Family Caregivers Share Personal Stories of the
Challenges They Face
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Pictured from left are veteran caregivers Dottie Furlong and Angela
O’Connell, Rep. Langevin, Kathleen McKeon of the Caregivers
Alliance of Rhode Island and Erik Wallin, executive director of
Operation Stand Down RI. (Photos courtesy of Rep. Jim Langevin)
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WEST WARWICK, RI
– Donald
O’Connell served his country bravely in the Vietnam War. He later became
commander of his local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter so he could
help other service men and women. In particular, Donald worked hard to help
veterans navigate the system so they could access their benefits.
He never
imagined he would be the one in need of an advocate, until four years ago, when
he was diagnosed with dementia.
Thankfully, he
has Angela, his loving wife of 37 years. Angela still works full time, but had
to change her hours so she could better care for Donald. She drives him to and
from day services and is his full-time caregiver at home. Accessing benefits
and resources has been a daunting maze, she says, and her new life as a family
caregiver has been overwhelming.
Angela is one of
many veteran family caregivers who have exhausted their emotional and financial
resources doing the right thing for their loved one. Congressman Jim Langevin,
a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, has introduced two
pieces of legislation that he hopes will make life easier for American veterans
and their families, including the O’Connells.
The Veterans
Homebuyer Accessibility Act would provide a tax credit of up to $8,000 for
specially adaptive housing improvements and a first-time homebuyer tax credit
of up to $8,000 to eligible veterans.
The Military
and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act would make veterans of all
eras eligible for caregiver support services; extend eligibility to include a
wider array of needs that may require caregiving; and expand services available
to caregivers, such as child care, financial advice and legal counseling.
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| Dottie Furlong and
Angela O’Connell, veteran family caregivers |
The bill also
creates a national interagency working group to coordinate caregiver policy and
services, and it reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which was
originally introduced by Langevin and former Congressman Mike Ferguson and
passed into law in 2006.
Operation Stand
Down Rhode Island Executive Director Erik Wallin and Kathleen McKeon of the
Caregiver Alliance of Rhode Island also spoke about the challenges facing the
veterans they serve. They were joined by veteran caregiver Dottie Furlong,
whose son is currently serving in Kuwait with the Army Reserves. While he is
overseas, Furlong cares for his fiancée, a veteran who suffered a traumatic
brain injury while serving in Iraq, and is now battling PTSD.
“I’m doing what
I have to do but there’s not enough support. It’s just been one heartache after
another,” Furlong said. “I, as a caregiver, want to see more consistency and
more accountability. I want to be part of the solution.”
Langevin
believes these caregiver experiences illustrate the need for stronger supports
and services for veterans and their families.
“The critical
support provided by family caregivers often goes unrecognized and unpaid. These
selfless individuals put the needs of their veteran loved ones first, often at
the expense of their emotional health and financial security,” said Langevin.
“Veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for our nation, and it is our
responsibility to support them when they return home. That must include support
for the families that love and care for them.”
“Our brave men
and women in uniform fought the good fight on foreign lands, now we must all
fight for our veterans and their families to ensure they have the resources
necessary to overcome their struggles at home,” said Wallin. “Congressman Langevin’s
legislation recognizes the value of the uniquely compassionate and invaluable
care our veteran families provide their service member.”
“The Caregiver
Alliance of Rhode Island represents family caregivers caring for disabled
children, adults and elders and the agencies and organizations that provide
them with support. Included in the over 200,000 Rhode Island caregivers
are many who care for those who served our country,” said McKeon. “On behalf of
the Caregiver Alliance I would like to say how pleased we are to see
Congressman Langevin furthering the cause of Rhode Island’s caregivers with the
Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act.”