May is for celebrating all things military. Emphasis is highly placed on the service member, who raised their hand to defend this country.
But the same reverence needs to also be placed on those who care for our wounded veterans. In the United States, there are around 5.5 million military caregivers. Almost 20% of them are caring for our post 9/11 veterans. They willingly and lovingly do this, at great cost and sacrifice to themselves.
Military caregivers have long been labeled the hidden heroes. This is probably due to the fact that the majority of the focus was always placed on the veterans. While they absolutely deserve support and every resource to assist them with their needs, so do the caregivers. The service member’s life is forever changed by their time in service. But so is the caregiver’s life.
In 2019, the Wounded Warrior Project survey found that almost 30% of veterans require some assistance with things like daily chores. That same survey found that around 25% need help managing their money and medications. From there between 17%-15% of veterans required help with bathing, mobility transfers, and dressing. Most telling of all was that 58.7% of veterans in the survey indicated that they need assistance from another person. This is where our military caregiver comes in, often while working another job themselves. The work they do is worth an estimated $3 billion dollars according to the 2014 RAND study.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, caregivers spend on average 24 hours a week caring for veterans. Another study found that 40% of caregivers spend over 40 hours a week providing support to veterans. Many have poor health outcomes themselves due to the stress and work involved with caring for these veterans. So where can they find support?
Caregivers can typically find help within various military nonprofits and aid societies. The American Red Cross offers assistance and peer support to veteran caregivers of all eras. Organizations like Blue Star Families, Easter Seals, and Operation Homefront are also great resources for caregiver support and assistance. But more help is needed.
The costs of war and service to this country cannot be measured, they are so high. It is so important that society remember that care doesn’t just stop with the veteran. It’s also vital that we adequately address the needs of their caregivers as well. Although the VA has a caregiver program, the eligibility requirements can be difficult to meet as it is only for severely wounded. This also only applies to our post 9/11 veterans, completely excluding the other 80% of caregivers in this country. For now.
The VA Mission Act of 2020 is set to change all of that. Sometime in late summer or early fall of 2020, family caregivers of veterans injured prior to 1975 should be eligible to receive financial assistance and support. In 2022, those injured between 1975-2001 will become eligible. These changes were long-awaited and fought for by advocates. While this is certainly something to celebrate, there have been whisperings of projected delays. It is important that the military community and patriotic supporters continue to advocate and hold the VA accountable for the needs of our military caregivers.
There are many ways that you can remember veteran caregivers and support their service to this country. Here are a few things you can to celebrate and support military caregivers:
- Volunteer your time to bring a veteran to their appointments or pick up things they may need. Assisting with this task will alleviate some of the weight off of a caregiver.
- Learn about them. Their stories of devotion and love are powerful. Check out Hidden Heroes to meet a few extraordinary caregivers.
- Offer to make a meal once a week for them to allow them a day of rest from their consistent caregiving duties.
- Spend time with them. Often caregivers feel very isolated and alone, give them vital support by being there and listening. This can be absolutely priceless to the military caregiver.
