“You’re sitting at home one night and get a phone call that your husband is being medevaced and he’s coming home. They said it was for spinal injuries,” recalled Mandy Spooneybarger, 36, caregiver to her husband, Charles, an Army veteran. “You have to live in your new normal. It’s stressful. It’s isolating. You have to let go of what you had. That is the hardest part. Sometimes it takes years. You can find strength from the person you are caring for. If you can, find other support.”

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA)  is among 13 groups nationwide that received a grant from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Campaign for innovative and evidence-based programs that address the long-term needs of military caregivers, the spouses, parents, and loved ones caring for servicemembers and veterans at home, helping to fill the gap that exists for this population.

“The ALA recognizes that many veterans depend daily on their dedicated caregivers,” said Kathy Dungan, national president of the organization. “We recognize how important it is to support caregivers and address the unique stresses they face to help ensure our nation’s heroes are supported for years to come.”

At the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) last fall, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation grant provided several opportunities to empower caregivers and provide social support. Respite bags were handed out to each caregiver at registration. Although the event is centered around veterans, the bags and warm welcomes from Auxiliary volunteers and staff made the caregivers feel special.

ALA staff hand out respite bags to caregivers.

Programs releveant to the needs of military caregivers are typically focused on the servicemember or veteran, and only incidentally related to the caregiver’s role. There are specific gaps in needed programs, which the grant helped to address. In addition, the funding provided the opportunity to build skills and confidence as caregivers.

“He was hurt in the service … He had some issues, but not like he does now. Now I consider myself really a caregiver,” said Dolores Kostiw, 71, caregiver to her husband, Steve, an Air Force veteran. “I retired two years ago. I’m around to help do what he needs to do, make sure he gets in and out of the shower OK. If he needs help with his shoes or dressing of any sort, I can try and help him with that. It’s very hard because he’s first — I have to make sure he’s OK and everything before I can take care of myself. It’s very, very hard. It’s a lot of work. You don’t think of yourself first, and you do let yourself go. I did that.”

Caregiver Dolores Kostiw with her husband, Steve, at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Des Moines, Iowa.

According to a Rand Corp. study, there are more than 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers in the United States. They spend many hours tending to the visible and invisible injuries or illnesses of their loved ones. In the study, 17 percent of civilian caregivers reported spending more than 40 hours per week providing care; 12 percent of post-9/11 military caregivers and 10 percent of pre-9/11 military caregivers spent more than 40 hours per week.

“Anger is a big thing. Address that as soon as you can,” said Spooneybarger. “Because that’s the biggest reason I see why people leave their spouses — unresolved anger. They take it out on the only safe place they know — the person holding their hand through the whole process.”

For Kostiw, it’s about finding time for herself.

“More than once, you think, I can’t do this anymore, I want to get out of it, but then he needs something, and I have to be there for him to give it to him,” she said. “Do what you can and if you can’t do it, ask for help.”

Through the educational program and social support opportunities that were offered at the NVCAF, Kostiw and others learned it was OK to not be OK and to ask for help as a caregiver. They had the opportunity to show their emotions in a welcoming environment with others in similar situations. Some also offered suggestions on how to cope, based on their own experiences.

The work of the American Legion Auxiliary for caregivers has just begun, but can continue to be supported through the organization, which helps veterans, military, and their families. To learn more about how to get involved or give back, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.