VA Supports Family Caregivers of Veterans

Melodi Hall — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 21:12:32 +0000

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: Variety of Resources Self-care activities Financial Tips Peer Support Online Workshops Campaign for Inclusive Care and so much more! Check it out! Even if you aren’t supporting of a Veteran you may find resources or tips you didn’t know about!

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Was this your plan?

Melodi Hall — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 23:34:05 +0000

To be honest, I never wanted to be a nurse. In fact, I hated the thought of blood or giving someone a shot. I couldn’t even handle when my kids threw up! I mean I made it through cleaning up those kinds of messes but I didn’t like it. I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best! So, let me tell you my first “caregiver” story. I remember when my husband, then boyfriend, had to have Lovenox shots for the first time after we had started dating. He was getting released after a short stint in the hospital and they said he needed to continue on the shots for a little while until his PTINR was back up to therapeutic level. I was just listening to them discuss it and then I hear him say “Oh ok, she can take care of those at home.” I think I literally turned around and looked behind me to see if there was a “she” standing back there because I just knew he was not talking about me! When it finally dawned on me that he was talking about me all I could muster was “me…injection….no!” Well, guess what? 13 years later and I am a Lovenox shot pro! I don’t even give him too big of a bruise anymore! 🙂 I have come a long way since those first shots but this was never in my 5, 10 or 20 year plan. It may not have been in my plan but I wouldn’t change a minute of it because I know that my husband has had the best care I could give him and I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that he has a very long and fulfilling life. To me, that has been the most important part of this journey. As I have walked this road with him and tried to do my best for him I have also learned so much along the way. Not only for in regards to him and his care but how to stay organized, how to work with the system, how to find out what I need to know, how to stay strong, and so much more. But I know there is so much more out there that can help me physically, spiritually, mentally, etc. I want to learn from all of you as much as I want to teach you what I know. So let’s continue this jouney together! Have Hope, Have Faith and Stay Strong! Melodi

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VA Supports Family Caregivers of Veterans

Was this your plan?