I’m not
sure if maybe my head has been in a fog for the past year and a half, but for
some reason I didn’t correlate my taking care of my husband while he struggles
through PTSD and TBI, to be being considered as caregiving. Sure, I’ve heard
myself and other women in my shoes be referred to as the caregiver , but somehow I just shrugged that title off as
simply a way to identify me in relation to him as a veteran. For some reason, I
just didn’t consider myself as a caregiver in a literal sense (please refer to the
above mentioned head in a fog). So as I’m sure you can imagine and to my utter surprise, when
finding out two months ago after yet another routine visit to the VA with the
hubby, that not only did the VA consider me (and other wives) as caregivers,
they also have special services in place to support us as caregivers, and
provide us with resources to elevate some of the day to day stressors we experience.
I think now is an appropriate time to say WOW!
Now I must admit, I haven’t
exactly had the best relationship with the VA- both the hubby and I have had
problems with our local VA in the past, which have recently been rectified-
however, this program in particular, as well as the caregiver support
coordinators who run it, have significantly helped to turn my impression of the
VA around. I applied to become the official caregiver of the hubby under the
Post-911 Veterans charter; a program/new law that will provide assistance to
primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Service members. Within
a couple of days I received a call from the support coordinator, and was
immediately placed in rotation to begin the review and evaluation process. The
entire process should take no longer than about 45 days (if you comply with the
deadlines), and is pretty simple to complete although it does require you completing (including certification) a caregivers course through Easter Seals.
Here
are just a few benefits that come with this program once you have been
approved:
Travel
Expenses (including lodging and per diem while accompanying Veterans undergoing
care)
Access
to health care insurance (if the Caregiver is not already entitled to care or
services under a health care plan)
Mental
health services and
Comprehensive
VA Caregiver training provided by Easter Seals
Respite
care
Monthly
stipend
In
addition to the great benefits allotted to caregivers, the support of the
program leaders, and endless supply of resources to me is worth its weight in
gold. If you or someone you know are interested in this program, contact your
local VA and ask if they have a Caregiver Support Coordinator. If you need
additional information, contact 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit VACaregivers to
find out who’s eligible.
Take
care everyone, and live well.
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