Demand For The Veterans Family Caregiver Program Triple Expectations

Demand for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Family Caregiver Program was three times higher than the VHA’s expectations. In 2011 when the program began, the VHA estimated that by September 30, 2014, about 4,000 caregivers would be approved. However, by May, 2014, about 15,600 caregivers had been approved. VHA staffing ratios for Caregiver Support Coordinators (CSCs) have not kept pace with demand. Across the 140 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) there are 233 CSCs and 15,661 approved caregivers. The average ratio is one CSC for 67 approved caregivers, but across the VAMCs, the ratio ranges from . . .