Steps

1. Keep your own appointments. Keep up with your own doctor visits and medicines. Put them on the calendar next to theirs.
2. Protect your back. Ask to be shown safe ways to help with moving. Use equipment like a lift or an adjustable bed when it is part of the plan.
3. Take real breaks. Even a short walk or a quiet cup of coffee helps. Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to cover for an hour.
4. Say yes to help. When someone offers, give them a specific job: a meal, a pharmacy run, a ride to an appointment.
5. Keep a care notebook. Write down medicines, appointments, questions for the doctor and equipment phone numbers in one place.
6. Talk to someone. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274. Military families can also look at Military OneSource.
7. Know the crisis line. If you or the veteran you care for is in crisis, call or text 988, then press 1. In an emergency, call 911.

Checklist

• My own appointments are on the calendar
• I have been shown safe ways to help with moving
• I took a break this week
• I gave someone a specific way to help
• Care notebook started
• Support numbers saved in my phone

Equipment in this guide

• Patient Lift
• Full-Electric Hospital Bed
• Daily Living Aids