Senate committees on aging and veterans’ affairs held their first joint hearing on Wednesday, just before the 80th anniversary of D-Day. During the hearing, they scrutinized the quality of the caregiver support programs offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and evaluated the services provided to veterans.
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, highlights that almost 50% of the VA patient population is aged 65 or older. Many veterans in this age group prefer to live at home with their families, instead of moving to a nursing home.
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The VA has two caregiver support programs available: General Caregiver Support Services and Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The latter is the more advantageous option, as it offers health insurance, mental health counseling, and a monthly stipend to caregivers.
Andrea Sawyer, the Advocacy Director at the Quality of Life Foundation, highlighted that the Comprehensive Assistance program needs to undergo significant changes. This is because the VA regulations for assessing veterans and their caregivers often leave many of them ineligible.
Sawyer expressed concern about the language used by the VA regarding assistance with activities of daily living, specifically the phrase “each and every” time. According to Sawyer, this language inhibits veterans from demonstrating any level of independence.
Townsend agreed with the decision to deny his application to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance. He shared that he has multiple sclerosis, which causes him to struggle with mobility, fatigue, and cognition. However, he also mentioned that the symptoms of his condition are highly unpredictable and can vary greatly.
During his testimony, he stated that the VA deemed his case as not needing aid with daily activities on a regular basis.
According to Casey, caregivers – who are predominantly women – face various challenges, including the daunting task of navigating the VA system and applying for programs.
Hannah Nieskens, a caregiver of a post-9/11 veteran, emphasized the significance of community functions in the Comprehensive Assistance program. These functions provide opportunities for caregivers to connect and interact with each other, which ultimately reduces the isolation felt by caregivers.
“He said that we should be encouraging home care as it is not only preferred by many but also cheaper,” emphasizing the importance of supporting this type of care.
