Supporting Veteran Caregivers in Virginia

Caregivers in Virginia have an abundance of resources available through the Virginia Navigator (https://virginianavigator.org/) family of websites. That was the primary message of a webinar conducted recently featuring Cindy Markham, a community outreach specialist for the Navigator sites.

AARP Associate State Director Brian Jacks, who moderated the webinar titled "Supporting Veteran Caregivers in Virginia," (https://youtu.be/wuL8FL15gXs?si=O5_cVff3la5EETlD) noted the importance of caregivers having access to information about resources. Jacks said about 80% of caregivers use their own funds to provide care, totaling approximately $7,200 per year, and that the demand for care is expected to rise sharply as the population ages.

Markham shared her experiences in providing care for her son, who was born with a birth defect, and for her father, a veteran.  She emphasized that caregivers are not alone; that there is much information available and numerous support groups.  She said that support eased the loneliness she felt during the first four years of her son’s life.  

Much of the webinar focused on the Virginia Navigator websites that can connect people to more than 26,000 resources across the state. There are three main sites within the Navigator family: disAbilityNavigator, SeniorNavigator and VeteransNavigator.

The disAbilityNavigator focuses on disability services including personal assistance, accessible housing and more.

SeniorNavigator is billed as a "trusted guide to healthy aging in Virginia," according to the website. It provides information on housing options, transportation programs, caregiving resources, and other services for older Virginians.

VeteransNavigator focuses on services for Virginia veterans and their families and includes links to resources related to "benefit assistance, health care, employment training and more," according to the site.

Resources on all of the Navigator sites are searchable by city and county. Users can connect directly to resources with the assurance that their personal information will not be stored or sold, Markham said. Each website has editor picks that change monthly and include articles, apps, and an Ask an Expert tool.  

For those who do not have computer access at home, there are over 700 navigator centers where caregivers can search for available resources.  About half of the centers are in libraries, where a librarian can help with a search.  Some centers are located at police stations.

Markham recommended that caregivers should contact their local agency on aging to explore their available services. All area agencies on aging in Virginia are searchable by county. (https://www.vda.virginia.gov/aaamap.htm)  

AARP also provides information on caregiving. (https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/)

AARP has resources of all kinds for veterans, (https://www.aarp.org/veterans/) in addition to caregiving. https://www.aarp.org/veterans/  

Markham said the resources for caregivers addressed in the webinar will allow veterans and their caregivers the ability to avail themselves of the community and connections that enhance brain and physical health.