It Takes a Network: Did you know there are an estimated 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers?

2019-01-14T10:25:18-05:00

Did you know there are an estimated 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers?

Do you know one?

Are you one?

The Rand report Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers commissioned by The Elizabeth Dole Foundation identified that only 47% of post 9/11 Military and Veteran Caregivers have a caregiving network. More than half of the caregivers of military service members and veterans don’t know other caregivers in their situation.

The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) was created to address the issues of social isolation many caregivers are facing. Now part of the American Red Cross, the Military and Veteran Caregiver works to increase connection, engagement, knowledge, skills, and hope for the 5.5 million caregivers around the country.

Peer support is the base of all we do at the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network. The MVCN team and our volunteers are caregivers who are living this journey alongside the caregivers they are supporting. We train volunteer peer mentors, support group facilitators, and online moderators who provide one on one mentorship, facilitate peer support groups online and in the community, and interact in our Online Community to connect caregivers to crucial support. The hub of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network is a secure, custom, online community that operates 24/7 to support caregivers. Our Online Community has over 2000 members and continues to grow daily. Within the Online Community caregivers can find topic and partner groups, training opportunities, chats, phone calls, and support opportunities to engage with their peers and reduce their isolation.

Our caregiver members include those who are just embarking on their caregiving journey as well as those who have been caring for their loved one for decades. Our structured peer support fosters mutual respect and opportunities for caregivers to give back to their peers in a meaningful way. Through the process of training and getting to know these caregiver peer supporters, I have truly been inspired by their compassion, empathy, resource referral, self-care, and understanding.

Since it can be challenging to identify as a military or veteran caregiver, whether due to stigma, fear, or other reasons, the MVCN created a quiz to help caregivers self-identify.

1. Do you do things for someone who serves or served in the Armed Forces that he or she can’t do for themselves anymore?
2. Do you feel you do the care responsibilities for someone who served in the Armed Forces because they are your spouse, son/daughter, friend, sibling or other family member?
3. Do you sometimes, even often, feel alone or isolated in in your duties because no one around you does the same thing or seems to understand?

If you answered YES to any of these questions you may be a military or veteran caregiver. Please connect with us to share your story, get support, and engage with a community of military and veteran caregivers who understand the journey you’re on.

Signing up for the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network is easy and starts with your name and email.

https://rly.pt/CaregiverApplication

Once we have verified your military or veteran connection, you will receive a link to login to the secure, custom, caregiver only online community.

Online Community Application | MVCN

The MVCN provides pre- and post-9/11-era military and veteran caregivers with peer support to reduce their isolation and increase their sense of connectedness, engagement, hopefulness, wellness, knowledge and skills.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 14 at 2019 11:27 AM

2019-01-14T11:27:59-05:00

Thank you for the great share Melissa

Response by Ryan Callahan made Jan 14 at 2019 11:43 AM

2019-01-14T11:43:28-05:00

Melissa Comeau Thanks for highlighting the very important role of Military Caregivers.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 12:01 PM

2019-01-14T12:01:00-05:00

Melissa Comeau I had no idea that there were that many caregivers for military and veteran men and women. Having a Caregiver Network is a much needed way to have caregivers network, share knowledge, and hope. Excellent Command Post.

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 14 at 2019 12:29 PM

2019-01-14T12:29:11-05:00

I can definitely relate to everything mentioned in 1-3.

My wife and I take care of my Uncle from my father's side and my Aunts take care of my grandfather from my mother's side. I'm pretty sure none of us have ever considered this from a care giver perspective just something family does however this is great information and I will get my Aunt's as well as myself hooked up with the Veteran Caregiver Network.

Thanks for posting -

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 14 at 2019 3:55 PM

2019-01-14T15:55:20-05:00

More caregivers should get the stipend because they usually have to quit their job to care for their spouses.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Jan 16 at 2019 9:06 PM

2019-01-16T21:06:00-05:00

One of my Daughters is a Vet caregiver.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jan 17 at 2019 8:10 AM

2019-01-17T08:10:27-05:00

Looking forward to working with you again.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Jan 19 at 2019 2:35 AM

2019-01-19T02:35:03-05:00

My Daughter is my Moms caregiver I did the paperwork myself and sent it in. The VA people don't have a clue.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jan 19 at 2019 3:31 PM

2019-01-19T15:31:50-05:00

Military & Veteran Caregiver Network provides an incredible resource. I wish I knew about MVCN when I was assisting my father (USAF Vietnam Vet) as he was going through chemo treatments. I have several friends who are providing care to their veteran family members and will be sure to pass this along.

Response by CPL Jason Skinner made Jan 22 at 2019 9:28 PM

2019-01-22T21:28:52-05:00

Caregiver benefits from the VA is a good program that can only get better. Here’s hoping that the va mission act of 2018 expands eligibility sooner than later.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 28 at 2019 3:21 PM

2019-01-28T15:21:56-05:00

When applying, it will be prudent for the caregiver to write down what they do for the veteran.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 28 at 2019 10:03 PM

2019-01-28T22:03:32-05:00

I’ve read articles about how hard life can be on the caregivers, as they sacrifice so much of their own lives to take care of others. A hard job indeed.

Response by Ken Kraetzer made Feb 9 at 2019 10:04 AM

2019-02-09T10:04:31-05:00

Took care of ailing WWII veteran Dad for a bunch of years, a jey was taking him out in a wheelchair and drive through ice cream on errand trips. Miss those days.

Response by Ken Kraetzer made Feb 9 at 2019 10:06 AM

2019-02-09T10:06:02-05:00

Like to follow up with you folks with radio interview on #SALRadio one of pur Monday shows on WVOX 1460 New Rochelle.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2019 3:48 PM

2019-03-05T15:48:55-05:00

Wow! I never knew that there were that many military and veteran caregivers!

Response by SN David Heiser made Apr 10 at 2019 8:24 PM

2019-04-10T20:24:44-04:00

My nonprofit, the Yellow Ribbon Fund (http://yellowribbonfund.org) has a special program for caregivers of post 911 wounded, injured or ill service members. We're tiny but with some wonderful people with huge hearts. We currently serve military caregivers in the Washington DC, Southern California, Eastern Tennessee, and Kentucky and hope to expand to a few more key areas. I'm constantly amazed at the dedication and hard work of a military caregiver and they inspire me to give back.

Response by SP5 Arthur Ben Ephraim made May 17 at 2019 6:31 PM

2019-05-17T18:31:17-04:00

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Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 6 at 2019 3:57 PM

2019-07-06T15:57:01-04:00

These are unsung heroes

Response by Leasa Anderson made Sep 25 at 2019 10:06 PM

2019-09-25T22:06:46-04:00

when will the cold war veterans caregivers be able to collect a stipend? I haven't been able to work since May 2019 when my husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He served from active duty 1987-1996 & reserve duty 1996-2004. I've been told that since he only served 25 days overseas during 2004 he don't qualify.
Leada6

Response by Sandy Linden made Jan 19 at 2020 8:53 PM

2020-01-19T20:53:26-05:00

Did you know 4.4 of the 5.5 million Caregivers provide for a 100% physically Wounded WWII Korean VIETNAM or Desert Storm Vet and arent NOT eligible for the stipend a post 9/11 vets w PTSD gets?

Response by Wayne Soares made Jun 14 at 2020 9:27 AM

2020-06-14T09:27:18-04:00

Great info Melissa