Caregivers — Veterans Collaborative

Caregivers Resource Network

This page includes upcoming events for caregivers, information, and directories for community resources; caregiver support programs; elder services; and resource navigation, along with learnings from our Family & Caregiver Support Summit.

Caregiver Resource Network Directory

Organizations aligned with our Caregivers Resource Network empower and care for the caregivers of service members and veterans, building community, social support, and relationships to enrich the lives of caregivers, building a sense of purpose and access to community support, training, and peer networks. Ninveh Dizayer is the Chair of the Caregiver Resource Network.

VA Caregiver Support Program

The VA Caregiver Support Program offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. The program promotes the health and well-being of family caregivers through education, resources, support, and services. Caregiver Support teams are available at each VA Medical Center to help caregivers find the right support to meet their needs and to enroll in caregiver programs and services.

  • Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Rd, Bedford (781-687-2900)

  • VA Central Western Massachusetts – 421 North Main St, Leeds (413-584-4040 ext. 2554)

  • VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury Campus, 1400 VFW Parkway (857-364-3366)

Building Better Caregivers is a six-week on demand virtual program for VA-enrolled caregivers of veterans and veteran caregivers offered by VA with Cornell University. In conjunction withPsychArmor, VA also offers free, on demand S.A.V.E. Caregiver Suicide Prevention Training.

Caregivers can also connect with other learning opportunities through PsychArmor including courses for caregivers with a Certificate of Achievement upon completing the program and a Military Caregiver Recognition Award & Digital Resource Binder.

Legal & Financial Planning Services

The VA now offers no cost Legal & Financial Planning Services to Designated Primary Family Caregivers enrolled in VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. A Call Center is available 24/7 at (833) 422-7382 or caregivers can register here and follow the prompts to receive a call to set up an appointment to discuss individualized services with a Concierge for:

  • household budgeting, college expense planning and student loans, retirement planning, and a 90-day financial coaching program;

  • debt dispute resolution, debt management, and credit management;

  • creation of simple wills, advanced directives, and power of attorney and drafting instruments and documents pertaining to guardianship, credit reporting agencies, businesses, and debt collector notifications; and

  • education on state regulations on relevant topics including insurance review and education, mortgage loans and refinancing, identity theft and preventative steps in cases of personal data compromise and 90-day restorative services support for those experiencing identity theft.

Concierges are certified financial planners and paralegals who can provide guidance and education on routine issues and make referrals for the services outlined above. The Concierge handles the details of each inquiry, providing guidance and support throughout the process, as well as referrals and appointments with a national network of attorneys.

 
 

    • The Dole Caregiver Fellowship program for caregivers who are leaders in their communities, sharing their caregiving stories to bring vital attention to the tremendous challenges caregivers face. Fellows serve two-year terms and have the opportunity to continue growing with the Foundation’s resourceful alumni association.

    • The Respite Relief for Military & Veteran Family Caregivers program offers family caregivers of veterans or service members access to free, short-term relief with the help of in-home care professionals.

    • The Critical Financial Assistance Program provides financial relief to all eras of military and veteran caregivers through grants that aim to put military families on the path to financial wellness to fill gaps other programs may not cover, including utilities, bills, childcare, transportation, car repair, rent, mortgage, minor repairs, appliance purchases, or medical bills.

    • Caregiver Community Connection is an interactive web series that aims to empower, inspire, and engage America’s military, veteran, and family caregivers. Hidden Heroes also offers a Health & Wellness and Yoga & Mindfulness series.

    • Hidden Heroes is a campaign by the Dole Foundation to raise awareness of the issues military caregivers confront every day; inspire individuals, businesses, communities, and civic, faith and government leaders to take action in supporting military caregivers in their communities; and establish a national registry for caregivers to register and be connected to support.

 
 

The American Red Cross’ Military & Veteran Caregiver Network provides peer-based support and services to connect caregivers of service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries, and/or aging.

 
 

    • Careforth services Medicaid-eligible individuals and their families in Massachusetts, as well as members enrolled in Medicare Advantage, and their families at no cost to participants.

    • Caregivers of individuals who qualify for MassHealth Standard who are living in the home of the person they provide care to (who are not a spouse) and assist them with at least two activities of daily living, may qualify for a stipend.

    • If a caregiver qualifies and their loved one is approved through Medicaid, the caregiver may be eligible to receive payment for the care they provide. Careforth will walk caregivers through the approval process, help them handle the paperwork, and facilitate the payments.

DAV Caregiver Support Program

The DAV Caregiver Support Program provides tailored support and resources to the friends, family members, and loved ones who provide care to veterans, enhancing veterans’ quality of life by filling a critical gap in services.

The program, powered by TCARE, offers veterans and their caregivers access to resources, personalized care plans, and specialized one-on-one support.

Family Caregiver Support Program

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ Family Caregiver Support Program is a free program to help people in Massachusetts who are caring for an older family member, grandparents age 55+ caring for grandchildren, and relatives age 55+ caring for someone with a disability. A Caregiver Specialist will create a plan and offer tips and support. Call (800) 243-4636 and ask to speak with a Caregiver Specialist.

Elder Services in Massachusetts

Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) are private, non-profit agencies established under MGL Chapter 19A serving people over age 60 in Massachusetts through information and referrals; interdisciplinary case management; intake/assessment; developing, implementing, and monitoring service plans; and reassessing needs. ASAPs also investigate reports of elder abuse and neglect.

  • Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are public and private non-profit agencies designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of elders at the regional and local levels and may be categorized as city, county, regional planning council or council of nonprofits.

  • Councils on Aging (COAs) are the municipal agencies that provide local outreach, social and health services, advocacy, information and referral for older adults, their families, and caregivers. Local COAs and Senior Centers serve as elder advocates and links to support.

MassOptions

MassOptions is a service of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that can help older adults, people with disabilities, and family members or caregivers identify aging and disability services and connect with those that can meet their needs.

Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting older adults and their families to local services. Call or text (800) 677-1116, email, or start an online chat to speak with an Information Specialist on Mondays–Fridays from 8am–9pm.

  • On January 24, 2018, the Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative convened a Family & Caregiver Support Summit, hosted by the Massachusetts Army National Guard Family Program at the Wellesley Armory. This summit focused on family and caregiver support programs for service members and veterans. We heard from:

    The speaking program was followed by a dynamic discussion and Q&A with presenters and representatives from various government and nonprofit organizations.

    On May 1, 2018, Senator Elizabeth Dole Joined Local Leaders to Honor Greater Boston’s Military and Veteran Caregivers at VA Boston. Senator Dole, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Philips, and VA joined forces with Congressman Kennedy, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and others to recognize Boston’s military and veteran caregivers and celebrate Boston’s commitment to caregivers as a Hidden Heroes City.

    “Military caregivers give everything they have to care for Boston’s wounded warriors, sacrificing their own personal well-being,” said Congressman Joe Kennedy III. “We want them to know that they are not alone — resources and support are available to help them in their vital role caring for our service members and veterans, through programs offered by the City of Boston, the Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative, and Hidden Heroes.”

    “I am inspired by the selfless military and veteran caregivers serving Boston’s wounded warriors,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “As a Hidden Heroes City, we are grateful to be working hand-in-hand with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and each and every organization involved in the [GBVC] to support those who have given so much for their country. Together, we will work to ensure our hidden heroes have everything they need."

 

Key Topics

  • Ensuring caregivers have a community of support and know where to turn for help or social connection

  • Creating awareness about the range of programs and services available to caregivers among all service providers to facilitate proactive referrals

  • Encouraging information sharing, inclusion, and coordination of services to support caregivers, including proactive referrals to social and wellness activities for caregivers (and those they care for) and opportunities for growth and professional development

  • Sharing opportunities for collaboration, events, and partnerships to encourage broader engagement of caregivers as partners in the care of injured and ill service members and veterans

  • Creating space for participants who are caregivers to share their unique perspectives, experiences, and challenges

  • Forming affinity groups to organize and facilitate community summits on relevant topics and issues and to collect and share information and resources on this page

  • Ensuring all summits include discussion of relevant information regarding the topic as it relates to caregivers, including how they may best advocate or gain access for the service member or veteran they care for with regards to the issue or service area discussed

  • Submitting events to the shared calendar using the tag #caregivers and other tags so they appear above and on relevant resource or regional pages, including for #spouses and #families.