Founded in 2012 in Hickory, NC, ACAP (Adult Children of Aging Parents) has grown from a local community program into ACAPcommunity, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. With its nationally-validated curriculum, ACAPcommunity offers a wealth of educational programs, resources, and support tailored specifically for adult children navigating the challenges of caring for their aging parents. 

A Wealth of Resources and Support – ACAPcommunity’s local chapters, currently located in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New Jersey, Minnesota, and Missouri host free monthly educational programs and, often, an annual conference. These events feature local content-experts and resources from local businesses, covering a broad range of caregiving topics. Whether you attend in person or explore our extensive online offerings, including award-winning audio podcasts, you’ll find valuable information on aging, caregiving, and family dynamics.  And all are free! 

Open to All – While ACAP’s primary focus is on adult-child caregivers, ACAPcommunity welcomes anyone interested in caregiving and aging. Our programs not only address elder care but also emphasize the importance of self-care and proactive aging strategies for caregivers themselves. 

A Growing Community – Since its inception in Hickory, ACAP has expanded significantly, highlighting the profound need for support among adult children of aging parents. Through the years, ACAP has provided caregiver education to more than 12,000 attendees. Our footprint has also expanded to eleven community chapters in six states, with many more in the process of forming. Caregivers from many walks of life attend programs to help their aging parents or other loved ones, as well as to prepare for their own aging. 

Guiding Principles – ACAPcommunity is built on unique Guiding Principles that ensure a commitment to educational excellence, evidence-based information, and best practices. Highlights include:

• Focus on adult-children caring for aging parents, but inclusive of any caregiver of an older adult
• Commitment to free, monthly caregiver education through local community chapters
• Programs held at convenient times, in accessible locations, and available through recordings
• High quality, relevant information always presented by, and often sponsored by, local community experts
  
  

Our Founder’s Journey – Frances Hall, founder and executive director of ACAPcommunity, brings personal experience and deep understanding to her work. She has experienced the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents. She partnered in the early years with Dr. Jane Everson, a local program attendee and supporter, to found ACAPcommunity as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in response to a community groundswell of support.

In recent years, Frances has worked tirelessly to pivot through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. She has demonstrated flexibility in moving from in-person programs to livestreamed programs and back again. She has established a process for onboarding new community chapters and has initiated a virtual, annual symposium that has averaged 650 attendees in 19 states and three countries.

Today, Frances is working to find new avenues to ensure ACAPcommunity’s sustainability for years to come. Approximately 60 communities in 16 states have reached out to request chapters in their local area. With more than 63 million people providing family caregiving in the United States, Frances and ACAP strive to meet those needs where they are.