14.3 Million Americans Providing Care for Ill or Disabled Veterans

Millions of Americans are stepping up to care for veterans, putting their financial stability and mental well-being at risk in their commitment to support those who have served the country.

A recent study has revealed that over 14 million Americans are offering daily care to wounded, sick, or injured military service members and veterans.

This caregiving comes with significant emotional and financial burdens.

Research indicates that more than 40% of caregivers for younger veterans, those aged 60 or younger, display signs of probable depression.

Additionally, about one-third of these caregivers feel they need mental health support but do not receive it, primarily citing a lack of time as the main barrier.

On average, caregivers report spending more than $8,500 out-of-pocket each year for their caregiving responsibilities. This financial strain is compounded by a loss of approximately $4,000 in annual income due to their caregiving roles.

The costs associated with caregiving could explain why around one-third of military or veteran caregivers report incomes that fall below 130% of the federal poverty line.

Rajeev Ramchand, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND Corp., emphasized that military and veteran caregivers are often family members who take on these responsibilities out of love and duty. They might also be friends or neighbors who offer their services driven by compassion.

Ramchand noted, “Care recipients benefit from the work these caregivers do, and caregivers benefit as well. However, caregiving imposes its own emotional and financial costs.”

Caregivers assist service members and veterans in various ways, including helping with daily activities such as eating and walking, managing mental health issues, administering medications, and preparing meals. They often provide crucial transportation to medical appointments or grocery stores.

In this comprehensive study, researchers surveyed both caregivers and veterans across the United States.

The resulting report, titled “America’s Military and Veteran Caregivers: Hidden Heroes Emerging from the Shadows,” indicates that the number of caregivers may have been previously underestimated.

This discrepancy arises from how participants were asked about caregiving tasks rather than simply identifying as caregivers. As a result, researchers found that more than 40% of American adults are engaged in some form of caregiving for wounded or ill individuals.

Demographically, more than half of military and veteran caregivers reside in the Southern or Western states, primarily in urban areas. States like Texas, California, and Florida each have over one million caregivers providing assistance.

The report shows that about 5.5% of American adults, equating to approximately 14.3 million individuals, serve as caregivers for service members and veterans. Notably, three-quarters of these caregivers are looking after people over the age of 60.

Typically, caregivers are children attending to aging parents or spouses caring for their partners. Interestingly, around 40% of these caregivers are also responsible for caring for a child.

Those caring for veterans often face challenges in the workplace. Less than half report receiving workplace accommodations that could alleviate their burden, and 27% experience negative repercussions, including reduced work hours due to their caregiving duties.

Moreover, half of the caregivers for younger veterans express a sense of isolation, feeling they have no one to turn to for support. This sentiment is echoed by 40% of those caring for veterans aged 60 and older.

The report advocates for improved access to mental health and substance use treatment for caregivers, along with increased financial assistance opportunities for their significant contributions.

Health care providers also have a role to play in easing the burdens faced by caregivers. The report highlighted that 39% of caregivers encounter issues within the health care system, such as needing to remind staff of tasks or managing delays in documentation.

In conclusion, the findings shed light on the extensive, often unseen, responsibilities taken on by millions of Americans, and the pressing need for better support systems for military and veteran caregivers.