skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Louisiana teachers' union concerned about educators' future; Supreme Court hears arguments in Trump immunity case; court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility; landmark NE agreement takes a proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Speaker Johnson accuses demonstrating students of getting support from Hamas. TikTok says it'll challenge the ban. And the Supreme Court dives into the gray area between abortion and pregnancy healthcare, and into former President Trump's broad immunity claims.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken, and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

AARP co-hosts webinar on caregiving for veterans

play audio
Play

Wednesday, November 15, 2023   

AARP is partnering with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for a webinar today on the financial impacts of caregiving for veterans.

New data show family caregivers of veterans spent $11,500 of their own money on caregiving expenses. It's a large increase from 2021, when the figure was around $7,200 a year.

Jessika Eglin, associate state director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Virginia, described how deeply financial challenges can affect caregivers.

"Sometimes, these financial needs lead to financial setbacks," Eglin observed. "About 43% of veteran and military caregivers have said that they experienced at least one financial setback in their care journey that has led them to taking on more debt, or dipping into their own personal savings account."

She noted the federal government could provide tax credits or incentives to help offset some of the expenses caregivers face. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a family caregiver program, with a monthly stipend to help with common costs, like home modifications.

In doing caregiving work, Eglin said caregivers of veterans might fall into what's known as "sandwich generation" caregiving, taking care not only of their adult spouse or family member but young children as well. She noted caregiving needs can be intense, and can sometimes take a toll on the caregiver.

"Veteran and military family caregivers in particular will feel unheard, they'll feel unseen," Eglin explained. "They'll feel like there is no one out there that is in that situation that they're in as well."

Eglin emphasized caregivers of veterans should make self-care a priority by setting boundaries for themselves, paying attention to behavioral changes and knowing they are not alone.

A study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found a quarter of military caregivers had thoughts of suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or the Crisis Text Line, by texting the word "HELLO" to 741741.

Disclosure: AARP Virginia contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The United Nations experts also expressed concern over a Chemours application to expand PFAS production in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

United Nations experts are raising concerns about chemical giants DuPont and Chemours, saying they've violated human rights in North Carolina…


Social Issues

play sound

The long-delayed Farm Bill could benefit Virginia farmers by renewing funding for climate-smart investments, but it's been held up for months in …

Environment

play sound

Conservation groups say the Hawaiian Islands are on the leading edge of the fight to preserve endangered birds, since climate change and habitat loss …


Jane Kleeb is director and founder of Bold Alliance, an umbrella organization of Bold Nebraska, which was instrumental in stopping the Keystone Pipeline. Kleeb is also one of two 2023 Climate Breakthrough Awardees. (Bold Alliance)

Environment

play sound

CO2 pipelines are on the increase in the United States, and like all pipelines, they come with risks. Preparing for those risks is a major focus of …

Environment

play sound

April has been "Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month," but the pests don't know that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's the …

Legislation to curtail the union membership rights of about 50,000 public school educators in Lousiana has the backing of some business and national conservative groups. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Leaders of a teachers' union in Louisiana are voicing concerns about a package of bills they say would have the effect of dissolving labor unions in t…

Health and Wellness

play sound

The 2024 Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Public Conference kicks off Saturday, where industry experts and researchers will share the latest scientific …

Environment

play sound

Environmental groups say more should be done to protect people's health from what they call toxic, radioactive sludge. A court granted a temporary …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021