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

Be prepared to find VA workers that are supposed to know a specific thing, that you have been they know, and they know nothing about the need you have. Be prepared for misinformation, as things constantly change at the VA. Be patient and polite, anger will get you no where. Don't be afraid to go to the patient advocate as they generally do know where to direct you Don't get in a hurry as you are dealing with government workers, and the have many vets they are helping before you got there. Being respectful, kind andand saying you appreciate the help will get you what you need so much faster. Say something nice to older vets many are lonely and nobody or seldom does anyone speak to them.
Treat others as you want to be treated and this will advance your requests maybe a little faster. A bad attitude gets bad results every time!

We are all ways in a hard spot no matter what, but look forward there are other who are way off than your self. example: people living on the streets, 3rd world countries. be reminded you may not have everything but you do have is Family, Friends and loved ones always around.

Seek out your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the caregiver support program they administer under the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) as well as many other resources including nutrition/meals, in-home services, options counseling, and more. You can find your local AAA by visiting: http://www.eldercare.acl.gov

My wife and I went the Tr-Care route because the nearest VA was 90 minutes away at the time. Tri-Care was good to us, not too much out of pocket,and we ended up with a fantastic doctor in private practice. She's been our doctor for 12 years now, and we never see anyone else, which is very nice, personally, and very efficient as she knows our histories quite well by now. We live about 100 minutes drive from Ft Leonard Wood, so we have the doc write our scripts for 90 days, and fill them at Ft Leonard Wood 4 times a year. The FLW pharmacy carries a fuller variety of items than the VA pharmacy in our area. Free insulin for my wife more than pays for the gas to drive up there, and we get to hit the commissary and stock up on meats and other things.

Last year they opened a VA about 2 miles from our house. I went in and had an evaluation and a long talk with a doctor. She told me there was no good reason she could give me to switch over, and if we were happy with our doctor we should stick with her. And we have.

This is just what happened to us, hope this helps you in your decision making. God bless.

RALLY POINT!!!
Congressional aides, OIG, VISN, and the White House VA hotline! Search the va.gov website for forms. They have a form for EVERYTHING and you can print it out with instructions for completion. VISN is REQUIRED to respond to you within 48 business hours! They actually comply with this requirement!

I do not know if I qualify for your group. I am the vet/caregiver/guardian to my niece/ward who was born with cerebral palsey and who cannot walk. when my sister passed and then my mother , followed by my step father 54 days later. I had to step up. My mantra for the last 5 years has been every day its getting better. Don't let the legality's and the system stand in your way . Don't be afraid to ask for help. remember , all of us have an off day. If that happens , call someone. If you don't have anyone. call me. you will be squared away in no time .
Mike Rediker
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Savannah, GA

I have joined a caregivers group on Facebook and there are no limits as to what a person can say. They are allowed to vent and let it all out. They find other caregivers and realize that the struggle is real and every day isn't perfect. We all go through many of the same challenges. Being able to talk about it helps tremendously. We are all good people and we all care for our loved one the best that we can. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CaregiversHubSupportGroup/

I think self care as well as a support group are great tools. You have to take care of yourself when caring for others. Respite care is available in some cases and if you are lucky you may have friends or famiily who can pitch in to help.