VA Caregiver Support

The Veterans Administration offers several options for caregiver support.

1) VA's Caregiver Support Line - 1-855-260-3274 Toll free.

Available Monday - Friday, 8 AM-11 PM ET
Saturday, 10:30 AM - 6 PM ET

2) VA's caregiver support website www.caregiver.va.gov

3) The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) Caregiver Support Group

It is "a welcoming place for caregivers to share their frustrations, challenges, and fears. Educaton will be provided on caregiving issues, increasing coping sklls, promoting self-care, and providing mutual support."

Date: First Tuesday of each month

Time: 2 - 3:00 Pm

Location: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Building 101
Room B5
10000 Bay Pines Blvd.
Bay Pines, FL 33744

Respite care is available at Bay Pines VAHCS to care for the Veterans so caregivers can attend the Caregiver Support Group meetings.

To register for the meetings, call: Marion Richter, MSW, LCSW
Caregiver Support Coordinator
727-398-6661 ext 20099
or 888-820-0230 ext 12099

The support group will help caregivers:

• Understand memory loss
• Grieve a loss not related to death, such as personality changes and difficulty with memory
• Deal with difficult behaviors
• Learn about the VA and community resources
• Care for themselves
• Learn about legal and financial concerns
• Plan for the future