| Ten years ago, RAND released a comprehensive study on caregivers who support wounded, ill, and injured military personnel and veterans. The report, Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers, examined the magnitude of military and veteran caregiving in the United States and identified gaps in the programs, policies, and support mechanisms designed to support these caregivers. On September 24, RAND released a follow-up report, America’s Military and Veteran Caregivers: Hidden Heroes Emerging from the Shadows, and on September 25, lead author Rajeev Ramchand provided congressional testimony about the current state of military and veteran caregiving. The report’s authors estimate that there are 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers nationwide, representing 5.5 percent of the U.S. adult population. Additionally, there are an estimated 91.3 million civilian caregivers (35 percent of U.S. adults) caring for wounded, ill, or injured civilian adults. The research team investigated how those caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans compare with those caring for civilians and with non-caregivers. They share insights on the potential consequences of caregiving on caregivers’ health, their economic security, and their families’ well-being. In addition to national surveys of caregivers and veterans needing caregiving support, the team also collected first-hand accounts from over three dozen caregivers about their experiences as a caregiver to complement the report to help deepen our understanding of the value of caregiving and the challenges these people face as caregivers. Please contact me if you have any questions, would like to speak with an author, or would like a copy of any reports. |
