In 2010, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act became a law, affording supportive services to post-911 veterans and their caregivers. As part of the law, the VA Caregiver Support Program provides qualifying caregivers of eligible veterans with a number of supportive services, including caregiver training, a monthly stipend, health insurance, counseling, respite care, and travel expenses for medical care.

These services can tremendously improve the physical and emotional resiliency of those invested in the care of a veteran family member. While providing much-needed support to the caregivers of post-911 veterans, the act overlooks the needs of those caring for veterans of pre-911 service eras, such as the Vietnam and Gulf Wars.

In June of this year, Congressman Ryan Costello and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty introduced HR2894: the Caregivers Access and Responsible Expansion (CARE) for All Veterans Act. The purpose of the CARE for All Veterans Act is to expand the services of the VA Caregiver Support Program to include the caregivers of pre-911 veterans, who comprise more than 80 percent of all veteran caregivers. The CARE for All Veterans Act seeks to ensure that all of our nation’s heroes receive the quality care that they deserve.

In order to be eligible for the CARE for All Veterans Act, caregivers must be 18 years or older and either a family member or an individual who resides with the veteran full-time. Eligible veterans are those who sustained a serious injury, are unable to perform one or more daily living activities or require supervision, and are enrolled in VA health care.

At Best Care, we are committed to keeping you abreast of issues that affect you and your loved ones, as well as providing the highest quality home health care services. Please contact us to learn more about the licensed nursing and caregiver options that we offer to meet the specific needs of your family.