It Takes a Network: Did you know there are an estimated 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers?

Did you know there are an estimated 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers?

Do you know one?

Are you one?

The Rand report Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers commissioned by The Elizabeth Dole Foundation identified that only 47% of post 9/11 Military and Veteran Caregivers have a caregiving network. More than half of the caregivers of military service members and veterans don’t know other caregivers in their situation.

The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) was created to address the issues of social isolation many caregivers are facing. Now part of the American Red Cross, the Military and Veteran Caregiver works to increase connection, engagement, knowledge, skills, and hope for the 5.5 million caregivers around the country.

Peer support is the base of all we do at the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network. The MVCN team and our volunteers are caregivers who are living this journey alongside the caregivers they are supporting. We train volunteer peer mentors, support group facilitators, and online moderators who provide one on one mentorship, facilitate peer support groups online and in the community, and interact in our Online Community to connect caregivers to crucial support. The hub of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network is a secure, custom, online community that operates 24/7 to support caregivers. Our Online Community has over 2000 members and continues to grow daily. Within the Online Community caregivers can find topic and partner groups, training opportunities, chats, phone calls, and support opportunities to engage with their peers and reduce their isolation.

Our caregiver members include those who are just embarking on their caregiving journey as well as those who have been caring for their loved one for decades. Our structured peer support fosters mutual respect and opportunities for caregivers to give back to their peers in a meaningful way. Through the process of training and getting to know these caregiver peer supporters, I have truly been inspired by their compassion, empathy, resource referral, self-care, and understanding.

Since it can be challenging to identify as a military or veteran caregiver, whether due to stigma, fear, or other reasons, the MVCN created a quiz to help caregivers self-identify.

1. Do you do things for someone who serves or served in the Armed Forces that he or she can’t do for themselves anymore?
2. Do you feel you do the care responsibilities for someone who served in the Armed Forces because they are your spouse, son/daughter, friend, sibling or other family member?
3. Do you sometimes, even often, feel alone or isolated in in your duties because no one around you does the same thing or seems to understand?


If you answered YES to any of these questions you may be a military or veteran caregiver. Please connect with us to share your story, get support, and engage with a community of military and veteran caregivers who understand the journey you’re on.

Signing up for the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network is easy and starts with your name and email.

https://rly.pt/CaregiverApplication

Once we have verified your military or veteran connection, you will receive a link to login to the secure, custom, caregiver only online community.