How are caregivers, veterans, and families getting access to COVID-19 testing kits?

Capt Brandon Charters I'm a fulltime caretaker for my 84-year old mother who is a 3 time stoke survivor and we have kept her in the house now for over a month with no outside contact, not even at the door. Both the wife and I have self-quarantined for about three weeks and are working out of the house since then. We've both been tested through the drive-threw centers to make sure we we'ren't carriers of the virus (god to go). We've hunkered down and sticked up on the important things without gouging food or supplies like most have. We're good in the house for the next 6 to 8 weeks and we'll take the necessary precautions when during resupply - We're golden so far and hopefully what we've done many can follow as well Brandon!

Cc: Kristie Thibodeau Melissa Comeau Tiffany Bodge COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Great question. These are crazy times. Hopefully we learn to be more proactive in the future.

I see nothing that prioritizes anyone for being a caregiver. Testing is based on the criteria in this link. I see nothing that addresses testing if the caregiver isn't a Veteran or not on TRICARE.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/17/how-va-and-tricare-users-can-get-tested-coronavirus.html/amp

Capt Brandon Charters Just like MSgt David Hoffman's comment - Good question.

I can't speak to the testing access or priorities, but I do hope that caregivers are leaning in on technology to maintain connection and support during these isolating times. AARP wrote a good article for those in facilities https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2020/questions-for-quarantined-facility.html....and also one for at home family caregivers https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2020/caregiving-isolation-quarantine.html?intcmp=AE-HP-BB-LL1 . If you are looking for a tool to help communicate and coordinate support for daily tasks, check out http://www.CaringBridge.org/military or download their app from the app store.