National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
HAP Partnership Impact
VHA partnerships provide support for Veteran caregivers
VHA recognizes the vital role caregivers and families play in the care of Veterans. In recognition of Month of the Military Caregiver in May, here are some resources offered by VHA partners and potential partners that augment VA’s caregiver resources. The resources are grouped by specific health conditions.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS Association has a network of chapters and support groups across the nation to support caregivers of those who are diagnosed with this disease.
Arthritis
Arthritis Foundation hosts Live Yes! Connect Groups which are currently online due to COVID-19. The groups are for people who are diagnosed with arthritis and their loved ones and are designed to help people build social connections.
Cancer
American Cancer Society offers tips for caregivers and family members of those who are diagnosed with cancer via a caregiver support video series, an interactive caregiver resource guide, and support and online communities.
Cancer Care provides a portal for caregivers outlining its resources, including counseling, case management, and online support, all led by oncology social workers.
Cancer Support Community lends caregiver support through its website and a library of downloadable education materials on various caregiver topics such as pain management and how to talk to a health care team.
Imerman Angels offers one-on-one support for caregivers through its Mentor Angel program. Caregivers, cancer survivors and those who are fighting the disease can request a mentor or become one themselves.
Diabetes
American Diabetes Association provides an online support community with discussion boards organized by topic, including caregivers.
Lung diseases/ Lung cancer
American Lung Association offers self-care tips for lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis caregivers. They also can participate in a Better Breathers Club and discussion boards, such as Caring for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Living with COPD, and Lung Cancer Survivors’ Community. For one-on-one support, caregivers for people diagnosed with lung cancer are encouraged to reach out to the association’s partner, Imerman Angels (above).
GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer provides support and education for those affected by lung cancer in its Lung Cancer Living Room series, information about support groups, and a GO2 Foundation membership area on the Belong.Life app, a social network. For caregivers whose loved one is at the end of life or has died, the foundation offers the Grief and Understanding In Death and End-of-life Support (GUIDES) Program for peer-to-peer support.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s Foundation offers a free downloadable book, “Caring and Coping,” which is designed to give caregivers tips on emotional, physical, and financial preparedness. It’s one of the Top 10 Essential Caregiver Resources that is available on the caregiver section of the foundation’s website.
The National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships supports the development of these and many other partnerships that provide support for those VA serves. “Caregiving is a challenging and important role,” said Dr. Tracy L. Weistreich, OCE nurse executive. “We’re grateful for our partners who, like VHA, offer care advice and emotional support for Veterans’ caregivers and family members.”
For more information on HAP, visit VA.gov/healthpartnerships. For information on VA Caregiver Support, visit caregiver.va.gov.
External Link Disclaimer: This page contains links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Posted March 29, 2021
