A Home Health Aide provides basic services that include administering medications, changing bandages, and checking vital signs like temperature, pulse and respiration rates. Although a home health aide works independently, he or she is supervised by a medical professional, usually a registered nurse.

In some cases, you or your Soldier may have critical issues to deal with. These may include critical care support, other dependencies or addictions, or dangerous living situations. In the event you are dealing with critical issues, you will need to reach out to your care team and seek support. Your Soldier's recovery depends on an environment with limited stress and the greatest comfort and safety as possible to rest and regain strength.

As you and your Soldier continue to work on rehabilitation, the plan of care will remain critical to your success. The plan of care is originally defined by your Soldier’s care team in the hospital and carefully outlines all required care taking, equipment use, medications, treatments, and environments required for at home care. As the Soldier's condition changes the plan of care will be modified. As the Caregiver, you will need to partner with the Soldier's care team to ensure the right environment and treatments are provided.

It is important to find a process that works for you, it could be on paper, phone, or computer. You will have a lot of appointments to keep track of and depending how you organize these various appointments you may need to try multiple attempts. Don't be afraid to try different things, you may want to keep a combination of paper calendars, dry erase boards and phones based on your family's needs.

As a general rule, appointment information should include:

• Attendee name

   

• Purpose: type of visit (check-up or testing)

   

• Special requirements (fasting, arrive early, bring other medical records or evaluations, bring other clothes, bring medications)

   

• Location: Name of location, address, parking, and access options

   

• Length of Appointment: 1 hour, half day, or overnight

   

Try your best to make all scheduled appointments as to not derail the plan of care.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL) Program provides special compensation to eligible permanent catastrophically ill and/or injured Service members who need caregiver assistance with activities of daily living or for supervision or protection. Service members or their designated representatives can voluntarily apply for SCAADL by submitting a DD Form 2948, “Application for Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL).” Service members should contact their primary care managers, care coordinators, or Service Wounded Warrior Program staff to discuss eligibility requirements for receiving this special compensation.

For more information visit:

Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL) (dodlive.mil)

It is not uncommon to neglect your own health while caring for others, especially when things are stressful and you have many things on your to do list that keep piling up. Remember to take care of yourself by scheduling regular medical and dental appointments so you can stay in your best health while taking care of your Soldier.

Respite care is planned or emergency temporary care provided to caregivers. There are many respite programs that can assist you through your journey and it is up to you to determine what works best for your needs. Respite can provide a positive experience giving a much needed "short break" to the caregiver.