VA social workers and caregiver support programs

HELP NEEDED, HELP FOUND: VA SOCIAL WORKERS AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT

COURTESY PHOTOS

Above: LauriAnn Stoker, LCSW, Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center Caregiver Support Coordinator Below: Thomas McGinness, MSW, LICSW, Caregiver Support Social Worker

By Darrel Maddux

AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

VA social workers assist veterans and their families with psychological, emotional and financial stresses related to illness and disability. They are often the thread that pulls a treatment plan together and their contributions are valued, acknowledged and necessary.

Social workers have worked in the VA system since 1926 and are actively involved in outreach, pre-admission and aftercare phases of the VA’s health care programs. The VA is the largest employer of master's level social workers in the United States.

Every veteran using the VA system is assigned a social worker and should ask their primary care team for the name and phone number of their assigned person. Social workers will assist a veteran who has had surgery, mental health care or other inpatient/outpatient care.

The support available is very long list due to all the required needs of veterans and their families. Some examples of help are Veteran-Direct Home Care, the VA Medical Benefits Package, referrals to community resources, obtaining medical supplies and equipment, placements in care facilities, financial assistance, crisis intervention, completing the VA Advanced Directive and various forms to enroll in VA programs.

A veteran’s needs change as they age so it is important that they stay in contact with their assigned social worker after a medical procedure or treatment program.

Another important resources for veterans and their families is the VA Caregiver Support Coordinator who works with veteran caregivers to provide the resources and training necessary to provide for needed care through the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS).

Caregivers who enroll in PGCSS have access to education, training, participate in support services and can take advantage of VA home and community-based care. The veteran is not required to have a service-connected disability or condition and may have served during any era.

A new caregiver can sign up by calling (855) 260-3274 (national) or (509) 434-7755 (Spokane) to speak with LauriAnn Stoker, LCSW, and her team. A record for the caregiver is developed and the caregiver can then participate in group and individual online training.

Group sessions are conducted on VA Video Connect© on the second Wednesday of the month from 2-3 p.m. Thomas McGinness, MSW, LICSW is the facilitator. The caregiver can use the myvahealth.va.gov portal to update information about the patient for the primary care team.

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is for eligible veterans who have incurred or aggravated a serious injury or illness in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, or on or after September 11, 2001. Among other applicable eligibility criteria, the veteran must have a single or combined service-connected disability rating by VA of 70% or higher and need personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months.

The veteran must have an inability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) and must need supervision, protection or instructions. This program provides resources, education, support, a financial stipend and health insurance (if eligible) and beneficiary travel (if eligible) to caregivers of eligible veterans.

PCAFC covers providers of bowel and bladder care for their veteran family member under VA’s Spinal Cord Injury or Disorder (SCI/D) Program. Bowel and bladder care for veterans with (SCI/D) are supportive and necessary medical services when they are unable to manage bowel and bladder functions independently.

The clinic of jurisdiction or VA medical facility authorizes such care under the Community Care Program to enrolled veterans with SCI/D who are dependent upon others for bowel and bladder care while residing in the community. Veterans who qualify for this care may receive that care through a home health agency, a family member or an individually employed caregiver. VA Form 10-10CG must be completed online or handwritten and submitted.

VA social workers recognize the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, founded in 2012, for its mission to empower, support and honor the 5.5 million caregivers, spouses, parents, family members and friends who care for ill or injured veterans. This foundation works with leaders in public, private, nonprofit and faith communities to recognize military caregivers’ service and to promote their well-being.

Hidden Heroes is a major campaign of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation which brings attention to the untold stories of military caregivers. They face challenges every day and need support from their communities. Caregivers can register at HiddenHeroes.org and connect to helpful resources and obtain needed support.