VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

Pauline Skowera (L) and Marjorie Tetrault provide information to Louis Marquez at Northampton VA Medical Center’s Caregiver Support Month Display in November.

On May 5, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.  This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a program to assist family caregivers for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with serious injury. In addition, VA is in the process of developing a Caregiver Program for all veterans. For more information about the VA Caregiver Support Program please visit the website at: http://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp

Research has shown that providing support to caregivers improves the quality of life for both the caregiver and the care recipient.  Conservative estimates indicate that tens of thousands of Veterans may require a Caregiver to provide some type of assistance to remain independent in their homes. Existing services for caregivers at Northampton VA Medical Center include:

• Respite
• Home Based Primary Care
• Adult Day Health Care and Homemaker/Home Health Aid
• Hospice and Palliative Care
• Purchased Skilled Home Care
• Telephone Advisory Nurse
• OEF/OIF Case Management
• Care Coordination - Home Telehealth (CCHT). 

Other benefits that the VA provides are durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aids to improve function, assistance with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for certain veterans to and from medical appointments.

VA has drafted a report on the implementation plan for the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.  It will be submitted to Congress in November 2010.  The report outlines the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers that will expand VA’s existing services and develop new benefits to support eligible veterans and their family caregivers to the fullest extent under the authority.  More information will be forthcoming once the plan is approved.

Each VA Medical Center has a designated Caregiver Support Coordinator to coordinate caregiver activities and serve as a resource expert for veterans, their families, and providers. The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System Caregiver Support Coordinator can be reached at (413) 584-4040.