More support needed for military caregivers, study finds

The Los Angeles Times

A new study by the Rand Corporation shows the great extent to which veterans who need ongoing care are receiving it from their families and loved ones, and suggests that these caregivers themselves need recognition and a more robust system of support. More than 40% of caregivers are 18–30 years old, and the authors point out that the stresses of caregiving can place a heavy burden on young marriages. Another 25% of caregivers are the parents of the veterans, who as they age may become less able to maintain the same level of support they once provided. Increasingly, caregiving includes “helping the veteran in coping with stressful situations or other emotional and behavioral challenges” as well as housework, meals, transportation, and help with health maintenance. Yet the RAND study authors noted: “We found that 53% of post-9/11 caregivers have no caregiving network — an individual or group that regularly provides help with caregiving — to support them.”