Military caregivers play a vital role in the daily lives of our nation’s heroes. Whether it be returning home from deployment, sustaining an injury, or transitioning out of the military, these service members rely on their support systems to navigate both the physical and mental challenges they face. At Hope For The Warriors, we recognize the importance of this role and know that it comes with sacrifice and dedication of its own. Just as caregivers support the brave men and women of our military, we want to be there to support them along their journey.
According to the RAND Corporation, it is estimated that there are currently 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States, with about 1.1 million of whom are caring for post-9/11 service members. This demographic tends to be younger and must balance work with raising a family while performing their caregiver duties, which can take an emotional and mental toll.
While HOPE offers several programs and services to our caregiver community, we also understand that sometimes it is just nice to have a place to go and talk with those who can relate to us. That is why we have created the Caregiver Resource Hub, a private Facebook group dedicated solely to supporting and meeting the needs of the caregiver community.
“The Hub is a closed, by referral only, support group where caregivers can build relationships and receive support and advice from one another,” says Kady Luke, a social worker here at HOPE. “Providing care to our veterans can feel lonely at times, and studies show that burnout and stress are a reality for a majority of our caregiver population. Our goal with the Hub is to provide a safe space for caregivers to reach out with questions, concerns and needed encouragement.”
The Hub also acts as a platform for caregivers and HOPE staff to directly share resources that may alleviate some of the challenges they are currently experiencing. This includes self-care tips, mindfulness techniques, and ways to get involved in community outreach. The page is monitored by HOPE team members, which ensures that everything shared continues to support positivity and empowerment.
With many HOPE staff members being caregivers themselves, we know exactly what it takes to fill these shoes. This experience, combined with backgrounds in social work and other mental health fields, makes our team ready and fit to support in any way we can.
“As a military spouse myself, it is hard to put into words how inspiring the caregiver population is,” says Kady. “When I think of caregivers, I think of sacrifice, resiliency, dedication, strength, advocacy, and HOPE. They support the veterans in some of their darkest moments, show them unconditional love, and are there for them when they need it the most. We are honored to serve them.”
If you are interested in becoming a part of our Caregiver Resource Hub or would like to learn more about the many programs and services we offer to the caregiver community, please click here to connect to services.