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Aug 16

New programs offer hope, help to caregivers of severely injured veterans – The Providence Journal

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New regulations, the announcement of a new respite care program and a proposed Federal legislation are offering hope to devoted caregivers of wounded, ill and injured veterans around the country.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will expand the scope of the VA caregiver program which provides thousands of dollars a month in financial support to the parents, partners or spouses of severely injured veterans who have opted to care for their loved ones at home instead of placing them in a long-term care facility. Currently, there are approximately 20,000 veterans who left the service after September 11, 2001 who participate in the program. The new guidelines will allow caregivers of veterans who were injured on military duty before May 7, 1975 to become eligible, beginning October 1.

Eligibility requirements include having a military discharge or medical discharge, having a serious injury that was caused or made worse by active-duty service and if the veteran needs at least six months of continuous personal care services.

The program will be expanded in October 2022 to include caregivers providing aid to veterans who were injured between May 7, 1975 and September 10, 2001.

Caregiver education and training, mental health services and travel, lodging and financial assistance when traveling with the veteran are provided. Eligible caregivers may also receive a monthly stipend, access to healthcare benefits and 30 days per year of respite care. Additional assistance in the form of legal services, financial planning and caregiver training will also be offered under the terms of the expanded program.

More information can be found at: https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/.

Free, short-term respite care for caregivers is on the way through a new partnership announced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in early August. The program initially benefits families in select regions of California, Florida and Texas, but it will roll out nationwide by the end of the year.

"Caregivers charged with caring for our nations Veterans face new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in a VA press release. "They have become increasingly isolated and are hindered from getting reliable, outside help. This program provides caregivers compassionate and needed relief during this stressful time."

Recognizing the toll that 24-hour care takes upon caregivers, the Respite Relief for Military and Veteran Caregivers program will deliver respite relief to eligible family caregivers of wounded, ill or injured veterans and service members. Twenty four-hours of assistance will be provided by a CareLinx healthcare professional. Services offered include companionship, light housekeeping, grocery shopping and meal preparation, transportation, mobility support/transferring, exercise, toileting, bathing, dressing and grooming aid.

According to the web site, hiddenheroes.org, the program will furnish more than 40,000 hours of non-medical home care to more than 1,6000 veterans while granting short-term, no-cost respite to their respective caregivers.

The Peer Support for Veterans Families Act (H.R. 7964) has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer of Iowa. R.I. Representative David Cicilline, has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bipartisan proposal. If the legislation passes, pilot programs in 10 medical facilities will be established to deliver caregiver education and training in crisis de-escalation, stress and mental illness. It will also provide peer-to-peer support.

The author of the proposal, Finkenauer said, "Caring for someone with a mental health diagnosis can take a toll, putting family members and loved ones at risk for anxiety, depression and other health problems. "

"This important legislation makes sense," Cicilline said. "We honor our troops when they go abroad, and we need to honor their loved ones too, who are also making an extreme sacrifice. This legislation helps remove the stigma of mental health issues and provides support for all those in need who serve our country in uniform, or by their sides as family or caregivers."

A 2009 study published in the Journals of Gerontology, cites psychological distress and depression, physiological illness and suppressed immune response, lower rates of preventative healthcare, disruptions to paid employment and personal, financial, family and social problems as the cost of caregiving.

R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, indicated that he intends to sign on as a co-sponsor of the bill saying, "I make it a priority to support our troops and veterans and their families. The Peer Support for Veterans Families Act is needed legislation that will make critical resources and training available to caregivers to provide quality care to veterans experiencing mental health challenges," concluding, "We cannot overlook these vital needs of our veterans."

The proposed legislation is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA), the American Mental Health Counselors Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Association of Suicidology, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and The American Legion.

Do you know a veteran with an interesting story? Do you offer a program or service focus on serving retired military? Are you planning an event aimed at veterans or their families? Email Mary K. Talbot at ThoseWhoServedAmerica@gmail.com.

Calendar of Events

Aug. 18, Leveraging LinkedIn virtual seminar by the Center for Women & Enterprise, 4-5:30 p.m. Register in advance at: https://www.cweonline.org/About-CWE/News/Article-Detail/ArticleId/1906/Leveraging-LinkedIn-CWE-RI-Aug-18

Aug. 19, (Virtual) Womens Veterans Network Group, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Discussion to be led by Women Veterans Program Manager Tonya McConnell. Dial (800) 767-1750 and enter code 36090# to participate.

Aug. 19, Veterans (Virtual) Town Hall sponsored by the VA Providence Healthcare System and Regional benefits office, 5:30-7p.m. Dial (404)397-1596, and enter code 1999618996# to participate.

Aug. 20, 11 DAV Virtual Job Fair, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit https://recruitmilitary.careereco.com/Fair/EventDetails for more info and registration.

Ongoing: CCRI will be offering important career services workshops and events, online and free of charge. Topics include resume building, virtual interviews, career decisions and internships. For more information: https://www.ccri.edu/careerservices/events/.

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New programs offer hope, help to caregivers of severely injured veterans - The Providence Journal

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