Veterans’ caregivers need more support

Most veterans who need care get it at home from their loved ones, and Congress should do more to support them, an AARP veterans expert told Capitol Hill lawmakers on Wednesday.

In a speech before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs, Kentucky state director and Operation Desert Storm veteran Troy Broussard told lawmakers that family caregivers “sustain their families and America’s long-term health care system.”

“While it is a labor of love, it can also be overwhelming, both personally and financially,” he said.

Broussard called on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that would provide family caregivers with a tax credit to offset the cost of care, and urged them to make it easier for military and veteran caregivers to navigate federal agencies such as Medicare, Social Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of a loved one people.

According to AARP research, family caregivers spend on average more than $7,200 a year on care-related expenses. But Broussard said veteran caregivers spend 50 percent more — an average of $11,500 a year — because military veterans often require more complex care.

In his written testimony, Broussard stated that military caregivers consistently experience poorer health outcomes, greater strain in family relationships and more workplace problems than non-caregivers. They often provide care earlier and longer than civilian caregivers due to service-related injuries.

“Family caregivers need common-sense solutions that will save them time, money and provide them with greater support,” he said in his testimony.

Resources available, but additional help needed

AARP has initiated numerous efforts to support veterans and their caregivers. Our Veterans Resource Center helps veterans, active duty and military families find information about VA benefits, care, fraud and more.

In partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we have developed a caregiver guide and a mental health and emotional support guide for veteran and military family caregivers.

AARP also offers a free digital tool to help veterans and family members navigate health benefits, including assistance available under the PACT Act for veterans exposed to toxic substances, as well as a benefits guide for veterans who want to modify their homes so they can remain independent .

“We are doing everything we can to help,” Broussard told the panel. “We strive to make sure veterans and their families access the benefits they qualify for and know what help is available, but we need more than just a website.”

Watch the hearing recording and learn more about family care and AARP’s care support.