Military caregivers are unique and have specific needs that require specialized support. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available to military caregivers. This blog post will outline some of the best resources available to help caregivers provide care for their loved ones.
What Are Military Caregiver Support Resources?
Military caregivers provide a vital service to our nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members and their families. These brave men and women sacrifice their time, energy and well-being to care for their loved ones. Unfortunately, the challenges of military caregiver life can often be overwhelming. Thankfully, there are a variety of support resources available to help military caregivers cope with the unique challenges they face.
One of the most crucial support resources for military caregivers is respite care. This type of care can give caregivers a much-needed break from the demanding responsibility of caring for a loved one. Respite care can be provided in various settings, including in-home options, adult daycare centers and even short-term residential facilities. In addition to respite care, military caregivers can access support groups, counseling services, financial assistance and educational resources. Several organizations also provide specialized support to military caregivers, such as the National Military Family Association and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes campaign. These organizations offer information and resources to help military caregivers thrive in their essential roles.
What Are The Responsibilities Of Military Caregivers?
The role of a military caregiver is both demanding and rewarding. Those who take on this responsibility provide care and support to wounded, ill and injured service members and their families. Military caregivers have a range of responsibilities from providing practical and emotional support to ensuring their loved ones receive the best possible care. They may also need to coordinate with various professionals like doctors and therapists and navigate the military bureaucracy. In many cases, military caregivers are also responsible for managing the complex medical and benefits paperwork often associated with military treatment.
As a caregiver, you will likely perform various tasks from providing emotional support to handling medical and financial matters. While the specific responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the individual, there are some typical duties that most caregivers perform. These include providing transportation, helping with activities of daily living, managing medications and providing companionship.
In addition to these more tangible tasks, military caregivers must also shoulder an incredible load of intangible burdens. They often deal with feelings of guilt, grief and anxiety, as well as fear for their loved one’s safety. Caregiving can be a challenging and demanding job, but it is vital to the well-being of our service members and their families.
Why Do Military Caregivers Need Support?
Military caregivers need support because they often must take on the role of both parent and spouse while their loved one recovers. As a result, they shoulder great responsibility and often feel overwhelmed and isolated.
Military caregivers also deal with unique challenges that civilians may not understand. For example, they might struggle with difficult emotions like guilt or anger. Many military caregivers often feel like they’re not doing enough. Many military caregivers sometimes must also manage a household on a tight budget and can be challenged by the lack of available resources.
That’s why it’s so important for military caregivers to access support services like Yellow Ribbon Fund’s Keystone Program for respite care, career development programs, health & wellness programs, education opportunities and peer-to-peer support.
Military Caregiver Support Programs
Yellow Ribbon Fund’s military caregiver program, Keystone, is a national program that provides support for the caregivers of America’s wounded, injured and ill post-9/11 service members and veterans. The program offers transitional and mental health support, respite care, counseling, education, events, life skills development such as job placement training, networking opportunities and various respite retreats and other resources. Together these outreach efforts help caregivers to cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one who has been wounded in service to our country.
The Keystone Program was created in 2008 in response to the growing need for support among military caregivers. The program has since increased in its size and scope and now serves thousands of caregivers nationwide. The Keystone Program is open to all military caregivers regardless of their relation to the service member or veteran.
The emotional and financial impact on a caregiver can be daunting, but with the support of the Keystone Program, caregivers are able to experience a shared sense of camaraderie and hope throughout their journey. The Keystone Program serves 400+ service members and their caregivers every year.
In addition to Yellow Ribbon Fund, several caregiver support resources are available that provide information and referral services, respite care, counseling, educational training and more.
Caregivers can also access a wide range of online resources including support groups, discussion forums and articles on caregiving tips.
Types of military caregiving support programs include:
- Financial assistance programs that can help offset the costs of childcare, home care and other expenses related to caring for a loved one with a disability or chronic illness.
- Respite care programs that provide temporary relief for caregivers, enabling them to take a much-needed break from their caregiving duties.
- Counseling services that can provide emotional support and guidance as caregivers navigate their new roles.
- Educational resources that can offer information and advice on topics such as communicating with healthcare providers, managing medications and understanding the unique challenges of caring for a service member or veteran.
Financial Burden For Military Caregivers
According to Rand’s Military Caregivers in the Workplace report, “About 30 percent of post-9/11 caregivers spend 40 or more hours per week providing care. The value of the duties they perform amounts to nearly $3 billion each year — money that, were these individuals not providing caregiving support for free, would be spent by society to care for our nation’s post-9/11 veterans.”
The report goes on to say:
- Almost one-half of post-9/11 military caregivers have had to make adjustments to their work
- 62% of military caregivers report financial strain
- 63% of military caregivers have jobs; however, many caregivers cut their hours, quit their jobs, retire early, or change careers to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities.
- On average, military caregivers miss 29 hours or 3.5 days of work each month
Additionally, many military caregivers often incur unexpected out-of-pocket expenses while caring for their loved ones. These expenses include things like transportation, childcare and lost wages.
As a result, military caregivers often find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Fortunately, many financial assistance programs are available to help offset the cost of caregiving. These programs can provide much-needed relief for military families already dealing with so much.
As a result, caregivers can feel isolated, exhausted and overwhelmed. The good news is that there are many organizations that offer financial assistance to military caregivers. In addition, there are also government programs that can provide some relief. By taking advantage of these resources, caregivers can get the help they need to offset caregiving costs. These can include costs related to travel, lodging and childcare. Additionally, caregivers may need to purchase specialized equipment or hire in-home help. While some of these expenses may be covered by insurance, others can quickly add up.
A few organizations that offer financial assistance, include:
- Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation
- Semper Fi Fund
- USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today
- Military Heroes Fund Emergency Financial Assistance
Military Caregiver Burnout
Military caregiver burnout is a condition that can occur when someone takes on the role of caregiver for a loved one who has served in the military. Caregiving can be a complex and demanding job and it can take a toll on the caregiver physically and emotionally.
Symptoms of military caregiver burnout include fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability and difficulty concentrating. If left unchecked, military caregiver burnout can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
It is important for caregivers to understand the signs of military caregiver burnout and seek help if they struggle to cope. With the right help, it is possible to overcome military caregiver burnout and maintain a healthy and happy life.
Mental health resources for military caregivers:
Military Caregiver Respite Care
Caregiver respite is a temporary break from providing care to a person in need to allow the caregiver to focus on their own well-being. This break can be either physical or mental and can be taken for any length of time from a few minutes to several weeks. The purpose of respite care is to reduce caregiver stress and burnout and help the caregiver to remain healthy and continue providing care. Respite care can be provided by family members, friends, professional caregivers, or by qualified staff through respite care programs offered by community organizations or government agencies. Whether it is a few hours of relief from day-to-day caregiving duties or a longer-term arrangement that provides regular respite periods, caregiver respite is a vital resource for those caring for others.
Respite care resources for military caregivers:
Military Caregiver Self-Care
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, “Caregiver self-care is essential to maintaining one’s own health and well-being while caring for another person.” Self-care can be defined as any activity people do intentionally to safeguard their physical, mental and emotional health. When the demands of caregiving bog us down, it is all too easy to let our own needs fall by the wayside. However, if we fail to take care of ourselves as well, we will be unable to continue providing quality care for our loved ones. Some self-care activities caregivers can do to maintain their health and well-being include exercise, relaxation techniques and a healthy diet. Additionally, it is important to make time for social activities and hobbies that bring caregivers joy and a sense of relief. By taking care of ourselves, we can ensure that we will be able to continue providing quality care for the people who depend on us.
Military caregiver self-care resources:
- Yellow Ribbon Fund’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Programs
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- National Military Family Association
Military Caregiving Peer-To-Peer Support
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. As a result, caregivers often need support from friends, family and other caregivers. One way to secure this support is through peer-to-peer caregiving groups. These groups provide a forum for caregivers to share information, advice and support with one another. In addition, they can offer respite care, literature about caregiving and referrals to community resources. Peer-to-peer support groups can be a lifeline for caregivers who feel isolated and alone.
Peer-to-peer support for military caregivers:
- Yellow Ribbon Fund’s Keystone Program
- Military One Source
- American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
Education And Training For Military Caregivers
There are many job retraining programs available for military caregivers. Yellow Ribbon Fund, for example, offers the Career Development Program, which provides scholarships to attend the MilSpo Academy Powered by CareerDash for career retraining. The program has a 90% job placement success rate. The program is designed to provide military caregivers support to develop new skills necessary to pursue careers in high-demand fields. In addition, many states offer programs that provide financial assistance, training and other resources to military caregivers. These programs can be an excellent way for caregivers to get the support they need to pursue new careers.
Career training resources for military caregivers:
- Yellow Ribbon Fund’s MilSpo Academy Powered by CareerDash for Career Retraining Program
- CareerOneStop
- Hire Heroes USA
Mental Health and Emotional Support for Military Caregivers
Caregivers provide an invaluable service to those in need, yet they often do so at a significant personal cost. Caring for a loved one can be emotionally and physically draining and caregivers often sacrifice their own health and well-being to provide care. As a result, caregivers must receive emotional support. This support can come from friends, family, or professional counselors. It can take the form of active listening, moral support, or simply a shoulder to cry on. Whatever the form, emotional support is essential for caregivers to maintain their overall health and well-being. Without it, caregivers risk burnout, depression and other physical and mental health problems. By receiving emotional support, caregivers can continue to provide vital care to those who need it most. Several organizations offer support groups and counseling services specifically for military caregivers. These services can help caregivers cope with the role’s challenges and connect with other individuals who understand what they are going through. Additionally, many military bases now offer respite care services, which provide temporary and much-needed relief for caregivers. These services can allow caregivers to take a break, recharge and return to their role feeling refreshed and ready to take on the challenges ahead.
Mental health and emotional support for military caregivers:
- Yellow Ribbon Fund’s Mental Health and Emotional Support Program
- Military OneSource
- S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Military caregivers are an essential part of the military family. They are unsung heroes who shoulder many responsibilities and their service often goes unrecognized. Our nation’s military caregivers need our support and you can make a difference in the life of a military caregiver today by joining the Yellow Ribbon Club. Your monthly donation will help Yellow Ribbon Fund change lives.
For military caregivers looking for military caregiver resources, please go to Yellow Ribbon Fund’s caregiver support page or email email@yellowribbonfund.org and get in touch with a Keystone coordinator or apply to the Keystone Program.
