The "Caregivers of Veterans ~ Serving on the Homefront" study provides unique insights into the effects of caregiving for a veteran on the caregivers' own health, work and home life. It also provides a look across the age spectrum of caregiving representing veterans from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Operating Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Caring for a Veteran is Unique
One contributing factor for the high stress levels and burden experienced by the caregivers of veterans is the veteran's health conditions, which often includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ~ 60%), mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety ~ 70%, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) ~ 29%. Study respondents reported feeling stressed and said they avoided situations that could be stressful for their veteran that might trigger anxiety or antisocial behavior. Eighty-six percent reported that they needed to remind or give clues to the veteran about what he or she should be doing. One respondent said: "We moved the [family reunion] to an outdoor venue so the walls won't be closed in around him . . I talk him through scenarios . . that kind of prepping does help him reduce the stress overall."
The study found that family caregivers of veterans faced a higher burden of care, both in intensity and duration, often supporting a spouse or partner over a longer period of time than typical family caregivers. They are also typically women (96%) compared to the national average (65%) and make many sacrifices to health and work for their loved ones. Most of the women were sole providers of care ~ only 1/3 received care from paid caregivers.
Many caregivers of veterans reported that their own health had been impacted due to the intensity of their caregiving responsibilities. A majority reported declines in their own healthy behaviors, such as exercising (69%), good eating habits (56%), going to one's own doctor and dentist appointments on schedule (58%), and previous studies have shown that caregivers tend to neglect their own health and well-being when they become a caregiver. Similar proportions had weight gain/loss (66%) or experienced depression (63%), 88% reported feeling increased stress and anxiety, and 77% reported sleep deprivation.
Making Choices
At the time of the study, women were half of all U.S. workers, and mothers were the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in nearly 2/3 of American families. Caregivers of veterans often are forced to make trade-offs with their careers and financial stability in order to take care of their veteran and 43% reported that they provided more than 40 hours a week of care, the equivalent of a full-time job. Of the 68% who were employed while caregiving, 47% say they had to take early retirement or stop working entirely, and 62% had to cut back the hours in their regular work schedule.
One caregiver in the study stated: "It was said that [my caregiving activities] were not my responsibilities and that I should vacate that role or I would lose my job. I took another job that is very accommodating, but I took a severe pay cut of 25-30%, and I lost my health and dental [benefits]."
Caregivers of Veterans Proud to Serve Despite Personal Sacrifices
"The family caregivers who serve our country's veterans are making huge sacrifices in terms of their own health, careers and home life," said Reed Tuckson, M.D., United Health Foundation board member and Executive Vice-President and Chief of Medical Affairs, United Health Group. "The data indicate that these 'homefront heroes' are proud to serve in the role of caregiver for their loved ones. Yet it is incumbent upon all of us to help them find support and solutions to preserve their own health and well being, as well as that of the veteran. It is important that relatives, friends and neighbors seek out opportunities to provide respite and other supportive services to these caregivers."
Approximately a year ago, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs projected there would be more than 23 million U.S. veterans; a previous NAC study on caregivers of veterans nation-wide, found that more than 10 million people were caring for a veteran and nearly 7 million of them are veterans themselves.
The study also found that these caregivers are part of the classic "Sandwich Generation" ~ balancing caring for their veteran and caring for children under the age of 18. This situation can take a toll on the family dynamics with 69% reporting that they spent less time with their children than they would have liked; 57% reported that their children or grandchildren had experienced emotional or school problems as a result of their caregiving or the veteran's condition.
Despite the sacrifices, caregivers of veterans are overwhelmingly proud of the service they provide to their loved one. Of the respondents, 94% felt proud of the support they provided; 78% felt a sense of reward from having gained knowledge and skills through caregiving; and 67% found caregiving to be fulfilling.
Where to Look for Support
When looking for suport or advice, caregivers most often depended on word-of-mouth (70%) which 63% found helpful. In addition, 65% who have a care manager said their care managers had been helpful locating, arranging and coordinating care and resources for the veteran, and 43% felt the care manager had been helpful finding support for the caregiver her/himself.
Online forums, groups or blogs were rated as helpful (74%) by the 48% of caregivers of veterans who turned to them. Caregivers taking care of younger veterans were more likely to turn to these online resources by a wide margin, followed by the Department of Defense (DoD) military system and Military OneSource, whereas those caring for an older veteran more likely turned to local government or community organizations. Other sources of information rated as particularly helpful included disease-specific organizations and in-person support groups.
Excerpted from Salem-News.com, November 10, 2010
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