The VA recognizes that more and more family and friends are becoming caregivers, and many veterans do not have professional caregivers at home. The VA also recognizes that caregiver burden is a real problem that can lead to additional health issues and poorer care if not relieved. For these reasons, the VA has created several programs as part of its benefits to veterans to help the caregivers involved.
Support Programs Are Available
Caregivers of veterans can access general support programs including mentors, support line,s and disease-specific advice lines. Benefits also include paying for home health aides to come over and relieve the caregiver for a time or regularly help out, depending on availability. These programs are all part of the veteran's benefits, so the caregiver does not have to be a veteran him- or herself.
Caregivers Must Care for Themselves, Too
If you are a family or friend caregiver for a veteran, please contact the VA about these programs. Caregivers can't do everything, and they need a break, even if they are convinced they have to be by the veteran's side constantly. Caregiving is strenuous because it doesn't end until the person no longer needs care—which can mean years in the case of a veteran with a disease or injury for which there is no cure and no complete treatment.
With help from home health aides, caregivers can shop, see friends, get medical care for themselves, and even go back to work if possible. Again, this all depends on the availability of home health aides and the particular diagnosis. But it is worth investigating because a caregiver can't stay at home all the time. The isolation can be disastrous for the caregiver's mental health, and that in turn leads to more resentment and possibly worse care for the veteran. There is also the risk of the caregiver missing out on the latest advice for handling the care.
Specialized Programs Exist
For caregivers dealing with specific issues like Alzheimer's and other diseases, there are programs specifically for those conditions. Caregivers can get specific tips and help that make the caregiving process go more smoothly. There is also help for deciding when to move the veteran into a facility for full-time professional caregiving.
Do not wait. If you are a caregiver for a U.S. veteran, contact the VA's caregiver program or a company like Care Funding Solutions now so that you take advantage of the programs and get some help.
Share25 May 2018
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