resources for military caregivers
We strive to ensure military caregivers can access what they need to take on the enormous responsibility of caregiving—often, while still needing to work, navigate family life and take care of themselves. We embrace and support military caregivers, particularly as they transition into this new experience, life-long trajectory and unfamiliar — yet vital role — within their families and communities.With a long history of service to the veteran community dating back to World War II, Easterseals is a proud Hidden Heroes Elizabeth Dole Foundation partner and offers a wide variety of supports for military caregivers and their families through respite care, inclusive childcare, employment and career services, transportation, behavioral/physical health services and advocacy at the federal and local levels. Services include:
- Military Caregiver Training: Through a contract with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) from 2011-2017, Easterseals administered an in-person, online and self-study workbook training caregivers in collaboration with Atlas Research, Family Caregiver Alliance, National Alliance for Caregiving and National Alliance for Hispanic Health. More than 38,000 caregivers benefitted from these sessions with over 4,000 attending in-person self-care courses. Learn more about the VA Caregiver Support program.
- Center-based Adult Day Services or in-home services: Easterseals is the premier provider of center-based adult day programs. These are available for caregivers of older veterans with physical and/or cognitive concerns.
- Respite care: We offer a variety of respite options for military families. Examples include those families who have members with special needs through local partnerships with Childcare Aware of America as part of the US Navy and US Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program. Easterseals also partners with ARCH National Respite to as part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. We also partner with the University of Maryland’s Legacy Corps program that provides in-home respite for service members/veterans and their families at locations across the U.S.
- Free Military Caregiving Education: Check out the hour-long on-demand educational online sessions available 24/7 for all military caregivers, providing tips and tools on topics including depression, childcare, intimacy, hearing loss, caregiver self-care and home safety. Select sessions are available in Spanish. Easterseals developed this series in partnership with The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and other military service and caregiving partners. Review past webinars by clicking the links below:
8 Steps to Caregiver Empowerment, Growth and Well-Being
A Caregiver’s Guide to Unique Therapy Techniques for Women Veterans
Intimacy & Military Caregiver Relations
Beyond the Blue: When Sadness Becomes Depression
Caring For a Veteran with Hearing Loss
Caregiving While Raising Children
It Takes Courage After Fire: Navigating the Role of Caregiver
Living Tobacco Free: A Toolkit for Military and Veteran Family Caregivers
Military and Veteran Caregiving in a Rural Setting
Military Families with Secondary Trauma
Military Strong: Receiving with Grace
Revitalizing the Weary Hearts of Veteran Caregivers
Supporting our Sons and Daughters: Parents as Caregivers of Veterans and Service Members