In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 805,000 Americans suffer a heart attack annually and 75-80 percent of the more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home.
However, if CPR is performed immediately, it can double or even triple the chance of survival. The need for emergency preparedness training did not go unnoticed by Veteran caregivers.
“Caregivers frequently requested training in CPR techniques so they could be prepared to save their Veteran in a life-threatening emergency,” said Timothy Jobin, deputy director of VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP). “Not only did caregivers voice this need, but CSP staff also expressed strong interest in offering the training. Many CSP staff members have talked about how meaningful it has been for them to train caregivers in these lifesaving skills.”
A lifesaving partnership
VA’s CSP and Simulation Learning, Evaluation, Assessment and Research Network (SimLEARN) recognized an opportunity for collaboration. The result, a lifesaving initiative united by CSP’s deep connection to caregivers with SimLEARN’s expertise in simulation training via its Resuscitation Education and Innovation portfolio.
Together they created a program providing hands-on, immersive sessions where caregivers can practice lifesaving techniques through realistic home-based scenarios. This allows them to gain vital skills and confidence for responding effectively in an emergency at a Veteran’s home before professional responders arrive.
As of May 2024, more than 160 caregivers across 70 medical centers completed the training following a standardized yet flexible CPR curriculum tailored specifically for Veterans’ caregivers by leveraging the American Heart Association’s “Family and Friends” CPR model.
Profound Veteran impact
“If we take great care of caregivers, they will take great care of Veterans,” Jobin said. “Providing CPR training allows caregivers to respond immediately in an emergency situation at home.”
The early results from the caregiver CPR initiative underscore its profound impact on Veteran care. An impressive 97 percent of participating caregivers reported feeling well-prepared to administer CPR after training.
An extension of VA’s mission
This caregiver empowerment initiative reflects VA’s core commitment to optimizing care for Veterans. By extending CPR and future training far beyond medical facilities into home settings, community clinics and even in-home sessions when needed because VA reinforces caregivers’ essential role on the Veteran care team.
As the program expands its curriculum based on caregiver feedback, caregivers will gain broader competencies in areas like first aid and safe patient transfers facilitating seamless care transitions. Certain locations are also planning to offer the courses in Spanish to increase accessibility for Spanish-speaking caregivers.
The powerful CSP and SimLEARN collaboration is reshaping how VA delivers as a High-Reliability Organization.
About the Caregiver Support Program (CSP)
CSP promotes the health and well-being of Veteran caregivers through education, resources, support and services. Every VA facility has a CSP team that provides valuable information about resources to help caregivers stay informed and supported as they support Veterans. More information can be found on CSP’s website and by contacting local CSP teams. To learn more, watch CSP’s SITREP podcast.
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I’m going to keep it positive as this is about the Caregiver Program (not avoiding, denying, defending the VA, none of that, it’s for another place). I am a veteran who by things outside of my control, ended up being the Official VA Caregiver of a best friend, veteran of 22 years who had a stroke, flatlined, comatose with no hope, I visited every day. All of a sudden he woke up, and to think that the doctor was going to unplug him!!! So, I wasn’t going to send my best friend and brother, who just woke up, to the CLC (VA nursing home). 8 years later, I lost him to dementia.
The VA had my back from day one. I’m a guy, most caregivers are ladies who are caring for their husbands or children. Not me ?. I miss him badly and am glad to have my MH team from before. I took all the classes available, do it if you can.
CPR: I did use it, and thankfully I have been through stress before, I was able to use a bag and compress. Thanks Caregiver Program for saving my sanity.
Veterans save VETERANS while the VA makes up back road policies and breaks LAWS all while literally making US Veterans worse!
A decade of VA Scandals will show just how u repairable the VA system is and how corruption, lies, and silence killed so many Veterans!