Caring for the Caregivers

Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and president of Give an Hour™

As we know, advances in medicine have led to much higher survival rates for those who are wounded on the battlefield. And while these developments mean more lives saved, the result is also many more wounded left to live with injuries that require significant care and support. The recovery of these wounded warriors hinges on many factors, including effective treatment from health care providers, available employment that fits a wounded service member's abilities and limitations, and additional opportunities and support from the community they return to.

The most critical element, associated with a service member's ability to recover and rebuild his or her life,however, is the care and support received from spouses,parents, children, colleagues, and friends.