VA’s Caregiver Support Program Expanding REACH Program Improves Quality of Life for Caregivers and Veterans                                                                            WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans (VA) is expanding support nationally to caregivers of Veterans with Alzheimer’s disease.  A pilot program of the REACH VA (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health in VA) program showed great success in reducing stress on caregivers while improving care outcomes for the Veterans.                                                                                                     “The REACH VA model exemplifies the many different kinds of support VA offers to the caregivers of Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This program has been proven to provide the right resources, training and a renewed focus on personal health that can make a world of difference to those caregivers and their Veterans.”                                                                                              “Caregivers step up every day to serve Veterans they love who sacrificed to defend our Nation,” Shinseki added.  “To them, caregiving is a labor of love and devotion, but that alone does not ease the burden and personal stress placed on those who provide daily care for the disabled.”                                                                                                  REACH VA involved 127 caregivers connected to 24 VA medical centers.  The median age for the caregiver was 72 and the majority of the participants were spouses.                                                                              Typical issues caregivers face when caring for Veterans with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia include memory problems, behavior problems and the need to provide basic attendance such as grooming assistance.  Caregivers typically reported feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, cut off from family and friends, lonely, prone to bouts of crying and having worse physical health than the year before.                                                                                         For six months, the REACH VA caregivers were provided 12 individual in-home and telephone counseling sessions; five telephone support group sessions; a caregiver quick guide with 48 behavioral and stress topics; education on safety and  patient behavior management; and training for their individual health and well being.

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