Military Caregivers

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Dog Tag Bakery: A Fresh Start for Veterans

A bakery in Washington, D.C., brings together service-disabled post–9/11 veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. For five months, they are immersed in an intensive entrepreneurial-focused business program. It's become a model for helping veterans and others in the military community reestablish their lives.

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State of the Union 2020: Insights from RAND

The final State of the Union address of President Trump's four-year term may be viewed through the lens of the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the evening. But the speech touched on a range of policy challenges that will remain, regardless of how politics play out in 2020.

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Military Caregivers Share the Costs of War

Millions of veterans and service members receive care from family and friends who need support as well. Military caregivers sacrifice their time, their jobs, and even their health to provide a service worth billions of dollars to the United States.

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Caring for Our Nation's Hidden Heroes?

Thanks to a growing list of more than 100 organizations that have pledged their commitment as members of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's National Coalition for Military Caregivers, our nation is taking long overdue action to support both our wounded warriors and those who care for them.

Elizabeth Dole, Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

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From Combat to Caregiving: Q&A with Kayla Williams

Kayla Williams talks about being a female soldier and the spouse of a wounded warrior, why veterans aren't broken and caregivers aren't saints, and more.

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Honoring America's Veterans Requires Helping Their Families, Too

This Veterans Day, the United States especially honors the millions of veterans living with service-related illnesses and injuries. But it's also important to recognize the sacrifices of those helping them to recover and thrive: America's 5.5 million military caregivers.

Terri Tanielian

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Research Drives Ongoing Support for Veterans

On November 11, we honor the service and sacrifices of America's veterans. But as they return home and adjust to civilian life, veterans and their families face new challenges and communities struggle to meet their unique needs. Rigorous research is essential to addressing these challenges and finding long-term solutions. RAND explores key issues concerning veterans such as employment, health and well-being, family support, and education.

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Ask Me Anything: Rajeev Ramchand on Military Caregivers

With military caregivers quickly becoming a topic of national discussion, RAND's Rajeev Ramchand hosted an

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One Military Caregiver's Story

America shouldn't forget the sacrifices of those who care for the wounded. Rachel O'Hern tells the story of her life as a military caregiver, one of millions of spouses, family members, and friends who support service members and veterans with physical or emotional injuries or illnesses.

Rachel O'Hern, Terri Tanielian

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Finding a New Normal: A Military Caregiver's Perspective

The landscape for caregivers remains very difficult. Many still need additional training on how to best provide care for their loved ones, respite so they can care for themselves, and other forms of support.

Kayla M. Williams @KWilliams101

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Four Ways to Help Military Caregivers

As momentum continues to build, stakeholders across the board should keep in mind four broad recommendations for how to help military caregivers.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian

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Military Caregivers Are Hidden Heroes

Right now there are 5.5 million wives, husbands, siblings, parents, children and friends devoted to the care of those injured fighting America's wars. Theirs is an all-consuming, emotionally draining task, one that has been driven for too long by loyalty and love, but little support.

Elizabeth Dole, Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

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A World Without America's Military Caregivers

A world without military caregivers would be a harsher one for all, particularly for those who have served. Military caregivers' sacrifices improve the lives of wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, more of whom would suffer without them.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian

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Spotlight on America's Hidden Heroes: Military Caregivers

Despite military caregivers' vital contributions, little is known about their numbers, the burden of caregiving that they shoulder, or the resources that exist to support them. To shed light on these

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian

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They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers

Military families play a critical role in supporting U.S. servicemembers during deployment and afterwards. Equally vital but often less visible is the role played by those who care for the servicemembers who return with disabling injuries or illnesses and require long-term support beyond what the formal health care system provides.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Terri Tanielian

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A National Strategy for Supporting Military Caregivers

The act of caring for a veteran takes a physical, mental, and economic toll on caregivers and their families. Giving caregivers the skills and resources they need to cope and thrive should be as much a priority as giving veterans medical care.

Terri Tanielian, Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand