Military and Veteran life introduces unique challenges to the work of caregiving. You are asked to manage the workload of caregiving while dealing with relocations, deployments and family separations, financial insecurity and additional barriers to employment, and your health and wellness concerns.
For those reasons, self-care is important, but it can be far from easy to practice. Therefore, we formed the Blue Star Caregivers Program to offer a time and space to focus on yourself and establish bonds with fellow military caregivers.
We hope you enjoy the following opportunities and resources in an effort to take time for you and continue your education in the caregiving space.
SPA (Support, Purpose & Appreciation) day for the Wives of Wounded Warriors happens twice a year at the Hotel Del Coronado and is growing to take place throughout the U.S. It's an opportunity for military wives who have been supporting their husbands to have a day just for themselves to restore and rejuvenate. This program gives the wives a day where they are pampered and can enjoy the fellowship of other wives struggling with the same challenges. Guest speakers and resources enhance lunch by the pool after spa treatments.
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, or disease, as well as those supporting the living needs of older adults. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN (the National Family Caregivers Association EIN 52-1780405) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.
Our mission is to provide the family members and caregivers of our Nation's service members, veterans and frontline workers with hope, a sense of togetherness, and a firm foundation of resiliency. Operation Frontline Families proudly advocates to promote awareness and increase education for not only our family members and caregivers, but the communities they live in.
Easterseals strives to ensure military caregivers can access what they need to take on the enormous responsibility of caregiving—often, while still needing to work, navigate family life and take care of themselves. We embrace and support military caregivers across the lifespan.
Easterseals has a long history of service to the veteran community dating back to World War II and is a proud Hidden Heroes Elizabeth Dole Foundation partner. Supports for military caregivers and their families include respite care, inclusive childcare, employment and career services, transportation, behavioral/physical health services and advocacy at the federal and local levels.
We also provide center-based adult day services or in-home services which are available for caregivers of older veterans with physical and/or cognitive challenges. Learn more.
To find out if an Easterseals in your area is offering services for military caregivers, please contact your local Easterseals.
Resource Center
Respite care: We offer a variety of respite options for military families. For example, through local partnerships with Childcare Aware of America and as part of the US Navy and US Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program, families who have members with special needs have access to respite programs. Easterseals also partners with ARCH National Respite to as part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. We also partner with the University of Maryland's Legacy Corps program that provides in-home respite for service members/veterans and their families at locations across the U.S.
Free Military Caregiving Education: Check out the hour-long on-demand educational online sessions available 24/7 for all military caregivers, providing tips and tools on topics including depression, childcare, intimacy, hearing loss, caregiver self-care and home safety. Select sessions are available in Spanish. Easterseals developed this series in partnership with The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and other military service and caregiving partners. Review past webinars.
Our Caregiver and Family Program is designed to support the unsung heroes behind our nation's heroes. We focus on the welfare of both Caregivers and the entire families of catastrophically wounded Veterans, recognizing their immense contribution and providing essential support. Through this initiative, we provide opportunities for respite, relaxation, and educational growth through retreats, art therapy, and personalized aftercare. Additionally, we foster a supportive community through online classes and a dedicated Facebook group.
By taking a holistic approach to address the distinct challenges these families face, we aim to strengthen familial bonds and cultivate a shared sense of community and understanding. Together, we embark on a journey toward true independence and healing.
Hidden Heroes Mission
Hidden Heroes brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and seeks solutions for the tremendous challenges and long-term needs they face.
Our goals:
Raise awareness of the issues military caregivers confront every day
Inspire individuals, businesses, communities, and civic, faith and government leaders to take action in supporting military caregivers in their communities
Establish a national registry, encouraging military caregivers to register at HiddenHeroes.org to better connect them to helpful resources and support
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. The program’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our Nation’s Veterans, through education, resources, support, and services. There is a CSP team CSP Team Locator located at every VA facilities . VA Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274
Operation Family Caregiver provides free and confidential support to the families of those who have served our nation.
We understand the challenging and stressful nature of what caregivers do all day, every day, when taking on many critical roles from the recovery process through lifelong care. All at the same time, they act as nurse, aide, psychologist, physical therapist, benefits expert, homemaker, cook, healthcare advocate, and so much more. Through local neighborhood get together events, caregiver days, and weekend caregiver retreats we provide activities, education, and tools in a welcoming environment where they can connect and support one another.
The Well Spouse® Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse or partner. We offer peer support and educate health care professionals and the general public about the special challenges and unique issues "well" spouses face every day.
To achieve this mission the Well Spouse® Association:
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