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Research and Commentary

The RAND Military and Veteran Caregivers Study has produced a number of publications on this important topic.

Featured Research

More Publications and Commentary

Expert Insights
Supporting Military and Veteran Caregivers
More than 14 million Americans are caring for our nation's heroes. Supporting these caregivers requires recognizing the breadth of what they do, which includes caring for those with mental health and substance use conditions, and also attending to caregivers' mental health and financial well-being.
Sep 25, 2024
Commentary
Who Is a Caregiver?
Over 40 percent of American adults are caregivers, providing unpaid assistance to those with wounds, illnesses, or injuries. To support caregivers, it's crucial to recognize their roles, address their emotional and financial challenges, and offer resources.
Sep 24, 2024
Research
Who Are America's Military and Veteran Caregivers?
A study of U.S. caregivers explores how those caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans compare with those caring for civilians and with non-caregivers. This summary presents key findings and recommendations from the study.
Sep 24, 2024
Research
America's Military and Veteran Caregivers: In Their Own Words
Interviews with military and veteran caregivers deepen our understanding of the challenges and joys of caregiving. Their diverse and nuanced experiences offer insights into what drives caregivers, what they do, and how services could be improved to support them.
Sep 24, 2024
Research
America's Post-9/11 Military and Veteran Caregivers
There are an estimated 1.5 million people providing care to veterans or service members who served after September 11, 2001. Many post-9/11 caregivers meet criteria for excessive burden and high stress. Sixty percent reported difficulty paying bills. How can these caregivers be better supported?
Sep 24, 2024
Research Summary
Nine Ways to Help Military and Veteran Caregivers
There are many ways to improve the health and well-being of military and veteran caregivers. These include increasing access to mental health and substance use treatment for caregivers and their children, expanding home health care, and promoting supportive work environments.
Sep 24, 2024
Research Summary
America's Military and Veteran Caregivers: Changes from 2014 to 2024
How have the lives and well-being of America's military and veteran caregivers changed in a decade? A look at trends over time suggests areas where progress has been made and where there is room for improvement.
Sep 24, 2024
Research
Improving Support for Military and Veteran Caregivers: A Research Blueprint
Millions of Americans provide informal care and support to current and former U.S. service members. A new research blueprint could help inform efforts to improve support for these “hidden heroes.”
Jun 14, 2017
Research Summary
A Blueprint for Improving Support for America's Hidden Heroes
RAND researchers, commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, developed a research blueprint to guide future investments that would improve the well-being of military and veteran caregivers.
Jun 14, 2017
Research
RAND Military Caregivers Study: Key Facts and Statistics
Although significant attention has been paid to servicemembers and veterans with service-related injuries and associated conditions, little is known about the needs of their caregivers or the resources that exist to meet them. This presentation highlights findings from the RAND Military Caregivers Study on caregiver activities, support, and services.
Apr 16, 2014
Research
Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers (Executive Summary)
This summary distills a longer report, Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers. It describes the magnitude of military caregiving in the United States, identifies gaps in support services, and offers recommendations.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Summary
Who Are Military Caregivers? And Who Is Supporting Them?
There are 5.5 million Americans caring for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, providing indispensable services and saving the nation millions in health and long-term care costs. Researchers describe who these caregivers are, the burden they bear, available programs and resources, and areas where they need more support.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Summary
Supporting Military Caregivers: Options for Congress
Congress can support military caregivers in many ways: reconsider eligibility requirements for caregiver support programs, ensure health care coverage for military caregivers, promote the integration and coordination of programs and services, and fully fund the Lifespan Respite Care Act.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Summary
Military Caregivers in the Workplace
The business community can support military caregivers in many ways: raise awareness by promoting messages that support military caregivers, offer support services, work with employees to accomodate their caregiver duties, and hire caregivers.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Summary
Supporting Military Caregivers: The Role of Health Providers
Health care providers can support military caregivers in many ways: acknowledge them as part of the health care team, routinely assess caregiving needs and the presence of caregiver support, integrate them into health providers' culture, and adopt appropriate caregiver documentation requirements to facilitate their engagement.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Summary
Support Resources for Military Caregivers
Caregiving can take a lot of time and impose a heavy burden on caregiver health and well-being. But finding and utilizing support resources can help. Support services for military caregivers may provide respite care, financial stipends, health care and mental health care services, and more.
Mar 31, 2014
Research
Military Caregivers Aid Injured Warriors, but Little Is Known About Their Needs
Spouses, family members, and others who provide informal care to U.S. military members after they return home from conflict often toil long hours with little support, putting them at risk for physical, emotional, and financial harm.
Mar 7, 2013