Sage Advice: Help for Veterans and Family Caregivers

New offerings of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs are now available to Veterans and to their family caregivers.

A toll-free National Caregiver Support Line (1-855-260-3274) is now available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Licensed clinical social workers are available to answer questions, listen to concerns and directly connect callers to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the nearest local VA Medical Center. Each VA Medical Center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator who can locate resources and assistance most appropriate to each person’s unique situation.

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs also now offers a new program of support for post-9/11 Veterans who elect to receive care in the home from a family caregiver. Eligible family caregivers can receive a stipend, training, mental health services and access to health insurance if they are not already under a health plan.

Assistance with the application process is available. Caregiver Support Coordinators are stationed at every VA Medical Center; or dial toll-free 1-877-222 VETS (8387).

The VA offers a variety of services for veterans of eras including home care, caregiver education and training, respite care as well as home modification, durable medical equipment and transportation to and from medical appointments.

To learn more, visit www.va.gov