JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
The U.S. Army Medical Command's Army Public Health Center announced May 14 the launch of a survey for military caregivers, those family members and friends who provide assistance to a wounded, ill or injured Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine.
The survey will be open to any family member or friend over the age of 18, regardless of their beneficiary status.
The service member receiving caregiver support may be in a Warrior Transition Battalion or going through the Disability Evaluation System or may be suffering invisible wounds and not seeking care at all. The survey opened May 14 at Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Sill, Okla.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; and Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
"We know that our military caregivers have health concerns and needs of their own and while caregiving can be rewarding, it can also cause additional stress," said John Resta, the deputy chief of staff for public health at the U.S. Army Medical Command and director of the U.S. Army Public Health Center. "We are excited to host this survey to learn more about our Military caregivers and determine ways to best serve them."
Military caregivers improve the lives of our service members and help speed recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
Unfortunately, their tremendous devotion often comes at a cost. According to the 2014-RAND Hidden Heroes Report, post 9/11 caregivers suffer worse health outcomes, greater relationship strain and more workplace problems than pre 9/11 or civilian caregivers.
The anonymous, 15-minute survey aims to supplement what was learned in the RAND report to understand the social, economic and health impact of caregiving and identify gaps in services.
Surveys can be completed from a cell phone, tablet or desktop. The Army Public Health Center urges friends and family member caregivers at Fort Bragg, Fort Sill, JBLM, and JBSA to take the survey at http://militarycaregiver.health.mil/survey