SHARE:  
Are You a Military Caregiver?
May is Month of the Military Caregiver. But what is a military caregiver?

According to Rand Corporation, a military caregiver is a family member, friend, or acquaintance who provides care and assistance for, or who manages the care of, a current or former military service member. They help with a wide range of both physical and mental illnesses and injuries.

In the United States, there are nearly 6 million caregivers providing care for someone who currently or previously served in the military. Military caregivers perform a wide variety of tasks—from dressing and bathing their loved ones to helping them cope with emotional difficulties.

Here is what is NOT so widely known:

  • All caregivers are adversely affected by their duties.
  • Caregivers are four times more likely than non-caregivers to be depressed.
  • They are also susceptible to other negative health outcomes, low productivity and problems at work, relationship distress, and increased financial difficulty.
  • There is an overall lack of respite care programs to provide caregivers temporary relief from their duties.

According to a US News report, the economic value of the care of post-9/11 caregivers is estimated at $14 million. Military caregivers miss an average of 3.5 days of work per month. When you add on the increased risk of depression and other burdens, you can see the cost if adequate support and assistance is not provided to military caregivers.

At the Cohen Clinic at Easterseals, we understand how difficult it is to ask for help when you are the one providing support. In fact, it’s known that caregivers often do NOT self-identify. However, it is important to do so, and to find out what resources are available to help caregivers.

Please also look out for these signs that might indicate a military caregiver is in need of additional support:

  • Unhealthy coping strategies such as excessive alcohol, unhealthy eating or risky behaviors;
  • Feeling low energy or physical and emotional exhaustion;
  • Becoming easily angry or irritated; and/or
  • Intrusive worries and anxiety interfering with sleep.

Also, check out a report by the Cohen Veterans Network on WHY we support and empower military caregivers and why we encourage them to come out of the shadows and practice self-care.

The Cohen Clinic at Easterseals has been providing behavioral health support to military caregivers for over several years. If you need our help, please call our office to schedule an appointment at 240-847-7500.

As always – Stay Healthy, Stay Safe!

EVENT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!
Share Your Experience
to Help Our Cohen Clinic Grow
Did you receive care at our clinic? 

If so, Cohen Veterans Network is interested in learning more about your personal experience with the clinic and is inviting you to participate in a 10-minute survey by clicking here. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Upcoming Events
We invite you to join us at our upcoming virtual workshops for veterans, military families and caregivers!

Dates: 2nd Tuesdays & 4th Saturdays of every month, May 11 & 22, 2021
Time: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. & Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. ET
Registration: Please register with Bernadette Garrett at 

Dates: Tuesdays, May 11,18, 25, 2021
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Dates: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, May 12 & 26, 2021
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Registration: http://bit.ly/3o9dnNs

Date: Friday, May 14, 2021
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Virtual Creative Writing Workshops with Community Building Art Works
Dates: 4th Tuesdays of every month from May 25 & June 29, 2021
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Virtual Mental Health First Aid Class for Veterans
Dates: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Time: 9:30am-4:30pm
Registration: Contact Mallary Lass to sign-up, mlass@eseal.org

Dates: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Time: 9:30am-4:30pm
Registration: Contact Mallary Lass to sign-up, mlass@eseal.org

Date: Friday, May 28, 2021
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm EST

For more virtual events provided by other clinics in the Cohen Veterans Network, please check out CVN Presents.
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals
1420 Spring Street, Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out our YouTube videos.