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VA Caregiver Support Program

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National Family Caregivers Month

Happy National Family Caregivers Month!


Hello, Caregivers!

Happy National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM)!  Each November, we observe NFCM to celebrate family caregivers nationwide. The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) joins this celebration by recognizing caregivers of Veterans.

This year, we are celebrating NFCM through the theme Year of the Caregiver – The Whole Caregiver. We aim to empower you, our caregivers − to prioritize your needs. We also strive to raise awareness about the resources and services dedicated to your health and well-being. Resources like Respite, Peer Support Mentoring, and Caregivers FIRST all support the Whole Caregiver. Visit CSP's Resources for Caregivers webpage to find services specifically designed for YOU.

Our CSP teams at local Veterans Affairs facilities are excited to celebrate Veterans' caregivers all month with various events, workshops, and opportunities to connect with other caregivers. Here is how to get involved locally:

We sincerely thank you on behalf of CSP and the Veterans you serve. Happy National Family Caregivers Month!

Celebrate NFCM with an event near you!

No matter where you are, your local Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Team has an NFCM event planned just for you. Finding an event near you is easy:

  • Locate your local CSP team using our locator tool
  • Contact your local CSP team and ask about upcoming NFCM events
  • Join your local CSP team’s NFCM next event!

We’re excited to celebrate with you, and we hope you are just as excited to celebrate with us. Reach out today to your local CSP team today!

Check out these Caregivers self-care resources

Celebrate NFCM by practicing self-care! Here are a few resources to get you started.

Annie Text Message Program for caregivers: Annie, the VA’s text messaging service, has several text programs for caregivers. Caregivers can receive messages to help them manage stress, take better care of themselves, manage dementia behaviors, and cope with bereavement. Messages may be educational, motivational or an activity to manage stress. You may stop the service at any time. Caregivers need a phone capable of text messaging to enroll. Talk to your Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Teams to receive Annie messages.

Read letters from other Caregivers

Check out CSP’s Dear Fellow Caregiver series to read these inspiring letters from caregivers of Veterans.

Dear Fellow Caregivers: I’m an advocate for Inclusive Care

Anne Adkinson is an advocate for the Campaign for Inclusive Care, a national initiative to integrate caregivers into their Veteran’s healthcare team. Read her letter to learn how Inclusive Care changed her experience as a caregiver and what she hopes other caregivers of Veterans can gain as well.

Dear Fellow Caregivers: Taking Me Back Again

Lou Anne Bates is the caregiver for her husband, a United States Army Veteran. Read Bate’s letter to her fellow caregivers as she shares how she found support through CSP and how she’s reuniting with the woman she was before becoming a caregiver. Read more letters.

Connect with other Caregivers

The Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring (PSM) program was developed to strengthen relationships between caregivers, to provide an opportunity for networking and to empower caregivers to help one another. PSM provides an opportunity for caregivers to receive guidance and to share their experience, wisdom, skills, and passion with other caregivers. In addition to providing support, PSM also helps caregivers to establish relationships with each other and create a comfort zone for support. If you would like to participate, please contact your Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Teams. 

Sign up to receive CSP emails!

Subscribe to CSP emails to receive the latest updates, including upcoming events, program initiatives, and special messages from CSP’s Executive Director, Colleen M. Richardson, Psy.D. Sign up here.

Need Help?help button

To assist you with enrolling in these programs, contact your local VA facility Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Teams, or call the VA Caregiver Support Line(CSL) at 1-855-260-3274.

CSL Expanded hours:
      -Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET
      -Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Subscribe imageSubscribe to receive email updates and information about VA Caregiver Support Program services.  

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