[acb-hsp] FW: [leadership] veterans services

[Peter Altschul]

  _____  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2011   

 

VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Program

VA Implementing Enhancements to Existing Services

for Veterans and Their Caregivers

 

WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the
interim final rule for implementing the Family Caregiver Program of the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010. This new rule will
provide additional support to eligible post-9/11 Veterans who elect to
receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family Caregiver. 

"We at VA know that every day is a challenge for our most seriously injured
Veterans and their Family Caregivers," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.
"I know many Veterans and their Family Caregivers have been waiting
anxiously for this day and I urge them to get their applications in as soon
as possible so they can receive the additional support they have earned."  

On May 9, staff in VA's Office of Care Management and Social Work will open
the application process for eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers
to designate their Family Caregivers. 

Additional services for primary Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11
Veterans and Servicemembers include a stipend, mental health services, and
access to health care insurance, if they are not already entitled to care or
services under a health care plan. Comprehensive Caregiver training and
medical support are other key components of this program. The program builds
on the foundation of Caregiver support now provided at VA and reflects what
families and clinicians have long known; that Family Caregivers in a home
environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care.


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Starting May 9th, Veterans may download a copy of the Family Caregiver
program application (VA CG 10-10) at www.caregiver.va.gov
<http://www.caregiver.va.gov/> .  The application enables the Veteran to
designate a primary Family Caregiver and secondary Family Caregivers if
needed.  Caregiver Support Coordinators are stationed at every VA medical
center and via phone at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) to assist Veterans and their
Family Caregivers with the application process.

"Providing support to Family Caregivers who sacrifice so much to allow
Veterans to remain at home surrounded by their loved ones, is very important
to us at VA.  We offer a range of Caregiver support services including
training, counseling and respite care to ensure that our caregivers have the
tools and support they need to continue in their care giving role," said
Deborah Amdur, VA's Chief Consultant for Care Management and Social Work.
"We appreciate the patience, support and assistance we have received from
Veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, and the greater Caregiver
community in shaping this program and bringing this new VA program to our
wounded warriors and their dedicated Family Caregivers." 

Caregivers for Veterans of all eras are eligible for respite care, education
and training on what it means to be a caregiver, how to best meet the
Veteran's care needs, and the importance of self-care when in a care giving
role. The full range of VA services already provided to Caregivers will
continue, and local Caregiver Support Coordinators at each VA medical center
are available to assist Family Caregivers in identifying benefits and
services they may be eligible for.  The Caregiver Support Coordinators are
well versed in VA programs and also have information about other local
public, private and non-profit agency support services that are available to
support Veterans and their Family Caregivers at home.       

VA programs for Veterans and their Family Caregivers include:

o          In-Home and Community Based Care:  This includes skilled home
health care, homemaker home health aide services, community adult day health
care and Home Based Primary Care.  

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o          Respite Care:  Designed to relieve the Family Caregiver from the
constant challenge of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at
home, respite services can include in-home care, a short stay in one of VA's
community living centers or an environment designed for adult day health
care.  

o          Caregiver education and training programs:  VA currently provides
multiple training opportunities which include pre-discharge care instruction
and specialized caregiver programs in multiple severe traumas such as
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, and Blind
Rehabilitation.  VA has a Family Caregiver assistance healthy living center
on My HealtheVet, www. <http://www.myhealth.va.gov/> myhealth.va.gov, as
well as caregiver information on the VA's main Web page health site; both
Websites include information on VA and community resources and Caregiver
health and wellness.

o          Caregiver support groups and other services:  Family Caregiver
support groups, offered in a face to face setting or on the telephone,
provide emotional and peer support, and information.  Family Caregiver
services include family counseling, spiritual and pastoral care, family
leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses. 

o          Other services:   VA provides durable medical equipment and
prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with
home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation
assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments.  

 

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