Caregivers caring for a special needs family member or a member with an injury have a lot on their plate. Knowing where the resources are on the military post and how to get them allows for the caregivers to have the time they need for themselves all while caring for the family member.
Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, was established to ensure that family members with health needs would only be moved by the military to locations where those services could be continued. Each military installation has a EFMP office with coordinators there to ensure which services are available and how to get them.
One program through the EFMP program is Respite Care. Respite care available for each family is different for each branch of service. If you are in the Navy or in the Army, it will not be the same across the board due to the different funding resources for each branch of service. Reach out to your local EFMP office to know what respite care is covered. The idea of respite care if provide a well-trained caregiver to care for the family member with additional needs all while giving the family caregiver a well-deserved and needed break.
Counseling
Caring for an injured or special needs family member adds unique challenges for the caregiver in the family. Non-medical counseling is available on Military One Source via telephone, in person or through live video sessions. There are phone numbers for both OCONUS and CONUS locations.
Medical counseling is available through the military health insurance, TRICARE. At the time of this writing, Telemynd is covered for telehealth counseling services.
The Military and Family Life Counseling Program through the Military and Family Support Center on the military installation offers non-medical counseling for all military-connected family members. They offer in-person counseling both on and off base, allowing for flexibility of the military family. Find your base program here.
Did you know that Military One Source offers Health and Wellness coaching? These coaches can help with managing stress and healthy eating habits. Call the Military One Source number to get in contact and learn more about the services here.
Caregivers Empowering Caregivers
The CEC program through Blue Star Families offers workshops connected caregivers to create peer networks while also sharing resources. These workshops are currently offered virtually but will transition to in-person as able.
Military Veterans Caregiver Network
Become part of a network of military-connected caregivers by competing for this form through Blue Star Families.
Other Resources
The National Alliance for Caregiving is a network and resource for unpaid caregivers caring for those with a mental health condition.
Operation Family Caregiver is a program through the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving that offers peer-to-peer networking for the military caregiver.
Psych Armor is a not-for-profit that offers free online education for military-connected caregivers.
Here is a downloadable list of resources for military-connected caregivers.
