VA Initiates Family Caregiving Program

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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals are undertaking a new effort focused on assuring family members and loved ones caring for veterans are included in treatment.  The practice is already implemented at some facilities, but wasn't before standard policy.

The initiative finds medical providers at a handful of VA centers across the country reaching out to veterans to determine whether they want their caregiver in the room during treatment. On paper, the caregiver would then be involved in the entire care process, including treatment planning with doctors.

The new effort, kicking off first in three VA regions, was spurred by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, an advocacy group for the 5.5. million spouses, parents, family members and friends who take care of injured veterans at home.  Elizabeth Dole, a former Republican senator from North Carolina and secretary of labor and transportation issued a statement reading "They [caregivers] are the first line of defense against the worst of all possible outcomes — suicides.  These heroes provide care that is extensive, intimate and around the clock."

“It’s about including the caregiver as a true partner. We know the veteran in our clinics but we don’t know what’s happening the other 23 hours of the day,” Lisa Pape, deputy chief officer for patient care services at VA told Stars and Stripes. “That caregiver is experiencing that life journey. And they can fill in the pieces and paint the picture that we’re not able to see so we want to include them.”

Too many caregivers  find roadblocks while trying to accompany patients they care for during treatment or while trying to communicate with doctors. While there’s a trial period at a handful of hospitals in the northwest and Ohio, the VA hopes a full integration within two years.

The VA cites data from a 2009 National Alliance for Caregiving study that suggests one-quarter of caregivers have difficulty coordinating care with health care providers. That study did not consider exclusively VA patients.