What is the one piece of advice you would offer to other military and veteran caregivers to help navigate their health journey?

The VA Adult Day program is a blessing! - for me and for my elderly father w/ Alzheimer's. Knowing he is in a safe, secure, loving place a couple times week. Knowing he has 'friends' and staff whom he recognizes and can share a laugh. Having others who know him - know his baseline - is affirming - it helps to have a second set of eye's/ears to track needs and changes over time. Having others with whom to share day-day ups/downs is comfort to me as a caregiver. Being able to have labs/tests/routine matters done when he is there in the VA bldg. - thus saving my time for meeting with doctor. Having transportation by local Veterans agency. Thanks!

You are your **BEST* ADVOCATE when it comes to your health - When dealing with all of the red tape, and pitfalls of the VA System, make sure that you have someone in your corner. A service organization who knows the in's and out's of the VA. I was originally DENIED my benefits - I spent 4 years in, during the 80's, I didnt retire nor was I injured in the line of duty. So when I was denied, I was like, oh well, it is what it is. I met a National VP of the Paralyzed Veterans of American (Hack Albertson) by chance, and he told me that I was Category 4 Catastrophic, with FULL VA MEDICAL - without him and the PVA I would be one of the statistics we all hear about. A service organization like the PVA, VFW, American Legion, DAV etc can help you navigate the VA system. Dont try to work with the VA directly, let them do it for you. That is the best advice I can give anyone out there. Matter of fact, I received an Email from PVA National, saying about the changes in the Family caregiver program, the VA now required a National Provider Identification (NPI) for my wife to be paid for my care. ----

The physical and mental health of the caregiver is just as important, if not more so, than the military/veteran they are taking care of. The daily burden can not only sap your physical energy, but the emotional toll can be even worse. This is especially true if you are closely related to the military/veteran member. The emotional toll will ultimately affect your physical well being. It's okay to take time away for yourself. Our local VA has a Respite Program that provides free caregivers for a few hours or a day so that the caregiver can get away from the physical and mental stresses. There are also some respite programs that are available through other community resources. These should be used regularly by caregivers.

Signup at VA

help up up and push wheelchair

don't give up keep plugging along

V A health care

V A,

I teach/ practice daily kundalini yoga for stress, anxiety and PTSD. I recommend for everyone , not only for military and first responders to use mindfulness techniques.

Carezone app
Saving documents to cloud storage
Phone tracking
Smart home devices
CCTV to look in on me if she goes to store
Journal
Voice notes
Pictures
Medical support groups
WWP Independence Program
Independence Find
Couples Art Therapy
Ittf app to send text at 9am to brief my wife on the nights problems rather than waking her for small trivial BS