VA News – Caregiving is more than just an act of love—it’s a commitment that reflects the same principles that guide us in service to our country. National Family Caregivers Month is dedicated to honoring the tireless efforts of caregivers who provide essential support to their loved ones, often sacrificing their own needs for the well-being of others. Caregiving is a vital and often unrecognized form of service that deserves
VA News – Veterans with chronic stress from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may face a heightened risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and the VA offers support services to help maintain your quality of life. Given that other conditions can mimic dementia symptoms, it is essential that Veterans—especially those with PTSD, TBI or spinal cord injuries—undergo a thorough medical evaluation if exhibiting any of the following symptoms: Repeatedly asking the same questions. Becoming disoriented
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs – Watch the first-ever Veteran Buddy Check Summit, hosted by the VA and the American Red Cross and featuring presentations from The American Legion, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, American Corporate Partners, and other organizations. Veteran Buddy Checks aim to enhance peer-to-peer connections, improve mental health, and increase access to VA and non-VA resources. Take the pledge – take the training – find buddies.
VA News – The practice of loving-kindness is just like that, being both sender and receiver of goodwill. Didn’t it feel great to have that support? When we send kindness to others, we receive it, too! Research shows that loving-kindness meditation has tremendous benefits, from improving our physical and mental well-being to improving our social and emotional health. .youtube { overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:60%; position:relative; height:0;
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Learn how our Veteran athletes represented Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games and how VA’s Adaptive Sports and Arts provides opportunities for health and healing through adaptive sports and therapeutic art programs. Delivering direct patient care to Veterans through formalized adaptive sports medicine, VA’s National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events provides the largest coordinated therapeutic arts events to optimize independence, elevate community
VA News – For Veterans, it can be challenging to put themselves first but prioritizing their well-being is far from frivolous, and focusing on ones overall self helps strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors for suicide. Protective factors are characteristics that can help offset risk factors like stressful life events and certain mental health conditions, including: Access to mental health and substance use disorder care. Feeling connected to other people. Positive coping
VA News – As America faces an unprecedented hurricane season, it’s important for Veterans and their families to know that the VA is here to help and resources are available for you, dependents, survivors and caregivers who have experienced a natural disaster. In the wake of a disaster, here are some resources available to you. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 for Veterans in crisis by phone, text, or chat: Dial
TRICARE Newsroom – Moving your family is a huge life stressor by itself, not to mention all the other changes, and how we respond to major changes and uncertainty about the future is important. Practice just a few of these habits a day to build and maintain a strong psychological foundation and help protect against stress and negative, depressing thoughts, such as: Exercise not only improves your physical health, but may
Caregiving has its challenges, and managing your anger is vital for your well-being. Join the VA’s Caregiver Support Line (CSL) Monthly Educational Calls – Extinguishing the Fire: Managing Anger’s Destructive Potential. Read more in this month’s Mid-Cities Medical newsletter! Join the Caregiver Support Program this October Protect Yourself and Others with Vaccines Important Emergency Preparation Steps Are You Ready for Hurricane and Wildfire Season? Additional content, monthly calendar, word search, recipes, etc…
VA News – Understanding the demographics of Veterans facing homelessness allows the VA to tailor its programs and provide services in an equitable, culturally competent way. A Veteran is considered homeless if: They lack a fixed nighttime residence and are living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation. They or their family will lose their primary nighttime residence within 14 days. They’re an unaccompanied youth under 25 or a
