Family Caregivers Support & Services

Update:  The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) applauds the U.S. Senate for unanimously approving S. 1963, “The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009” in November 2009.

As passed, S. 1963 creates a comprehensive new program to support family caregivers of severely disabled veterans, and strengthens VA health care programs for women veterans, homeless veterans, veterans with mental health needs, and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.

“The Senate’s overwhelming statement of support for this bill sends an unmistakable message that our government has an obligation to provide comprehensive support to family caregivers of severely wounded and disabled veterans,” DAV National Commander Roberto Barrera said. .

“DAV looks forward to working together with the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees and other interested veterans service organizations to develop the strongest veterans health care legislation we can to aid all veterans,” Commander Barrera said. “In particular, we believe that disabled veterans from all eras could benefit from family caregiver support services and will work to see that the final legislation moves in that direction,” he said.

The Issue: The types of injuries that veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan (OIF/OEF) sustain are in many cases so severe that family members put their lives on hold to care for their loved ones. Many military families face financial and emotional hardships as they help their wounded sons, daughters, husbands and wives. We owe our military families the support needed to care for our disabled veterans by providing family caregivers increased federal assistance. Once a disabled veteran returns home, their caregiver provides crucial support, often at the expense of their own education, job and health. It is widely recognized that informal caregiving can delay or prevent a veteran from being institutionalized, and these caregivers relieve VA of the obligation and the cost of institutionalization. Unfortunately, family caregivers do not receive sufficient support services or financial assistance from the government. What is needed is an array of support services such as respite care, financial compensation, vocational counseling, basic health care, relationship, marriage and family counseling, and mental health care. These services are essential to equip caregivers while they provide for our disabled veterans. Additionally, the VA should develop a "Caregiver Toolkit" that includes a detailed recovery roadmap to assist them in maneuvering the complex systems of care and inform them of available federal, state and local resources.
  

White Papers:

Demographic Distribution of U.S. Population, Military and Estimated Injuries
Bonnie Leibel, RN, M.P.H – July 13, 2007

Suggestions for the Aftermath of Initial Treatment of Wounded Warriors and Their Families
Bonnie Leibel, RN, M.P.H – August 1, 2007

Family Education Pilot
Lucia Freedman – September 5, 2007

Family and Caregiver Support
Dr. Richard McCormick – September 20, 2007