CAREGIVERS – RESOURCES

As a caregiver of a loved one with special needs or a life-changing injury, it’s important that you have access to the resources and support you need. Installation EFMP Family Support providers, Military OneSource and other government agencies offer many caregiver support resources tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, Military OneSource offers non-medical counseling or can connect you with a TRICARE representative who can help with TRICARE issues related to your loved one’s special needs.

EFMP Military Family Support providers

Your first stop in seeking assistance is to contact your installation EFMP Military Family Support Provider. EFMP Family Support providers can point you in the right direction of local and community services you may require, on installation or off.

You can find your installation EFMP Military Family Support provider by visiting MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and searching under your installation.

Specialty consultations

• Military OneSource gives you 24/7 access to trained, master’s-level consultants who can assess your family’s concerns and answer your questions about specific caregiver needs.

• Exceptional Family Member Program Resources, Options and Consultations, or EFMP ROC, special needs consultants are available by phone or video to help you navigate the military health care system, TRICARE coverage and educational needs of your family or loved one, and connect you with military and community-based support. You can schedule appointments 24/7 by live chat or calling 800-342-9647. Consultations are available via phone or video session.

• Call 800-342-9647 or click here for overseas calling options.

Non-medical counseling

If you are feeling stressed, you can get resources or talk with someone who can help you navigate the difficulties of caregiving without neglecting your own needs.

• Get counseling services face to face, by telephone, live video session, or online.
• Call 800-342-9647 or click here for overseas calling options.
• Read tips on how to take care of yourself when you are a caregiver.
• Participate in webinars from the Military Families Learning Network to learn more about being a caregiver.

Military and Family Life Counseling Program

• The Military and Family Life Counseling Program supports service members, their families and survivors with non-medical counseling and information at installations worldwide.
• Trained to work with the military community, military and family life counselors deliver valuable face-to-face counseling services, briefings and presentations to the military community both on and off the installation.
• Contact your installation’s Military and Family Support Center.
• If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 800-273-8255, then press 1, or access online chat by texting to 838255.

Financial counseling

Caring for a loved one may have unexpected costs. Save yourself time, energy and worry by having a budget that leaves room for the unexpected.

• Military OneSource offers financial counseling in person, by phone or via video chat.
• Call 800-342-9647 or click here for overseas calling options.
• Visit our financial counseling tips.

Health and wellness coaches

It can be easy to forget about your own needs when caring for a loved one, but it’s important to take care of your own health.

• Free, confidential health and wellness coaching is available via phone, online chat or video session.
• Call 800-342-9647 or click here for overseas calling options.

Military Caregiver PEER Forums

Department of Defense support to military caregivers includes Personalized Experiences, Engagement and Resources, or PEER forums, webinars, caregiver-related events and specialized resources.

• In-Person Military Caregiver PEER Forums meet monthly on military installations across the United States and provide the opportunity for caregivers to share knowledge, experience, resources and ongoing support for each other.
• Virtual PEER Forums are available for caregivers who are in remote locations or can’t attend in person.
• Online caregiving webinars are also available through the Military Families Learning Network, such as The Dual Caregiver: Grief and Loss.
• Warrior Care Resources contain a registration link for caregivers interested in joining the monthly Military Caregiver Virtual Forum.
• Check out the Military Caregiver PEER Forums PDF for more information.
• Warrior Care Policy Caregiver page provides links to Military Caregiver PEER Forums, events and webinars. This page also provides links to hotlines and call centers, fact sheets, helpful guides and tips, general resources, employment and much more.

Caregiver Resource Directory

• Caregiver Resource Directory provides resources to make it easier for caregivers to scan and locate the information they need.
• Information is available on home-based health care assistance, home and automobile modifications, financial support, legal assistance, peer support, education and training, and pet and service animal assistance.

Caregiver Action Network

The Caregiver Action Network, or CAN, is a leading family caregiver organization providing education, peer support and resources to family caregivers across the country including parents with special needs, families and friends of wounded soldiers, and others who care for loved ones with chronic conditions and disabilities.

Other resources

On Military OneSource, you’ll find many helpful booklets, CDs, DVDs, downloads and blogs including:

• The Keeping It All Together notebook to organize your wounded warrior’s treatment and recovery in one place.
• Adult, child and elder care tool kits from the Special Care Organizational Record for an easy way to track progress and medical information.
• The Blog Brigade that features honest, tell-it-like-it-is stories from military spouses.