The U.S. Army Medical Command's Army Public Health Center launched a survey for military caregivers in 2018 to seek to understand the social, economic and health impact of caregiving and to identify gaps in services. (U.S. Army photo)
Jennifer S. Gutowski, MHA, FACHE
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
As the director, you have often heard me say that in caring for our Veterans … we can’t do this alone. Throughout the last two years I have met many “caregivers”… they are the unsung heroes who care for our Veterans’ needs. These are the family members or friends who devote their lives to care for Veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Program aims to support caregivers who in turn support Veterans in ways VA cannot. Caregivers play an important role in the health and well-being of Veterans, and caring for a wounded, ill, or injured Veteran is not easy work. Without family caregivers, many of these Veterans could not remain close to family and in their communities.
MISSION Act
As required by the 2018 VA MISSION Act, expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers will begin when VA has fully implemented a required information technology (IT) system and certifies this to Congress. VA is actively pursuing an IT solution. The timeline for completion and the subsequent certification is in development. VA will provide updates on theMISSION Act Website at https://missionact.va.gov/.
Under the current regulations for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, only Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible to apply.
Once the IT system is successfully implemented, the expansion will occur in two phases, beginning with eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975.
The final phase of the expansion is anticipated to begin two years later. It will include eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty after May 7, 1975, to September 10, 2001. VA looks forward to providing continued updates as to our progress.
For more information, read theVA VAntage Point Blog at www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/37021/,visit the VA Caregiver Support website at https://www.caregiver.va.gov/ or call the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
You can also contact our local Caregiver Support Coordinator: Dr. Belkys Fiame at Belkys.Fiame@va.gov or (808) 566-8384.
On Aug 14, (9 a.m.-1 p.m.), I’ll be speaking at the Health and Wellness Forum – The Caregiver Journey at the Nehelani Conference Center, 1249 Kolekole Ave. on Schofield Barracks. It’s free and open to caregivers/spouses who manage family members with chronic health concerns. This forum will explore the caregiver journey and identify the journey.
Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ausa-na-koa-wounded-warrior-regatta-health-and-wellness-forum-the-caregiver-journey-tickets-60480707424.
“One Team, One Ohana”