Mountain Home VA Medical Center

National Family Caregivers Month, observed every November, is a nationally recognized month that seeks to draw attention to the many challenges facing family caregivers, advocate for stronger public policy to address family care giving issues, and raise awareness about community programs that support family caregivers.

According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), over 65 million people are family caregivers in any given year. A family caregiver is defined as someone who cares for a chronically ill, disabled or elderly loved one. In fact, there is not going to be a family in America that isn’t impacted by care giving at one time or another. Currently, more than 65 million family caregivers support our healthcare system by providing care that is the equivalent of a half-time job.
 
During national family caregiver’s month, the Mountain Home VA Medical Center has educational efforts planned to help Veterans and families understand the challenges caregivers face and offering tips to make it easier for them.  Social workers are speaking at the local mall at a health resource center sharing suggestions and letting everyone know about VA services through the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program. This unique program provides a comprehensive treatment team that delivers health care services within the comfort of a Veterans’ home. The team often spends a lot of time with the Veterans’ caregiver.

Please celebrate family caregivers by actively helping a care giving family.  Think of a family caregiver you know, whether a neighbor, relative, co-worker, or friend and offer them a helping hand. Be specific when proposing to help by offering a ride to church, preparing a nourishing meal, or by offering a free afternoon of sitting so the caregiver can get away. Just a little bit of help makes a big difference for family caregivers.

There will be a display in the Mountain Home VA Medical Center atrium during the month of November where Veterans and families can pick up educational material or talk with a social worker and other community vendors.