Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be experiencing a range of emotions related to the U.S withdrawal from the country, and their families and caregivers face challenges supporting them and may be experiencing their own range of emotions. VA has developed a list of family and caregiver resources, including call center information and community support available to assist during this critical time.
Veteran caregivers face unique challenges with little or no medical and mental health training to support themselves and the Veteran in their care. These challenges can take an emotional, financial and physical toll on Veteran caregivers and their families.
Supporting others while also coping
Family members of Veterans are currently facing two challenges – supporting the Veteran they love, and coping with their own thoughts and feelings. VA has resources and information for both of these challenges, like Coaching into Care, which provides support and resources to families who don’t know where to start in supporting the Veteran they love, all the way to VA’s Caregiver Support Program that connects caregivers to one another to support each other as peers.
“The most important thing we can do right now is connect. Talk to other families facing similar challenges, even families you haven’t reached out to in a while. Suggest that your Veteran reach out to some of their battle buddies. Access one of the many resources available through VA, DOD, or any of our many partners. You are not alone, and you do not need to face any of this alone.”
Federal Veteran Caregiver Resources
VA Caregiver Support Resources:
- https://www.caregiver.va.gov/
- Locate your local Caregiver Support Staff: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp
- Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274
Building Better Caregivers – https://va.buildingbettercaregivers.org/
- Online workshop with 6 weekly self-paced lessons, facilitator guidance, group support and access to an alumni community for program graduates.
Coaching into Care: Call 1-888-823-7458
Coaching Into Care helps loved ones help Veterans | VAntage Point
Coaching Into Care – MIRECC / CoE (va.gov)
- Coaching Into Care is a free service for people who are concerned about the Veterans in their lives. Licensed psychologists and social workers offer advice for starting the conversation with a Veteran about their mental health and motivating them to seek treatment if it’s needed.
Vet Centers: Call 1-877-WAR-VETS
Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) Home (va.gov)
- Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.
Survivors Assistance:
VA Welcome Kit and Quick Start Guide for Caregivers: https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
VA.GOV: Access and manage your VA benefits and health care, including education and records www.va.gov.
MyVA411: Dial 1-855-948-2311 (1-800-MyVA411). Callers have the option of pressing 0 to be immediately connected with a customer service agent to answer questions.
- Agents assist with facility locator: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/.
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone. Send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
- For additional mental health resources visit, https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/resources.asp.
#VetResources: VA newsletter reaching more than 11 million Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors. Resources, tools and tips for VA and community resources. Subscribe at https://www.va.gov/vetresources/.
Coronavirus Information:
- For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and commonsense tips on preventing its spread, visit https://www.va.gov/coronavirus.
- For more information about coronavirus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
- COVID Quick Start Guide: https://www.va.gov/covid-19-links-and-resources.pdf.
- FAQs: https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions/.
Department of Defense Caregiver Support Directory lists national resources and programs that assist military caregivers, including helplines, training, caregiver support programs, financial support, and support for children’s needs. The directory is a free resource available for download. The DoD also offers peer forums and discussion groups for caregivers.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Community Living (HHS ACL): https://acl.gov/.
Community Veteran Caregiver Resources
- American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN)
- Elizabeth Dole Foundation
- Respite Relief – Hidden Heroes
- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- CaringBridge
- AARP Resources for Caregivers and their Families
- The Independence Fund
- Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI)
- TAPS
- Yellow Ribbon Fund
- Semper Fi Fund
- Wounded Warrior Family Support
- Project Sanctuary
- Military One Source
- Easter Seals .
- Unspoken Heroes Program
- Hearts of Valor,
- Blue Star Families
- Caregiver Action Network
VA will continue to support our families and caregivers and share resources from VA and the community.
The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA.
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Help caregivers who are desperately trying to get aid and attendance for their Dad. I worked for years and they put you off with more paperwork. You have VA certified Estate Attorney and they want ur money to set it all up, but they don’t want to help you when you need it. False advertising lies that’s all I know and I know that it had partly to do with my Dad’s death during Covid lockdown and I didn’t get to say goodbye.
My wife has Been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia over a year ago. I am fully retired now and her only carer. I am a 24 year Air Force retiree and we are living on fixated income. Will the VA cover any of her full time care when the time comes? I certainly hope it is a long way off, but it is inevitable. Her condition is incurable and irreversible.
I know the results of going to long. My wife lost her way home while driving the car almost eight years ago. Then two concussions two years ago. One from the back and one in front within three days. Really down hill from there and three NEO said she should be in memory care, but I kept going. But they recommend that about stage four or five you put them in a memory care center. I did not. She is now stage six and I just put her there and I turn 87 this month. Don’t do it. I am a hard headed Marine but I am paying the price with my health now and I really need to get back in shape.