The month of March is dedicated to celebrating the Military Caregiver, those family members and friends of former military members who require assistance. As those members of the military have bravely sacrificed, so have their caregivers. This month honors their sacrifices and their successes.
Unique Challenges
Service members today face unique challenges. Because life-saving techniques on the battlefield have improved, the severity of wounds for which survivors are challenged is much greater. Multiple – up to four – amputations. Near-full-body burns. Brain trauma. Years ago, many of those who survive today would not have made it home.
There are more invisible wounds today, as well: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), mental and cognitive illnesses and issues.
With increased issues for service members, the medical safety net is strained. There are gaps, waiting lists, services that can be found only at far-reaching destinations.
All of this adds to the burden of family members, friends and community organizations who elect to be caregivers.
Sgt. Will Gardner
I recently watched a movie on Netflix, “Sgt. Will Gardner.” In it, the main character, a veteran suffering from TBI and PTSD said, “You know, brother, not all military casualties of war end up in hospitals and national cemeteries. Some make it back, others make it back, never make it home. I want to bring those vets home.”
The movie closes with this statement: “Although it is impossible to gauge accurately, findings estimate approximately 50,000 veterans are still homeless on any given night in the United States of America. A recent DoD report states that 383,947 veterans have been diagnosed with war-related Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) since the year 2000. In 2015, a VA Inspector General’s report revealed that 307,000 veterans died while awaiting pending healthcare claims. The VA National Suicide Data Report claims that the average number of Veterans who die by suicide each day remains unchanged at 20.
What The Experts Say
The following information is from a 2017 study. Source citations will be found at this site.
Since 2001, nearly 3 million U.S. military service members have deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom (October 2001–present), Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 2003–August 2010), or Operation New Dawn (September 2010–December 2011). Formerly deployed military service members and veterans (MSMVs) report a high prevalence of physical and mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), anxiety, major depression, and difficulty transitioning from their military operations to civilian roles.
Even among veterans without physical or psychological disorders, research has shown that 25% or more report difficulty in social functioning, self-care, or other major life domains following deployment. Many veterans experience relationship and employment difficulties, homelessness, post-deployment injury, or suicide. Furthermore, the suicide rate among MSMVs exceeds the rate among civilians.
Therefore, helping these veterans to resume participation in their life roles is a national priority. Based on our review of over 15 years of research literature on reintegration, we define MSMV reintegration as both a process and outcome of resuming roles in family, community, and workplace which may be influenced at different levels of an ecological system.
That being said, “we define MSMV reintegration as both a process and outcome of resuming roles in family, community, and workplace which may be influenced at different levels of an ecological system,” support systems do not yet exist or are marginally available in government programs and communities.
Operation We Are Here
This website offers support and resources, both for caregivers and for those who want to assist. The site strives to provide a comprehensive list of resources for the military community and its supporters, offering practical suggestions to churches, communities and individuals.
With an awareness of the challenges facing the military community, they act as a clearinghouse for resources. For example, it offers links to the following organizations:
- American Red Cross Caregiver Training: Training for family and friends who care for wounded heroes needing long-term care.
- Blue Star Families: Providing both online and hands-on worships to empower caregivers.
- Boulder Crest Retreat in Virginia: Delivering free, combat-related stress recovery retreats for veterans, couples, families, caregivers and Gold Star families.
- Braveminds Caregivers Connect: Supporting caregivers assisting veterans with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and other challenges.
- Camp Bliss (Minnesota): Providing retreats for veterans and persons with disabilities at low or no cost.
- com: A support group made up of “mothers, fathers, pet owners, sons, daughters, grandchildren, friends and members of the online community.”
- Caregiver Actional Network: Working to improve the quality of life for the “more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions…”
- Caregivers Empowering Caregivers (Blue Star Families): A workshop focusing on “resources, support and tools caregivers need to adjust to the physical and invisible wounds of war.”
- And many, many more….
In Closing
I would never presume to be an expert in this area, but I can tell you that providing support to caregivers and/or providing financial contributions to the organizations that support them is worthy of your consideration.
One place to give your support is the Gary Sinise Foundation, www.garysinisefoundation.org. This foundation supports returning veterans and their families.