National Family Caregivers Month For All Generations of Veterans and Families

Older generations of veterans and families finally matter...again

Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
November 1, 2018

34 years ago, I made my husband a promise that I would always be there for him. It was not an easy promise to keep at times, but he is not just my husband. He is my best friend.

We have been through a lot since we met way back in 1982 and today, it is the first time I can honestly say, I feel as if all the struggles we have been through are finally recognized by the country. Why? Because I, and millions of other families members feel as if we matter...again.

For far too long, the motto of Vietnam Veterans about never leaving another generation behind, left them forgotten and abandoned.

They have been the majority of the known suicides. Too many did not know the majority of veterans we lost were over the age of 50. Yet it was the Vietnam Veterans who came back and fought for everything, as imperfect as the efforts still are, to begin.

As we saw younger families being granted this special recognition for what they sacrifice for their veterans, we knew what it was like for them.

While we were happy for them, we wondered why we did not matter when we dealt with the same lives for a lot longer. Now we do not have to feel unworthy anymore.

Just wish they had updated everything else before this release.

VA celebrates National Family Caregivers Month

Department of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is commemorating National Family Caregivers Month this November by honoring the service of 5.5 million family members and friends who have dedicated their lives to providing much-needed care for chronically ill, injured or disabled Veterans.

“Caregivers make tremendous sacrifices to address the daily needs of Veterans who served our nation,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “These mothers, wives, fathers, husbands and other loved ones deserve our recognition and support for all they do to care for Veterans.”

Caregivers provide a valuable service to Veterans by assisting them beyond the walls of VA medical facilities with much-needed support, such as accessing the health care system, providing emotional and physical support and enabling many injured Veterans to stay in their homes, rather than living their lives in an institutional setting.

The recent passage of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 will expand eligibility for VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to Veterans of all eras of service — fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to help Veterans and their families live healthy and fulfilling lives.

The expansion will occur in two phases, starting with eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, with further expansion to follow.

Currently, VA is developing an implementation plan for the MISSION Act and encourages all caregivers and Veterans to learn about the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, as well as the many additional resources already available to all caregivers by visiting http://www.caregiver.va.gov or by calling the Caregiver Support Line toll free at 855-260-3274.

This is what was in the original one to give you an idea,

Veteran Eligibility: 
1.The Veteran incurred or aggravated a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.

2.Because of the qualifying serious injury, the Veteran requires another person (a Caregiver) to assist the Veteran with the management of personal care functions required in everyday living.

3.The serious injury renders the Veteran in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on a clinical determination that takes into account various factors.

4.It is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the Caregiver Support Program.

5.The Veteran will receive ongoing care from a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) or other VA health care team as a requirement for participation in the program.

6.The Veteran agrees to receive ongoing care at home after VA designates a Family Caregiver.

7.Personal care services that would be provided by the Caregiver will not simultaneously be provided through another individual or entity.

Caregiver Eligibility:

1.The Caregiver must be at least 18 years of age.
2.The Caregiver must be either:

a.The Veteran’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, step-family member, or extended family member; or b.Someone who lives with the Veteran full time.

3.Prior to approval, the Caregiver will be provided with training and must be able to demonstrate the ability to assist the Veteran with personal care functions required in everyday living.
**There are additional criteria that must be met prior to approval.

The Program of Comprehensive

Assistance for Family Caregivers
Family Caregivers provide crucial support in caring for our Nation’s Veterans by allowing them to stay in the homes and communities they defended, surrounded by the loved ones they fought for. Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, as established in PL 111-163, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, has allowed VA to provide additional supports and services to Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.

Application Details: •Veterans may begin the application process by accessing the Caregiver Program application (VA Form 10 10CG) at www.caregiver.va.gov. The application enables Veterans to designate one primary Family Caregiver and up to two secondary Family Caregivers. Caregiver Support Coordinators are available at every VA Medical Center to assist Veterans and their Caregivers with the application process. Additional application assistance can be provided at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

•If the Veteran is not currently enrolled in VA health care, both the VA Form 10-10 EZ for VA health services and the application for the Caregiver Program (VA Form 10-10CG) will need to be completed.

•The application must be completed and signed by both the Veteran or their legal representative and the primary Caregiver. The application can be hand carried to a Caregiver Support Coordinator at a local VA Medical Center (VAMC) for walk-in processing or it may be mailed to: Family Caregivers Program

Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329-1647

•Within three business days of receipt of the initial application, the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Veteran’s preferred VA Medical Center will contact the Veteran and Family Caregiver applicant(s).

•A clinical team from VA will coordinate arrangements with the Veteran to complete a clinical eligibility assessment.

This will include evaluating what assistance the Veteran needs with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, grooming, and/or need for supervision or protection. In addition, the Caregiver(s) will complete an assessment to ensure the eligibility criteria are met.

•Training is completed by the Family Caregiver applicant(s) once it is determined the Veteran meets eligibility criteria. Training can be completed in one of three ways: classroom training; online; or by self-study using a workbook and DVD that will be mailed to the Family Caregiver(s).

•Once training is completed by the Family Caregiver applicant(s), a VA clinician will visit the Veteran’s home. The purpose of this home visit is to make sure that the Family Caregiver applicant(s) and Veteran have everything they need to be safe and successful in the home setting.

•After the home visit is completed, the Family Caregiver(s) will be approved by VA and a primary Family Caregiver will be designated by VA. The designated primary Family Caregiver will begin receiving a monthly stipend based on the Veteran’s level of need and required assistance. The primary Family Caregiver may also be eligible to receive medical care through CHAMPVA if the primary Family Caregiver is not entitled to care or services under a health-plan contract. •There are many services specific to Caregivers of Veterans of all eras that are currently being offered by VA.

Contact your local VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator or the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 for information on these and other Caregiver resources and services.