Veterans' Healthy Living, Fall 2013
VA Supports Caregivers
In the past, and not just with VA, health care was completely focused on the patient alone. But, sometimes handling an illness can be just as hard on a caregiver as the patient. VA recognizes struggles that caregivers face, and we are here for you every step of the way!
“VA might see the Veterans that we are serving once a week or less depending on needs, but the family member or caregiver is there with them continually, sowe are trying to reach out and support them,” said Andrew Leonard, Caregiver Support Coordinator, VISN 1 Lead.
Although the program is there for the caregivers of all Veterans receiving services at VA, a large portion of Andrew’s current
responsibility is to oversee a stipend program developed for caregivers of those who served on or after 9/11/2001 and have suffered an injury. The stipend is in the caregiver’s name and not attached to the Veteran’s pension. Andrew said, “The feasibility of opening the stipend up to other eras besides 9/11/2001 is being investigated at this time.”
We also ensure that caregivers of Veterans are getting services available to them, such as Home Health Aid or Adult Day Health.
Andrew makes referrals for services or directs caregivers to the appropriate contact for programs. He said, “I look at it like it’s an umbrella program, connecting people to what they need within VA and outside of VA as well.”
For more information about the Caregiver Program, visit http://www.caregiver.va.gov.
Women’s Health Sciences Division Meets Changing Needs
“The military has changed dramatically over the last 10–15 years as more women are joining the service and then coming to VA, so the dynamic for VA is changing as well,” said Brian Walker, Psychology Research Assistant and Operation Enduring Freedom
Combat Veteran. Walker is studying mental health risk and resilience factors for women regarding their military and deployment experiences. The study, conducted under the direction of psychologists Dr. Dawne Vogt and Dr. Brian Smith at the Women’s HealthSciences Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, is producing interesting findings on how women’s deployment experiences and their post-deployment health are similar to, and different from, men’s experiences.
Walker talked about how today’s military is breaking gender barriers by moving past the former stereotypical roles of women. “When you think about the Army,” he said, “you think about men being on the front line. But now, women are serving in combat, and they are entering new roles in the other branches of service, too.”
He added, “This has been an eye-opening experience for me because I have been exposed to a lot of issues that women face. It gives me a better appreciation for what they go through.” As VA strives to stay ahead of constantly changing needs, research studies like this provide the tools needed to meet the demands of this group of Veterans. The findings of this nationwide research project will be released later this year.
Operation Thank You | Gulf War Illness | No Veteran Dies Alone
I CARE| Caregiver Support and Women's Health
