VA Supports Family Caregivers of Veterans

Did you know the VA supports family caregivers? They have an entire website dedicated to resources available to Family Caregivers!

Sometimes you just get so overwhelmed that you feel like you are all alone in this fight. Like no one understands what you are going through or what you need to get through each day. Or like they don’t even care! You have forgotten what it means to take care of yourself. Or have a minute just to take a deep breath. How many times do you say “No thanks, I got it” or you just do it all yourself?

Yeah, we know all about pushing people away and doing things ourselves regardless of how tired we are. But taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the person you care for. All Caregivers need some help now and then.

Check out the VA

If you are a Family Caregiver of a Veteran then you should check out https://www.caregiver.va.gov/. They have an excellent program to support Caregivers. This is a nationwide program that has offices in every state. It has two separate programs that carry out their mission: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

Program Information

To participate in PGCSS the Veteran must be enrolled in Veteran Affairs and be receiving care from a caregiver for the caregiver to participate. These caregivers are called General Caregivers and do not need to be a relative or live with the Veteran.

The PCAFC is for Vetarans who have incurred or aggravated a serious injuring in the line of duty on or before 5/7/75 or after 9/11/01. This program provides resources, education, and support. If eligible, a financial stipend, insurance, beneficiary travel is paid to caregivers of eligible Veterans. There are other criteria so please check the website for more information.

Their assistance includes things like: