SALISBURY — The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin providing additional support to eligible post-9/11 veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary family caregiver under a law passed last year.
“W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center is ready, willing, and able to provide these well-deserved, enhanced services to caregivers of our veterans,” said Paul M. Russo, medical center director. “The new program builds on the foundation of caregiver support now provided at VA and reflects what families and clinicians have long known: that family caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of veterans under VA care.”
Additional services for primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans and service members include a stipend, mental health services and access to health care insurance if they are not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan. Comprehensive Caregiver training and medical support are other key components of this program.
Veterans and their family caregivers can apply for the new services starting May 9 at www.caregiver.va.gov. Debra Volkmer, LCSW, the Hefner VA Caregiver Support Coordinator, is also available to assist with the application process and direct veterans and their family caregivers to more than two dozen other programs VA offers family caregivers for support.
“Thank you, family members, for your service to our veterans and your loved one. Now it is time to let us serve you,” said Volkmer.
Assistance and information on additional resources are also available to Family Caregivers through VA’s National Caregiver Support Line, 1-877-222-VETS (8387). Veterans and Caregivers with questions about the new program can contact Volkmer at 704-638-9000, extension 4499.