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Support for Veteran Caregivers
Am I a Caregiver?
Parent, spouse, daughter, son. Also known as America's Family Caregivers. A caregiver is someone who cares for an aging, ill, injured or disabled Veteran. Caregiving duties range from occasional errand-running and other supportive care to 24-hour, live-in support. You don't have to live with the Veteran to be a caregiver.
The VA and Caregivers
The San Francisco VA Medical Center recognizes that caregivers provide a valuable service for Veterans and are "partners" with the VA in providing excellent health care. Caregivers provide the support and care needed to allow Veterans to remain in their own home. Caregivers also play an important role in supporting Veterans who are hospitalized or living outside their home.
We believe that caring and supporting caregivers improve the lives of Veterans. Learn more about how the VA supports caregivers and how you can seek help.
Programs for Caregivers
The SFVAMC has several programs to support caregivers. Some of these include:
- Parkinson's Disease and Caregiver Support Group: Provides education and emotional support to deal with the stress and strain of care giving.
Contact: Elaine Lanier, RN, MS, (415) 379-5530
- Community Living Center Support Group: Provides caregiver support for family members of CLC residents.
Contact: Michelle Tapia, LCSW, (415) 221-4810 x4238
- Voluntary Respite Program: Volunteers provide home respite for caregivers of homebound veterans.
Contact: Tony Le Roy (415) 221-4810 x6331
- Family 2 Family Program: Co-facilitated by Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) staff and local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Contact: Deborah Jamieson, RN, MS (415) 221-4810 x2893
For more information, please contact SFVAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator Jeannette Hilgert, LCSW, at (415) 221-4810 x2801 or jeannette.hilgert@va.gov.
New Family Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans
VA now provides additional support to eligible post-9/11 Veterans who
elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family
Caregiver. Eligible primary Family Caregivers can receive a stipend, training, mental health services, and access to health insurance if they are not already under a health care plan.
Assistance with the application process is available. For more information, please contact the SFVAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator Jeannette Hilgert, LCSW, at (415) 221-4810 x2801 or jeannette.hilgert@va.gov.
National Caregiver Support Line
The VA Caregiver Support Line serves as a resource/referral center for caregivers, Veterans and others seeking caregiver information; provide referrals to local VA Medical Center Caregiver Support Coordinators and VA/community resources; and provide emotional support.
The National Caregiver Support Line Toll-Free number is 855-260-3274, Monday through Friday 5a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time.
Here are some tools that can help you, as a Veteran Caregiver:
* Links 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. The link will open in a new window.
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