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Caregiving and Veterans-Resources

Caregiving and Veterans

Whether it’s former “empty-nest” parents resuming a caregiving role for unmarried children returned home as injured veterans, or a spouse of a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the responsiblities of the veteran’s caregiver can become incredibly overwhelming—mentally, emotionally, and physically. With today’s medical care system and technologies, we’re seeing more veterans living longer lives—but often accompanied by injuries, psychiatric issues, and/or physical impairments.

We’ve compiled the resources on this page to provide answers and links to resources for those experiencing the situations above, as well as for veterans themselves. The most helpful may be the Veteran’s Administration toll-free National Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time). The phone service provides licensed clinical social workers who will answer questions, listen to your concerns, and direct you to a VA Caregiver Support Coordinator in your local area.

For an in-depth examination of issues facing caregivers for veterans, see the National Alliance for Caregiving’s report Caregivers of Veterans – Serving on the Homefront.

Veteran’s Association (VA) Resources

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Returning Service Members

Health Care Eligibility

Vet Centers

Mental Health

VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Program

VA Fact Sheet on TBI for families and caregivers

VA Forms

My HealtheVet (access to medical records)

Resources

Family Caregiver Alliance
National Center on Caregiving
(415) 434-3388 | (800) 445-8106 
Website: www.caregiver.org
Email: info@caregiver.org
FCA CareNav: https://fca.cacrc.org/login
Services by State: https://www.caregiver.org/connecting-caregivers/services-by-state/

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) seeks to improve the quality of life for caregivers through education, services, research, and advocacy. Through its National Center on Caregiving, FCA offers information on current social, public policy, and caregiving issues, provides assistance in the development of public and private programs for caregivers, and assists caregivers nationwide in locating resources in their communities. For San Francisco Bay Area residents, FCA provides direct family support services for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, ALS, head injury, Parkinson’s disease, and other debilitating health conditions that strike adults.

FCA Fact and Tip Sheets

A listing of all facts and tips is available online at www.caregiver.org/fact-sheets
How to Form a Support Group for Families of Brain-Impaired Adults
Making Choices About Everyday Care (for Families
Caregiving at Home: A Guide to Community Resources
Hiring In-Home Help
Assistive Technology
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
Grief and Loss

Additional Organizations and Links

After Deployment (has become part of Health.mil)
https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Conditions-and-Treatments/Mental-Health
Source for wellness resources for the military, including free, anonymous mental health screening; includes former Military Pathways content and resources

National Association for Veterans and Families
www.navf.org

National Resource Directory
A federal government website providing online resources for wounded and ill service members and their families
www.nrd.gov

Lotsa Helping Hands
Provides tools for creating a support community tool for caregivers and families
lotsahelpinghands.com


This fact sheet was prepared by Family Caregiver Alliance. ©2016 Family Caregiver Alliance. All rights reserved.