Wounded Warriors Family Support's New Respite Program Offers Aid to Caregivers of Wounded Veterans

OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new program offered by Wounded Warriors Family Support is providing support and assistance to the caregivers of wounded warriors across the country.

The Caregiver Respite Program provides respite and supplemental services to the caregivers and families of wounded war veterans of all eras who have been awarded the Purple Heart and have dependent children.

Caring for a wounded veteran can be demanding physically, psychologically and financially. Oftentimes caregivers are spouses or family members who have many other responsibilities, such as work, managing bills and taking care of children. Studies have shown that caregivers of veterans often spend long hours caring for their loved one and feel high levels of stress.

Wounded Warriors Family Support respite services include providing secondary caregiver assistance, respite aid for remote areas and short-term temporary relief in the form of child care and other services. The program also provides assistance in enrolling in the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Services and other agencies offering resources and support.

"We are making sure the family members who were thrust into the role of caregivers are provided with the emotional and psychological support they need to keep their families intact while keeping themselves healthy," said Wendy Tatro, Wounded Warriors Family Support Respite Program Director. "Our program is designed to work cohesively with the Department of Veteran Affairs and other agencies in providing a respite support system for our nation's caregivers."

Applications for the Caregiver Respite Program are available online on the Wounded Warriors Family Support website, www.wwfs.org, under the "Caregivers" tab or by calling (402) 502-7557.

Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent non-profit organization that provides support to the families of U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.

SOURCE Wounded Warriors Family Support