b'Respite Care can help lower the stress the Veterans and their family caregiver may feel when managing a Veterans short-term or long-term care needs at home.What is Adult Day Health Care?Adult Day Health Care is a program Veterans cango to during the day for social activities, peer support,companionship, and recreation.The program is for Veterans who need help with activities of daily living. Examples include help with bathing, dressing, or fixing meals. This program is also for Veterans who are isolated or their caregiver is experiencing burden. Adult Day Health Care can be used in combination with other Home and Community Based Services.Health services such as care from nurses, therapists, social workers, and others may also be available. Adult Day Health Care can provide respite care for a family caregiver and can also help Veterans and their caregiver gain skills to manage the Veterans care at home.The program may be provided at VA medical centers, State Veterans Homes, or community organizations.What services can I get?Adult Day Health Care can be a half-day or full-dayprogram. Usually, you would go to an Adult Day Health Care center several times a week.Based on availability and need, you can create a regular Members with the Air Force Wounded Warrior project and guest speaker, Alvin Shell, pose for a photo schedule that works for you and your family caregiver.following the annual Warrior Care breakfast, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.You may be able to get assistance with transportation to(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caitlin Russell)and from an Adult Day Health Care center. Services may varyVA Strengthens by location.How do I decide if Adult Day Health Care is right for me? Caregiver Support ProgramYou can use a Veteran Decision Aid for Care at Home or inand expands timeline of the Program of the Community to help you figure out what home care ser- Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregiversvices or long term care services may best meet your needs now or in the future. Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs News Releases, Sep. 25, 2019Theres also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help yourwww.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5319caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much VA strengthens Caregiver Support Program and expands support they can offer to you. Having this information fromtimeline of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care teamFamily Caregiversand social worker, will help you reach short-term and The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced long-term care decisions. Ask your social worker for theseactions to strengthen the Caregiver Support Program resources or download copies from the Making Decisionsand establish a timeline for expanding the Program of page at www.va.gov/Geriatrics. Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)If Adult Day Health Care seems right for you, your in accordance with section 161 of the VA MISSION Act ofVA social worker can help you find an Adult Day Health 2018 (https://missionact.va.gov/). Care center near your home, if available, and assist withUnder the MISSION Act, VA will expand the PCAFC to making arrangements. eligible Veterans from all eras using a phased approach. Support For Caregivers Currently, the program is only available to eligible Veterans As a family caregiver you play an important role in caringseriously injured in the line of duty on or after September for the Veteran at home and in the community. 11, 2001. Prior to expanding, VA must upgrade its information VA has two programs for caregivers:technology (IT) system and implement other improvements The Program of General Caregiver Support Servicesto strengthen the program.(eligible Veterans all eras) Caregivers play a critical role in the health and well-being The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Familyof some of our most vulnerable Veterans, said VA Secretary Caregivers (eligible post-9/11 Veterans). Robert Wilkie. Under the MISSION Act, we are strengthening https://www.caregiver.va.gov/ .continued on page 8Aberdeen Proving Ground Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 7'