{"id":7848,"date":"2025-07-06T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7848"},"modified":"2025-07-06T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T20:30:00","slug":"how-one-caregiver-transformed-her-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7848","title":{"rendered":"How one caregiver transformed her life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-07-06T20:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

For more than 16 years, Vicki has been the primary caregiver for her 77-year-old husband, an Air Force Veteran living with dementia, congestive heart failure and recurring blood clots. As his physical and mental health declined, Vicki became more and more stressed, tired and isolated. Like many caregivers, she struggled to keep going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI managed caregiving for my husband on my own for a long time,\u201d Vicki shared. \u201cHowever, as his cognitive and physical abilities deteriorated, he became more angry, agitated and helpless. I was emotionally and physically exhausted. My own health was suffering. In desperation, I dug around on Google, looking for support for caregivers of Veterans and found Building Better Caregivers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building Better Caregivers<\/a> (BBC) is a free, online, VA program designed specifically for caregivers of Veterans living with dementia, memory loss, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries or other serious health conditions. Vicki enrolled in BBC more than three years ago and has never looked back.<\/p>\n

\u2018BBC changed my life\u2019<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhat a lifeline,\u201d said Vicki. \u201cBBC changed my life! I learned so many tools for understanding his condition, how to help him more successfully, but most of all I found out that I was not alone. Each week, I looked forward to hearing about other caregivers\u2019 experiences. You cannot imagine how encouraging it is to think, \u2018You, too?!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

To enroll in BBC, the caregiver must meet criteria and be willing to participate in the Caregiver Support Program<\/a> in either the Program of Comprehensive Assistance or Program of General Caregiver Support Services.<\/p>\n

BBC <\/a>is self-paced, offering weekly online workshops and lessons that caregivers can access at any time of the day or night. After completing the workshop, participants can join a supportive alumni community and tap additional resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cI applied for the program when I heard about it, and I joined a cohort of other caregivers with online lessons,\u201d said Vicki. \u201cEach week, we completed the lesson and interacted between caregivers and the staff at BBC. There are also alumni resources, which I appreciate so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benefits of BBC:<\/p>\n