Legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) on Monday would undertake efforts to educate disabled veterans and their caregivers about support services available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Implemented in 2010, the VA caregiver program strives to ensure that disabled veterans and their in-home caregivers receive the support that they need, which helps avoid the need for institutional care. The Caregiver Program Information Improvement Act would add the program to a list of mandatory counseling items for service members separating from the Department of Defense (DoD).
“Our wounded warriors are among the best and bravest our country has to offer,” Rounds said. “Unfortunately, they are often the most vulnerable. Many require around-the-clock care long after their service to our country, placing additional burdens on their loved ones who become their caregivers.”
Under the Caregiver Program Information Improvement Act, the VA would be required to ask if they have an in-home caregiver, and to invite caregivers to pre-separation counseling sessions organized by the DoD that apply to them.
“The VA has programs in place to assist loved ones with their transition into the caregiver role, but too often we have heard from families that they were unaware of the VA’s caregiver program,” Rounds said. “Making sure they are fully aware of the support and resources available to them is but one step we can take to ease the challenges of our injured service members and their families, who have sacrificed so much defending our freedoms.”
Rounds introduced the bill with bipartisan support from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).