{"id":10094,"date":"2014-05-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-05-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.philips.com\/resources\/blog\/2014\/05\/military-caregivers-have-many-options-for-support.html"},"modified":"2023-10-19T09:39:53","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T13:39:53","slug":"military-caregivers-have-many-options-for-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.com\/blog\/military-caregivers-have-many-options-for-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Military Caregivers Have Many Options for Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

Memorial Day honors those who have died in battle and reminds all Americans of the sacrifice service members and their families make. Military caregivers, though, see the sacrifice firsthand every day. There are an estimated 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States, according to research published by the\u00a0RAND Corporation<\/a>. These caregivers help vets through physical, emotional, and financial issues.<\/p>\n

Government Support<\/h2>\n

When a service member is injured in the line of duty, he often faces more than just physical trauma. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological issues can also come into play. Military leaders understand that this can be stressful on the entire family.<\/p>\n

To address this,\u00a0Veterans Affairs offers a range of caregiver support<\/a>. This is intended to ensure veterans and their families have access to the best resources available. You can learn more about the benefits available to military caregivers by calling the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.<\/p>\n

Community Support<\/h2>\n

In addition to the support line, there is also a caregiver support coordinator assigned to each local VA Medical Center. These liaisons help veterans and their caregivers find the local resources they need. A wide range of support services are available in almost every community. These services include everything from local support groups to organizations that provide transportation to vets living in rural areas.<\/p>\n

While military caregivers are responsible for many of the same tasks as other caregivers, there are also unique challenges that are best understood by others in the same situation. This makes it especially important to seek out support resources specifically created for friends and family of veterans. Make the Connection<\/a>\u00a0brings together vets, their caregivers, and their loved ones with others in their community. They can share inspiring stories, tips, and advice.<\/p>\n

Support for Caregivers<\/h2>\n

Military caregivers have been charged with a stressful job, one that can take a physical and\u00a0emotional toll.<\/a> Balancing caregiving tasks with your daily life can be a challenge. In order to ensure your own health, here are some things you should make sure to do:<\/p>\n