior HelpLine provides information on programs and services and links persons 60 years of age and older and their caregivers to local services. Professional staff briefly assess needs, send literature and write referrals for a range of services such as care coordination services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, legal services, transportation, employment and nutrition services. Senior HelpLine staff also provide abuse intake and accept appeals and service inquiries from the Community Care Program clients.

Chicago 311 services is a way for residents of Chicago to request, track, and explore non-emergency services. The 311 operation is available to request senior well-being checks, receive senior related literature, and gain information on and assistance with senior related services, programs, and events. 

Chicago 311 also provides homelessness prevention and shelter information, as well as a variety of options designed to help improve residents’ quality of life, including the “Home Ownership Preservation Initiative (HOPI)” and the “Homelessness Prevention Call Center (HPCC).”

In order to access Chicago 311 services, dial 311 or visit their user-friendly website. Phone operators are able to connect you with a translator for more than 100 languages, if needed.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 160 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. Upon calling, a skilled, trained crisis worker who works at the Lifeline network crisis center closest to you will answer the phone. This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.

1-800-273-8255 or chat online at website listed below

Additional Numbers:

Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (Spanish Speaking): 1-888-628-9454

Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889

Veterans Crisis Helpline: 1-800-273-8255

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline provides reliable information and support to those who need assistance. Calls are toll-free anytime day or night at 1-800-272-3900. The 24/7 Helpline serves people with memory loss, caregivers, health care professionals and the public. Trained and knowledgeable staff can help you with understanding memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's, medications and other treatment options, general information about aging and brain health, skills to provide quality care and to find the best care from professionals, and legal, financial and living-arrangement decisions. The helpline also features confidential care consultation provided by master's level clinicians who can help with decision-making support, crisis assistance and referrals to local community programs, services and ongoing support. Additionally, help in a caller's preferred language is available.

Drugwatch.com is a website that provides informational resources about prescription drugs and defective medical devices that harm millions of people every year. Use the search bar or browse to find out more about specific drugs, including side effects and past lawsuits. This service is also available by calling the provided number. In addition, their Senior Wellness Guide provides general information about caregiving, elder abuse, ageism, nutrition, prescription drugs and more. 

The City of Chicago's Voluntary Emergency Assistance Registry allows seniors and people with disabilities to share information with fire and other personnel in order to receive persoanlized assistance during an emergency. The information is confidential and used only by emergency personnel. In order to enroll in the registry, access the Voluntary Emergency Assistance Registry website or call.

The Chicago Seniors At Risk Assessment Program provides free fire/fall safety assessments for individuals ages 65 or over and those with a disability. Chicago Fire Department members will assess the home for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as other fire and fall hazards. Call to schedule an appointment.

A helpline for residents of Illinois struggling with substance use disorder, as well as their families, friends, caregivers, and professionals to find information about treatment and recovery support services in Illinois. Service is free, confidential, and available in any langage, 24/7, 365 days-a-year. Call 1-883-2FINDHELP.

A free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Available in both Spanish and English. Call 1-800-662-HELP.

The Illinois Tobacco Quitline has certified cessation counselors who can provide you with information about quitting, help you design a quit program or provide information about programs available at local health departments, hospitals or health centers in your area. Call 1-866- QUIT- YES.

The IHC Hunger Hotline provides bilingual services to low-income households through its statewide toll-free Hunger Hotline. (1-800-359-2163)


Callers are assisted in applying for: the Supplemental Nutrition Service (SNAP), All Kids, Medicaid, Medicare, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).


IHC also offers referrals for:

-Supplemental Nutrition for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC)

-Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP)

-food pantries and meal programs/soup kitchens

-child care

-housing assistance

-senior nutrition and health programs

-other federal child nutrition programs: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Meals on Wheels, and At Risk After School Child Nutrition Programs


Case Management Services are provided to callers inappropriately denied services from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).


Callers are educated about their rights and responsibilities, eligibility, and are assisted through the application process as necessary.


As a result of individual and systemic problems identified through calls to the hotline, IHC advocates with local and state administrators at IDHS-Health Care and Family Services (HFS) offices to identify and address barriers to access to nutrition programs. These concerns are also addressed through the Community Quality Council (CQC) meetings addressed by the IHC.

FindTreatment.gov is an easy way to get help with substance use issues in your area.

Do you live alone? Do you feel lonely? Is the social interaction you regularly have not fulfilling?

If so, consider signing up for a weekly social call from a volunteer with Rush Generations.

Dial 2-1-1 for: - A free, easy-to-access helpline - An information and referral resource, helping connect people to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more - A go-to resource for any essential health and social service needs, using comprehensive, accurate information, and delivering a user-friendly experience

Are you looking for confidential help for addiction/substance abuse? Call now for: - Access to the best rehab centers to overcome addiction - Financial assistance program that gets you the help you need - Clear answers to your questions on your road to recovery The Narcotics.com helpline is free, private, and confidential. There is no obligation to enter treatment. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) could be forwarded to SAMHSA or a verified treatment provider. Calls are routed based on availability and geographic location. Whatever level of guidance you require, we are here to direct you to the ideal service for your unique needs. Call 800-407-7195 and a caring representative will inform you about care options, financing, insurance, program types, and more. In some cases, Narcotics.com could charge a small cost per call, to a licensed treatment center, a paid advertiser, this allows Narcotics.com to offer free resources and information to those in need.

An information and referral resource, helping connect people to food, housing, utility payment assistance, health care, transportation, childcare, employment, mental health, disaster information and assistance, and more.