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VA Caregiver Support Program

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Caregiver Support Program (CSP) – Partners in Care

Partners in Care: Integrating Caregivers into Veterans Health Care

What are Partners in Care?

Partners in Care is a system-wide initiative aimed at enhancing Veteran care by fostering collaboration between the Veteran, their caregiver, and healthcare providers, working together as a team to manage the Veterans health. This initiative recognizes that caregivers play a vital role in the health and well-being of the Veteran, and their involvement in the health care process is essential to ensuring the highest level of care.

Pro tips to foster a successful health care appointment:

Prepare in Advance:
Review the appointment details, make a list of any concerns or changes in the Veterans health you want to address during the appointment, and compile a list of current medications, including dosages and supplements.

Encourage Self-Advocacy:
Support the Veteran to be as responsive and engaged as able, maximizing the Veterans ability to voice their concerns and preferences.

Share Observations When Needed:
Provide detailed examples of how the Veteran is functioning at home. Mention any physical,emotional, or behavioral changes you’ve noticed.

Be Clear and Concise:
Offer clear and concise insights, briefly highlighting key information that the Veteran may not have shared, to help the provider get a fuller picture of the Veteran’s needs. Avoid overwhelming the provider with unnecessary details.

Take Notes:
Write down important details and follow-up steps that you and the Veteran can refer to later. Confirm understanding with the provider and ask them to share written instructions when needed.

Discuss Follow-Up Care:
Clarify when the next appointment should be scheduled. Ask about warning signs to watch for and when to seek help

Utilize Resources:
Inquire about any VA support services, such as referrals to specialists, therapists or social workers, that could help the Veteran and you as the partner in care.

Essential tools to enhance communication with VA health care providers:

MyHealtheVet: Want to quickly connect with a VA health care team member? MyHealtheVet (https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/) enables Veterans (and caregivers who are eligible to receive VA healthcare) to communicate securely online with their VA health care team and other VA staff about non-emergency information or questions.

AHRQ QuestionBuilder: Want help preparing for an appointment? AHRQ QuestionBuilder App (https://mobile.va.gov/app/ahrq-questionbuilder) helps you prepare the questions you may want to ask based on the type of appointment scheduled.

VA Video Connect: Want to meet with your provider virtually? VA Video Connect App (https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect) enables you to meet with providers through live video on any devicewith an Internet connection.


Need Help?

Call VA’s Caregiver Support Line (CSL) at 1-855-260-3274 to learn more about the support that is available to you, and for assistance connecting with the Caregiver Support Team, at your local VA Medical Center.

Your local Caregiver Support Team are licensed professionals who can support you by matching you with services for which you are eligible, and providing you with valuable information about resources that can help you stay smart, strong and organized as you care for the Veteran you love.

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

All the links marked with asterisk ( * ) are External links. By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked website.

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