Caregiver of Iraqi Freedom Veteran praises Campaign for Inclusive Care

In this month’s edition of ‘Dear Fellow Caregiver,’ Anne Adkinson, a Veteran’s caregiver, shares her journey of caring for her husband, an Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veteran. Anne is a participant in the VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) and an advocate for the Campaign for Inclusive Care, a national initiative to integrate caregivers into their Veteran’s healthcare team.

Read Anne’s letter to learn how Inclusive Care changed her experience as a caregiver and what she hopes other caregivers of Veterans can gain as well.

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Dear Fellow Caregivers –

My caregiving journey began a decade ago shortly after I married my husband, an OIF Veteran. He began struggling with numerous service-connected disabilities, including memory loss, neurological issues and paralysis episodes.

As his health began to decline, I found myself having to step in more and more often. I helped him navigate his increasing doctors’ appointments and answer providers’ complex medical questions. He couldn’t do it on his own anymore. I didn’t realize I was a caregiver at the time. I was just doing what any wife would, by trying everything I could to help figure out what was wrong and find effective treatments.

In the beginning I was often left out of conversations with providers. This led to confusion and frustration for all parties, and poor health outcomes. This was simply because my husband wasn’t capable of remembering everything he needed to share with the provider or the recommended treatment protocols.

Relieved to see a shift in the culture of care

The doctor can’t treat something they aren’t aware of and my husband can’t follow recommendations he can’t remember. Over the past ten years and countless doctors’ appointments, I’m relieved to see a shift in the culture of care.

I am finally not only being recognized as my husband’s caregiver but also seen as an ally and part of his care team. This is called Inclusive Care.

As caregivers, we are the first line of defense. We are in the home and know our Veterans better than anyone. I know my husband’s military service and health history. I know all his diagnoses and medications. And what treatments he’s tried and what is and what is not working.

I schedule all his appointments and make sure he keeps them. I make sure the provider knows what’s going on because if they only ask my husband, all he’ll say is “I’m fine.”

My Veteran cares what I think and follows my lead. When a provider and I build a relationship of trust and work as a team, my husband is able to relax and feel comfortable with the provider, ultimately leading to a better health outcome.

I’ll fill in the gaps and know what’s recommended

He’s more present and engaging because he doesn’t have to worry about trying to remember every little thing. He knows if he forgets anything, I’ll fill in the gaps and know what was recommended and why. He doesn’t need to stress that he’ll forget because he knows his provider and I have his back.

I make sure everyone is on the same page and sees the big picture so we can work together in his best interest.

Meeting new providers is especially difficult for my husband. He has to start at the very beginning each time. He isn’t capable of sharing all the little, yet important details on his own.

Just a few months ago, he met a new VA specialist for a routine check in. The doctor included me in the conversation and gathered all of the background information. I told him about what we thought was a mundane, yet expensive out-of-pocket treatment my husband had been on for several months that we’d been told by a community provider was perfectly safe.

Including me saved his life

The VA doctor became alarmed at the lack of oversight from the community care provider and ordered blood tests. Sure enough, the treatment was causing serious health issues that put my husband’s life in danger if he continued any longer. The provider’s simple act of including me gave him the insight to see the big picture. He was able to act swiftly to provide proper, lifesaving care for my husband.

VA, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF), health care providers and caregivers are committed to making Inclusive Care the standard across the country, in both VA and community medical settings. The Campaign for Inclusive Care equips and empowers care providers, allied health professionals and caregivers alike with the tools and resources needed to work as a team to give our Veterans the best care experience possible.

Our country faces changes and challenges like never before. That’s why we must unite together, empower one another, and give our Veterans the best Inclusive Care experience they deserve.

Please know you are not alone

While it’s an honor to serve those who served. At times, caregiving can be exhausting, isolating, and frustrating. This is especially when we struggle to take time to care for ourselves as well as our loved ones.

Please know you aren’t alone. The amazing staff at the VA Caregiver Support Program and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation are here for you. I encourage you to participate in the life changing offerings VA has to offer Veteran caregivers, especially programs like Whole Health. Also visit EDF’s Hidden Heroes page to connect with vetted resources and a supportive, diverse caregiver community.

Take good care (of yourselves too).