May is the Month of the Military Caregiver, honoring the more than five million military caregivers in the United States who provide care for more than two million veterans.
Month of the Military Caregiver raises awareness of wounded warriors and the people who care for them. Partners, parents, children, and family members of wounded veterans, along with coworkers, friends, and neighbors, provide care that promote faster recovery.
Supporting Military Caregivers
The Department of Veterans Affairs found that family caregivers spend more than 24 hours providing care each week. About 25% of these caregivers spend more than 40 hours a week providing care.
If you’re looking for a way to support a military caregiver, you can offer to assist with tasks and responsibilities. Even if you don’t have medical training, you can make a difference by doing the grocery shopping, driving the veteran to appointments or errands, or simply coming by for regular visits to give the caregiver some time to rest.
Resources for Military Caregivers
There are many great resources available for military caregivers. Here’s a brief overview of just a few of them.
- VA Caregiver Support Line: Get resources and advice, or simply network with other military caregivers by calling the support line at 1-855-260-3274.
- VA Peer Support Mentoring: Discuss caregiving issues with a mentor or act as a mentor for a peer.
- VA Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers: This program is specifically designed to support those providing care for veterans with serious injuries who have served on or after 9/11. Approved caregivers can receive respite care, a monthly stipend, mental health services, and other resources.
Wounded Warrior Programs provide resources for military caregivers who are assisting wounded, ill, and/or injured service members with activities of daily living. You can find the specific program that applies to the service member you’re caring for below:
U.S. Army Recovery Care Program
U.S. Navy Wounded Warrior – Safe Harbor
U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program
U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment
U.S. Special Operations Command
Additional resources can be found in the Warrior Care Caregiver Resource Directory.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
