Supporting Research in Pain Management for Veterans and Military Service Members
Supporting Research in Pain Management for Veterans and Military Service Members

Caregiver-Focused VA Program Transforms Lives

Caring for loved ones with dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and/or PTSD can prove to be challenging for spouses, partners, and other caregivers.  Often, these caregivers end up sacrificing their own well being in order to take care of loved ones; their own health declines and they can end up feeling stressed, isolated, and .  exhausted.  Such was the experience of veteran caregiver Vicki, until she found the The Building Better Caregivers (BBC) program offered by the VA.  BBC is an online program that supports those who are caring for veterans with dementia, memory loss, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries or other serious health conditions.  The big takeaways for Vicki (and others participating in BBC) are tools for understanding and caring for their loved one and a community of others experiencing similar situation.

More Caregiver Support

A Caregiver's Perspective on Pain Management

Frances Arias, a member of the Pain Management Collaboratory’s (PMC) Patient Resource Group (PRG), speaks about the need for caregivers to practice self care and shares ideas and resources for helping veterans with pain, caregivers, and families of veterans.