It's Time to Celebrate Veterans who Care for Others, and Who Need Care

With more than 58,000 veterans calling Delaware home, AARP has a long history of supporting those who have served in the U.S. armed forces, and we take pride in helping them navigate life’s transitions. Caring for a veteran or service member is meaningful work, but it can also be challenging. Every caregiving journey is unique, and AARP is here to help. We offer free resources and community programs designed to support military families and caregivers. These include guidance on health care and housing, fraud protection, career training, job search assistance, and family caregiving.

A great place to start is with AARP’s free online Veterans and Military Caregiving Guide, a practical tool to help you get organized and create a caregiving plan. The guide walks you through four key areas:

Understanding your loved one’s needs is essential to providing the right care and ensuring they feel a sense of control over their own life. The guide highlights 10 key issues to help shape your caregiving plan:

1. Finances: Review your loved one’s current financial situation and determine whether their budget can support their care needs now and in the future. Explore the AARP Financial Workbook for Military and Veteran Caregivers for help with managing financial matters.
2. Legal: Get legal affairs in order early. The VA may require specific documents before you can assume caregiving responsibilities.
3. Abilities: A functional assessment can help determine a veteran’s care needs. Monitor abilities related to daily living, safety, cognitive function, and healthy habits.
4. Health: Gather medical history, make a list of healthcare providers, organize medications, and ensure health insurance information is easily accessible. Remember, veterans can be enrolled in Medicare to complement VA health care. Learn more at AARP’s Veterans Health Navigator.

If you’re concerned about your loved one’s mental health, reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or visiting veteranscrisisline.net.

5. Socialization and Support Systems: Encourage your loved one to stay connected with family, friends, and the community. Social interaction supports both mental and physical well-being.
6. Housing and Living Situation: Where your loved one lives directly impacts the care they need. Evaluate their current home, explore housing alternatives, and research benefits or grants for home modifications. Learn more in the AARP Veterans Home Modification Benefits Guide.
7. Transportation: Ensure your loved one has safe and reliable transportation. Some Veterans Service Organizations, like Disabled American Veterans (DAV), offer free rides to VA medical centers.
8. Services: Research organizations and government programs that provide low-cost or free caregiving services for veterans.
9. Technology: Explore how technology can make caregiving easier, from health monitoring devices to communication tools and online medical portals.
10. End-of-Life Care: Have compassionate conversations about your loved one’s wishes regarding palliative or hospice care. The VA’s National Cemetery Administration offers burial benefits for most veterans. Learn more in the Veterans Burial Benefits Guide: Tips for End-of-Life & Survivors’ Benefits Eligibility.

To learn more about creating or updating your caregiving plan, navigating grief, and accessing additional resources, explore the full in-depth guide here: aarp.org/lp/vets-care-guide.

AARP’s goal is to empower veterans, active-duty service members, and their families to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. You’re not alone, and with the right tools, tips, and community support, you can continue to care for your loved one with strength and peace of mind.