Caregivers of veterans can find tips and support through the Building Better Caregivers® online workshop. Offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the course is an important resource for those caring for veterans facing serious health issues like mesothelioma. Find out how the BBC workshop can help you.
Building Better Caregivers for Mesothelioma Veterans
Proud U.S. veterans put their lives at risk to protect America’s freedoms. Some of these veterans may need care from family later in life if they develop service-related illnesses like mesothelioma.
However, caring for a veteran with mesothelioma can be stressful — especially without additional support. To that end, the VA’s Building Better Caregivers workshop offers training, resources, and peer connection for caregivers of veterans.
Caregivers can enroll in the self-paced BBC workshop online and, after completing it, should feel more confident in their ability to help a veteran with mesothelioma whom they love.
“After a very tough year, I came out on the other side. I wouldn’t have made it through without Building Better Caregivers.”
— Rachel, caregiver of a U.S. veteran
You can learn more about the BBC workshop below or request our Free Veterans Packet to explore a wide range of other resources, including VA benefits, help affording expenses, and more.
How Building Better Caregivers Works
Building Better Caregivers is a 6-week online program that teaches caregivers ways to more effectively care for ailing veterans, as well as manage their own stress.
Building Better Caregivers offers:
- Caregiving tips: Caregiving is often new to many family members, and adjusting to this role can be stressful. The BBC’s self-paced lessons allow caregivers to more easily and effectively become caregivers.
- Self-care information: Many caregivers don’t realize that self-care is crucial. You can’t help a veteran you love if you’re burnt out or overwhelmed. The BBC workshop will teach you how to manage your own mental, emotional, and physical needs.
- Support: You’ll have access to peers going through the workshop and facilitators who can give you real-time advice. After you complete the workshop, you can also get help from a network of other alumni.
Through the workshop, many caregivers of veterans with mesothelioma and other illnesses have come to feel more empowered.
“My life before the workshop was total chaos. I was exhausted all the time.”
— Paula, caregiver of a U.S. veteran
Joining the VA BBC program is free and anonymous, and you’ll be able to complete the course at your own pace.
Qualifications to Join the Building Better Caregivers Workshop
There are a couple of requirements that must be met to join the BBC workshop.
First, the veteran you’re caring for must be enrolled in the VA health care system. Many veterans already receive health care coverage through their VA benefits package.
As the caregiver, you must also be enrolled in either:
- The Program of General Support Services (PGCSS): Offers broad assistance to caregivers, including aid tailored to a veteran’s needs, respite care, and much more
- The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): Provides specialized services like a financial stipend, health insurance, and additional resources to help caregivers
Caregivers of veterans with mesothelioma typically qualify for the PCAFC. The VA rates mesothelioma as a 100% disability, and the PCFAC is open to families of veterans with disability ratings of 70% or more.
If the veteran you love has VA health care and you’re enrolled in one of the two programs listed above, you can call 1-844-516-1438 option 1 or sign up online.
Our team can also help your family explore and access many more mesothelioma VA benefits that can make life easier after a diagnosis. Get started right now.
Other Resources for Mesothelioma Veterans and Caregivers
Aside from the BBC, caregivers can access a wide range of other supportive services through the VA and other sources.
Key resources for veterans and caregivers include:
- Additional VA benefits options: The VA offers many more services beyond the BBC and caregiving programs to help veterans and those caring for them. Monthly disability compensation, free or low-cost VA health care coverage, and much more can go a long way toward making life easier for veterans and families.
- Compensation options: Veterans with mesothelioma and their loved ones can often pursue legal compensation worth over $1 million on average from companies that produced asbestos-containing products. Mesothelioma compensation allows veterans to afford the highest-quality care services available.
- Private care and support options: In-home caregiving services, nursing homes, and short-term respite programs can help support veterans and caregivers more effectively.
Call (877) 450-8973 now for help accessing resources that can ease the stress and uncertainty if a veteran you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
We’re Here to Help U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma and Their Caregivers
Programs like Building Better Caregivers are just one of many ways that the VA works to support veterans with mesothelioma and their caregivers.
Dealing with the stress of a mesothelioma diagnosis affects entire families, not just the veterans themselves. Caregivers deserve to get support as they navigate the challenges that they now face.
If you or a loved one is struggling, get our Free Veterans Packet now to explore a broad range of services that can make living with cancer — and caring for a veteran — easier.
