For Caregivers

What is a Caregiver and Are You One?

Caregivers assist those who are chronically ill, disabled, or are getting older and are no longer able to care for themselves.  Caregiving includes helping with personal needs or household chores, as well as managing a person’s finances, arranging for outside services, or visiting regularly to see how the individual is doing.  Caregivers are generally unpaid family members or friends (though they may be paid professionals) who provide care to their loved one.  You do not need to live with a person to be considered a caregiver and many people who serve as a caregiver do not recognize themselves as such – you may simply think you’re “helping out.”

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you are a caregiver

• Do you feel responsible for providing support to a loved one?
• Do you help out a loved one around the home, with cooking or cleaning, even if only on an occasional basis?
• Do you take your loved one to run errands and/or escort them to medical appointments?
• Would your loved one call you in an emergency and expect your prompt assistance?
• Do you provide support or assistance to a loved one living in long-term care, assisted living, or a residential facility?

VA Hotline to Assist Caregivers

Without assistance, caregivers may experience stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, financial challenges, or neglect their personal health.  VA stands ready to help you balance your life and achieve greater personal satisfaction with your role as a caregiver.  The VA now offers a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 for caregivers providing support at home for veterans.

Licensed clinical social workers are available Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 10 PM, and Saturday 9:30 AM to 5 PM Central Time to help with caregiver’s concerns and link them to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at their local VA Medical Center.  Local Caregiver Support Coordinators can help caregivers find assistance tailored to their unique situation.