Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Preface
Contents
Figures
Tables
Summary
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Chapter One: Introduction
A Social Ecological Framework of Military Caregiving
Terms and Definitions
Organization of This Report
Study Overview
Cornerstones of Support: A Review
Past Surveys of Military Caregivers
RAND Survey of Military Caregivers
Limitations of Our Survey Approach
Past Environmental Scans of Caregiver Support Programs
RAND’s Environmental Scan of Caregiver Support Programs
Limitations of Our Approach to the Environmental Scan
Review of Federal and State Policies to Support Caregivers
Estimating the Number of Caregivers in the United States
Care Recipients’ Era of Service
Impact of Era of Service on Program Eligibility
Relationship of Caregivers to Care Recipients
The Impact of Relationship Status on Program Eligibility
Demographics and Military Characteristics of Caregivers
Caregiving Network
VA Disability Rating
Veteran Characteristics That Affect Program Eligibility
Types of Conditions and Relation to Military Service
Disease-Specific Programs
Functional Impairment
The Tasks Military Caregivers Perform
Programs and Resources for Training Caregivers
The Time Military Caregiving Takes
Summary
Introduction
Physical Health
Health Care Coverage and Utilization
Programs That Offer Nonstandard Health Care for Caregivers
Mental Health
Mental Health Care Utilization
Programs That Offer Nonstandard Mental Health Care for Caregivers
Self-Reported Effects of Caregiving
Other Programs to Address Caregiver Health and Well-Being
Relationship Quality
Parenting
Programs to Address Caregiver Family Well-Being
Employment and Financial Well-Being of Military Caregivers
Financial Strain
Work Absenteeism
Programs to Address Income Loss
Service and Resource Utilization Among Caregivers
Sources of Help Specifically for Military Caregivers
Governmental and Nongovernmental Programs Supporting All Caregivers
Formal and Informal Social Network Sources of Help
Summary
Chapter Four: Evolving Needs: Sustaining Caregiver and Care Recipient Well-Being Now and in the Future
Aging Parents and Fragile Marriages
Future Planning for Caregivers
Sustainability for Programs Serving Caregivers
Potential Benefits and Costs to Society
Summary
Conclusions
2. Military Caregivers Caring for Service Members and Veterans Who Served After September 11, 2001, Differ Systematically from Caregivers for Those Who Served in Prior Eras, as Well as from Civilian Caregivers
3. Though They Serve Military Caregivers, Most Programs for This Group Serve Them Incidentally—The Focus Is Typically on the Ill, Injured, or Wounded Service Member or His or Her Family
4. Noticeably Lacking in the Array of Services Offered to Military Caregivers Are Both Standard and Nonstandard Health Care Coverage and Programs to Offset the Income Loss Associated with Caregiving
6. While Notable Federal Policies Have Been Expanded or Created to Cater to Post-9/11 Military Caregivers, State-Run and State-Level Policies Focus Caregiving Resources on Those Providing Care to the Elderly
Objective 1: Empower Caregivers
Objective 2: Create Caregiver-Friendly Environments
Objective 3: Fill Gaps in Programs and Services to Meet Needs
Objective 4: Plan for the Future
Final Thoughts
A. Survey Methods
B. Survey Analysis
C. Enumeration of Military Caregivers
D. Environmental Scan Methods
E. Environmental Scan Organizational Characteristics
F. Federal and State Policies and Programs to Support Military Caregivers
G. Programs and Organizations Excluded from the Environmental Scan
H. Military Support Programs and Organizations Included in the Environmental Scan
References