Archive for the ‘wounded warrior’ Category

Understanding the Recovery Phases After an Amputation

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Helping Hand (Amputee)The pre- and post-amputation process can be difficult for you and your wounded warrior. It is important that you, as a military caregiver, learn about the issues you both may face.

The Amputee Coalition of America uses six phases to describe the recovery process after an amputation.

However, understanding these phases and applying them to your caregiving role can be challenging. Let’s take a look at what your loved one may be going through during their amputee journey and what you can do to help them through this process.

Phase 1: Enduring

In the first phase, your wounded warrior may experience the need to focus on the present to get through the pain, while blocking out distress about the future. It is a conscious choice not to deal with the full meaning of the loss.

Caregiver
During this phase, reassure him or her about your commitment and provide a comfortable environment while they are dealing with the pain and loss.

Phase 2: Suffering

In the second phase, the wounded warrior may have intense feelings about the loss of a limb or limbs. These feelings may include fear, denial, anger, depression, and confusion. This emotional anguish about the loss of self adds to the pain.

Caregiver
You can listen and offer help when your wounded service member experiences pain, worry, anger, frustration, and fear. When they request your help, get them to tell you what they need and talk about how you can handle the situation together.

Phase 3: Reckoning

During the reckoning phase, the wounded warrior is: coming to terms with the extent of the loss of limb or limbs, accepting what is left after the loss and understanding the implications for the future, and minimizing his or her own losses in comparison to others’ losses.

Caregiver
You can help your loved one accept current life changes and offer hope for the future by learning with them about advances in rehabilitation and prosthetic design.

Phase 4: Reconciling

In the reconciling phase, the wounded warrior begins to: regain control, become aware of his or her strengths and uniqueness, be more assertive, take control of his or her life, and manage their recovery process.

Caregiver
It is important to show patience during the reconciling phase and let him or her do as much as they can, even if it takes them longer or if they do things differently than you would.

Phase 5: Normalizing

In the normalizing phase, your warrior will begin to: balance his or her life, establish new routines, and once again concentrate on the things that matter, allowing priorities other than the loss to dominate his or her life.

Caregiver
By maintaining a schedule of daily activities, you will help the warrior focus on a routine and restore balance in both your lives.

Phase 6: Thriving

Not all military amputees attain the final recovery phase of thriving. Thriving is being more than before, trusting self and others, building confidence, and being a role model.

Caregiver
To help your loved one thrive, encourage him or her to interact with others who share in similar situations. This provides a positive outlook not only for themselves, but also for those just starting the recovery phase.

Caregiving can be emotionally and intellectually challenging at times for both you and your military amputee. Your support and care are vital in helping your wounded warrior succeed. While this new role in your life can be challenging, know that you are not alone–there is hope.

For more information regarding characteristics of military amputations and strategies for coping with an amputee patient go to Caregivers of Military Amputee. Also for additional information on caregiving, visit Caregiving 101 to learn more about this new caregiving role in your life and the emotional aspects that may affect you and your family.

 

 

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Compensation and Benefits Mobile App for Wounded Warriors

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Are you struggling to understand the benefits that you as a wounded service member may be entitled to? Or are you a military family caregiver and need on-the-go financial information concerning your wounded loved one? If so, there’s an app for that!

In November 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released the Wounded, Ill and Injured Compensation and Benefits Handbook–a smartphone application designed to provide service members and their families  with access to comprehensive information upon separation or retirement as a result of a serious (SI) or very serious (VSI) injury.

The comprehensive information included in the mobile application covers topics of recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. The electronic version also includes information relating to medical care, DoD pay and allowances, disability compensation and benefits.

The smartphone application also lists toll-free numbers for TRICARE regional contractors, behavioral healthcare providers and other TRICARE programs.

Both the handbook and smartphone application were developed by the DoD, Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and the Social Security Administration.

This free application is available for download on any iTunes store or Android market.


 

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Caregivers Battling Suicide on the Homefront

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Between 2005 and 2010, approximately one service member died every 36 hours, not by Afghanistan or Iraq insurgents, not from a result of a training exercise or automobile accident–but from suicide.

In 2009 alone, 160 active duty military personnel took their lives, making suicide the third leading cause of death among the Army population (Army HP/RR/SP Report, 2010).

As more troops return home from deployment, the risk of suicide may grow. It is important that families of these service members become aware of the issue and learn to identify potential risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide. Remember, as a caregiver–the more you know, the more you are likely to provide proper care and provide the immediate attention your service member needs and ultimately prevent the loss or injury of your loved one.

Understanding Suicide Prevention

Risk Factors

Several factors may be taken into account for someone to attempt or commit suicide. As a military caregiver, you should become aware of these risk factors associated with suicide.

  • Failed intimate relationship or relationship strain
  • Family history of suicide or suicide attempts
  • History of depression or other psychological issues
  • Significant loss (death of loved one or fellow service member within unit)
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Violence in the home or social environment
  • Recent disciplinary or legal actions
  • Serious medical problems or physical illness
  • Work-related problems
  • Excessive debt and other financial problems

Warning Signs of Potential Suicide

If you notice substantial changes in your loved one’s demeanor since he or she has returned home from combat, he or she may be exemplifying signs of potential suicide.  The following warning signs may lead you to indicate that your service member is suicidal:

  • Changes in eating, sleeping habits, or personal hygiene
  • Talking or hinting about committing suicide
  • Expressing a strong desire to kill someone else
  • Obsession with death (for example, in music, poetry, artwork, letters)
  • Changes in mood (for example, depression, irritability, rage, anger)
  • Increased alcohol and/or drug use or abuse
  • Isolation and withdrawal from social situations
  • Giving away possessions
  • Expressing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety
  • Making a will or otherwise finalizing personal affairs
  • Problem with spouse or partner
  • Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm or obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications

Caregiving Strategies

As a military caregiver, it can be hard to admit to yourself that your service member may be displaying signs of suicide. However, in today’s society where suicide has increased dramatically since the start of the global war on terrorism, many service members are at risk. In addition to identifying risk factors and warning signs, there are strategies that you, as the caregiver can do to help your loved one and yourself get thought this difficult time.

  • Look for any signs that show a deviation from your service member’s usual self.
  • Get help immediately! A suicidal person needs immediate attention.
  • Do not keep your warrior’s suicidal behavior a secret.
  • Do not ignore the situation and hope that things will eventually get better.
  • Talk openly about suicide. Be willing to listen and allow your loved one to express his/her feelings.
  • Actively listen for details about what, where and when your service member may be planning on killing himself or herself.
  • Actively listen without passing judgment.
  • Stay calm and safe–do not use force.
  • Provide a comforting and relaxing atmosphere.
  • Never leave the service member alone.
  • Escort warrior to his/her chain of command immediately.
  • Understand that your loved one may be in pain.
  • Remove any means that could be used for self-injury (for example, weapons or pills).
  • Provide your service member with contacts for suicide prevention (for example, a chaplain or behavioral health professional).
  • Be in control of the service member’s medications.
  • Be aware of how the service member’s behavior is affecting any children in the household.
  • Consider individual and family therapy.
  • Ask your service member’s doctors or nurse case manager on information regarding suicide and mental illness.
  • Seek spiritual healing.
  • Take care of yourself!

Caregiver Resources

If your loved one is experiencing thoughts or symptoms of suicide–do not hesitate, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for immediate assistance.

Also, contact your local Army installation’s Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) for support groups and caregiver support services.

For more information on suicide within the military, visit the Army Suicide Prevention Program. The program offers a variety of information and resources relating to suicide in order to improve readiness for service members and their families.

 

 

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Effects of Visible and Invisible Parent Combat Injuries on Children

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Study conducted by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University

Many service members are returning home from combat, but a large number of these individuals have come home at a price. These service members may have experienced significant changes in abilities resulting from loss of limbs; vision or hearing; severe burns; spinal cord injury; traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. Whatever the injury, adapting can be difficult during the reintegration process for wounded service members and their families.

Often times these injuries can unavoidably affect children living in the home and may have an impact on their well-being. By addressing the potential impact of parental injury on children and identifying ways of dealing with the issues, military families can maintain the long-term health and well-being of their children.

Factors effecting how a child interprets an injury

Several factors must be taken into account with how a child interprets an injury.

  1. Obviousness of the Injury–Depending on the severity of the injury and whether it is an invisible or physical injury will determine the wounded warrior’s involvement in daily parental routines. This can sometimes be confusing to children and they may feel rejected, confused, and angry or display a whole range of emotions related to the change.
  2. Changes in the home–Caring for a wounded service member ultimately results in changes within the home. The demands related to caring for the injured may overshadow the parent’s ability to meet the needs of a child, resulting in a negative impact on the child’s emotional, social, and physical development.
  3. Age of the child–Age of children can determine how they perceive changes in the service member and how they react to these changes. For example, an older child might perceive changes in the service member from pre-deployment to post-deployment as drastic; this perception may lead to a complete change in the relationship between the two.

Minimizing the effects of an injury on a child

It is important to keep in mind that there are actions that parents and caregivers can take to help minimize the effects of an injury on a child.

  1. Open, age-appropriate communication–Communication provides reassurance to children about the future.
  2. Family routines and rituals–Deployments and reintegration into civilian life can interrupt normal family routines. When a returning service member comes home, establishing regular routines may improve the household environment for children.
  3. Use of a support network–A support network can include other caregivers, family members and friends that can increase the number of positive, supportive attachment relationships in the child’s life.
  4. Consult a Professional–With an array of resources and services tailored to meet the needs of service members and their families, it may be helpful to seek professional help (e.g. psychotherapist, child therapist, etc.) in helping children negotiate the difficulties related to deployment injury.

Whatever your service member’s condition may be, it is important to fully understand not only how it will affect your life but the life of your children.

Check out Michigan State University’s new article on, Effects of Visible and Invisible Parent Combat Injuries on Children to learn more on how you can better understand the effects of your service members injuries on children.

 

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One mother’s struggle to care for her wounded warrior

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

“Alive Day,” a term used in the military to describe the moment a service member almost lost their life while in combat.

Mettie Family

Background–January 1, 2006

January 1, 2006 will always be remembered as the day that Denise Mettie’s son, U.S. Army Specialist, Evan Mettie was almost taken from her. During Army Specialist Mettie’s second deployment to Iraq his team was involved in a suicide car bomb, leaving him with a severe traumatic brain injury due to shrapnel from the improvised explosive device (IED).

Evan was in the “gunners” position of the Humvee when they stopped to investigate a parked car on the side of the road. When his team challenged the car’s driver, the driver blew himself and the car up. The effects from the IED inevitably affected Evan and his team nearby.

Evan received a shrapnel wound (fragments from bomb or ammunition) to the left side of his brain. Some members of his unit said it looked as if the left side of his head had been blown off. When a medic arrived to Evan’s aid, she quickly got him out of the Humvee, bandaged his head and intubated him. The Air Mission Commander requested an emergency landing at which time Evan was flown to the nearest medical treatment facility in Baghadad.

Once Evan was stabilized at the medical treatment facility in Baghdad from shrapnel that remain lodged in the left side of his brain, he was then evacuated to Landstuhl, Germany to undergo surgery for bleeding behind his left eye. Denise and her family were on orders by the Department of the Army’s Wounded in Action Branch (DA WIA) to head to Germany. However, because they had neither passports, nor birth certificates readily available the family was flown to Washington, D.C. where the DA WIA was making arrangements for the paperwork. Meanwhile in Germany, Evan was stabilizing miraculously from the injury, so much so that the U.S. Army medevac’d him to Bethesda National Naval Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Denise and her family were to learn later on that the rush to get to Germany was so that she and her family could say their last goodbyes; Evan was not expected to live.

Coming to his side at the hospital

Upon arrival to the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, Denise and her family were warned by healthcare professionals that Evan looked horrible and to expect tubes and life support equipment.

“When we walked into his room, my immediate reaction was “he looks beautiful, thank you God!””

In reality, Evan’s head was a maze of staples, he suffered fractures to all of his facial bones, his eyes and nose were swollen and he had respirator tubes hooked up through his mouth. The biggest concern at that moment though for doctors was that Evan had bleeding at the brain stem.

Through weeks of trials and tribulations, Evan continued to fight. Denise and her husband stayed by his side continually. After about a month Denise’s husband needed to return home to Washington state for work and to take care of their two teenage daughters. Denise had to take a leave of absence from her job at the U.S. Bank, a position she never returned to. Her new position–full-time military family caregiver to her son Evan.

Military Family Caregiver

When Evan deployed for the last time in 2005, Denise will always remember her last conversation with her son and the promise she made to him…

“He was home and told me, “Mom, I have a bad feeling about this one, I don’t think I’m going to be coming home.” I held his face in my hands and said, “I don’t care how you do it, what you have to do, but you will be coming home to me and I will be by your side every step of the way.””

Evan was released from Bethesda National Naval Medical but his road to recovery is a never ending battle in and out of medical treatment facilities and rehabilitation centers. As a veteran caregiver, Denise has spent months living in areas across the nation with Evan to make sure he gets the best treatment possible. What helped her get through was her continuous determination and unfailing support from family and friends.

“I thought I was strong enough to handle it alone, I was wrong. For the first time in my life this was something completely out of my control. I thought I had faith before but this was profound, I now knew what it was like to surrender complete control.”

Denise learned the importance of communicating with family and friends–the need to ask for help. Financially Denise and her family struggled to make ends meet with traveling from medical treatment facilities and rehabilitation centers and Evans medical bills. But with support from neighbors and their local community they were able to raise enough funds to offset some of the expenses. Family also helped in alleviating the overwhelming emotions and daily needs that Denise was responsible for as Evan’s caregiver.

Evan’s current schedule at home consists of one hour on the Quadriciser (a machine that restores strength, balance, circulation, range of motion and overall wellness). Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he stands for 40 minutes with a “sit-to-stand” chair that works to hold his head and move his arms up and down. Tuesday and Thursday, Evan has mat therapy, the practice of leaning forward, backward and stabilizing himself. While each day consists of small movements, it is a small step that his body must do to relearn body movement.

To date, Evan has been diagnosed as being in a “Locked-In” state. He understands his surroundings and responds with yes/no eye blinks; he does not speak; his vision has improved from the nerve damage in his left eye; and he is deaf in his right ear. Through the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Evan is able to smile, hold his head up and even laugh. Evan still requires 24/7 care from Denise and their home-healthcare practitioners because he is unable to purposefully move his body.

Denise’s caregiving journey is filled with hope; she continues to be amazed by Evan’s determination and strength of will.

“We did lose our “old” Evan, but God did give us a “new” Evan, and we are eternally grateful for that.”

Caregiving advice from Denise

Through the years of caring for her son, Denise has had to learn about Evan’s specific medical condition, research new advances in spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury and advocate for proper treatment and care. Her advice and guidance as a military caregiver would be admired by any mother, father or military spouses in any wounded warrior situation.

“In retrospect what has helped us the most throughout this journey is an unfailing faith, researching and learning everything we can about our son’s injury and continuous advocacy for our wounded warrior. There will be times when you feel like you are doing this alone–you are not. Become active in groups pertaining to your wounded service member’s injury–online, in person, by phone. Cultivate a network of friends to chat with, ask questions and just be there for each other. And remember to never give up!”

The most positive aspect of caregiving is that Evan is home with us.”

If you are a military family caregiver and would like to hear more about Denise’s story or would like advice on caring for wounded warriors, please contact Denise Mettie at (dcmettie@hotmail.com).

For information on tips for caring for wounded, ill and injured service members check out Tips for Caregivers at (http://www.extension.org/pages/60576/military-family-caregiving).

Also, if you are a caring for a veteran or wounded service member, we would like to hear from you. Please share your experiences, heartaches and advice for others in caregiving situations with us today. Comments can be made below.

 

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Military Caregiving–The Essence of Communication

Thursday, January 26th, 2012


The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. –George Bernard Shaw

Lack of communication can be an underlying problem in caregiving relationships with their wounded warriors, health care providers and family and friends. While you are unable to fully treat your service member’s injury as a caregiver, you are able to improve the rehabilitation process through effective communication.

Through the course of your caregiving journey you must rely on your communication skills with your loved one to obtain and share information, grow and adapt to change, to understand your warrior’s needs, and to stay connected with others.

Communicating with your wounded warrior

According to the Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, communication is significant to your long-term relationship with one another. Caregiving demands can make it difficult to balance other roles of being a husband, wife, partner or parent. Do not be afraid to ask questions for fear of offending your service member. Talking about your concerns with your wounded warrior offers support and provides an opportunity to reassure each other.

  • Allow each other to talk about what you are feeling
  • Share the things you each do to cope with overwhelming emotions
  • Identify topics that are stressful for you
  • Try to not judge each other
  • Discuss issues of intimacy
  • Talk with a counselor or clergy member
  • Protect your time together
  • Talk about hopes that you each have for the future

Communicating with Health Care Providers

Medical appointments can be stressful. It is important to learn about your warrior’s medical conditions and understand the information you receive. Preparing for an appointment ahead of time can help you, your family member and his/her health care providers obtain important information you each need.

  • Jot down key questions or points you want to discuss with the doctor.
  • Keep a folder of your family member’s medical information. Bring it to each visit.
  • Talk to the doctor or nurse case manager about your worries.
  • Report any major changes you observe in your service member’s symptoms, mood, abilities or daily activities.
  • Take notes during medical visits.
  • Meet with your service member’s Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) and their Triad of Care or health care team to discuss ‘next steps’ in the Comprehensive Transition Plan (CTP) or care plan.

Communicating with family and friends

You may feel alone in your caregiving duties and that no one else understands. Asking for help is not easy but it may be the best way for you to stay healthy and continue giving care. Help others to understand by letting them know what they can do to help out–and how often you want their assistance.

Be honest about what you can and cannot do. Think about all the things you do each day. What tasks can others do to free up some of your time or to ease your work load?

  • Fix a meal
  • Clean
  • Run errands
  • Do yard work
  • Provide childcare
  • Help with finances
  • Give you opportunities to talk or share feelings
  • Drive family members to appointments

Caregiving can be both challenging and satisfying. Learning how to effectively communicate is the essential building-blocks to your journey ahead.

If you are a veteran caregiver, what advice could you offer to our younger generation of caregivers to improve their relationships with their wounded warriors?

 

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Military Caregivers: Understanding the invisible wounds of war

Monday, January 9th, 2012

With the war in Afghanistan and Iraq coming to a close, servicemen and women are returning home to their long awaited family and friends. While their homecoming is bitter sweet, the challenges of reintegration from combat to civilian life can be stressful on these service members and their families.

During deployments service members experience long periods of extreme stress, endure intense battlefield activity that poses personal harm and involves the taking of life, experience their own injuries, and witness the injuries and deaths of others.

The effects of war may have an impact on the mental and emotional well-being of your returning service member. Many survivors of a traumatic event return to normal with time, whereas others take longer to heal–these individuals may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is an anxiety disorder or condition that can be characterized as a silent, invisible injury common in military personnel who have been exposed to traumatic events while performing their military responsibilities.

If your loved one recently returned home from war, look for signs and symptoms that he or she may be exhibiting PTSD.

Symptoms include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Nightmares
  • Unwanted thoughts or memories
  • Panic attacks
  • Angry or irritable
  • Excessive use of alcohol
  • Scared
  • Confused

Living with a service member who suffers from PTSD can be difficult, learn how you can better understand this invisible wound and strategies for helping and coping with the situation by going to Caring for Those with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Also, watch Veterans’ Voices on PTSD and hear stories from veterans who have experienced PTSD. These veterans share their emotions, actions, and symptoms caused by PTSD and what they did to overcome the invisible wounds of war.

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Are you caring for a wounded warrior who suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED)?

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Photo provided by the U.S. Army

In a recent question to our Military Families website, an individual shared with us that their neighbor’s son stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan and wanted to know if we could provide them with any information or support services.

My initial reaction was heartfelt sympathy for those families that are struggling from the effects of war.  Secondly, I ask myself what advice can I offer an individual in this particular situation–who at this very moment is unaware that their role as family member, spouse, partner or friend is forever changing to the role as military caregiver.

Caring for a service member who has suffered injuries from an IED blast can be overwhelming, as is caring for anyone injured in combat. An IED, in laymen terms, is known as a roadside bomb or a homemade bomb. According to the Department of Defense, Personnel and Military Casualty Statistics, IEDs have caused over 70 percent of all American combat casualties in Iraq and 50 percent of combat casualties in Afghanistan, both killed and wounded.

Depending on your wounded warrior’s military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) notification of your loved one wounded in combat differs, as does the specific military injury.

Once you get the call

While military spouses and family members hope never to receive a call that their service member has been wounded, it is important to be aware of the life-changing events that are about to unfold. To learn more about the notification process and tips to prepare you in the event your loved one is injured, check out Once You Get the Call!.

Once You Get the Call! not only includes information about the notifications process and tips but also includes contact information to the Department of the Army’s Wounded in Action Branch (DA WIA). The contact information will allow you to directly talk to a representative about the status of your wounded warrior IF he/she is in the Army.  Also, if your military family member is in the Army, it may be helpful to contact his/her installation base’s Warrior in Transition Battalion (WTB). The WTB will aid in any information as it relates to injured service members and IED blasts.

Connecting with caregivers

When researching information about IEDs and caregiver support services, I truly believe the best place to start is to connect with caregivers who have already experienced this type of situation. While no wounded warrior experience is the same, utilizing veteran caregivers may be beneficial in receiving feedback on such topics as:

For specific caregiver contact information, I suggest contacting Denise Mettie (dcmettie@hotmail.com). Denise is a veteran caregiver to her son Evan, who was injured in 2006 when his Humvee ran over an IED. Her son Evan, suffers from severe traumatic brain injury due to shrapnel from the IED blast. Denise can share an insight into her experiences that may help you during this time.

In addition to contacting Denise, it may be helpful to follow Colleen Saffron, a Voice of Warriors columnist. The Voice of Warriors gives an insight into Colleen’s trials and tribulations as a military family caregiver and offers advice to caregivers in similar caregiving situations.

Colleen’s husband was wounded in 2004 from an IED explosion as well. Colleen founded, “Operation Life Transformed,” a nonprofit group that trains families of wounded service members so they can work from home while caring for their loved ones. Colleen is very familiar with Veterans Affairs, the WTB and the Army Wounded Warrior Program. Also, she continues to be involved with advocacy and awareness for families of wounded service members. To learn more about Colleen’s story go to: U.S. Army Face of Strength.

 

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Caregiver Support During the Holiday Season

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

 

During the holiday season many Americans gather with loved ones to celebrate traditions and give thanks for the blessing received throughout the year. Despite the effects of war, wounded warriors and their family caregivers try to do the same.

Many military caregivers are faced with caring for wounded warriors experiencing loss of limb(s), vision loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or severe burn injuries. During the holiday season the emotional toll of caregiving may heighten.

Whether your caregiving responsibilities may be short-term, long-term, or indefinite, you face a roller coaster of emotions. These emotions can leave you feeling blue, ultimately affecting your caregiving ability. By identifying these emotions now, you’ll be better able to cope with them during the holiday season.

Consider the emotions that are described in the article, “Caregiving Leaving You Feeling Blue?” The article identifies emotions that you may go through as a military family caregiver, such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Guilt
  • Hopelessness and abandonment
  • Anger and resentment
  • Fear
  • Inadequacy

While it is normal to experience these emotions, as the caregiver, it is important to understand how your emotions can affect your lifestyle.

In order to take control of your emotions, “Caregiving Leaving You Feeling Blue?,” suggests…

  • Taking regular breaks from caregiving.
  • Focusing on your health as well as your wounded warrior’s.
  • Joining a support group for caregivers in similar situations.

For more information on how to combat your overwhelming caregiving emotions this holiday season visit: “Caregiving Leaving You Feeling Blue?”.

Remember, your role as caregiver does not mean you have to do everything or do everything alone. Realize that you are not alone; individuals who share similar feelings are ready to help you. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 for times when you just need someone to listen. Or contact your local Army installation’s Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) for information about support groups and caregiver support services.

 

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Children of Wounded Warriors: Guidance for Caregivers

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Have you recently received a call that your service member has become very seriously injured (VSI) or seriously injured (SI)? Do you have a child who will be affected by your wounded warrior’s injury? Are you struggling to prepare your child for the emotional impact that your wounded warrior’s injury may have on his or her life?

If so, you can strive to overcome these challenges by preparing your child for what may occur during the first visit to your wounded warrior’s bedside. No one knows how your child will react when first seeing your wounded warrior; however, understanding your child’s emotional needs, planning ahead, and providing support to your child before, during, and after the initial visit may set the tone for how he or she will interact on future visits.

Developmental approach to the emotional care of children

Seeing a seriously injured service member can be emotionally distressing to children and teenagers. One aspect of preparing young people for the experience is knowing how to communicate with children of different ages.

Infants, toddlers, and young school-age children

According to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS), young children are less likely to need to know the details about the injury that a teenager would require. Depending on your child’s age, use appropriate language that he or she will understand. Describe your wounded warrior’s injury from a child’s point of view. Younger children may find it helpful if you show where your wounded warrior is injured by using a doll, puppet, or other prop. Be aware of certain disclosures when talking to younger children about your wounded warrior’s condition. Do not provide details to a child who is not ready to hear them.

School-age children, preteens, and teenagers

School-age children, preteens, and teenagers are able to understand certain concepts and definitions, making it easier for you to explain certain medical terminology associated with your wounded warrior. Also, teenagers may feel as though they are being drawn back into their parents’ lives at a time when they are learning to become independent. Parents or guardians should not expect a teenager to take on the adult role in the family now that the service member is wounded.

Regardless of your child’s age, provide reassurance that your wounded warrior is still the same person even though he or she may look different. Provide comfort by letting your child know that it is okay to be angry, frightened, or sad.

Support for the first visit to your wounded warrior’s bedside

Knowing what actions to take before, during, and after your child’s first visit to your wounded warrior’s bedside will help all members of the family cope with the situation. Find out how you can prepare your child by going to: Children of Wounded Warriors: Guidance for Caregivers.

 

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