Va Begins Implementing

[Berta]

From: VA Media Relations [

Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 2:22 PM

To

Subject: VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Program

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.

Starting May 9th, Veterans may download a copy of the Family Caregiver

program application (VA CG 10-10) at 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.

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.myhealth.va.gov

<http://www.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. "

[Pete53]

Glad that they are doing this for Post 911 Veterans but why not for all Veterans. This program has the potential to save the VA a lot of money and also make things easier for the Veterans a real win win deal.

[john999]

The VA is so afraid someone is going to get a free ride even if it is the spouse of a disabled vet. There are many cases where a vet has a healthy spouse that can keep him/her out of a nursing home for years if they could get a little help and a little money. It is as if disabled vets only appeared during OIF/IEF. I do feel that Vietnam era and all the older vets are just forgotten. The Vietnam era vets are really going to need help in the next few years.

[Berta]

I agree with you both.

(Don't tell anybody but I think this is idea going to be royally snafued up the ying yangs. It has been only due to pressure that the VA is finally "implementing" this program. BTW-The so called application form isn't at the VA web site yet.I was reluctant to even post this press release.I have a friend over at the local Bath VAMC Nursing home whose family would love to care for him at home because he is dying.Only problem is he is a Vietnam vet.So no caregiver help for his family members.I wonder how much this will even help caregivers of post 9-11 vets.)

[carlie]

Berta,

Remind them about Hospice - it was wonderful for our family.

[broncovet]

Shinseki's statement,

We at VA know that every day is a challenge for our most seriouslyinjured 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."

Reeks of insincerity and downright lies. He was supposed to have implemented this LAST YEAR, and in a year

he cant so much as even get an application online for recipients to apply. He makes it sounds like the VA is moving as fast as possible on this, when, in fact, Shinseki was scolded before congress for taking so long. I would like to see if what happened if they delayed HIS paycheck a year "to work all the snafus" out of it. We need a new Secretary who does not ponder for a year deciding if he will do what congress told him to do, before he does anything. Even when this is implemented, Shinseki wants fewer Vets families to benefit from it that what congress intended.