Posted on Jan 14, 2019
It Takes a Network: Did you know there are an estimated 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers?
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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.
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.
Caregiver
Health
Military Family
Healthcare
American Red Cross
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 19
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.
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Melissa Comeau
Thank you for your comment. We look forward to connecting as many caregivers as we can. Please feel free to reach out if I can ever be of assistance.
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Mary Mulholland-Kafar
Melissa I have a question for you how does one get homebound and can it be gotten on top of getting Aid and Attendance
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
Much-appreciated to the Caregivers of the Veterans of the Armed Forces; I would love to work with you in support of the efforts of giving care to our uniformed services. Do keep my words handy, thanks.
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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 -
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 -
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Melissa Comeau
We would be happy to support your family as you all provide caregiving. We often associate it with just being part of a family. We are here for you!
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Melissa Comeau
Thank you Ryan and everyone at Rally Point for supporting military and veteran caregivers!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Melissa Comeau
I can not say enough about the support Yellow Ribbon Fund provides our caregivers. We have a partner group inside the secure Military and Veteran Caregiver Network. It was such an honor to be a part of the Yellow Ribbon group in San Diego. Thank you for your AMAZING work.
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Wow! I never knew that there were that many military and veteran caregivers!
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